Chapter 34: Dear Nikolai's woman

KAITLYN

The woman gasps in shock as she springs up, her eyes staring at a piece of paper on the floor. I am too shocked to speak or move.

That person is still watching, and I'm sure he is the one who sent this to me. This is more than crazy! My hands are shaking so badly, and I'm sure that the thumping of my heart can be heard clearly.

Put yourself together, Kaitlyn, just put yourself together. I take a deep breath and try to suppress the dread bubbling in me.

“Who could have done this?” she whispers, looking around the room as if the suspect is hiding somewhere in my room. My eyes travel from the paper to her face, which seems to be full of fear and an emotion I can't decipher.

“I don't know who has done this, but whoever it is, I will find that person and make him pay,” I reply, staring at her.

Her head snaps up, and she looks at me with dimmed eyes. Why do I have a feeling that this was done by her?

“How will you do that?” she asks. My eyes narrow and I remain silent, unable to answer.

How will I do it? That is the challenge that I have to face. I don't have evidence of who the culprit might be, but my feelings never lie, and unfortunately, feelings barely work in this kind of situation.

“I don't know but somehow I have to find this bastard!” I grit my teeth. The fear on the woman's face slowly fades away, and her lips curve into a coy smile. This doesn't look like a moment to feel comfortable, but she didn't seem bothered about it. She trudges closer to me, her knees down before me, then places her cold hands on my shoulders. Her hands were warm some minutes ago. It's cold now, giving me chilling feelings.

“I don't think you can find the person, Mrs. Rider,” she whispers, and my heart melts.

“What do you mean?” I snap, almost knocking her hand away from my shoulders. The smile remains on her face as she scans my pale body. Why do I sense mockery behind that smile?

“Well, I guess it's not the first time you're experiencing this, is it?” She asks, her brows raising in question. “How is that your business?” I ask.

“Well, the master has entrusted you to my hands. Whatever your business is, it's my business. So tell me, Mrs. Rider, has this person sent you this threat before? She asks.

How sure can she be about this? What if she's the one? I've always suspected her. The footsteps, her attitude, everything.

I swerve my head towards the phone, and my stomach turns. Did Anna hear the conversation?

“Mrs. Rider, I'm doing this for your own good. Tell me the truth, you know who it is, don't you? Is that why you are trying to get your best friend to set him up?” she says, and my eyes widen.

I knew it! She is the freaking stalker sending me these notes. Why didn't I notice it at first? The tray was with her. There’s no way she didn't see the damn note.

I grip her hand and shove her off, then spring up, glaring at her.

“I do not need your help, I can survive on my own. I will find this person with or without your help. Besides, what can you do for me? You're ready to die for the sake of a murderer!” I snap.. Her body stiffens, and anger flashes across her eyes as she stares at me, her face blank. I will just pretend like I know nothing and keep the game rolling.

“What?” She mutters, disbelief laced in her voice.

“Did you just say that to me? Madame?” She mutters.

Damn, how long is she going to keep pretending?

I trudge towards her and stare boldly into her eyes.

“Yes, I just did. You've been the one sending me that letter, haven't you? I knew it was you right from the beginning,” I mutter, still trudging closer.

She steps back, terrified.

“I do not know what you're talking about,” she mutters.

“Oh, please, don't lie, your son is sick and your family relies on you for survival, I'm pretty sure you'll do anything to give them that, even if it means aligning with your boss’s enemy!” I grouse. Silence falls in the room, and we stare at each other, fear in her eyes and hatred in mine.

Her lips suddenly stretch into a smile, and she huffs.

“Don't mock me with my weakness, Mrs. Rider. You should be grateful that you have someone like the boss who protects you…” She pauses and covers the spaces between us, “You would have been long gone by now,” she whispers.

My heart drops into the bosom of my stomach in surprise. What does she mean by that? Did she just threaten me?

She turns towards the door, pauses, and cranes her neck back.

“Don't worry, I won't tell the master about the plans you've made with your best friend, but I would definitely tell him about the scumbag who is threatening you,” she blurts out.

I part my lips to yell at her, but can't. I stare at her, speechless, my lips slamming against each other. She knows!

“I am not doing it for your rude ass. I am doing it to repay the master's kindness,” she mutters and reaches for the door.

“You know? You've been stalking me?” I snap, filled with shock.

She pauses and looks back, her eyes squinting.

“One of the things you will never be good at is reading. Your stalker must be laughing at how foolish you look accusing someone who can help you,” she says and walks out, slamming the door so hard that I jumped.

I still can't pull myself together after what she said. Did she call me foolish after threatening me? What the hell?

“Fuck you,” I whisper in defeat. I sigh and drop into bed, the words I said to her echoing in my head. Was I that rude to her? I shake my head, cursing as guilt tries to slip in.

I just can't help it, can I? What if I'm not wrong? What if she is the one? Does that justify her actions?

If she is the one, then why will she risk it to tell Nikolai?

“What if…”

No matter how much I try to shrug the words off, I just can't help but feel guilty and doubtful.

Lord, what have I done? I get up from the bed and begin to walk towards the door, fumbling with my nails. Maybe I should apologize. I shouldn't have brought her family into this.

I also have to stop her from telling Nikolai what has been going on. If she can dig out my secret plan easily, then she can help me find the suspect if she turns out not to be the one. I can't understand her moves, nor can I understand what is going on in her mind.

As I walk down the stairs, memorizing the ways I would say to her when I meet her, my feet freeze on hearing her voice. I look up and there she is, pacing around the living room, a phone against her ear and her hands shaking.

“Who are you talking to?” I yell. She gasps and spins around, her eyes widening in shock. The shock disappears in a second, and her eyes darken.

“Someone who will help you,” she mutters coldly and turns around again, placing the phone back to her ear. I've never seen her this cold and nonchalant before.

“Who?” I ask again. She turns and looks at me, hatred in her eyes.

“The master,” she responds bluntly. My breath hitches, and my feet refuse to move from the spot.

“What? No, stop. I don't need his help,” I yell.

She stops speaking and looks up at me again.

“He is my master, and he has entrusted you to me. I will protect you, and for me to do so, I have to obey the master and report every move you make to him.”

Shit! Did she tell him about Anna and me, too?

I look at the phone, my throat knotting. The call is still on. Is she trying to set me up or what?

“Sir, I have the note with me,” she says, and my breath hitches.

She finally puts the phone down and begins to walk closer to me.

“I will make sure you lose your job, old hag!” I blurt out before I can stop myself.

“I am trying so hard not to hit you, Mrs. Rider,” she whispers, placing her cold hands around my chin, causing me to shiver.

She pulls closer, her daring eyes staring confidently into mine. Her face wrinkles in a frown, and her hand grips my waist in a rough grasp.

“Please don't make me do, or you will regret it,” she whispers. I gasp loudly and stagger back when she lets me go. Her face lights up again, and her lips stretch into a smile.

“Should I prepare something for you to eat, Mrs. Rider?” She mutters, her voice different, and the glitter back in her eyes.

She didn't look like someone who had threatened me a few seconds ago.

Now, I have finally realized that I am not just dealing with anyone. I am dealing with people fiercer and more cunning than my stepmother will ever be. People that I will never be able to win against.

And to imagine Nikolai is getting into this is just as scary as the eyes watching me.