- Marina, I want to understand, what do you want from this? Don’t tell me you just want to save my business because you’re such a loyal employee. And I won’t believe that you want genuine happiness for Amanda and me, which is why you decided to leak all the information on Kirk. - The girl lowers her gaze, and I realize I’ve hit the nail on the head.
- So, what happened between you? Tell me, what’s with this hatred towards him? - She exhales heavily, takes her cup, and takes a sip. We sit in silence for a few minutes until she begins:
- He betrayed me. We were in a relationship after I realized you loved Amanda and that nothing could happen between us. I was at a bar; he offered me a drink, then took me home, and things just spiraled from there. We were together for a few months. It later turned out this wasn’t some kind of love or anything, though I even… began to believe it. I was useful to him to find out more about you, but I didn’t tell him anything. And that became the reason for the change in his mood, the change in how he treated me. But we didn’t break up because of that. - Marina goes quiet again, and I can’t hide my shock. I would call it something else, but I’m holding back.
- So, you’re saying you were with Kirk and during that time he was sleeping with Karina? Tell me, was Karina already my fiancée at that time? - If yes, then I would be in complete shock. Did this old worm decide to orchestrate a whole scheme behind my back, using my not-so-fiancee for that? God, I could never even think of such a thing.
- Yes, you had already announced your engagement to Karina at that point. That’s why I hated her so much, and I really wanted to tell you everything, but I was afraid you wouldn’t believe me. You might think I was jealous. And when Ms. Amanda returned, I decided that was the only way you would learn the truth. - I realize the girl acted correctly. In my emotional state, I could have thought Marina was jealous of me toward Karina, and that it was all her fabrications. I wouldn’t even have glanced at that folder of documents. God, what an idiot I’ve been.
- Yes, you did the right thing. Good. We will deal with all this. With Kirk, and with the situation with Karina. Just don’t worry. - I leave the house, get into the car, and don’t know where to go. There’s too much on my mind right now. My pseudo-fiancée cheated on me with my partner. And not that this bothers me too much, but the mere fact of such deceit was unexpected. I want to call Amanda, but I remember that this isn’t the best time. So, I just drive to the restaurant where she has her meeting. I don’t know why I’m doing this. I won’t tell her I was here; I don’t want any scandals, arguments, but it’ll make me feel calmer. I arrive very quickly. The restaurant is in the center. I see Amanda’s car with her driver, see the security vehicles, and then two more cars parked. I definitely recognize the number on one of them.
- Oh damn, not this. – anxiety builds up in me. This can’t be. Amanda cannot be meeting with this person. He shouldn’t even be in the country. How is Korniyev doing business with him?
- Damn, damn, damn, what should I do? - the first thing that comes to my mind is to call my security guards who are with her now and find out what’s going on. I call, but no one answers the phone.
- Damn!
All the cars are parked here, which means they’re inside the building. I call my head of security and order him to send at least two cars with guards. I don’t know how everything will unfold, but I need to be ready for any consequences. I never thought Korniyev was so deeply entrenched in this dark business, let alone that his partner, this man, if Korniyev was dangerous, then whoever is with Amanda now is simply a person without principles. A person who has no compassion and has no rules. He can do anything. Once, I crossed paths with him in business, and I managed to wriggle out back then, but the price was too high. But I don’t know if Amanda can do the same.
As soon as my guys arrive, we go inside. It doesn’t matter what Amanda will say, or what will happen next. I just want to know she is safe. We go up to the required floor, realize there is no one in the establishment except for Amanda, who is sitting across from this man, whom I never want to see again in my life, while their bodyguards point guns at each other. They notice me right away. Some of the guards don’t know what to do. My guys swiftly pull out their weapons.
- Kid, you weren’t invited here. - Lantsov is sitting with an expression that suggests he finds this situation very, very amusing. And I know this bitch enjoys it. He resolves his issues only with blood, threats, and murders.
- I don’t need an invitation to go wherever I want. - With people like him, you can only converse in his language. Amanda turns to me, and there’s nothing in her eyes. No surprise, no offense, no anger. She smiles, gesturing to the chair beside her.
- Adam, I didn’t expect to see you here, but since you’re here, come on in. We’re just wrapping up. - I watch Lantsov shift his gaze to her, and I realize he doesn’t quite understand what Kitten is talking about.
- Really? Wrapping up? And I thought, Amanda, we just started. - He takes a sip of whiskey and looks at us as if we’ve already lost. I sit down next to the woman and want to fully grasp the essence of the situation.
- No, we’re wrapping up. There’s no point talking about this. I’ll only say that it’s better for you to sign this contract. - Lantsov smiles as if Amanda has just cracked a joke. He clearly doesn’t regard her as a partner and is certainly not taking her words seriously.
- What’s that, sweetheart? Your guards will pull out their guns and shoot mine? You think it works that way? - he leans back in his chair, and I’m tense all over. Damn, I want to smash his head in. Right now. But I know what the consequences would be.
- Why so? I don’t want all that blood. I choose to use somewhat different methods. - Amanda smiles, then takes out her phone. She turns it toward Lantsov, and immediately, the man’s eyes flash with anger and hatred. His face pales, and he sets his glass down. - What the hell did you do? - I don’t know what’s on the phone screen, but from the reaction of the man in front of me, I understand it’s something very serious.
- Nothing. For now. But by morning, I expect the signed documents. Otherwise, you know the consequences. Maybe I’m not my father, but I have some traits of his. That’s the lack of any remorse. So, I warned you. By morning. Otherwise, things will get messy. - Amanda gets up, waiting for me. I rise with her, and we exit. I still don’t know what’s on the phone screen. But as soon as we step out the door, I hear a glass shatter against the wall. So, there’s something serious there. If she managed to get Lantsov worked up, it means Amanda is tangled in a very dangerous game.