I’m more than a prophecy!

The big boss

“Kristina! My office. Now!”

I nearly jumped out of my skin. s**t. The voice of Rafael, the warden echoes in my head. I follow behind him, terrified. My heart rate through the roof, yet I’m not sure how much of that is adrenaline. I avoid Rafael as much as possible. Every time I’m around him, I feel like a teenager, because I can’t think straight and all I can concentrate on is how handsome he looks. He has a reputation too, used to f**k around a lot, but apparently stopped recently. I know there are rumours as to why, but I never cared enough to listen. This gets me really annoyed- how the heck can I be thinking about getting laid while my learner just had a major relapse and my job is on the line? Stupid body, stop it! Rafael clears his throat and opens the door to his office, holding it open, but standing as far away from me as possible.

“What the hell just happened Kristina?” he asks with his deep rumbly voice, his chocolate eyes penetrating mine. I can’t decide if he’s concerned or annoyed. Probably annoyed. I’m amazed he even remembers my name, I’ve only seen him a couple of times since my job interview 3 years ago.

“… and then I got their contact details and came back” I finished, shaking my head, trying to push the tears back. I’m good at my job and I know it, so something like this is a major set back.

“How are you Kristina? And don’t try to bullshit me telling me you’re ok. Are you hurt?” He moves towards me as if he was going to touch me, but stops himself and shifts away awkwardly.

“I.. I’m ok, physically anyway “ I say as I unintentionally remind myself of the lady’s shocked face and her daughters sobs.

“It’s just that… I just don’t understand what happened. Martin, of all people. I mean, I know his history, but I just never expected him to…” I trail off, the severity of the situation catching up with me and the tears start to fall. “What’s going to happen to him?”

Rafael jumped up, the muscles in his jaw flexing back and forth, as if he was having a major internal battle. Eventually, he banged the table and yelled.

“For f***s sake Kristina, you’ve just been attacked, a member of public was almost attacked and you’re worrying about Martin? What’s wrong with you? Do you know how scared I was when the other inmates told me what happened? What if he hurt you? And can you imagine the consequences this is going to have for all of us? For the whole offender reintegration program?” Rafael took a deep breath to shout some more, but at that point I’ve completely lost it and burst into tears. Ugly, snotty, messy tears, howling and shaking uncontrollably, my face swelling by the second.

Rafael just stood there for a moment, his mouth gaping open “s**t Kristina, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry I didn’t want to upset you” he muttered as he hugged me like his life depended on it. And somehow, I hugged him back. I’m not a hugger or a touchy person, in fact, I avoid any physical contact as much as possible. One of the reasons I’ve not had a relationship in years, but I’m happy by myself and it gives me more time to focus on my career. What about s*x you wonder? There’s very few things you can’t do yourself with toys, and the clubs in a city an hour away are always full of lads looking for a one night stand.

Yet, I just stood there, snuggled into Rafael’s shoulder, crying my eyes out. He was stroking my back gently, calming me down. I could barely reach his chest (and I’m not small), yet I felt safe in his hairy, muscular arms. Safer then I ever felt with anyone. His scent had my insides melting, taking my mind miles away from here.

“Pull yourself together, Kristina!” I yelled at myself, trying to let go and to bring myself back into reality. I was hugging the warden, sniffing him like a dog. What the hell is wrong with me? I’m in my boss’s boss’s boss’s office, acting like a teenager. Then suddenly, I felt his hand on my cheek, wiping my tears off, electricity pulsing through me like nothing I ever experienced before. It took everything in me not to flinch. What the hell was that? Was that a static shock? Am I seriously so messed up to be getting worked up by a complete stranger hugging me? Maybe it’s time I went for a one nighter again. Yeah, that will be it. I was so focused on work, I don’t even remember the last time I got laid.

Then, out of nowhere, Rafael kissed the top of my hair, nearly causing my knees to buckle under me.

“Don’t ever scare me like this again, Kristina…” he mumbled into my hair, making sparks go through my body and my legs turn into jelly. He stroked my chin with his finger and moved it so I was looking in his eyes.

I fought the urge to drown in those gorgeous chocolate eyes, took a steadying breath and stepped back. Rafael looked almost disappointed for half a second, but pulled himself together quickly.

“What is going to happen now?” I asked again, my voice still shaky from everything that has happened today.

“The governing body has been informed, as well as the police. An inspector will be arriving shortly and I expect you to cooperate with him fully.” He said in his usual cold, detached voice. I nodded, shocked with how fast he regained his cold boss posture. But before I had time to worry about it, he brushed my hair out of my face with his thumb, adding “you have nothing to worry about. Just tell them everything you have told me. We’re fully behind you.”

Before I could ask anymore questions, there was a loud, angry knock on the door. It burst open and without waiting for an answer a man in his forties marched in.

“Rafael”

“Arthur”

They shook hands looking at each other gravely.

“Arthur, this is Kristina, she was there when it happened “ Rafael explained.

Arthur looked at me coldly. “Pleasure “ he said, shaking my hand. “Please wait on the chair outside until I’m ready for you.” He said as he gestured me out of Rafael’s office.

I swear time just stopped as I was sat there, my heart thumping in my head, everything that happened playing in front of my eyes again. First the attack, then Rafael. What’s going to happen next? Weird things always happen in three’s. I cried on the warden’s shoulder for f***s sake. And nearly kissed him. f**k f**k f**k f**k f**k. Right, when this stupid interview is over, I need to contact the family and make sure they’re ok, letting them know that there will be consequences for the inmate and ensure them they are safe and something like this is not going to happen again. I hope.

After what feels like eternity, the door opens and Rafael walks out with Arthur. They just gesture for me to follow them into an office next door, Rafael giving me a curt nod before shutting the door behind me and the inspector.

“Sit.” He grumbles, pointing to a creaky chair on the other side of the table. I’m amazed this place didn’t fall into pieces yet. But no one wants to fund prisons while schools and hospitals are falling apart too.

“I’ve spoken to the warden and to the other inmates. Now I just need your version of what happened.”

I started talking quietly, slowly gaining confidence. I’ve done nothing wrong in the end. The inspector didn’t interrupt me, but made several notes. At the end he let me back into Rafael’s office.