Apology>Dimitri walks away, and a praise is on the tip of my tongue.But thank goodness I don’t say anything. Because Mikolaj is giving me the same look he gave at Neon Oasis VIP restroom that night.Now what? Can’t I even talk to people?“What the hell is your problem?” I ask.“Why would I have a problem?” he says, his voice laced with irritation. He presses his phone to his ear, then walks into the house.I scoff. Judgemental jerk. He has no right to judge or dictate me. I am not his servant.And I am sure he used the phone to avoid the confrontation. I feel victorious. I shouldn’t let this slide.I look back at Jessica. She is picking up tiny flower pots and arranging them as she likes.“Hey! Jessica! Wanna play hide and seek?”“YES!” she says.“Go Hide! Go Go!”She giggles and runs inside the house. “That was easy,” I mutter.I cannot talk to Mikolaj while playing with her, so I play a trick. I pretend to search for barely a minute, then I catch her.“GOT YOU! No
31. Open house >I step out of the cab and gaze up at the towering buildings. I am in downtown to meet Mom and Dad. It’s been several months since I’ve seen my parents, and I can’t wait to catch up with them. Dad had some work and conveniently the cafe they chose is near Josef corporation highrise. I make my way towards the cafe, weaving through the crowds of people rushing to their jobs. I freaking hope I don’t bump into someone from the office. Not that I know many of them. But on a bad day, anything can happen.Oh Wait. It’s Saturday. I don’t need to worry.I look around, and a huge grin spread across my face when I see mom. She is wearing in a casual jeans with a thin sweater. I snort. At least there is someone who feels winter is coming.I rush over to her, engulfing her in a hug.“Riley, it’s so good to see you!” my mom exclaims, hugging me back tightly and a sense of warmth spreads across my chest.“Where is Dad?” I ask and pull away and take a seat next to her.
Abomination>Dad looks at me expectedly and I swallow hard. It wouldn’t create a problem. Right? “It’s-its a,” I stammer, as I weigh the pros and cons of so-called breach of contract.How will I explain that Mikolaj wants it a secret?The car door opens, and mom hops into the driving seat.“Oh Fuck Garrett. We are not buying this cursed house. Give me the key.”Wait what?“What happened?” Dad asks.She turns, her expression is bewildered.“I asked the agent to show me the basement-” She shakes her head. “I am sure I saw a Devil’s door.”I stare at her, confused. Then it clicks and I sigh.Mom is superstitious as hell. It’s super easy to spook her. “Mom! Relax.” I squeeze her shoulder. Dad gets out and opens her door. “You are not driving like this.”Mom nods and they swap seats. The listing agent comes out, and Mom snaps at him. “Sell your haunted house somewhere else. I’m not buying this Conjuring theme house.““There goes an option I liked,” Dad mutters as he
33. Kiss>This is not the first time she has called me out for lack of empathy. When it comes to her, I cannot help it.It’s been a long time since I thought of Lena. Yes, Riley is a striking image of her. But do I see her when Riley is around?No.I stopped making associations between them long ago. I never would have offered her the job if I hadn’t. But the sight of Riley in my kitchen put a sour taste in my mouth today. It reminded me it was a bad idea to let her mingle with Jessica. A mistake. Even worse... She has been creating a constant simmering urge inside me. An urge that seems wrong for every reason.Forbidden fruit is the sweetest. Maybe that’s why I’m losing my restraint.Her gaze meets mine as she inhales deeply. I let her arm go, giving her a chance to step back. To save herself. I expect her to flee.But little Riley has other plans. She stays rooted in her spot, mere inches away from me, and I know I am not alone in this.As I inhale her captivati
34. Pierogies, Games, and Jealousy.>- 21 Years ago -As we walk home from school, I can feel the excitement building inside of me. Lena is eager to meet Mom and Maria. Garrett is interested to see the car dad bought a week ago.I am just happy that I will get some time to spend with them.“Miko!” Lena looks at me with a twinkle in her eye and asks, “Can we take that car for a spin?”It’s a Renault Clio V6.I chuckle. “Well, it’s not my car. So No.”She rolls her eyes and I add, “I hope it would be at home or you would be so disappointed… Because Antoni takes it for a drive sometimes.Her shoulder slump, and Garrett holds her by the waist.“Don’t Worry. I can take you out for a spin,” he murmurs in her ear, and I look away.….We walk and talk away, shooting questions to each other in between. Conversation somehow falls at our choices of college next year. Lena laments about the fact that she can’t leave the city because financially her family cannot afford that.
35. Power Imbalance >Riley runs out and it takes me a few moments to get a grip of myself. It’s Jonas’ call that distracts me at last.“Hey Miko… I have picked up Camilla.”“Bring her here. I am not ready yet,” I say as I walk out of study to check on Jessie. I’m not sure if Riley ran out of the house. She looked determined enough.“ummm okay… She is not gonna like it.” He chuckles.“She doesn’t have much choice now… Does she?” I say, distracted as I see Riley’s purse lying in a corner while Jessie is surprisingly calm, engaged in herself.That’s good. Riley is around. I can take a bath in peace.“I, of course, don’t have any choice, Miko!” Camilla’s voice chimes in and I rub my face.Here we go. Was the phone on speaker? I think it was.Camilla is keen to start her own business. She has refused to accept help from the Josef corporation. A few Investors she met so far were pricks and sexist. So Patterson convinced her to attend this party with me. It will deter oth
36. Slave“You are quiet.” Jonas says, munching on cashews he offered me a while ago. “I’m bored….“ and outraged. Mikolaj and Camilla left a while ago, and I am still fuming in anger. He slipped his arm around her waist, just to agitate me.He can judge me for talking with Dimitri. He can give me degrading glares because he thought I had made out with a bartender. But he can whore around with anyone he wants.The audacity.If Camilla is his girlfriend, should I rat him out? Would Camilla believe me? What if she kicks me out of this job for kissing him?Not that she can... I made sure it’s super difficult to fire me. Thanks Dad for teaching me that much.Jonas pauses the tv, and fixes his gaze at me. “You said he fired you. What happened?”Jessica whines, annoyed at the interruption of her entertainment.“I have seen this stupid movie at least ten times, Jessie,” he says and resumes the movie.We are watching ‘Frozen’. We have little choice when a 2.5-year-old is watching TV with us.
37. Smoke > Riley scurries behind Jonas, and I walk towards the balcony to pick up my ringing phone. I can’t believe him. Like father, Like son. Never missing the chance to annoy me. “Where we going?” Jessica asks, looking around in my lap. “To see city lights…” I point. “from the balcony… Would you like that?” I ask her, and she nods. Great. I need some privacy to pick up Antoni’s call. He knows I don’t like to talk to him during public appearances. So it better be urgent. “Antoni.” “I have found the boy’s name for you.” I chuckle. During our meeting, we struggled to figure out the hierarchy of the gang Antoni wants eliminated. So I guess he has called me in excitement. “Alright. You could have emailed me.” So it turns out a few years ago, a local thug went global. His name is Borris. Pretty ballsy move, to be honest. He sent his son, Maxim, to Moscow to establish the chain of supply into the USA. We are not clear what his main business is. Antoni insists he