The Mafia's Secretary

Don't Open It

Evelina had arrived even before the clock struck eight. The morning was cold, quiet, the sky wasn't very bright, and most people were still asleep in their homes. She adjusted the silver pin on her lapel and she walked inside. The receptionist gave her a curious glance, but said nothing. No one really spoke in this place unless they had to.

She sat properly behind her desk in front of Cassiel’s office, her hands folded neatly on the polished surface. Her white blouse was ironed to perfection, her black skirt hugged her gently, and her hair pulled back tightly into a bun. She kept checking her breath even though she had already chewed mint gum twice. It was her first real job and she couldn’t afford a mistake, especially not on her first day.

People came and went around her, whispering as they walked past the office door behind her. Some of them smiled at her, while others looked at her with curiosity. Nobody really spoke to her except one or two who asked if she was the new girl. She answered politely, nodding each time, but deep down, she was really nervous.

The building was quiet, since only a few workers were around. Evelina wiped her desk again even though it was already clean, straightened the files, and looked around nervously. Her heart kept beating really fast though she hadn’t even met Cassiel properly yet!

The sound of tires screeching against the pavement was heard and everyone in the lobby turned. The sound immediately caught Evelina's attention, making her glance through the glass door.

A big black SUV pulled up right in front of the building, stopping smoothly. The workers around started moving quickly, getting things in order and making sure they looked perfect.

Cassiel Valtoris had arrived.

The car door opened and Aiden came down first, looking dead serious. He moved quickly, walking to the other side of the car then opened the door and Cassiel stepped out.

The people walking outside froze. Some adjusted their collars, some bowed slightly as he passed. One of the guards even dropped his phone and didn’t even bother to pick it up.

Cassiel was in a black suit that clung to his tall frame, his dark hair a little messy as usual, and the expression on his face was unreadable. His gloved hands were tucked inside his pocket, and his cold eyes didn’t look at anything or anyone.

He walked past Evelina's desk, and the familiar expensive scent of his cologne followed. His shoes didn’t even make a sound as he walked and that alone made Evelina feel like he wasn’t fully human. He entered his office without saying a word. Aiden followed him in, and the door closed behind them.

Evelina finally breathed but her hands were already a little damp. She picked up a piece of paper and pretended to read something, but her ears couldn’t stop eavesdropping.

At first, their voices were soft and barely audible but the silence in the building made everything echo louder than it should.

"I spoke with Nikolai last night," Aiden said. "He wants proof the shipment arrived."

There was a pause then Cassiel's voice sounded, deadly calm. "He’ll get proof when I say so. Not before."

"He’s growing impatient."

"Then cut out his tongue," Cassiel replied without hesitation. "And send it to his wife."

Evelina nearly dropped her pen and she froze in her chair. She wasn’t meant to hear this but she couldn’t move. Her heart pounded so loudly, she feared they could hear it too.

"They’ll ask questions," Aiden said.

"I’ll answer them in bullets," Cassiel replied. " Anyone who crosses me needs to remember I don’t raise my voice," he added, dangerously. "I don’t repeat myself....I disappear people."

Evelina didn’t even realize she was holding her breath until the phone on her desk rang suddenly. The loud ring startled her so much she jumped in her seat. She quickly reached for it but before her fingers could touch it, a gloved hand stopped her and she looked up quickly.

Cassiel had come out of the office silently, like the devil and, he was already standing beside her by the time she realized it. His hand moved past hers and he picked up the phone calmly.

"Yes," he said, calmly but coldly. "I told you not to call this line," he continued on the phone. "You must have forgotten how I deal with disobedience."

There was a long pause, then he spoke again...slowly. "Next time, I won’t be warning you with words."

He dropped the phone back on the cradle gently like he hadn’t just threatened someone’s life, and then he walked back into his office.

Evelina's hand trembled slightly as she sat back down. Who is this man? She thought as she stared at his closed door.

Then after a few minutes, she heard her name.

"Evelina," Cassiel called out, her name sounding so different from his lips.

She stood up quickly and entered the office, her heart racing wildly. Aiden was stepping out as she was stepping in, their shoulders nearly brushing.

Cassiel was standing by the window, staring at the city outside. "You want to prove you’re useful?"

"Yes, sir," she answered, standing still and then he turned.

"Then here’s your first real job," he said. "You’ll take a briefcase to the address I'll give you."

He walked to the side cabinet, unlocked a drawer, and pulled out a solid black case. He placed the brief case on the large desk and stood beside it with an envelope in his hand.

"I’m giving you something important," he leaned forward, placing both hands on the table, his eyes fixed on hers. "Let’s see if you’re useful."

Evelina nodded nervously.

"There’s an address inside the envelope. You will go there, hand this case to the man waiting, and receive another in return. You bring that back to me. Do not ask who he is. Do not try to make conversation. Simply make the trade and return."

She looked at the case. It was plain and clean but there was something strange about it. It was heavy, like there was something other than just documents in it... Something suspicious.

Her fingers touched the handle, but then his voice stopped her.

"And most importantly...," he said, his tone dropping lower, colder. He took a slow step toward her, "Do not open the briefcase," he said, his voice now barely above a whisper. "Not even if it starts bleeding in your hands."

She looked up at him and saw that his face had changed. There was no emotion in it now.

"If you do," Cassiel continued, leaning slightly forward, "I’ll make you disappear so silently… that even your own shadow wouldn't even notice. Understood?" He handed her the case.

The way he said it… he wasn’t threatening. He was promising and he wasn't joking at all.

Evelina swallowed. "Yes, sir."

He nodded once. "Good. You leave now."