AMANDA
I always knew that good sex could solve many problems. I leave Adam's place in a good mood. An interesting evening still lies ahead of us. But right now, I need to get back to the office and deal with some matters. For example, to tell Victoria about the situation with Marina. Perhaps she will recommend something to us. Or maybe she will have some guesses about who is behind this. I get in my car and head towards my office.
Actually, everything between Adam and me might get better. I've probably worked myself up thinking that he wouldn't be able to accept my changes. We are both grown-ups; we can always talk about everything and resolve our issues. These fears probably lack logical explanations and, in principle, any adequate foundation. We have always had an understanding between us. And even if we disagreed on something, we could find a compromise. I believe that’s how it will be now. And his proposal to become his wife, of course, caught me off guard. But I won't say I'm not pleased. I want to become Ms. Kelly, however strange that may sound, even though I’m not sure I’ll change my last name. But the last name Vitvitska doesn’t even belong to my biological father.
- God, why is everything in my life so tangled? - a smile appears on my face as I think about Adam. But a sudden impact on my car from the side knocks all thoughts out of my head. I hit my forehead on the steering wheel and lose consciousness.
I come to in some dimly lit room. Something resembling either a hotel room or a room in a brothel. The red light is harsh on my eyes. I feel that I am sitting on a hard surface, my hands are tied behind my back.
- So, I clearly wasn't invited here for a visit, - I try to see the silhouettes in front of me. From their voices, I hear that there is more than one person here. I lift my head and squint my eyes.
- Ms. Amanda, have you come to? That’s very good, - I don’t recognize the man in front of me. I can only see the silhouette of another man standing a bit further back in the shadows.
- Who are you? - I try to hold back my emotions, but inside I feel like I'm about to explode. I wouldn't say it's panic, but a sense of danger is clearly manifesting. Or perhaps it’s still the result of hitting my head.
- It doesn’t matter much, Ms. Amanda. What matters is that you will be held accountable not for your sins. - The man approaches and sits on the couch opposite me. He looks to be in his forties. His face resembles the face of someone who has spent several decades in prison.
- What are you talking about? I don’t understand you at all. - To be honest, I don’t understand what sins I am supposed to answer for. Could this be somehow connected to Adam? Or perhaps Lantsov has decided to take revenge on me after all?
- Are you a man of Lantsov? - The man smiles and shakes his head in denial.
- No, no, no. Mr. Lantsov has nothing to do with us, - he stretches his legs and crosses them. I look at the figure standing behind him. I can’t see the man’s face. But by his posture, I understand he is the one in charge.
- Why doesn’t your friend step into the light? His face looks suspicious, - I don’t know why I am provoking them. I find myself in an unknown place, with unknown people. And these men clearly aren’t interested in just having a chat.
- Amanda, you certainly have a tongue like your father, - now I’m curious about which of them he is talking about. And why is he mentioning him at all?
- Do you know my father? - The man smiles again and examines me carefully.
- I know both of them. - This is getting more interesting.
- Why do you want all this? - I need at least some understanding of what is happening right now.
- Me? I’m not involved. I’m just the executor. Don’t take it personally. But, Ms. Amanda, you are simply a victim. A victim of circumstances. Nothing more. - The man stands up and approaches me, lifting my chin with his fingers.
- And you look like him. Though your eyes are his, your face resembles your mother more. - But where does this man even know my parents from?
- You realize you can't just kidnap me and expect to get away with it. First of all, my security service will be looking for me. Secondly, Mr. Kelly won’t let this slide. - I notice a new expression on the man’s face.
- Oh, believe me, Mr. Kelly has his own business to deal with right now. Mr. Lantsov is very eager to talk to him. He is convinced that the situation with his daughter is the doing of Adam. So I don’t think your beloved will come to your aid. I don’t think he’s even alive. - My heart tightens at his last words. It can’t be that something has happened to Adam. I feel like I’m being provoked and scared deliberately. But it might be true because Adam’s sudden appearance at our meeting with Lantsov could have led him to think that he was behind it all. Besides, Adam said they had crossed paths before, and that incident had cost many lives.
- Did you send Marina? - The only thought that comes to my mind. The man squints and points his finger at the silhouette behind him.
- Not me, but my client. Yes, Marina did quite well with her duties. She gathered a lot of information on Mr. Kelly, as well as on you. Of course, we were more interested in you, but there were no options to approach you. You know, Korneyev guarded his only daughter and his business well all these years. So the option of finding any documents, intel through a partner and through a lovesick man were the best. But Marina played her role, so we’ve said goodbye to her today. - He smiles again, and all my insides turn over.
- What have you done to her? - I don’t even know why I care. I understand what they might have done.
- Oh, don’t worry. She simply disappeared. Disappeared from our path. - To hell with Marina. I will somehow get through this loss. Right now, I’m more concerned about my fate and Adam’s fate.
- What do you want to do with me? - He smiles again and sinks back onto the couch.
- Ms. Amanda, we are adults, and you certainly know that you were brought here for a reason. Damn, of course, I understand that we are not here to have a chat.
- Do you want to kill me?