AMANDA
I think I handled it pretty well. Even though Adam showed up at such an inopportune time, it didn’t change anything. Our plan should work, but we won’t find out until morning. So I get into Adam’s car, and we head home.
- Adam, why did you come? I asked you not to. I said I could handle everything myself.
- I’m sorry, Kitten, I just drove by and saw Lantsov’s car. - I look at him and realize he’s hiding something.
- Adam, do you know him? - this wasn’t a question. So the man fell silent for a moment and tightened his grip on the steering wheel.
- Yes, about four years ago we crossed paths. And it ended with significant casualties. If I had known you were meeting with him, I would never have allowed it. - I notice how tense he becomes.
- You understand that I would have gone to that meeting regardless, because my firm's future depends on it. - I want to convey the idea that he couldn’t have changed anything. Even if something terrible happened, which seemed increasingly likely, I would have still gone to that meeting, even knowing the consequences.
- Ami, I’m just worried about you. - the man pulls over to the side of the road and looks at me. - I’m terrified of losing you. Again. Again, Ami, losing you. I just couldn’t bear it. - he takes my hand and kisses my palm.
I understand Adam is worried about me, but I can’t grasp why these emotions only evoke anger in me. It seems he underestimates me. It feels like he thinks I’m incapable. That I’m a defenseless girl who needs constant help.
- Adam, nothing is going to happen to me. Let's drop this topic. - my tone sounds too cold, and the man recoils from me. He starts driving again and changes the subject. - So, maybe tell me what happened and what you showed Lantsov that made his eyes nearly pop out? - I hadn’t planned on sharing this with him. I don’t know why. Victoria and I came up with this plan just yesterday and I spent the whole day trying to figure out how to execute it. Of course, I doubted until the last moment. But when it came to the point that this contract determines the entire future of the empire my father left me, the doubts vanished. Why should I feel sorry for someone? Why should I feel sorry for a person who steps over others to achieve their goals by any means?
- Adam, this story won’t please you, - he looks at me and I can see the concern in his eyes again.
- I still want to hear it, Ami. I need to know. - I don’t understand why he wants this. Could it possibly change his attitude toward me? And you know, for the first time, I think that yes, it could change. I’m afraid to tell him this story, knowing he will never see me as the Amanda I was seven years ago.
- Fine, I’ll tell you, but I'm afraid that after this our relationship will change. - the man pulls over to the shoulder. He gets out of the car, and I follow him. He lights a cigarette. I stand opposite him and begin my story from the very beginning.
This morning...
I arrive at the office and hope that Victoria already has a plan. Because Nazar’s call completely threw me off balance.
- Damn, just like always lately.
I walk into the office; the woman is already waiting for me.
- Good afternoon, Ms. Amanda. How are you feeling? How’s your mood? - strange questions from this lady, I wasn’t expecting that.
- Everything is fine. So what? What are we going to do? Any ideas?
- Well, first of all, I want to tell you that the meeting will take place this evening. Because Mr. Lantsov isn’t often in our country. And he has a flight in the morning. - So now I know who I’m meeting. Mr. Lantsov. I’ve never even heard of him.
- And what do you suggest, Victoria? Do you think there’s a possibility to sign this contract? - the woman smiles slyly and pulls out a folder of documents.
- This is everything that Mr. Korneyev has on Mr. Lantsov. There’s a lot of personal information here that only a few people outside this office know. - I take the documents and start reviewing the biography. It’s clear that this partner of my father is famous for his dark dealings. There’s drug trafficking, murders, and human trafficking. I don’t know why, but this doesn’t surprise me at all. I generally understood who I would have to deal with. Such huge businesses aren’t built solely through honest methods. And then I reach the personal information and see one small detail that could work to our advantage.
- So, you want to say we can try to blackmail him?
- Yes, that’s probably the only method that will work flawlessly. We won’t do anything, but we’ll warn him that we know about his little secret and how precious that secret is to him. And if they don’t sign this contract, the consequences could be varied. - I never thought I would have to involve children in my business, let alone threaten their lives. But oh well, it seems I have no other choice.
- Victoria, what do we need then? - she smiles again.
- We need to take a few snapshots in real time. And we’ve already done this, Ms. Amanda. This morning our security team took care of it, and I’ll send those photos to your phone. - For now, we won’t do anything, and I think Lantsov will understand that jokes have limits, although I doubt it.
I’m not my father, and if he was afraid of him, then it seems that such authority won’t be achieved by me either.
- Victoria, one more question. Do you think this will work? - the woman stands up and heads towards the door.
- Don’t doubt it. This is the information your father left you as a gift. - she leaves the office, and I think for a long time about her words. An intriguing gift, Dad. Why do other kids get cars, apartments, and trips to the Maldives, and you gave me a business empire with a dark side, drug-dealing partners, murderers, and a pile of problems? Oh, right, I also forgot about the unfinished story of my origin.
- Thank you, Daddy. This is the best gift for my 25th birthday. - I laugh at these words myself.
All day I’m setting myself up for the evening meeting. I still need to call Adam and tell him that I won’t be home until midnight. He reacts quite calmly, although he asks me to take his bodyguards with me. Okay, I think that's not a problem. I’m getting ready for the evening; Victoria says she won’t go with me because the meeting should be one-on-one.