Chapter 3: Your Turn

Chapter 3: Your Turn

EVANGELINE

The sound of heels echoed across the office floor, catching my attention. Lifting my eyes from the computer screen, I saw Tess approaching, stopping in front of my desk.

She looked a little worn out, but her brown hair was perfectly tied up in a bun, and her carefully chosen clothes were as impeccable as always.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, frowning. “Shouldn’t you be resting?”

“I just came to grab my laptop and try to get ahead on some work. And you? Shouldn’t you be heading home like everyone else?” she said, glancing around the empty room.

“I was about to, but I still need to go up to my floor,” I said, closing the file on the computer. “But what about you? Feeling any better?” I turned my attention back to her after shutting it down.

“I’ll survive. Probably just a cold. And it’s your floor now, too. But changing the subject… How did it go? Did you survive the mysterious Russian?” she asked, her green eyes gleaming with curiosity.

“Oh, so that’s why you’re here,” I teased, narrowing my eyes at her.

She shrugged with a smile. Shaking my head, I sighed and leaned back in my chair with a faint smile—one that quickly faded with the memory.

“If I had to describe it in one word… I think it’d be terrifying,” I said.

“If he managed to scare you, then he must really be a mobster,” she teased.

“I think he could be,” I laughed. “You were right, he’s completely intimidating. Not just because of the way he looks, but the way he carries himself. He’s… completely strange.”

“Strange?” She raised an eyebrow. “I don’t know… He looked pretty handsome in the photos.”

“Yeah, but not in a pleasant way. I mean, not the kind of handsome you admire… No one could stare at him for more than a few seconds.”

“So, he really scared you. But did you at least get the answers?”

“Yes… Actually, not yet…”

“What do you mean?” she frowned, leaning against the side of the desk.

“Well, he kind of didn’t let me record or even ask the questions. But don’t worry. He said he’ll send the answers,” I assured her.

“That doesn’t make any sense,” she said, crossing her arms with a confused expression.

“Yeah, like I said… he’s really weird. And a bit rude too. But the way he offered to answer more questions at the end was even weirder.”

“Wait… He offered to answer more questions? That’s great!” Her smile grew.

“Actually, that was before I explained I’m not the one responsible for the article, because he made it very clear he would only respond if it was directly to me.”

“What do you mean, only to you?” She narrowed her eyes, and then her expression shifted with a suggestive gleam. “Are you telling me he was interested?”

“God! No. I have no idea why… like I said, he’s strange. But I want you to know that I tried. I told him you’d love it, but he was blunt and cold. It’s a shame. But don’t worry, you’ll still get your answers.”

“You know what I think? That this intimidating, terrifying Russian liked you. And maybe you should take advantage of the opportunity.”

“What are you talking about?”

“He never gives interviews, Eve… We only had ten minutes, but now we could do something bigger, better—if you…”

“Wait…” I interrupted, getting up from my chair. “This is your article. You were supposed to be there in the first place. And in case you haven’t noticed, I already have too much on my plate, now that I have to split my time between the publishing house and the magazine. So, whatever you’re thinking that involves me, forget it.” I began gathering my things and stuffing them into my bag.

“I’m serious, Eve. This could be a huge opportunity for you. And I’m sure Charles would agree with me.”

“No. Because you’re not going to tell him,” I said, shooting her a hard look.

“Oh, yes, I am.”

I let out a frustrated sigh.

“Don’t you think I’ve already done enough for you today?”

“Yes, and I’m really grateful. But I’m happy because you got something even more amazing: the attention of a powerful and inaccessible man.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” I picked up my bag. “And I shouldn’t have told you anything,” I said as I passed her, heading toward the exit.

“I can already see it,” she followed behind me. “This article is going to be a hit. And it’ll all be thanks to you. I have to tell Charles now.”

“Please, don’t…” I begged, stopping and turning to face her with a pleading look.

“Yes.” She smiled. “And after that, you’re going to tell me exactly what happened.”

✽

After a little over an hour on the train and another ten minutes of walking, I finally got home, tired and bitterly regretting not having driven today.

With an exhausted sigh, I paused for a second, letting the night breeze brush against my face as I stared at the old mansion I inherited from my grandparents in Sleepy Hollow.

A gift, full of cracks, silence, and memories I couldn’t even recall. But it’s all that’s left of the family I once had.

Ignoring the weight settling in my chest, I began climbing the stairs, resting my hand on one of the gargoyles at the entrance.

Nothing like living alone in an old house, in a village rumored to be haunted, to remind me that work isn’t the biggest of my problems.

The thought made me smile. A good dose of sarcasm never fails on the hardest days.

“If ghosts really do exist, I hope at least they help pay the bills,” I murmured, pausing in front of the door.

Then maybe I could finally start renovating.

✽

After brushing my teeth, I grabbed my laptop and got into bed to check a few emails before going to sleep.

I opened my inbox, and to my surprise, there was a new message from Aleksander Volkov.

I opened it without thinking twice.

✽ ✽ ✽

Miss Sinclair,

As promised, here are the answers to the questions you dared to ask.

The real ones, however, I believe, haven’t been asked yet.

I’ll be waiting.

Aleksander Volkov

✽ ✽ ✽

My eyes scanned the words over and over again, trying to understand why the tone of the email felt so provocative. But I simply couldn’t.

His choice of words not only surprised me but also left me confused. Maybe because I was expecting something more formal, cold… and delayed.

But not only did he respond quickly, he also seemed like he was trying to tease me.

But why?

Could Tess be right?

No. That’s insane. The man I met this morning would never be interested in someone like me. In fact, he seemed more interested in getting rid of me.

And why the hell am I trying to figure him out, anyway? I should just follow Charles’s advice.

I already have Tess’s answers, so nothing else matters. A thank you should be enough.

✽ ✽ ✽

Mr. Volkov,

Thank you for your answers.

I believe they will be sufficient for the material being prepared.

Sincerely,

Evangeline Sinclair

Editorial Assistant – Fiction Division | Harrington Row

✽ ✽ ✽

After hitting send, I shut the laptop and placed it on my nightstand.

Lastly, I checked the alarm on my phone, ready to sleep.

But just as I was about to set it back down, it vibrated in my hand.

The screen lit up with a new message notification.

Unknown number.

I hesitated for a second, but opened it anyway.

“I held up my end.

Now it’s your turn.”