Chapter 20 - Stefania #2
“Alright,” she agrees reluctantly. “But can I reach you on this number now?”
“Only by message, please. It’s safer that way. And only if it’s an emergency.”
“I’m glad you called, though, honey. I’m so relieved.”
“Angel, I called to ask you something,” I say.
“What is it?” she replies.
“You were always very cryptic about how you and Diomid sort of met and everything. And you tried to keep the story of Bardil’s event hidden from me. I know you were doing it to keep me safe, but I need to know what happened,” I tell her.
“The event, why?” she snaps, already agitated over the topic.
“Please, I can’t explain why, I just need to know the truth.”
After some convincing, she finally tells me everything.
I listen in stunned silence to her version of the story.
About how Bardil first kidnapped her. About the auction that Diomid rescued her from, to save her from being sold off to real monstrous men.
She tells me about how she couldn’t let it go, knowing there were still women going through what she almost went through.
She and Diomid eventually put a stop to the whole thing that night, when they set the smoke bombs, then the real bombs.
They rescued a group of women, and Diomid’s family helped get them home.
I listen and take notes, and compare them to what Bardil told Marlen.
“Is there any proof?” I ask, hopeful. “Any way to show without question that you saved those women?”
“No, I don’t think so. I can ask Diomid, but that would mean telling him about this call. But as far as I know, they kept everything off the books for the safety of the women. They didn’t want anyone to be able to find them again,” she explains.
“I understand. Listen, I have to go, but thank you so much. You don’t know how much it means to me to hear your voice and that you helped me,” I say, sad to be ending the call.
“You only have a few days, Stef. I can’t keep watching our brothers worrying about where you are,” she warns me.
“I only need a few days. It will be over soon,” I assure her.
After the call ends, my heart aches for my family. Talking to my sister has made me more determined to solve this so that I can see them again, but at the same time, not lose Marlen.
One thing is very clear to me at this point. Bardil is a liar. Angelika’s story makes so much more sense. And she told it clearly, piece by piece, everything adding up without holes or questions. Bardil lied to Marlen, and I have to get my brothers to understand that, so they stop blaming Marlen.
I was going to wait a few days and try to speak to Marlen again about Angelika’s side of the story, but I’m impatient and worried, and I need this to end now.
In a moment of rushed decisions, I decide to phone Jaroslav right away. If I can get him to hear me out, I might not need proof. He might just believe me. Then maybe he’ll agree to meet with Marlen on friendly terms.
My hands are shaking worse than when I dialed Angelika as I punch my brother’s number into the phone.
His phone keeps ringing, and each ring has me doubting my choice. Thinking that maybe I’m rushing forward too quickly. But this is bigger than just Marlen and me. This involves everyone, and the sooner I talk to my brother, the better.
“Jaroslav?”
He immediately knows it’s me.
“Stefania?” he shouts. “Stef, are you ok? Are you hurt? Where are you?” he blurts out, his voice thick with panic.
“I’m ok, Jaro. I promise. I’m fine.”
“Where the fuck are you?” he yells.
“I… I can’t tell you that, please understand. I need to talk to you,” I say carefully.
“What the fuck? You tell me where you are right now!”
I can hear the deep panic in him. He’s blinded by his emotions.
“Jaroslav, please, just listen to me for a second. This is really important,” I plead.
“More important than finding out you’re alive? Nothing is more important than that. I need to come and get you. Send me your location. Why aren’t you letting me know where you are?” he snaps, getting angry.
My heart sinks. I didn’t factor in his panic and how overwhelmed he would be to hear me. He’s angry, relieved, and confused, and he isn’t listening to anything I say.
This isn’t going to work over the phone. I’m going to have to talk to him face-to-face if I want to resolve anything.
“J, I’m going now, but I promise you I’m going to call you soon so that we can meet up,” I tell him.
“No, don’t you dare hang up without telling me where you are,” he snarls.
“I’m sorry, J. I’ll call soon. I promise.”
He’s still yelling when I end the call. My heart floods with guilt, but I have no choice. I shouldn’t have called him yet. It was a mistake.
I should have spoken to Marlen first and told him what my sister told me.
Staring at my phone, I know I can’t wait.
I’ve already waited long enough. I’ve been missing long enough. This has to end now.
Dialing Marlen, I have renewed confidence. Hope that wasn’t there before.
“Marlen, it’s me,” I smile when he answers.
“Hi, Me. How are you doing on his beautiful morning?” he chuckles.
My grin grows wider, but then fades from my lips as anxiety bubbles inside me.
“Marlen, I need to talk to you about something really important. I know you’re busy, so I’ll come out to you. Can you meet me at the coffee shop near your office?”
“What is this about, Stef?” His voice is tighter now.
“It’s important. Please?”
There is a long pause and a heavy sigh.
“Alright. Half an hour?” he asks gruffly.
“Perfect. I’ll see you there.”
I don’t bother asking one of the guards for a ride. Instead, I just take the car myself and head into town. I’m meeting with Marlen, so he’ll be there with me, and I won’t need a guard.
I park close to the coffee shop and breathe a sigh of relief when I see it looks quiet inside. All the way here, I was worried that maybe I should have chosen a more private location, but it’s late morning, and the lunch rush hasn’t started yet.
Standing on the opposite side of the road, next to the car, waiting for a chance to cross, I spot Marlen walking toward the coffee shop and call his name, waving.
“Stef,” he smiles, waving back and crossing to come to me.
I laugh, shaking my head. “I was crossing to come to you,” I say.
“Well, I crossed to escort you across,” he smiles. His eyes are warm but touched with concern. But he’s holding back from asking me about why I’m here, politely waiting till we sit down.
He slips his hand through mine and pulls me to the edge of the street to wait for a gap.
“Over there!” I hear a man shout angrily
Marlen and I both spin to see three men in dark suits running toward us. I instantly recognize them as Jaroslav’s men. He must have traced my number! He must have sent his men out to follow me. How could I have been so stupid!
“No,” I gasp in horror, noting the weapons already drawn in their hands. They’ll shoot Marlen.
“Stef!” Marlen shouts, immediately moving to protect me.
He grabs my arm and tugs me behind his body. “Give me the keys,” he demands.
I shove my hand into my pocket to grab the car keys and push them into his hand.
He pushes me toward the car on the driver’s side, not risking the extra time it would take to go around.
He pulls the door open and practically throws me across the seat.
Then, in a flash, he’s in behind me and starting the car.
The engine growls when he accelerates, wheel spinning out of the parking bay.
“It’s ok, you’re safe, you’re safe,” he tells me, as we race away from my brother’s security team. I glance behind us, anxiety making me dizzy with worry.