Ultraviolet

Chapter Twenty-Seven: Central Intelligence

Adrianna's office looked like something from a movie. The red door opened to a room with black and grey filigree walls and dark mahogany furniture. Her chair was oversized and dramatically taller the the tiny armchair I sat in opposite her.

"What are you asking of me?" Adrianna hissed, her voice a lot sharper than the last time we spoke. Maybe it had something to do with Hadeon's presence. A way of maintaining her aura of power over employees.

"Help." I muttered simply. "A way to get the entire town to just... forget I exist."

Adrianna raised her eyebrow but Hadeon interrupted her current thoughts. "What she means is that-"

"Never speak for a woman, Hadeon." She scolded. "The issue seems to stem from this Sherif."

I explained only a little to Adrianna. The calls, the false accusation, the name change.

"If we find a way to stop the investigation-"

"Hadeon!" Adrianna's raised voice shut him up, but Hadeon breathed out angrily, his nostrils flaring. "Leave while we speak."

He looked back to me, concerned, but ultimately nodded and left the room, shutting the heavy red door as he did so.

"Esme."

"Adrianna." I acknowledged.

"Your story doesn't explain why this officer would want to falsely accuse you of anything. I won't do anything if there's a chance this man is innocent. I can't help you."

"No." I hushed. "He's not innocent."

"But he is not who you are running from." She noted. "You are simply annoyed by this man. His actions are an inconvenience to you. Who are you running from, Esme?"

"The Sherif is protecting him." I whimpered. "They're... family friends."

"I want the whole story, Esme." The way she spoke my name was like a spell. A trance fell over me and I trusted her more than I've ever trusted anyone.

"My foster brother." I whispered. "He kept photos of me that I hadn't known he'd taken, he stole a shirt I wore and slept with it." The last words tasted like bile on my tongue. "He only ever kissed me, but I know he was waiting. Waiting until I turned eighteen."

"And the Sherif?" She pressed.

"I showed him the photos. Every one of them. I begged him to help me, and he just brushed me off." I said. "He was there to protect, and he sent me back into that house."

"I'll handle it." Adrianna nodded before turning to an open book and shooing me out with her hand. Like I was here for a business proposition rather than a plea for help. As my hand reached up, she spoke again, this time her voice even sharper than before. "But you will owe me."

I felt my heart jump into my throat, but I merely swallowed it down and replied.

"Of course." I smiled back at her, before walking out of her office.

Hadeon's eyes met mine the second I stepped out into the bar.

"What did she say?"

"She's gonna "handle it". Whatever that means."

"Thats good." He hummed, staring at the closed door.

"Should we finish grocery shopping?"