Chapter 44 A package
Ariel
Present,
7 pm,
I still felt so out of it when I got back home; courtesy of Mr Coleman’s driver, it took me a minute to remember what I meant to do after each meeting with the targets. The code.
I trudged into my bedroom to look for the burner in my closet, and then I sent the code.
“MC. I got a second invite/meeting with General Yuri.”
Yes. He had asked after we got off the ship. Something about a birthday party for one of his close associates. It was part of the reason why he was here in the US for a month.
Ah…
I took off my shoes and slid into bed, exhausted and just confused with all these emotions I could feel with no logical reasoning behind them.
What exactly happened last night?
Did I and General Yuri sleep together? Well, that would explain why he wanted to see me again, right? But… there was just something. Having such a long period of time I couldn't account for in my head. That wasn't normal…. Right?
I glanced up when the burner buzzed beside me. Oh, so fast. I picked it up and read the new message.
“Details.”
Details? I pondered what to text back.
"Well, he said he would like to meet me again, then asked if I would be available to attend a birthday party for one of his close associates with him next week. I don't know where exactly it'll be held yet but he did say he would get in contact with me.”
Send. I sat up properly on the bed and stared at the chatbox, waiting anxiously for an answer.
Ah. I remembered that conversation between the three men right before we got off the yacht.
"Also, Derek Malone mentioned you. Something about killing everyone… because you threatened his nephew.” I hesitated for a moment, wondering if I should send it. I mean, that was what spying entailed, right?
I eventually tapped on the send button.
Okay. Let's see what he says to that.
For the next five minutes, he sent nothing. Just silence while I ate away at myself, wondering if something was wrong, and then finally he sent a text.
“Next time when I ask for details, I mean just the when and where. No verbatim. Update me on the location when you have it and lastly, a package will be sent to you tomorrow. Follow the instructions in it on what to do.”
I raised an eyebrow. A package. What could it be?
I let my imagination run wild for a moment until I remembered I had to reply to the message.
“Okay… sir," I typed back.
I don't know how long I stayed in bed after that update session with Vincent. Probably fifteen hours at the most but it felt like forever. Fuck. I groaned as I opened my eyes to bright rays of sunlight shining through my curtains.
I don't want to get out of bed. I didn't need to actually. Today was still the weekend, which was free for me, at least according to my schedule that had been adjusted but it felt more than just fatigue to me.
I couldn't explain it.
Ringgg
I flinched when I heard the doorbell ring. “Ugh…” I groaned.
Who was that and why were they at my door? Can they please go??!
Ringgg
“Ariel!” My eyes flew open at the loud bangs that followed after that faint echo of my name. The fuck?! Chloe?? She was the only one I knew who would bang my door like that.
Fuck!
I pulled myself out of bed with the last non-existent bit of strength I could muster and trudged out towards the door.
“Ariell!!!” Followed by a loud bang again. I winced at the noise.
“Jeez.” I muttered when I finally opened the door. “Hi…” she didn't even let me land before pushing past me.
“First, why the fuck did you change your door code? And second, why the fuck are you not picking up your phone?” She dropped a large box that was in her hand on the kitchen counter and turned to face me.
“Uh…” I fished for an answer at her fierce look. “My phone… sorry, it's likely switched off. I haven't… had time… to charge it.”
As for my door code, that was solely to prevent anyone from finding out about my convos with the killer guys. The documents and pictures they keep giving me and the burner?? I wouldn't put it past Chloe going through my things.
She raised an eyebrow. “Did you go to a party?” I looked down at the red dress I still had on, with my messy hair and all. Fuck. I patted it.
“Y-yes. An event.”
She turned away and walked to the fridge to grab a bottle of water. “See, I know you have been busy with promoting your music and all and I understand how hectic it must be but, Mum..."
Shit. Right.
“She didn't want me to bother you but she also really misses you. She has been watching all your interviews non-stop recently. If you can just make time out to see her…”
“Yes, of course.” I ran a hand through my hair. “I will. Things have just been busy, as you said. A lot of things on my mind.”
“I get it.”
“Yeah.” We both fell silent as she opened the bottle and drank and my eyes fell on the box she had brought in. “What is that?”
She glanced at the box. "Right. Handed it to me downstairs. He said it was a package for you.”
“For me?” I approached it, my mind going blank for a while until I recalled the text Vincent had sent last night. “STOP!” I yelled the minute I did, startling Chloe, who already had her hands on it.
“Jeez, why did you yell like that?” I rushed to the counter and grabbed the box. “Nothing. I just don’t want you going through my things.”
“Going through your things? When did I ever go through your things?” She sounded offended and rightfully so, to be honest.
“Nothing. Just… sorry. I didn't mean that.”
She scoffed. “I'm going to shower. I came here from the hospital straight.”
“Okay.” I responded absentmindedly as she headed to my room. She went in and spent about a good minute there before I realised I'd left the burner phone lying carelessly on my bed from last night.
“Fuck!” I shut the box I'd barely gone through and hurried to my room, my heart jumping into my ass when I opened the door to see the phone already in her hand.