chapter 3
1241 Words
Mariam stopped in front of the massive office door.
Her heart was beating so loudly she was sure anyone in the hallway could hear it.
Just minutes ago, she had felt his eyes on her through the glass walls of the office. That cold, unreadable gaze that made it impossible to breathe normally.
She lifted her hand and knocked once.
"Come in."
His voice came from inside—low, calm, and completely emotionless.
Mariam pushed the door open.
The office was enormous. Dark wood, black marble floors, and a wall of glass that overlooked the entire city. The sunset burned across the skyline like a slow fire, painting the room in deep orange light.
He stood with his back to her.
Tall. Still. Untouchable.
Like a king surveying his empire.
For a moment, he said nothing.
Then—
"You took 53 seconds."
Mariam blinked.
"I'm sorry?"
He turned slowly.
His dark eyes locked onto hers, sharp as blades.
"I called you 53 seconds ago."
Her throat tightened.
Was he serious?
"I came as fast as I could, sir."
He walked toward his desk with controlled, silent steps.
"Speed is irrelevant," he said coldly. "Obedience is not."
He placed both hands on the polished desk and leaned slightly forward.
"When I call you, you come immediately. Not fifty-three seconds later. Not ten seconds later."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"Now."
The word fell like a command.
Mariam straightened her posture despite the tension building in her chest.
"I understand."
For a brief moment, silence filled the office.
Then he reached for a thick red folder on the desk.
He slid it across the surface toward her.
"This is the most sensitive project in this company right now."
Mariam hesitated before picking it up.
The folder felt strangely heavy in her hands.
"What would you like me to do with it?"
His gaze darkened slightly.
"You will deliver it."
"Deliver it?"
"Personally."
Her unease deepened.
"When?"
His answer was immediate.
"Tonight."
A cold feeling crept through her stomach.
"Where?"
He told her the address.
The moment she heard it, her eyes widened.
That district was infamous in the city.
Abandoned factories. Smuggling. Violence.
People didn't go there at night unless they had a death wish.
"You will give this file to a man named Victor Korr."
His voice remained perfectly calm.
"No one else."
Mariam hesitated.
"You will go alone."
The room suddenly felt colder.
"You will not tell anyone where you are going."
Her fingers tightened on the folder.
"And you will not ask questions."
A long silence followed.
Finally, she spoke carefully.
"Sir… that district isn't safe."
His expression didn't change.
Instead, something colder appeared behind his eyes.
"Are you refusing a direct order?"
The question was quiet.
But it felt like a blade resting against her throat.
"On your first day?"
Her heart pounded.
This wasn't just a task.
This was a test.
She could feel it.
Six secretaries had worked here before her.
None of them lasted.
She swallowed.
"No, sir."
His gaze studied her.
Then finally—
"Good."
Something almost like approval flickered across his face.
"A car will be waiting for you downstairs in ten minutes."
Another pause.
"Do not be late."
The car waiting outside the building was black.
Long.
Silent.
The driver didn't say a word.
He simply opened the door.
Mariam stepped inside.
As the car drove away from the shining skyscrapers of the city center, the streets slowly changed.
Bright lights faded.
Neon signs disappeared.
The roads grew darker.
Empty.
Old warehouses appeared along the streets like giant sleeping monsters.
Broken windows.
Rusting metal doors.
Flickering streetlights.
Mariam felt the tension growing in her chest.
Why me?
Why send a new secretary here?
Something wasn't right.
The car finally stopped in front of a massive abandoned warehouse.
A single dirty lamp buzzed above a steel door.
The driver simply pointed.
Mariam stepped out slowly.
Cold night air hit her skin.
The smell of rust and damp concrete filled the air.
She walked toward the door.
Before she could knock—
The door creaked open.
Darkness waited inside.
A voice emerged from the shadows.
"You have something for me?"
A large man stepped forward.
Scar across his cheek.
Cold gray eyes.
Victor Korr.
Mariam forced herself to remain calm.
"Mr. Korr?"
He extended a large hand.
She gave him the red folder.
He flipped through the pages quickly.
Then his lips slowly curved into a disturbing smile.
"Qaisar sends a girl."
He chuckled.
"A small bird."
He stepped closer.
Too close.
The smell of tobacco and metal surrounded him.
"Tell your boss the terms are acceptable."
His voice dropped lower.
"For now."
Then suddenly—
CLANG.
The metal door slammed shut behind her.
Mariam spun around.
Locked.
Her heart skipped.
"What is this?" she demanded.
Victor Korr laughed.
Deep.
Cruel.
"Oh little bird…"
He leaned against the wall casually.
"The delivery was only the first part."
Her stomach tightened.
"What do you mean?"
Her phone suddenly vibrated in her pocket.
She froze.
Slowly she pulled it out.
Unknown number.
Message:
"Don't move. Don't scream. You are being watched."
Her blood turned cold.
Another message appeared.
"The real test begins now."
Her eyes lifted slowly.
Victor Korr was watching her with interest.
Like someone watching a game.
Suddenly—
CRASH.
A massive explosion of metal echoed through the warehouse.
A secondary door burst open violently.
Chains shattered across the floor.
Headlights flooded the darkness.
A figure stepped inside.
Tall.
Dangerous.
Familiar.
Mariam's eyes widened.
"Kamal…?"
His playful smile was gone.
His eyes were ice.
Pure fury.
He looked directly at Victor Korr.
"Get away from her."
His voice was low.
Deadly.
Victor Korr grinned.
"Ah… the brother."
Brother?
Mariam's mind spun.
Kamal walked straight to her and grabbed her arm.
"We're leaving."
But Victor stepped in front of them.
"I don't think so."
He cracked his neck slowly.
"The game just started."
Kamal's jaw tightened.
"You used her to get to me?"
Victor laughed.
"Your brother wanted to test her loyalty."
He spread his arms.
"I just wanted to test yours."
Silence filled the warehouse.
Kamal didn't respond.
Instead, he pulled Mariam toward the broken door.
"Don't look back."
They ran outside.
Another black car waited.
Engine already running.
Kamal pushed her into the back seat and jumped in beside her.
The car sped away instantly.
For several long seconds, neither of them spoke.
Finally Mariam whispered:
"Kamal… what is happening?"
He didn't answer.
Her voice trembled.
"The message said Qaisar isn't my boss."
Kamal gently took her phone.
He read the message.
Then quietly deleted it.
"He is your boss."
His voice was calm.
But something heavy filled the car.
"Then who sent this?"
Kamal looked out the window at the dark city rushing past.
When he finally spoke, his voice was lower.
"People who should never have noticed you."
Mariam felt fear rise in her chest again.
"You mean enemies?"
He looked at her.
And the seriousness in his eyes made her blood freeze.
"Worse."
He leaned closer slightly.
"You shouldn't be afraid of Qaisar."
A long pause.
Then he said quietly—
"You should be afraid of the people who were watching you tonight."
The car disappeared into the darkness of the city.
And somewhere far away…
Someone was already preparing the next move.
Because Mariam had just stepped into something far more dangerous than a job.
She had stepped into a war.
- Writer
