Mikhail

5

As we got off the bike, I looked at Montserrat for any giveaway. Any sign of fear or change in countenance. Instead of that, she flashed me her signature megawatt smile.

No murderer could return to their victim's house and still be themselves, without even showing a twitch.

This only proved that she had nothing to do with the man's death. Not that I had been doubting her.

Montserrat held my hand and began dragging me towards the house. I'd never like to be controlled, but once again, I issued no protest as she pulled me along. She pressed on the bell before looking at me.

“Don't worry. You don't have to be shy. They're good people.” She smiled reassuringly.

Good people my ass. If only she knew.

The door opened to a middle aged stout woman in a uniform and an apron. She beamed immediately her eyes fell on Montse.

“Montserrat! Oh dear, I'm so happy to see you again.”

“It's so good to see you again too Lolita!” Montse squealed, and the two of them hugged.

Lolita's eyes squinted in curiosity when she finally noticed me. She pulled out of the hug, looking at Montse inquisitively.

“Who's the young man? Is he your...”

“Oh no, Lolita!” Montserrat told her, cheeks turning crimson. “We're just friends.”

I blinked. I didn't even know that there was a 'we', much less that she and I were friends. Lolita let us into the house and went to call her mistress. A minute later, the door to the study opened, and stepped out.

“Montse, I'm so glad you...” Her voice faltered when she spotted me beside Montse, but she was quick to recover. “...decided to come.”

Mateo appeared from the study too. His arm was in a sling, probably to stabilize the joint I'd dislocated three days ago. Fear ran through his eyes when he saw me.

My instincts kicked in, and it suddenly occurred to me that he and his mother had probably had something planned. My presence was a disruption to a perfectly laid out plan.

“Who's this man if I may ask?” The woman said sweetly.

Montse beamed even more. “Oh him? He's my bodyguard, Rita.”

It was very obvious from her teasing smile that she meant that as a joke, but still, I could sense the trepidation that ran through Rita and her son.

Rita tried for a small that appeared very forced. “Oh good. But you understand that he can't be part of the discussions we're going to have right?”

“Of course, Rita, and I was only joking. He's just a friend.” Montse finally clarified, then looked at me. “You wouldn't mind me leaving you alone, would you?”

I shook my head curtly. Before they left for the study, I threw Rita and her sin a glare that spoke volumes of know that I'm watching you.

I retreated to the living room to make myself comfortable in one of those soft, fluffy couches.

Lolita brought me a glass of pineapple juice, gaze questioning her own choices. I took it so she wouldn't feel bad even if I would've preferred something much stronger.

I thought of how determined Rita and Mateo had been to kill Montse before. At least I was confident that they wouldn't hurt her now. Not when I was just a door away.

Fifteen long minutes later, the three of them finally got out of the study accompanied by a man who must've been waiting for them inside. The smile on Montse's face seemed more forced this time.