Utopia

Chapter-13

It was hard saying goodbye to Millie. It was harder because I was feeding her a bunch of lies. She would never let me go on a suicide mission if she knew. Even I reviewed my decision when I was in Millie’s presence. Was I ready to not see her again? Was I really ready to even die on this mission? I had my doubts, but I knew I couldn’t leave Adrian alone.  I was fighting with my thoughts while eating dessert with Millie in our favorite and cheap restaurant. She came running as soon as she knew I would be leaving on a trip the next day.

“You lucky girl. You get to go to Paris. Hannah, I’m so happy for you. You deserve it.” She said. I could tell from her face that she didn’t like me leaving so suddenly. But there was nothing we both could do about it.

“I’ll miss you, you know,” I said, taking Millie’s hands into mine. I had to fight the tears that were threatening to spill.

“I know and I’ll miss you more,” Millie said, her eyes were as blurry as mine. This was the first time one of us would be away for so long since we were friends. We both were emotional. Later, Millie and I took a walk through the streets of Chicago, talking about all the crazy things we did in college. I was packing my things since the day Adrian had told me about the vacation. So, I had a lot of time to spare. I just didn’t want to let go of Millie tonight. I had this irrational feeling that after Millie and I part our ways, my life was going to change in tremendous ways.

I was the kind of girl who would be comfortable in her routine. Welcoming change wasn’t my biggest forte. But since Adrian, change had been the new constant in my life, this trip being the biggest change of them all. Finally, Millie and I were at our parked cars. It was time to part.

“Millie, I don’t want to go.” I hugged her fiercely and cried into the crook of her neck. I wanted her to tell me that it was okay if I didn’t go. I wanted her to tell me that I was making a bad decision and I should stay in Chicago.

“Silly, you are going to the city of love. Not a prison. Quit crying and enjoy it.” Millie said, brushing my hair with her fingers. 

“You’re right. My emotions are everywhere tonight.” I said. I pulled back and kissed her on the cheek. “I love you, Millie.”

“Love you too, Hannah.” She said, kissing me back. Bidding each other goodbyes, we drove towards our respective places.

***************

When I pulled my car in front of my building, there was already an Audi parked there. People passing through the street were throwing weird glances at it. It was not every day that an  Audi would be parked in a neighborhood like this. I got out of the car, approached the Audi, and tapped on the driver’s side window with my knuckles. The window slid down and it was James, Adrian’s driver.

“Good evening, Ma’am. Are you ready to go?” He asked.

“Yes, I am, James. I’ll be down in a second with my luggage.” I said.

“Ma’am, Mr. Scott had ordered me to bring your luggage down for you. Just show me the way.” He said. He opened the door and got out.

“I don’t think it would be necessary, James. I can bring them down myself.”

“Please, Ms. Wells. They are my orders.”

I hesitated for a second. It was a foreign concept for me to have my luggage carried around by someone else. But the look on James’ face said that he would not back down until he did his boss’ bidding. It was good to know that I was not the only one with the compulsion to obey Adrian’s every word.

“Very well, James. Follow me.” I said. We rode the elevator to my apartment. I opened the door to reveal the apartment, which was stripped of curtains and bedclothes. I covered the furniture with drapes. My clothes and toiletries were packed neatly into two big new suitcases. 

“Only those two bags,” I said, gesturing towards them.

James nodded and picked up the two cases. He walked out of the apartment, leaving me alone inside. As I approached the front door to lock it, I had a strong premonition that this was the last time this apartment would be my place. Taking a deep breath, and fighting the second round of tears welling up in my eyes, I locked the door. I dropped the keys into my pocket and rode the elevator down. I parked my old Ford inside the building’s garage. I already told the in-charge that I would be storing the car there indefinitely. I was done with the parting arrangements.

James was waiting for me near the car. He held the door as I approached it. I felt like a princess and a sacrificial lamb at the same time as I slid into the car. He closed the door behind me and got into his seat. The car pulled away from the building and started zooming away. I turned back and looked at my building, which was becoming smaller by the second. This time, I didn’t stop the tears as they slid past my cheeks and wet my neck. Small sniffles raked my body. I knew this was my decision and I didn’t need to cry. But this was too fast and too crazy. 

“Ms. Wells,” James called from the front. I looked at him, startled. He held out a box of tissues to me. Surprised and touched, I took the box from his hands.

“Thank you, James,” I said, wiping the tears away as the car was taking me to Adrian.

********************

We were standing in the parking place in Adrian’s apartment building. There was no comparison between this place and mine. It was sixty stories high and was made of glass. Adrian lived in the penthouse suite, according to James. Talk about predictable. James gave me a slip with a code written on it. 

“Punch this code in the keypad to open Mr. Scott’s door,” James said. “I’ll park the car and follow you with the luggage.”

“Thank you, James,” I smiled at him and walked through the maze of branded luxury and sports cars towards the elevator. It was sleek and fast unlike the elevator in my building, which was a death trap. After two minutes, the elevator came to a stop on the sixtieth floor and the doors opened to reveal a foyer lit with LED lighting. The keypad mounted on the wall beside the door made me feel like I was in a sci-fi movie. I carefully punched the code. As soon as I entered the last number, the foyer doors slid open, welcoming me into the place where the most mysterious man in my life lived.

I was now standing in the living room. The doors closed behind me. Everything in the room was stylish and modern. It looked straight out of an interior designing catalog, which Millie loved to collect. Paintings that worth a fortune adorned the walls. The sofa set was white as a cloud. I was afraid to sit on them for the fear of ruining them. The floor was as clean and shiny as a mirror. A big flat-screen TV was set into a wooden cabinet. I stood there, looking around like Alice in the wonderland.

“Hello,” A voice said into my ear, making me jump. I turned around suddenly. My legs crossed with each other and before I could fall, a strong pair of arms wrapped around my waist, stopping my fall. And then I was staring into Adrian’s blue eyes while his arms were around me. This night already had a strange start.

“Uhm..Mr. Scott, thank you for stopping me from falling.” I said, standing straight and releasing myself from his arms. My thoughts became jumbled when he was that close to me. I didn’t want to think about the warmth of his presence when his hands were around me.

“You are too jumpy, Hannah. What did you think would be in my house? A demon?” He asked, staring down at me.

No, I am afraid you would be here; I thought. And for me, you are more dangerous and enticing than any supernatural creature.

“You just caught me off guard, Mr. Scott,” I said, smiling sheepishly. When I was out of my embarrassment, I realized I was seeing my boss in casual wear for the first time. Adrian was wearing a white v-neck t-shirt and faded blue jeans. My mouth went dry as I realized those jeans were the same ones from my nightly fantasies, faded denim. I suddenly felt very weak in the knees. I hoped he would let me retire to bed early. Through all these days, the suit acted as a buffer for my desires. It reminded me that he was off-limits and I should keep my filthy thoughts to myself. But tonight, it was different. He was looking so young and reachable in this casual wear. That was dangerous. I was in danger of letting my feelings out.

Fortunately, James stepped in with my luggage, saving me from this awkward situation. Adrian turned his head to see James.

“Put those bags in the guest room facing my room,” Adrian commanded. James nodded and made his way towards the room.

No. I don’t want to sleep so close to your room. I thought. But I couldn’t say it out loud. I watched, biting my lip as James exited the living room with my bags.

“Stop, you’ll draw blood,” Adrian said. I turned to find his eyes on my lips. I stopped biting. But now I wanted him to bite my lip. The image was so erotic, I blushed. I hoped he didn’t notice it.

“Did you eat anything?” He asked, gesturing me to follow him. 

“Yeah, I had dinner with Millie. Told I am going to Paris with you indefinitely for business purposes. Just like you said. She bought it. My landlord is okay with the apartment being empty as long as you pay the rent. Just don’t forget to pay for it. He will turn into a Godzilla.” I told as I followed him.

“Don’t worry. I’ll give you a raise when we are back. You can move to a better place.” Adrian said.

“Wow...that’s great,” I said. I didn’t expect to get a raise before I got my first month’s salary. That prospect brought a smile to my face. He led me towards the couch and sat on it, facing the TV. He patted the place beside him. 

“Sit,” He said. I stared at him for two seconds, wide-eyed. It felt so wrong to think. Sitting beside Adrian casually. He was my boss. It was ingrained in me to be always on the other side of the desk or standing in his presence. But sitting beside him was an entirely different thing.

“What are you thinking about? Just sit. We have a lot to talk about before we go to bed tonight.” He insisted. Not wanting to cause a scene, I sat beside him leaving at least ten inches gap between our bodies. Still, his presence dominated my every sense, making me feel unreal. Everything about this evening had a dreamlike quality. Sitting beside Adrian, on his couch, and in his home.

He faced me as I sat down.

“Tomorrow afternoon, exactly at 3 pm, we’re going to board a private plane to Utopia. We will land there the next morning at 5 am, according to Chicago time. Planes are the only means of transport, in and out of the island. There is also a ship. But the ship is operated by James Conan and Co. We are going there under false identities. I already have our fake passports and visas with me. We are going to play a pretense there until we get enough proof that Conan is a fraud, and he is overseeing illegal activities on the island. Do you catch my drift?” Adrian said.

“Yeah,” I answered. I listened to everything he said, focused. I never even focused that much on my college courses. My life depending on this mission’s success might have something to do with my increased concentration.

“I have a presentation for you to make you have a better understanding of what we are getting into.” He said. He then got up from the couch, walked towards the switchboard, and flipped a switch. The bright lights in the living room were turned off.  For a second, I panicked. This reminded me so much of the day of my interview. Was he going to bind and gag me again? I wanted to stand up. Before I could do that, Adrian joined me on the couch again and turned on the TV. The presentation started.