Chapter 3 An unbelievable request
>>Clio
My heart sank, and a chilling dread washed over me. A cold sweat formed on my forehead, and my hands trembled with anxiety.
“What?” I looked at my coworkers in horror, “You want to send me to city A?!?” Shock mixed with disbelief as I struggled to comprehend the gravity of the situation, “And to get what?!?” How could the company even consider sending an employee into such a dangerous territory?
“All you need to do is get your hands on proof,” Rosa said.
“There’s a strong rumor going around that he kills people.” Rubab said, “He might actually be him.” They wanted to send me to a company to investigate the CEO.
“He might be the serial killer?” I shook my head at them, “The Head Hunter? And you want me to get close to him to find out!?!?” How could the company even consider sending an employee into such a dangerous territory?
“Someone said he saw him beat a person to death,” Rubab said.
“All you need to do is,” They pointed at the camera in my hands, “Get the pictures.”
“Does it have to be me?” I felt utterly mortified, “Why me?” I shook my head, “You’re telling me to investigate a serial killer? How could you all even say that?!? Do you have any idea how terrifying it would be?!?!” I couldn’t sleep the whole weekend. Three nights were utterly miserable for me because I kept thinking he would come for me. I remained locked up in my dorm room, eating that nasty dorm food as well just to remain within safe walls.
Hell! I didn’t even open up my blinds! And comes Monday and I’m suddenly being sent to City A? Why!!? WHY!? That doesn’t make any sense!?
“You’re the only one who fits the criteria.” Rosa said, “A.M, the company is notorious for doing thorough background checks before accepting any new workers, even interns!”
“And we don’t have to try and play dirty if it’s you. You are a college student, summer break has started and you applied for an internship to get experience.” They told me the plan.
“No lies,” The manager, Lucas, grinned as he walked over to us, “So we won’t get in trouble.”
“Because we won’t get caught.” Rosa wiggled her eyebrows but I shook my head at them
“But,” I was hesitant, “If what you’re saying is right, Isn’t he a criminal?” Doesn’t that mean they’re sending me to my doom?
“Come on,” Rubab patted my back, “It’s not like it's a fact that he’s a killer. He might not be.”
“Yea! But that’s what you’re sending me to investigate!!” I was terrified, “What if he is a killer and ends up killing me?!?!”
They all looked at each other, “You need the money right?” Lucas said, making me pause.
“Besides, you'll be going to work!” Rubab said, “You don’t need to do anything out of the ordinary.”
“If you ‘happen’ to see something odd, and get a picture, that’s a different story.” They were telling me how to act. Not that I’ll happen upon a chance but I’ll have to make it happen somehow. That means I’ll have to spy on him.
An overwhelming feeling of vulnerability swept over me, like a lamb being led to the slaughter.
“But,” I hadn’t told anyone else about what I saw in the alley that night but it seems like neither Nolan nor Cherelle said anything as well.
“Why me?” I looked at them with desperate eyes, “Who chose me?”
“The boss did,” Lucas sighed but the moment I heard him say that my mind went blank.
“Nolan did…?” I looked at them in disbelief. The sense of betrayal gnawed at me as if Nolan had callously disregarded my well-being in pursuit of his own interests.
But why would he make this decision? Just why? Why would he send me away and to a man who was going to kill me just a few days ago!!!
I turned around and made my way to his office. Ignoring Cherelle who was sitting behind her desk outside Nolan’s office for once. I ignored her yet I noticed the sly smirk that appeared on her face when I crossed her.
I knocked on the office door.
“Come in,” This time the answer came immediately and I entered the room with a bang.
“Nolan!” I stomped my way to his desk, “Why!?” My heart was trembling and I wanted an excuse, “Why are you sending me away?” I wanted him to give me something that could calm me down.
He calmly looked at me, “I’m not sending you away,” He replied, “I’m sending you out to work.” He stood up from his seat and walked over to me, “You’ll do it right?” He placed both his hands on either side of my cheeks, “You’re always so good at your work. I know you’ll succeed.” He smiled at me, “You’ve always brought me excellent shots. I know you will this time too.”
His words were sweet and I liked them but this wasn’t all that simple. This was different.
“But Nolan, it’s not a regular shot… It’s about a killer!” I looked at him with trembling pupils, “One that came after me!” The thought of being exposed to such a sinister threat felt like a cruel punishment, and I just didn’t understand why he would do that to me, “Why would you do that to me?” I shook my head at him, “I don’t get it. It’s like you're punishing me for something!”
“Clio,” He caressed my cheeks with his thumbs, “That’s not how it is. Why would I punish you for something?” He kept himself calm even though I was losing my shit, “I’m sending you because it has to be you.”
“Why?”
“Because you have a talent for this,” He passed me a soft smile, “Plus you’re the only one who fits in the criteria.”
“Nolan!” I wanted to protest but he must have figured it out since he spoke before I could say anything to oppose the idea again.
“If you can get the scoop,” He looked into my eyes, “Let’s reveal our relationship to everyone.”
I paused, momentarily forgetting about everything else.
“Really?” His words had so much impact on my mind that it mattered to me more that we were a couple and everyone knew about it, rather than the fact that I was being sent to my doom.
"Nolan... What about Cherelle?" I didn’t forget her though. She’s going to be here with him even after I leave.
"Let it go Clio" He hushed me as soon as I talked about her. He knew I was referring to what I stumbled upon them doing
"But," I felt anxious, "You chose to have her." The hurt was still the same.
"I told you that night was a drunken mistake. It won't happen again." My heart was in pain but I wanted to believe him so badly.
“How can I be sure it won’t?”
"We will become a thing when you succeed and come back, okay? There's nothing to worry about. You already know I'm the only one who knows your secret and yet I'm here with you." He looked into my eyes, "I've always been here for you. No?"
...
I nodded at him. He's right. No one else would accept me... Everyone else finds me disgusting. Well, everyone else that found out my secret did... Unfortunately my family fought a lot and I ended up dressing as a guy due to certain reasons although I hate it.
But Nolan has helped me...
And he said that night was a mistake... I can let it go.. right?
...
There were voices in the back of my mind telling me something else but I blocked them out solely because I didn't want to end up alone. I didn't have anyone else but Nolan with me at the moment and if I lose him too, what will happen to me?
He nodded, “I promise everything will be fine,” He looked at me softly, “I know you can do it.” He pulled me into a hug, “You should know getting this scoop means a lot to me. Enough that I’m willing to reveal our relationship to everyone.”
I thought about it, “Nolan,” But it wasn’t like my fear would magically disappear, “What if-” I wanted to say more but he didn’t allow me to.
“You’ll be fine.” I felt his grip tightened.
“Will I be?” The prospect of having to confront the unknown, the lurking danger, only intensified my anxiety
“I know you will be. You’re great at what you do.” He kept encouraging me and I knew I was doomed to do it. Only because Nolan was the one asking.
And here I am.
“Everyone! Welcome our new intern.” The manager, Bizy, introduced me as I stood in the middle of the working office of ‘A.M’ in City A, “Clio Pane,” Everyone clapped for me while my mind spun with endless scenarios, each one more terrifying than the last, leaving me with a pervasive feeling of helplessness.
I really am here. Why did I give in so easily? Nolan only said a few words to me and I was ready. All he did was assure me that he’d make our relationship public and I was more than happy to obey.
I guess that's just how much he means to me… That’s how much I want him.
I took a deep breath and bowed, “Nice to meet you all,” I tried my best to hide my fears, “I’m Clio, I hope we all get along and I hope to learn a lot from you guys.” I raised my head and they all clapped for me again.
“That’s all for introductions,” Bizy said and I looked at him, “The CEO and the director went out but they should-” He paused as his eyes caught something, “Oh!” He smiled, “The CEO is back.” He pointed at a person behind me and I turned to look at him.
In the corridor, outside the open office was a tall man with jet black hair and eyes darker than the black hole, walking towards the Boss’s office, “That’s the CEO,” Bizy seemed happy to see him but that well-dressed man in office attire seemed to remind me every much of the man I saw in the dark alley, on that rainy night.
He was the same height, a similar physique, I couldn’t be sure but one thing I was very sure about.
The CEO stopped out of the blue. A frown appeared on his face as he remained dead still in his path. He inhaled the office air and then turned his head to look at us, or should I say, at me.
The moment his eyes met mine, I felt my heart stop, freezing in my chest. Terror, like icy tendrils, gripped my entire being, paralyzing me in fear.
There was no doubt in my mind. His black pupils that stared at me with an intense gaze, mimicked those of The Head Hunter and it terrified me.
Every instinct in my body urged me to run, to escape from the presence of this dangerous individual. The adrenaline surged through my veins, sending my pulse racing once more. Fear and panic intertwined, making it hard to think clearly or rationally. My eyes locked onto his figure, and I couldn't look away while he intensely stared back at me with wide eyes. It was like he was in disbelief that I was standing in front of him.
The world around me seemed to blur, as I was unable to move out of fear because of this man.
This man named Matthew Merikh.