Chapter 12 Scoop trouble
>>Clio
The sound of the rain pounding against the pavement drowned out everything else, and my heart raced as I ran through the wet streets.
With each step, my clothes clung to me, soaked through from the downpour. I knew I had to find shelter quickly, but that didn’t stop me from glancing over my shoulder to look back time and again and see if someone was after me. As the cold rain chilled me to the bone, the only solace I found was that no one came after me, no one I could see at least.
I ran through the dark areas with my heels in my hands and my heart ready to burst out at any moment. I can’t believe I actually managed to get away. The narrow window was a difficult climb and a small escape but I’m glad I’m small.
With my heart still racing, I approached the park, the dim glow of the streetlights cast eerie shadows on the wet ground. The path ahead was slippery, but my determination urged me forward. I had to change my clothes before I went back to the apartment to avoid any sort of suspicion. I don’t want to risk anyone seeing me as a girl entering my apartment. The puddles seemed like endless mirrors reflecting the city lights, giving the night an otherworldly feel but I barely paid that beauty any attention. I reached the public bathroom, pushing the door open with a sense of relief. The dampness clung to me, and my hair was plastered to my face.
Inside, the dimly lit bathroom provided a temporary sanctuary from the rain. The echo of water droplets hitting the floor mingled with the sound of my labored breaths. I locked the door for some privacy and began to peel off my soaking wet dress, shivering from the cold.
This was the place where I originally changed clothes so I looked for the bag I left here. Climbing the chair to reach the window with the inner shed, I had to jump to grab the bag. Thankfully, I got it in one go but I didn’t land back on the chair safely. The moment I came back down, my wet feet slipped off the wooden surface and I ended up crashing down on the floor.
Lightning struck and thunder rumbled in the sky as I lay on the rough concrete floor.
“Ow…” I pulled myself up, realizing I scraped my arms and knees, “Shit…”, This hasn’t been the most nicest of nights… I took a deep breath, then made myself stand up once again. At least I got away from the party and the people after me…
With a sigh of relief, I pulled out a fresh set of clothes from my bag, unsure what to feel at the moment. I had already taken off the dress that lay on the floor like a wet slosh, but before I took off the rest, I looked at myself in the mirror.
At the fake version, I had created. I saw it tremble before me, as the cold from the rain started seeping into my bones.
I liked this version, it was pretty but I also knew I couldn’t keep it. Not now…
So I took off the wig, then the lenses and put them on the bathroom shelf. Then I took off the bra that was inserted with thick silicon pads and threw it on the ground. Lastly, I took off the BBL shorts and threw them on the ground as well.
I looked at myself once again, at my scrawny figure, then quickly changed into dry clothes, feeling a sense of comfort and warmth enveloping me while a sense of loneliness tugged at my heart.
It was a weird night…
I ran my fingers through my damp hair, trying to tame it, I gazed at my reflection in the mirror and saw a ‘boy’ again.
As I caught my breath, I felt I had persevered, and the information I had gathered was powerful too but something kept bothering me. Was it the way I dressed? Was it Matthew? Was it the big scoop in my hands that I knew would invite trouble?
I couldn’t pinpoint it, but something in my heart made me feel sad.
Sad….
I looked down at the dress that was now just a wet pile on the floor. Was I sad about this?
I picked up the wet stuff, stashed it in my bag, and went out again while pushing these thoughts away in the back of my mind.
As I finally stepped through the door of my home, a sense of relief washed over me. The rain had soaked me to the bone, and the cold had seeped into my very core. Closing the door behind me, I could feel the weight of the night's events gradually lifting from my shoulders. Not from my mind though, I was still worried. The only solace I had was that I made it home.
After I closed the main door of the apartment behind me, I took out the USB and stared at it.
This is a big big scoop….
I gulped,
This tiny thing in my hand has documents of drug dealings and the video shows the people involved in it….. I grasped it in my hands.
And Matthew Merikh is one of those people shown in the video.
I didn’t get anything about him being The Head Hunter, but I got this. So, he’s involved with the mafia? If he’s in the mafia, he might just be a killer… But there’s a difference between being with the mafia and being a serial killer….
I walked to the bathroom, taking the bag and the USB with me. I didn’t see anyone outside but that should be expected since it’s past midnight. But I’m still glad I didn’t risk it and came back with the dress on.
I took out all the sloshing wet things from the bag and threw them in the washing machine which was under the sink, then I took off my clothes and threw them in the machine as well while I placed the USB on the sink shelf, then walked into the shower.
As the steaming water cascaded over me, I felt my body relax. The heat enveloped my tired muscles, easing the tension that had built up from running and evading throughout the night. The soothing sound of the water provided a comforting rhythm, drowning out the noise of the world outside.
As I closed my eyes, I allowed myself to process the events of the night and I wondered who that man was that gave me the USB. I guess I was lucky I was the one he crashed with, or this could have gone to anyone…
If I give all this info to Nolan, will I get to go back? I’ve only been here for a week but I can’t seem to get comfortable.
Everyone’s nice, yes, but I can’t seem to shake off the feeling that there’s something very dangerous around me.
>>Matthew
Azef came running to me as I entered the house.
“You really lost the woman!?!?” He looked at me in horror, “How!??”
“It’s raining,” I gritted my teeth, “Her scent was completely gone. Washed out!” I threw my coat on the floor as I stomped my way to the living room. I was frustrated as well, not because of what she took but because I wanted to know who she was.
“Shit…” Azef stood there for a few minutes then looked at me, “The Chinese mafia is not going to be happy with this,” He said while I went and sat down on the three-seater couch.
“Like hell,” I turned my upper body around and looked back at him, “They’re going to lose it, The Jade tigers supply the largest amount of heroin to the black market here.” I slumped at the back of the couch, “The documents and the video gets out, they’ll be put on the blacklist.”
“The establishment is ours though,” Azef walked over to me, “If it gets out that the dealings take place in our buildings, we get in trouble as well.” He sat down on the arm of the couch, “Plus,” We looked at each other, “Aren’t you in that video?”
He had a serious expression on, “Whoever that woman is, if she hands that over to the press, we’re going into deep shit.”
I nodded at him calmly, “We can handle this,”
“Zhou-lin, from the Jade Tigers was at tonight's party, right?”
I nodded, “That’s the guy we need to worry about.” I looked away, “If the news gets out, he will turn the world upside down to get his hands on that woman.”
“Didn’t you already give that guy to him? The one who originally stole those documents?”
“I did,” I sighed, “And he’s dead. He had already lost a lot of blood by the time he got caught. Zhou-lin didn’t even do much and the guy passed off to the next life.”
Azef slid towards the seat, “That woman is done for,” He joined his hands together, “If Zhou-lin gets to her, I’ll pray for her sorry soul.” He let out a sarcastic chuckle, “This is going to be the greatest mistake of her lifetime.”
I nodded, “He’s not only going to torture her, he might even sell her to the prostitution ring.” I sighed, “I hope she changes her mind and doesn't hand over that info to anybody.”