Chapter 22 - Sophia
Swallowing back the tears, I knew I deserved the pain I was feeling. I understand where he is coming from. After all, I betrayed him. I knew he only trusts a handful of people. My heart was throbbing hard as I walked away from the house.
The first tears rolled down my cheek as I got in and started my car. I was trying hard not to cry. I knew he had his reasons for doing this. He barely trusted anyone, and I broke that trust. I tried to betray him. Well, at least that was my intention before I got to know him.
I’ve had a change of heart. I changed my mind. Everything I have learned about him has shown me that I am wrong. He has many sides to him, and I was sure there were many I haven’t even seen yet.
Driving off, I inhaled deeply, trying to stop the flood pressing at my eyes.
As I wiped, I tried giving myself a pep talk.
Glancing at my reflection in the mirror, I started.
“Come on, girl,” I whispered. “Pull yourself together. You must stay true to who you are. You will find out what’s happening and take it on. ”
Breathing in hard, I felt my chest tightening. The pressure from my tears was slowly subsiding, which was a good sign. “Melody is no longer your boss. You’re your own boss! You have to be. All you need is concrete evidence. Once you get that, everything will work out.”
Yes, I decided. That was all I needed. I had to find the evidence.
Changing direction, I headed towards Melody’s house.
I parked my car about a block away. Breathing in a couple of times, I gathered my courage.
Glancing in the mirror, I softly slapped my cheek. “You’ve got this girl!” I told myself.
I suddenly thought of my brother, how I missed them and the simple life. Pulling out my phone, I called his number. “Hey, sis,” he said as he answered. “How are you doing?”
“Good,” I replied firmly. “I miss you and just wanted to hear your voice,”
I could hear him walking as he replied. “Well, I can’t talk long. I have a meeting, but we’ll come visit real soon, okay?”
“Sounds good,” I shot back before the line went dead.
Getting out, I stood for a second scanning the area. The street was quiet. There were no people anywhere. Slowly, I made my way to her house. Every noise, every shadow I studied. I was sure to keep my eyes peeled. I had to be quick once I got to her house. I couldn’t afford to get caught.
Keeping to the walls and the shadows of the trees, I moved in. I have been here about a million times. I knew the codes, the hallways, and the rooms like my own. Before I knew it, I was at the back door. Entering the keycode, I heard the lock click.
Carefully, I opened the door and slipped inside. Closing the door, I waited for the click of the lock again before moving. Through the kitchen, I moved up the first set of stairs. Silence filled the rooms. I trusted that Melody was still at work, but I couldn’t be sure.
Standing before her home office, I took slow, deep breaths. Closing my eyes, I held my chest with one hand. My heart was racing as if I were running a marathon. “Calm down,” I whispered. Glancing both ways, I ensured I was alone before pushing open the door.
I thought she had workers. I hadn’t seen one. No gardener, no cleaner, no one? Before me was her desk with her laptop sitting open on it. Next to it was a stack of papers. Walking forward, I glanced at the papers and the screen. It looked like normal work-related things.
Sitting down, I opened each drawer, but there was nothing of interest in any of them. Turning the chair facing the wall, I noticed the black leather bag. Picking it up, I placed it on my lap and opened it.
There it was! The file name stated it clearly, ‘Kolya’. Quickly, I pulled it out and flipped through the content. I only caught a swift glance at each paper before I felt the cold, hard object pressed against my head.
Closing my eyes, I held my breath, waiting in anticipation. I heard the clicking as the gun was cocked back. I was scared shitless. I couldn’t even move. Then I felt the icy tip moving to my cheek. Opening one eye, I glanced sideways. “Melody?” I asked in a shaky tone.
She grabbed the bag from my lap, chucking the contents to the floor. I looked up at her as I raised my hands slowly. “What the hell are you doing?” She spat at me.
Flinching at the harshness in her tone, I tried to stay calm. “Let me…” That was all I could get out.
“Melody grabbed my arm, pulling me up as she moved backwards. “This is my home!” She screamed. “What are you doing here?”
Swallowing the mountain in my throat, I tried reasoning with her. “Calm down.”
“Calm down?” she repeated. Her tone was filled with anger. Increasing her grip on my arm, she moved out of the office. I stumbled as we headed up the next set of stairs. Melody stopped, aimed the gun at my face, and continued screaming. “Move, get up the stairs!”
As I reached the top landing, she shoved me forward. Falling, I stretched out my hands to block the fall. “How did you get in? What do you want?” She hollered.
Turning to face her, I noticed the crazy look in her eyes. “Melody, what’s happened to you?” I asked softly.
Leaning in, she grabbed my top and pulled. Using my legs, I assisted so she wouldn’t tear my clothing. This time, she placed the gun against my forehead. “What do you want?” she breathed out heavily.
Closing my eyes, I felt my emotions bubbling. The wall had crumbled, and there was no stopping the showers. I tried to swallow back the flood, but it was hard. “Please,” I begged. “Please let me explain.”
Shoving the gun at me, she gave me her orders. “Move back, back into the room.”
Glancing over my shoulder, I saw the open door. I turned and did what she asked. This was it, I thought, seeing my life flash before me. She was going to kill me, and no one would even know.
Melody closed the door and moved around me to look out the window. She was paranoid. I wondered who she was actually afraid of. There was something different about her as she turned her attention back to me. She was going to kill me.
I thought my heart had stopped as the door flung open. It collided with the wall, sending a hollow echo through the room. Glancing back, I saw Kolya standing there in the doorway. For a moment, I was unsure if I should be happy or afraid. His gun was drawn. He stood there pointing it at Melody.
His tone was aggressive and strong as he stepped inside. “You will give me Sophia. She has betrayed me. She owes me her life.”
I felt confused by his words. My mind raced to figure out what he was playing at. I knew he’d be upset, but saying I betrayed him was a step too far.
Melody suddenly moved closer, pulling me into her arms. She held the gun against my head. “No!” she screamed. “I need her to tell me the truth first.”
Kolya came at us with a speed I didn’t expect. He took hold of my arm as he responded. “You harm a hair on her head, and I swear, Melody, it will be the last thing you ever do!”
As he pulled softly on my arm, it hit me. I had to bite back the laugh that was bubbling inside of me. He was doing this deliberately. Telling her these things to get me out of here. He had to make Melody believe he hated my guts.
“She has a debt to repay. I’ll be damned if she doesn’t. Now let go of her,” he roared.
The shock on Melody’s face was amusing. She was utterly confused. It was a sight to see. One I knew I’d never see again. Kolya pulled on my arm again. This time, Melody let go. Her mouth opened. It looked like she wanted to speak. But she closed it again as Kolya pulled me through the door.
“There’s no time,” he whispered. “Stay close.”
I moved with Kolya as he headed down the first set of stairs. Shots rang out as we ran to the next set. Kolya turned, pulling me to the side as he shot back. I didn’t dare look. It wasn’t a sight I wanted to see.
Kolya picked up the pace as we moved down the second set of stairs. I felt a shiver of fear running down the small hairs on the back of my neck. But instinctively, I followed him. We had gone about halfway down the last stairs when I heard the guards' footsteps as they came running towards us.
Kolya pulled me down the last two steps and through the foyer into the kitchen.
I was sure this was the way he came in. Another couple of shots filled the air with a deafening sound.
It was coming from both sides now. Kolya ducked behind a counter.
Dragging me to the floor, I could feel him shoot over me.
Tears welled up in my eyes. I had to rub them vigorously just so I could see. My heart was beating a million miles an hour. Kolya jumped up, grabbed my wrist, and pulled. I almost lost my balance as I stood. Luckily, I didn’t tumble.
We were out the door and running across the back yard. Before I knew it, we were in the street jumping into his car. Kolya sped off, flooring the car.
Once we were out of immediate danger, I relaxed a little. All of this now confirms Melody’s participation. She’s been on it all. I felt betrayed, and my heart was heavy. I couldn’t believe she had done this to me, that she was a criminal.