CHARLOTTE“I find that hard to believe. She’s been watching over you like a hawk the entire time I’ve been here. The nurse or some other guard takes her place when she’s not here,” Maria replied, picking up the sheets. “Sounds like a bodyguard to me,” she added, glancing around the room to ensure nothing else was out of place.I moved towards the chair with slow, steady steps and sat down. I turned to the machine I had been hooked up to while unconscious and stared at it for a moment. The nurse had turned it off before leaving the room, and I was relieved to not have to hear the annoying beeping sound it had made earlier. “She’s just doing her job,” I said after a short silence.“She seems too enthusiastic about it,” Maria commented, gesturing to the sheets in her hands. “It’s great to know someone’s watching your back like that, but I still don’t trust it. Where do I keep these?”“There,” I said, pointing to the wardrobe. “There’s a laundry basket in there. The cleaning staff will pi
CHARLOTTEI spent the next few days recuperating under Maria's and Sonia’s watchful eyes. I tried to leave the house at some point; the grand idea was to take a stroll and enjoy the stillness of the night, but they wouldn’t hear of it. So, I started to detest being cooped up and tried to sneak out of the house when no one was paying enough attention. I had made it past Sonia and the guards stationed at the front door without any hassle until I got to the reception on the last floor and met Maria’s questioning glare.“I’d like to ask where you’re going, but I think we can agree that you’re not well-rested for any escapades,” she said, crossing her arms as I walked out of the elevator.“Maria,” I said and sighed with feigned annoyance. “This is not an escapade; I’m trying to breathe air somewhere that isn’t next to you or Sonia,” I added and walked past her.“Speaking of Captain Hawkeye,” she replied, and I stifled a chuckle. Then I turned around to look at her as I arched my eyebrow. “
CHARLOTTEWalking around the vicinity had proven more productive than I anticipated when I realized I had devised a plan. Sitting under a tree, watching the sunset, I knew exactly what I wanted to do. My first order of business was to start the process of suing the people who had taken over the property, and I knew I had to do some research about law firms in the city. Given the odds surrounding it, I needed to ensure I picked the most suitable one that would guarantee the case’s success.I stood up, wiped the bits of soil and grass that clung to my sweatpants, and started walking back to the penthouse. The distance seemed shorter than when I had stepped out, but I figured it was because of a spring in my step. It felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders, and things had taken a different turn. I wasn’t sure how to explain my feelings, but it felt nothing like the last few days. I had spent the last hour thinking about everything that had happened and coming to a definite co
CHARLOTTE“You look worried. What’s the problem?” I asked, closing the door behind me. She sighed, placed the phone on the bed, and gestured for me to sit. “You’re acting weird. Did anything happen while I was gone?”“Around here? Yeah, the elevator stopped working for a while, but I think it’s fixed now,” she replied absentmindedly.“Yes, I saw the light come back on, but you know that’s not what I’m referring to. Tell me what’s happening,” I insisted, and she smiled sadly.“I wasn’t going to bother you with it, especially now that you’re still recuperating and you have a lot to handle, but there’s no way I could leave without telling you why,” she began.“I know I said you couldn’t stay here for long, but if you left without telling me, that would be very…” I paused, trying to think of the perfect word. “Hurtful,” I added a few seconds later.“Yes, but you see, the problem at hand is going to make you worry, and you don’t need to get yourself involved with all of that right now,” sh
CHARLOTTEWe left the penthouse at dawn the next day. The night before, I had spoken with Sonia about Maria’s departure, and she immediately sprang into action when she heard we’d need the plane. I could tell she had questions, but held back. I knew what she wanted to ask, but I stayed silent until we exited the penthouse. As we got into the car, I noticed some guards entering the SUVs parked behind ours.“Do they really need to come with us? It’s just a trip to the airport,” I said as we settled in and Sonia gently closed the door. She opened the passenger door and got in beside the driver.“Well, using the plane came with a condition—security trailing behind us,” she replied, reaching for her seatbelt. Maria and I watched as she struggled with it for a moment before it clicked into place.“Wait, does...” I started to ask, but the sound of the driver’s door opening interrupted me. We all turned as he got in and started the ignition.A few seconds later, we were driving through the ga
Charlotte“Reginald & Berkley,” I muttered as the car pulled in front of the building, the firm’s name emblazoned on a large signpost. Sonia peered out of the window for a moment before turning to face me.“Are you sure you don’t want me to tag along? I don’t want...” she started, but I cut her off with a shake of my head.“I’ll be alright,” I said, though my voice lacked conviction.Sonia raised an eyebrow. “That doesn’t sound convincing enough,” she noted, glancing again at the firm’s imposing façade.“I don’t think anything I say would convince you,” I replied with a slight smile, and she chuckled.“You’re right. After everything we’ve been through in the last few hours, there’s nothing you could say to make me take my eyes off you,” she responded, pouting slightly.“Well, I need some time alone with the lawyer. You can’t follow me into their office,” I insisted.“You’re right,” she conceded, reaching into her pocket for her phone. After a quick glance at the screen, she took note
CHARLOTTE“What do you mean?” I asked, my voice laced with confusion. He smiled, continuing to fiddle with the pen in his hand. His words had struck a nerve deep within me, leaving me uneasy.“First, you need to tell me why you’re here, Ms. Edwards. Then, I’ll see how I can help. My opinions can wait,” he said, maintaining eye contact as I recounted my experience at the house.“I want my house back,” I said firmly. He sighed. “It belongs to my family, and I can’t let anyone take it away.”He set the pen down and leaned forward to pick up a file. “This is all the information we have on the Narhzy family,” he began, handing the file to me.I opened it and couldn’t help but chuckle as I skimmed through the single sheet of paper inside. “This is it? There’s barely anything here,” I said, looking up at him.“Exactly. The Narhzy family has been holding the corporate world hostage in these parts for years. Their influence even crosses international borders. No one can dig up any dirt on them
CHARLOTTEI let out a relieved sigh as we passed through the gates. Once the car stopped in front of the door, I quickly got out and hurried towards the elevator. I didn’t want to wait for Sonia to finish debriefing the guards—I needed to call Maria back and sort through everything that had transpired at the firm before she had the chance to ask more questions.As the elevator doors closed and it began moving upward, I took out my phone and dialed Maria’s number. She answered on the first ring.“Hi Maria, I’m sorry I missed your calls. I was with the lawyer. How are you?” I said.“Hello, Signora. I’ve been worried since I arrived in Milan. Are you alright? How did the meeting go?” she replied, her tone filled with concern.“I’m alright, Maria—just a little shaken, but I’ll get over it. The meeting…” I paused for a moment, considering my next words. “...It showed me that I’m about to step into a world where people are ready to fight dirty.”“I’m guessing that means the lawyer is willin