The Devil I Called My Husband

I Agreed To Do It

“Okay”

“I'll let Jimmy know what you have decided,” Marshall said, dismissing Mariya from his office.

Anyone who had spent a night in the orphanage, knew exactly what this statement meant.

Any issues that makes it to Jimmy's table does not always get solved amicably. But Mariya was ready to give negotiation a try. Maybe she will be the first person that Jimmy will listen to.

Or is she just being delusional?

Either way, Mariya hurried out of Marshal's office, her mind racing with a lot of thought.

As she turned the corner, she nearly collided with her friend Sasha, one of the other girls held captive in the orphanage.

Sasha was the basically the only girl Mariya talked to in the orphanage.

All other girls either doesn't like her or were simply jealous that she was Jimmy’s favourite.

The never talked to Mariya and would not waste any time setting her up for trouble.

Sasha grabbed Mariya's arm, pulling her into a secluded corner of the orphanage. Dark enough not to be seen by the patrolling guards.

"You're not planning to go against the director's order, are you?" she whispered urgently.

Mariya looked at the fear and concern etched on Sasha's face. She kind of knew that Sasha would be outside Marshall's office eavesdropping to their conversation.

This is how they cover for each other. Sasha follows Mariya’s back Incase any of the girls decided to gang fight her and Mariya does the same for her.

This is the only way they had survived so far in this place.

"I honestly don't know what to do. They're threatening to kill my brother if I don't do it. But even if I do, I will be simple setting myself up for death."

“Either way, neither me nor my brother is safe!” Mariya replied, streaks of tears streaming down her face.

Sasha shook her head vehemently.

"You don't understand, Mariya. The director doesn't spare anyone who defies him. I've been here longer than you - I know how wicked these people can be."

“Do whatever he asks you to do, we'll find a way to deal with the aftermath. Jimmy likes you, don't ruin that!” Sasha warned.

Before Mariya could respond, two guards approached them.

"The director wants to see you, Mariya," one of them said gruffly. "Now."

Sasha's eyes widened in alarm.

"See what I told you?” she whispered.

Turning to Mariya, she gripped her arm tightly.

"Please, Mariya, don't do anything reckless. You have to survive, for your brother's sake."

Mariya nodded, her heart pounding in her chest.

She walked solemnly ahead of the guards as they led her towards the director's office.

Soon they were standing outside the huge metal door of Jimmy's office.

The guards ushered Mariya into the lavishly furnished office, almost too expensive to be in an orphanage home, where Director Jimmy sat behind an imposing mahogany desk, his brow furrowed in anger.

"Mariya," he said, his voice dripping with disdain. Well Director Jimmy's voice always drip with disdain.

The girls in the orphanage always complained about how Jimmy liked Mariya and promoted her easily. But Mariya knew he only does that because she was skilled and not because of any personal preferences.

Jimmy does not like anyone, not even his own self!

"I hear you've refused my orders." He said intruding her thoughts.

Mariya swallowed hard, trying to keep her voice steady.

"I can't do it, Director. Assassinating Alexander Martini is impossible, and I won't be part of it."

Jimmy's eyes narrowed, and he leaned forward, his hands clasped on the desk.

"You seem to forget that I hold the life of everyone in this orphanage in my hands."

“What makes you think that a living being within the confined of this home has the right to refuse my offer?”

Mariya felt her heart skip a beat, and she couldn't suppress the tremble in her voice. She abruptly went down on her knees.

"Please, Director, don't hurt him. I'll do anything you ask, just leave my brother out of this."

Jimmy leaned back in his chair, a cruel smile spreading across his face.

"Anything, you say?" He pressed a button on his desk, and a large screen flickered to life on the projector.

Revealing a grainy image of a Lucas huddled in a dimly lit room a man standing above him with a gun in his hands.

Mariya's breath caught in her throat as she recognized her brother, Lucas.

He looked thin and frightened, his eyes darting around the room.

"Lucas!" Mariya cried out, her voice cracking with emotion.

Jimmy chuckled darkly.

“I'll only count to five and If you refuse to carry out my orders, Mariya, your brother will pay the price." He paused, letting the threat sink in.

"But if you do as I say, I'll let him go."

Mariya's mind raced as she listened to Jimmy slowly counted the numbers. There's was no time on her side.

"I..." Mariya's voice trailed off, and she swallowed hard.

"I'll do it. I'll assassinate Alexander Martini." She replied.

Jimmy's smile widened, and he nodded in satisfaction.

"Excellent. I knew you'd see things my way. We've always been like minds you know and that's why I liked you more than others" He pressed another button, and the screen went dark.

Mariya felt a surge of nausea, the weight of her decision crushing her.

She had just condemned an innocent man to death, all to save her brother's life. But what choice did she have?

Alexander Martini was not the only person she had killed.

And that's only if he didn't get her before she got him.

As Mariya turned to leave, Jimmy's voice stopped her.

"Oh, and Mariya?" She looked back at him, her heart pounding in fear.

"If you even think of double-crossing me, your brother will be the first to suffer the consequences."

Mariya nodded, her throat tight with unshed tears.

There was no way she was even planning to double cross him, that would be totally impossible.

She knows that everyone in this orphanage owes their loyalty to Jimmy.

Even Sasha her friend would gladly pull the trigger at her if the director orders her to.

As she stepped out of the office, she was met by Sasha, who had been waiting anxiously for her return.

"Mariya, what happened?" Sasha asked, her eyes searching Mariya's face.

Mariya swallowed hard, her voice barely above a whisper. "I... I agreed to do it. I have to assassinate Alexander Martini.”