“Where is your phone?”
I pointed to kitchen counter I’d placed it when we first walked in.
“Keep this with you, Ria. I know it’s weird but think of it as a weapon. Always carry it around. Let me show you a couple important things.”
He looked over me as he showed me the different paths to get to texting, phone calls, camera and video. I’d probably would have asked more questions, but his cheek was an inch from mine as he leaned over and showed me the different buttons. It was distracting as hell especially since he smelled like he’s showered just before coming down and his cologne mixed with whatever hair product he used should be illegal. My face was probably flushed through the entire explanation but it got even worse when his hand came up and he tipped my chin up to look at him.
“Be safe. Don’t do anything stupid. If anything happens, you fight. Don’t give anyone the satisfaction of your
Stripping down out of the skirt and shirt right there in the middle of the room, I walked to my room and started the luxurious shower. If I was ever to feel pampered, this was how it was done. It was lovely, the hot water didn’t run out and I’d gotten every type cleaner at Target. Conditioner was always too risky at home because you could hide more types of sabotage. Now, I could use shampoo, conditioner, face wash, and body wash all without fear. It was about thirty minutes before I got out but it was a blissful thirty minutes.I dressed in some jeans and the T-shirt that had the element ‘AH’ in the periodic table while under it it said ‘The element of surprise’. I thought it was funny. Pulling my hair up into a high ponytail, I walked into the empty penthouse. It really was like an entirely new world for me. I didn’t want to touch anything. I felt like I was overstepping my bounds into Marek’s space even though he told me it w
Like clockwork, I woke up at 4 a.m. I wish I could say it was restful but it wasn’t. Multiple times I jolted awake because I felt like it was too quiet. I gave up when it hit four. Taking a shower, I got dressed in a pair of shorts and another shirt I got from Target. Setting up the kettle to boil some water, I opened up the vault door to peak outside. Vlad wasn’t there but another guard was. He was younger, with tousled blonde hair. His eyes were closed as he sat on the concrete bench. Clearing my throat, he jolted up in a military stance complete with a salute. Once he realized what he was doing, he sheepishly smiled and brought his hand down.“Sorry, Mrs. Baranov. It won’t happen again.”I shrugged. “It’s fine. It’s not even five. There might be some packages for me I was hoping to get started on, do you think you could check?”He nodded. “I’ll call it in and ask.”“Thank you
“Mrs. Baranov, what are you planning on doing?”I eyed Keenan who was eyeing me with the ladder in hand. “I’m painting this ugly ass wall. What else would I be doing? Silly.”He coughed down the squeak of surprise. “Couldn’t you have requested someone to come and paint it? Professionals and…”“While Marek is gone? Hell no. They would have had to go through background checks and then a whole slew of people would need to watch over them. They would come in and paint and I wouldn’t be able to do anything but watch from the peep hole. If he even allowed it while he wasn’t here to watch everything.” I put my hands on my hips after I set the ladder down. “No. If I find something I feel like needs to get done, I’ll do it myself for now.”Pulling all the paint supplies to the canvas, I opened up the first can to make sure that it was the right color. Sure eno
Marek: I just landed in Moscow. We had to stop in Dubai for a layover.10 minutes later. Marek: I know you’re up, Ria. Answer me.An hour later. Marek: Ria.That was right now. Gulping, I typed back. Ria: Sorry. I didn’t have my phone on me. I’m glad you made it safe. Marek: I told you to keep your phone on you at all times, Ria. It’s a backup in case something happens. Even if you’re in the penthouse.&nbs
I had music playing softly in the background as I was hunched over, painting the giant suction cups that were lining the Kraken’s tentacles. I’d been at the painting for hours. Something about being able to paint without worrying someone was going to catch you was marvelous.That was until I full-body jumped when the door started to open. Luckily my brush wasn’t near the canvas but I glared at the door.“Woah, hey, I’m just dropping off packages here, Princess. No need to look so hostile.”I snorted. “Ever heard of knocking?”“Ever heard of ‘you have people guarding you so you don’t get privacy’?”My eyes narrowed. Yeah, Vlad was throwing up red flags right and left. I didn’t move from my seat across the room. I still had the knife but it was sitting on the easel right now. I watched as he placed the boxes on the table.“I made sure we have enough guys
‘Peanut butter sprinkled donuts with chocolate drizzle. A vanilla iced coffee with extra syrup. Extra sugar. Hash browns, two of them. And lastly, a plain English muffin only toasted with butter.’There was a pause on the screen.‘You know…you could just use the password instead of my breakfast order.’I rolled my eyes. ‘You change the password too much. It’s easier this way.’‘Ha ha. Alright, Kharon, what do you want? Whose computer are you using?’Before they could continue to ask questions I typed. ‘Don’t go digging in here. At least not yet. I need you for a personal job.’‘Mmmmmmm, I dunno. Seems suspicious.’‘You’re the last one who should be saying that.’I waited for a moment but all I got was a ‘very well.’ If that was as good as
I looked up at him and he nodded inside, waggling his eyebrows.“Um…it was…what was it…it started with an A right?”“Anastasia, yeah. She walked in just now. And we need to get your key card.” His smile got wider. “Up for a little drama?”Rolling my eyes, I shook my head. “I’m not here to cause drama, Vlad. We just need to get the key card. So let’s get it and go back up. I want to hang up the painting I finished yesterday and work on the second one today.”He nodded but it was a bit too exuberantly. We stepped back into the grand entryway of the building and I continued to marvel at all the delicate little odds and ends that brought the posh room together. A woman was standing at the counter now, all three of the employees behind the counter were at attention. All reflecting the same frown on their faces.“I’m sorry, ma’am. We don’t know who you are and you do not have authorization. We cannot tell you if the person you are looking for us in right now.”The woman scoffed and tossed he
Marek: ‘Good morning.’Ten minutes later.Marek: ‘Ria?’Another ten.Marek: ‘I’m going to tape the phone to your hand when I get back.’Marek: ‘Ria seriously.’I pursed my lips and opted to call him back rather than text.“I swear, Ria, I gave you a simple instruction. To keep your phone on you at all times.”Sighing, I laid my head down on the table. “I know. I’m sorry. I was downstairs and…”“You went downstairs. With no way to track