Chapter 186 Let’s make a deal
>>Seraphina
I slowly opened my eyes, the fog of unconsciousness gradually lifting as the effects of the drug wore off. My head throbbed, and for a moment, everything was a blur. Blinking a few times, my vision began to clear, revealing an unfamiliar setting. I was lying on an elegant yet uncomfortable royal blue couch.
The living room around me was well lit, and from looking around, no one could tell that this is a place where a kidnapped person would be brought.
Where?
As my mind cleared a little, I tried to move, but my movement was restricted. My wrists bound tightly together with rough rope behind me, while the rest of my body was roped to the couch.
What the hell!?!?
I tried to move again, this time frantically, and that’s when I noticed someone else.
In front of me, seated in an armchair, was a woman. She appeared to be in her late fifties with sharp features and a cold, calculating gaze. Her hair was pulled back into a tight bun, and she wore a simple dress, the kind that could easily blend into any crowd. She was talking to a man who sat beside her, presumably her husband, but that was just my assumption. I was assuming that because of how she was touching him.
I strained to listen, my heart pounding in my chest as fragments of their conversation reached my ears.
"...need to make sure everything is ready," The woman was saying, her tone matter-of-fact and devoid of emotion. "We can't afford any mistakes."
The man nodded, his voice low and gruff. "I know. I've taken care of it, darling."
Their words sent a shiver down my spine. I tried to move, but the ropes binding my wrists cut into my skin, leaving me feeling helpless and vulnerable. I shifted slightly on the couch, the fabric rough against my skin. The slight noise caught the woman's attention, and her gaze snapped to me, her eyes narrowing.
"Looks like our guest is awake," She said, a faint, chilling smile playing on her lips. "Welcome. I hope you had a nice rest."
The man turned around and smiled at me. He was younger than the woman. Panic surged through me, but I forced myself to remain calm, taking deep, steadying breaths. “Where am I?” I asked
“You’re in my house,” She replied, “I’m sure you can tell,” She gestured, “This is the living room.”
My eyes darted around. Dominating the room were the royal blue couches. Matching the couches, the royal blue curtains draped from ceiling to floor. At the center of this symphony of blue and cream stood a coffee table, its glass surface supported by brass legs that gleamed in the light. Beneath the table, a large area rug spread out, its design a subtle interplay of beige and blues.
A chandelier hung overhead
On the walls, large framed pieces of art added to the room’s allure. Modern abstracts in blues and creams.
I’m clearly in a rich person’s house. I looked back at the woman.
And for some reason, this woman looks so familiar… Do I know her?
"What do you want?" I managed to ask, my voice trembling but defiant. I tried to move, but I could barely manage any movement at all considering how tightly I was bound.
The woman's smile widened, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Don’t worry," She replied smoothly. "You’ll find out everything."
As I lay there, bound and helpless on the couch, the woman's cold gaze never left me. She exchanged a glance with the man standing beside her and then looked past him, directing her attention to someone behind me.
"Untie her," She commanded, her voice steady and authoritative.
I twisted my neck to see who she was addressing. A young man, perhaps in his early twenties, stepped forward. His skin was pale but he nodded quickly. Clearly, he was used to following orders without question.
He moved closer, and I felt his hands fumble with the ropes around my wrists. The ropes loosened, and with a final tug, they fell away, leaving red, angry marks on my skin. I brought my hands to my chest, rubbing my sore wrists, feeling a rush of mixed emotions.
"There," The woman said, her smile returning, though it remained as cold as ever. "Isn't that better?"
I didn't respond, my mind racing as I tried to assess my situation. My eyes flicked to the door, gauging the distance and any possible obstacles between me and potential freedom. The room seemed to close in on me, the air thick with tension.
The woman and her husband continued to watch me, their expressions inscrutable.
"You can sit up now," She said, her tone almost mocking. "We need to have a little chat."
I slowly pushed myself up into a proper sitting position, my muscles protesting after being bound. My mind was a whirlwind of questions and fear, but I forced myself to remain outwardly calm, knowing that showing weakness would only make things worse.
I can’t believe I’m such an idiot.
I just had to go to the hospital on my own. What was I thinking? What was I going to do even if I met Eris and the man with her?
Oh right-
I wasn’t thinking. I just wanted to run away from my emotions. And because of that I caught myself in a bigger problem.
The woman leaned forward slightly, her eyes boring into mine. "Now, let's start with something simple.” I looked back at her with a cautious mind, “What were you doing in the forest?"
!!!
How does she know I was in the forest? The question was answered by my own mind. That man with Eris! He heard me when I told Eris I was in the forest
Shit!
I hesitated, my mind scrambling for an answer. The truth seemed too dangerous to reveal, but lying could be just as perilous. "I was there for a little while," I said, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me. "I got lost."
Her expression didn't change, but I could tell she wasn't entirely convinced. "Lost, you say? Interesting place to get lost, don’t you think?"
The man beside her crossed his arms, his eyes still fixed on me. He smiled when he heard my answer, seemingly a proud smile.
“...” I didn’t answer her after that. She watched me for a few seconds, then let out a sigh, “Do you know why you’re here?”
“I have no clue,” I said
“Because of Azef Greer,” She said, “In case you haven’t recognized me, my name is Somi Soma.”
!!!!
My eyes went wide at her words
Oh! It’s her. I gulped!
Shit! No wonders she looked so familiar!! I’ve seen her on the news a few times!!
“Originally, I had plans of killing you to make Azef pay, but I still need someone to get to him.” She looked at her husband, “We need to find our son.” As she turned to look at me, I noticed the husband’s expression turn sour,
???
It was for a brief second, but he seemed annoyed.
Do they not get along? But they look like they get along. So what were those expressions?
“So, what do you want from me?” I asked.
“I’ve come to realize that Azef was just keeping you as collateral because of your father.”
“Yes…” I looked down, closing my eyes for a moment, “My father stole something precious from him.”
“Hmmm,” She leaned forward, “I have a deal for you, girl,”
I raised my head to look back at her, “A deal?”
“Get me what I want, and I’ll make sure you get your sister, and I’ll make sure to get you out of his grasp.”
I frowned at her words, “What are you saying?”
She let out a scoff, “I know your sister was taken by her mother. But if you know me, you know I work as a politician. I have all the resources to get your sister back to you, ‘legally’”
My heart rate spiked for a moment when I heard her.
Eris,
God, I hope she’s okay
“You can do that?” That sounded too good.
“Not only that, I’ll make sure you get a decent job and that no one can take your sister away from you ever again.”
“....” I stared at her with several thoughts running through my brain. A decent job? And my sister back with me? That’s what I’ve wanted for the longest time… “But I still have a debt.”
“That’s not a problem. The debt belongs to your father. I’ll make sure to separate you from his registry. You won’t have to worry about it again.”
She smiled at me and I gulped. Her offer was too good. So good, it sounded like a scam. But if she’s offering me this, she wants Azef in return, doesn’t she? Being with Azef will only cause me pain. If I help her, wouldn’t that solve all my problems?
He doesn’t even want me. At one point he’ll grow tired of the fact that I only look like his mate
Won’t he?
“Okay,” I nodded, “What do you need?”
“I need you to make Azef come to me.” She said,
“What do you plan on doing to him?” I asked
“Exactly what he did to my son,” She answered, “Those sly bastards,” She gritted her teeth, “I still can’t find my son. Only God knows what he did to him.”
It’s been months since his son was reported missing.
At this point, it would be better to assume that he’s dead. I didn’t say those words.
“You think Azef would come for me?” I said, “You already said I’m his collateral. Not someone important.”
She smirked, “Do you think I’m an idiot?” Her gaze turned sharper, “If you were only collateral, he wouldn’t keep you in his house and act like a guardian to your little sister.”
“What if he doesn’t come for me?” I asked
“Oh, he’ll come,” The man said, “I’m pretty positive,”
My heart fell
“Call him,” Somi said and the underling who opened my ropes stepped forward with my phone, presenting it to me, “Now,”