I'm not getting the whole thing

I turn around at once and I see my boss.

My bossI

I turn around at once; my boss is standing right there with his super rude bodyguard. He doesn't say a word to me, just whispers to Dimitri before stepping into his luxury car.

Dimitri approaches and says, “Your... whatever will be sent to you within an hour! Meet the boss in his car!” He gives me a death stare and motions for me too had him my car key. I take my coat, bag, and one heel in my hand. I walk unevenly and hear Dimitri speak again.

“Do you want to keep hopping that way or fix that mess?!” I keep walking and stop next to my boss’s car so that I can put on my heel. The window winds down.

“Step in, Raven. Don't waste any more time!” my boss tells me. I ditch what I wanted to do and enter the car, the door shutting behind me.

“Drive!” he instructs the driver, and off we go.

Just a few minutes into the drive, I put on my heel. I remain silent—what is there to say? Nothing. If he weren't my boss, I wouldn't have entered this car; I’d rather catch a cab. But I fear for my job—one mistake and I could get fired. I have my mom to take care of, and I need enough money to start a project I intend to pursue.

“Did you reach your engineer at all?” he asks.

“N-no, not at all. It didn't connect!”

“Okay, Dimitri will sort it out. You should hear back in the next thirty minutes,” he adds nonchalantly.

“Yes sir, th-thank you, sir.”

The atmosphere falls silent again, and after three minutes, the car pulls over—but it’s not at my apartment.

“It’s not—”

“Relax, he has to get something really fast. Just a second!” he explains, and I nod lightly, looking away. The man steps out of the car, and for no good reason, my heart starts to race. His phone rings, and he smirks after glancing at it.

“Hey sunshine... Yes, I’m on my way home... I’m with your friend—her car broke down... Of course, it’s the least I can do... Bye honey, just let me know! In case.”

He hangs up, and I don’t need to be told that it’s Daphne. I don't know what to do—should I beg him for another chance or...?

The man returns and hands my boss a brown envelope.

“Everything is there. We'll be leaving as early as 7 am!” he says, then starts driving.

“Okay, just as planned! Let’s get the lady home!” he adds, and I wish the car would move faster. Being in here is uncomfortable. Everything about my boss feels strange.

---

“Hi, Mom,” I say when I call.

“Are you okay?” she asks.

“Yes, I’m just... just exhausted! How are you dealing with the vacation? Is it fun?”

“Oh yeah, darling! It's fun, but not as much fun without you!” she teases, and I chuckle, rolling over on my stomach.

“Okay! Have so much fun, Mom, and I, uh...” I hesitate. She encourages me to spit it out already. “My boss and I will be leaving for Rome this weekend on a tagged business trip. It’s urgent.”

“Are you... sure about that? Is it just the two of you?” I sense doubt in her tone because the last time I traveled, it was a complete disaster.

“Yes, we’re not alone!”

That’s a big lie; I have no idea if someone else is coming along. He wouldn’t go into details, and I don’t want to lose my job, so I’d rather not ask any questions right now. I already feel frustrated.

---

I wake up to a loud bang on my door, startled and stunned, then infuriated. Who would knock on my door this early? I glance at my cell phone resting next to me on the pillow—it’s 6:30 am. I hiss in frustration and step out of bed as the banging gets louder.

I curse under my breath, grab my sleeping robe, and quickly put it on as I scurry to the main door. I unlock it, and the door bursts open. Dimitri, that huge man, is standing there. What is he doing here this early? We're supposed to leave in the next hour, and he’s already here?

I look further and see a black car resembling my boss's. I pull my gaze back to Dimitri, who is staring at me with mixed feelings, and I suddenly feel confused.

“What are you doing—”

“Don’t ask any questions. We need to go—now!” he says, grabbing my wrist.

What???? I try to wrestle free, but he’s being firm and, yes, I can’t outrun him.

“Listen, lady, if you want to survive, you need to come with the boss. He’ll explain everything in detail. Come on!” he adds, and I let out a deep sigh. Wasn't this supposed to be a business trip? Why is all of this happening right now? It’s sickening!

“Can I at least take a shower or change into something—”

“No worries, we have that covered. Now don’t act stubborn; just obey with no complaints.”

~

We are seated in the car. The boss glances at me; his face is stern and stoic as always, but there’s something bothering him. It’s not like he’s showing it, but my instincts tell me so.

“Ms. May,” his deep, husky tone starts. I turn to him instantly. Yes, I need an explanation. What sort of frivolous trip is this? I ask myself, and he continues as if he can hear my thoughts. “Don’t worry about the clothes or how you look; we’ve got that sorted once we get to the private port!”

Really? Not even an apology or something?

“Sir, is this also—”

“No further questions, Ms. May. Just cooperate!” His face turns into a deeper frown as he looks away.

Suddenly, there’s a shooting from behind us; it’s targeted at us. Dimitri is pressuring the driver, who is speeding down the road. The boss is furious, and what am I supposed to do, just watch him get angry? My head is spinning.

“The hell, Dimitri! Shut that motherfucker up!” the boss yells at Dimitri, who then begins shooting back at the vehicle behind us. I curl up, ducking and fighting back the tears in my eyes. I didn’t plan for any of this to happen. I’m in a car with my estranged boss and his huge men, and now there’s reckless shooting after us. What does business have to do with bullets and guns? Or could there be...

“Turn left, Tommy!” Dimitri screams, and the driver swerves to the left, leading us down an alley. Finally, the shooting dies down, and Dimitri tucks his gun under the mat.

“That fucking cunt!” the boss yells, clenching his fists. One wrong move, and he’s going to punch someone or something. I cross my arms against my night robe and ruffle my hair. No tears, no tears, I tell myself.

“I got a man down. I don’t know who, but I got one! Don’t worry, boss!” Dimitri says with assurance.

“Whatever! Francisco will hear from me!” the boss replies, aggressively stroking his lower jaw.

~

“Dimitri? Get her sorted and meet us at the rooftop!” I hear the boss telling the big guy as he walks away with Tommy. I have no idea where they’re headed. Dimitri and I get back into the car, and he drives quickly to a mall.

He leads the way and meets with a woman in her 40s. She’s eloquent and vibrant, staring at me like I'm a lost sheep; of course, I am a lost sheep.

“She needs to be taken care of—”

“Is this one of his... girls?” the woman asks, casting a wary glance my way.

“Just get her done!” Dimitri instructs, then turns to me with a fiercer grin. “Better not think of running; you don’t want to try that. I’m hell!” he warns.

“Hell is way more beautiful. Do I have a choice?” I retort angrily. He scoffs mockingly and walks away, picking up a magazine. That man is super vigilant, even while reading. I don’t think I can handle being chased or held by him, not to mention my ruthless boss—he’s another piece of work I don’t want to mess with.

I take a quick shower in the woman’s private room. When I step out, an array of clothes is laid out for me to choose from. There are three colors with different styles, but who cares? I’m not going for a runway show; I’m just trying to survive out here.