Chapter 12
MELANIE.
AS SOON AS I LET OUT THOSE WORDS I KNEW TD SEALED MY FATE.
The sidekick let out a breath.. of relief or disappointment, I wasn’t sure. My nemesis just stared at me with those impossibly green eyes for about five seconds, probably trying to sense foul play. I must’ve passed the inspection, because, without breaking his stare, he produced a pen from the inner pocket of his suit jacket and handed it to me.
I took it and picked up the file containing the contract, perusing it thoroughly to make sure I wasn’t signing up to be used as a sex toy or child trafficker. You can never be too careful. After I was satisfied with the contents, I signed on the dotted line and dropped the pen like it was a microphone. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the sidekick smile and roll his eyes. I wondered what was making him so happy.
“By signing you have said in essence that you are aware of the terms and conditions stated therein and the consequences for breach of said contract, and are agreeable towards them” Mr. Alonso droned on. It was my turn to roll my eyes
“Yes I know what I agreed to. It is not my first time I cut in before he kills me after all, but this time with boredom.
“Well then Congratulations. Melanie. You are no longer the occupant of the crazy cell“, he replied, getting up and dusting off his suit even though there was nothing on it
About time. I’m more than ready to get out of this place and see the outside world again. Forgetting the weakness in my body in my eagerness, I made to stand up hastily. My head swam and I braced myself against the wall, shooting glares at the sidekick when he moved towards me and he stopped. Wise man
“Do you require assistance?” Mr. Alonso said in that infuriatingly calm voice but I could swear he was laughing at me on the inside “I can walk just fine on my own, thank you very much” I said frostily and proceeded to prove it, all the while keeping as close to the walls as possible because there was no way I would live through it if I face–planted in front of these guys
I made it to the door with the men behind me and did the honors of opening it myself and stepping out for the first time in what felt like a month. The man posted to keep watch over me glanced at me and did a double take before standing up and reaching for his gun
“Whoa. Easy there, tiger” I chuckled and he narrowed his eyes at me, Just as he was about to grab my hand he finally spotted his boss behind me and snapped to attention like a tight elastic band.
“Sir.”
His eyes shifted from him to me with an unspoken question.
“Tell your partner that the two of you are released from duty,” his boss said, brushing past us and walking ahead without waiting for confirmation. I guess he expects and receives complete obedience from everyone he encounters. I smirked to myself. He was going to be in for quite a shock. I was left with the sidekick at my- ha ha side as we walked up the staircase into the large open space where I was taken.
I’d barely had time to look around the place then, but I now noticed the wide reception desk, chairs and potted plants and a set of double doors leading off somewhere.
We made our way to the bank of elevators and stepped in one when it arrived. Mr. Alonso ordered for the ground floor and we went down in silence, the only sound the annoying tinny music all elevators nationwide seemed to have. The doors pinged and opened on the ground floor and we stepped out into the blazing afternoon sunshine.
Wait, I thought Julio said it was morning? Is everyone here trying to fuck with me! The sudden shift in my idea of time, the confusion and weakness seemed to hit me all at once and, feeling dizzy, I stumbled.
Before I could French kiss the concrete floor a pair of arms caught me and I found myself staring directly into those green
again.
yad they always had those flecks of gold in them? I wondered idly as he steadied me on my feet, watching me
carefully.
“I was going to call a car to take you to your new accommodation but clearly you’re in no state to be on your own“, He
said.
“I could take her. It is no trouble the sidekick put in.
“No. You hold down the fort.” He replied, fiddling with his phone. In a few minutes, a car pulled up to the curb and I stared in disbelief. I picked my jaw up off the floor, shook his arms off me and walked up to the most glorious sight ever.
Chapter 12
“Is that a Bugatti Centodieci with 1,600 horsepower, an 8–liter Wl6 engine with a top speed of 236 mph? No way!” I gasped, barely resisting the urge to run my hands over the sleek, shiny exterior. I momentarily forgot my situation as I turned to him “How many more of these do you have?” I demanded.
His eyebrow quirked up as he walked over to the driver’s side “I was about to ask why you’re getting so worked up over a mere daily transportation vehicle when there are so many more“,
he replied.
Sliding into the seat and gesturing for me to do the same. I complied and almost moaned when my butt hit the comfy seat and shot him a sly grin.
“You know, I could get used to this.”
“Shouldn’t you be used to it already? From all the things you do you must be rolling in it” he commented and I stiffened, coming back to reality.
He doesn’t know about Cadell, which means he doesn’t know I barely receive a commission even when I come back from a mission all bloody and bruised. I’d gotten good at siphoning some money off but only small amounts that he could never notice so, while I lived somewhat comfortably. I couldn’t afford a ten million dollar car.
The brief moment of peace had passed and both our guards were back up and firmly in place. We continued the drive in silence and I leaned my head against the tinted windows, looking at the passing scenery and trying to commit the route to
memory.
Somewhere around the seventh turn, I drifted off, only half–awakening when the car came to a stop. I blinked and stepped out when he opened the door for me, struggling to remain on my feet. In silence, he took my arm and guided me along a little driveway. The sun was setting in the distance and the orange hues washed over the bungalow in front of us, making it even more beautiful.
He opened the front door and led me inside. I was too sleepy to really take in anything and made a mental note to explore. later, perhaps in the morning. He didn’t bother turning on any lights as he walked which led me to assume he’s been here before. He most likely owned the place so I wouldn’t be surprised.
“Get some rest. Your staff will be here in the morning, along with details on your new position.” I think he said but I didn’t pay attention because at that moment my back hit the bed and I was out….
A
