chapter 1
"Mom, I can't marry Cain; he's a strange man. I broke my hands off her and pushed her down the muddy floor as I squeezed my face in bitterness.
My dad asked, frowning at me with reproach, "Talk to your mom with respect; who are you? He walked gradually towards me with a limp, holding his walking stick.
I'm Mordena, enlisted in the army as a high-tech investigator in the counter-terrorism department in Belarus. I replied with a smile to heal the wound of anguish on their face.
"Mordena, don't tell us who you are; we only want the best for you. Just look at me, an old man who can barely walk well! Please settle down and let us have our grandchildren in my arms."
I could almost detect my mother's visage as she conversed with me, her words emanating from within the form of my superior, Captain James Rykov.
"This was merely an assessment; the military is renowned for its vigor and order. For this poor gesture of pushing your mom down to the ground, your job as a high-tech investigator has been withdrawn."
I was at the peak of my career, and taking away my job, which I have suffered for all these years because of my parents nags about my marriage and grandchildren, is something I haven't considered yet. I was held by two hefty men in a dark suit.
"Take her away; she has to suffer for her indiscipline, my superior furiously exclaimed.
"Please forgive me; I need my job back to take care of my parents debt and be financially responsible, please, Captain James Rykov."
I begged and shivered. I couldn't imagine how my superior could appear to mingle in the affairs of my family without my consent. I was in the air, held firmly by two brutal men in the form of a chimpanzee.
"Please let me go; I need my job back. Please do not tear my file, captain. I was in deep pain about losing everything as tears poured from my eyes.
"Wake up! Wake up, Mordena! come on… It's only a nightmare; you are already late for work. I opened my eyes slightly as rays of light flashed through them. I was sweating profusely, like I was in the rain.
"Oh, Emily, you should have woken me before now; I have a flight to catch as time is no longer in my favor. I ran into the bathroom to clean myself up. I looked into the mirror, and my face was dry and reddish.
My mom stood in front of the bathroom and spoke calmly to me.
Mordena, do not forget all we have taught you. We know that your dedication to work and career has robbed you of time for personal affairs. Don't forget, we need you to settle down so we can have our grandchildren. She muttered angrily to my hearing.
"Mom, I have not considered it yet, but I will give you both a positive reply soon. I assured my parents with a pleasing reply, signaling my mom to help me with my luggage as my dad stood before me, smiling happily.
Mordena, you are not getting any younger, but I know you won't disappoint us. You have always been a great daughter. Graham took my other luggage as we walked towards the car park.
My driver kept on time as he was already waiting; he helped me arrange my luggage at the car truck. My parents kissed me and waved at me as the driver drove off to the airport.
I arrived in Minsk, the military base in Belarus, around 10 a.m. I know that I am already an hour late from duty, as I had several excuses in my head to tender for my lateness when my superior asked.
The open field buzzed with young soldiers engaged in training. Many of them were quite robust, boasting broad shoulders, while others stood tall and exuberant. The premises reverberated with noise as helicopters and jets landed and took off.
I walked into my office, where there were more piles of documents heaped on my table that needed urgent attention. My superior captain, James Rykov, walked in and handed me a document.
"Mordena, I have a sensitive job for you; this classified document holds a secret we have tried to solve for years without success."
It's a high-profile case of a divorced billionaire named Jerry Nathan and her wife Susan, in which the military is only interested in this opportunity to get some secret from Jerry Nathan." He continued.
"The catch in this leaked secret is that Jerry Nathan wants a military lady experienced in some range of ammunition and chemical weapons who would help him make more sales and also bear him a child, as their prenuptial agreement states that if he doesn't have a child within six years, he will lose half of his fortune." He said.
"And do you know, they have been married for four and a half years?"
Mordena couldn't believe what she heard from her superior captain, James Rykov.
"So what do you want me to do? She asked.
I want you to find a suitable candidate who will work as a spy and sign a contract marriage with our client, Jerry Nathan. Since we got informed that he is seeking a military lady, this is our best chance."
Mordena was surprised by the proposal; she had not heard of such a thing before.
"Do you want me to find any military lady who would marry a stranger and have a child for him? She asked.
"I want you to take it as a business arrangement. James replied, scratching his forehead.
"Jerry Nathan is a wealthy billionaire; he only wants a military lady to secure his fortune. We are only interested in extracting vital information from him through a spy. This is a win-win opportunity for the candidate, as she will be rewarded handsomely for her effort."
"Debbie has made some corrections about this mission, and the documents are ready for whoever finds it interesting."
I am not sure if I could handle this proposal, but I know that if I consider exploring this opportunity to my advantage, I would not be drowning through financial issues and not being able to pay up our house loan.
I was pondering the weight of responsibility as the only child of my parents and contemplating what my fate could be if I allowed this opportunity to pass me by.
I received a message on my phone: Mordena, call me now; your dad is in a big mess!
