Episode 10: Into His World
742 Words
I shouldn’t have agreed.
That was the first thought in my mind.
The second?
It was already too late.
“You’ll come with me tonight.”
Alexey’s voice was calm.
Too calm.
Like he had already made the decision for both of us.
“Where?” I asked.
He didn’t answer immediately.
Instead, he watched me.
Carefully.
Like he was measuring something.
“My world,” he said finally.
A chill ran down my spine.
“That doesn’t sound comforting,” I muttered.
“It’s not supposed to be.”
Silence.
Heavy.
“Why me?” I asked.
“Because you wanted answers.”
That’s true.
“But this isn’t how I imagined getting them.”
His lips curved slightly.
Not a smile.
Something darker.
“You don’t get to imagine anything anymore,” he said. “You chose to get involved.”
And just like that—
He was right.
“Be ready in an hour,” he added, turning away.
“What should I wear?” I asked.
He paused.
Then looked back.
“Something that won’t make you look weak.”
The words hit harder than they should.
“I’m not weak,” I said.
His eyes darkened slightly.
“Then prove it.”
An hour later…
I stood in front of the mirror.
Dressed in black.
Simple.
Sharp.
Not soft.
Not fragile.
Different.
Good.
Because tonight…
I couldn’t afford to be the girl who was sold.
I had to be something else.
The door opened behind me.
I didn’t turn.
“Ready?” he asked.
“Yes.”
Silence.
“You look…” he paused.
I waited.
“Appropriate.”
Not a compliment.
But not an insult either.
I’ll take it.
The car ride was quiet.
Too quiet.
The city lights blurred past the window, but I couldn’t focus on them.
My thoughts were too loud.
“What exactly are we doing?” I asked finally.
“Meeting someone.”
“That sounds vague.”
“It’s supposed to be.”
Of course.
Silence again.
Then—
“Stay close to me,” he said.
I turned to him.
“Why?”
His eyes met mine.
“Because not everyone there will see you as off-limits.”
My heart skipped.
“And you will?” I asked.
Silence.
Then—
“Yes.”
That answer…
Felt dangerous.
The car stopped.
My breath caught.
This wasn’t just a building.
It was a fortress.
Dark.
Elegant.
Hidden in plain sight.
“Welcome,” Alexey said quietly…
“…to the real world.”
Inside—
Everything changed.
Music.
Low.
Heavy.
People everywhere.
Dressed in power.
In danger.
In secrets.
Eyes turned toward us.
Immediately.
Not at me.
At him.
Respect.
Fear.
Recognition.
He didn’t react.
Didn’t slow down.
Didn’t look at anyone.
And I realized something—
He wasn’t just part of this world.
He ruled it.
“Stay close,” he repeated.
This time—
I did.
We stopped near a private section.
A man stood there.
Older.
Sharp eyes.
Dangerous smile.
“So,” the man said, looking at me, “this is the new one.”
My stomach tightened.
“I’m not an object,” I said before I could stop myself.
Silence.
Then—
The man laughed.
“I like her,” he said. “She’s got fire.”
Alexey didn’t smile.
“Watch your words,” he said coldly.
The man raised his hands slightly.
“Relax. I’m not the enemy.”
“Everyone is,” Alexey replied.
That shut him up.
Good.
The conversation shifted.
Business.
Power.
Deals.
I didn’t understand everything.
But I understood enough.
This wasn’t just money.
This was control.
Influence.
Danger.
And then—
I felt it.
A gaze.
Watching me.
Different from the others.
Colder.
Sharper.
I turned slightly.
And saw him.
A man in the shadows.
Still.
Silent.
But his eyes—
Locked onto mine.
My heart skipped.
There was something about him.
Something wrong.
Very wrong.
“Don’t look,” Alexey said quietly beside me.
Too late.
“Who is that?” I whispered.
Silence.
Then—
“Trouble.”
My stomach dropped.
“Is he the one?” I asked.
Alexey didn’t answer.
That was enough.
The man in the shadows smiled.
Slow.
Cold.
Like he already knew something.
Like he was waiting.
For me.
And suddenly—
I understood.
This wasn’t just a meeting.
It was a warning.
And I had just walked straight into it.
- Writer
