𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡

𝟒𝟖 | 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐦𝐲 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐥

I walked slowly and cautiously. With each step, I fell into a deep abyss from which I did not have to find my way back. I gritted my teeth, clenched my fists, and listened as the echo of my heavy shoes echoed through the spacious room. I'm doing it for my mother, I repeated to myself as a mantra that was miraculously giving me strength and courage at the worst times.

"Sit down," Mercado said. He pushed a gold tray in front of me with a porcelain tea set. "Please," he offered me. I sat up carefully, trying not to be too convulsive. How do I relax when I'm in a strange place with a complete stranger, unarmed?

"What's in it?" I said, perhaps too incredulous.

"Thank you would be nice." The man who considered himself my friend smiled mischievously.

"I asked what's in it," I repeated, this time slowly, with my examining the fine porcelain and its peculiar fluid.

"Careful," Mercado said, sitting down in the chair opposite me. "Just like your father."

And here we go again. Will everyone I'll meet remind me that I'm like my father?

I hope you're proud of me, Dad. Your dirty business will one day lead me right in front of the devil himself. And who knows, maybe he's already brought me here and I'm sitting in front of him.

"Don't worry, it's just tea," he assured me, but despite his claim, I had no plans to touch anything this guy will offer me. "Do you like herbal one?" I ignored his question and began to ask my own. After all, that's why I came here, right?

"How well do you know my father?"

The corners of Mercado's mouth flickered. He tossed two sugar cubes into his cup and mixed them thoroughly. Finally, he tapped the spoon against the edge of the white porcelain and placed it on a tray.

"I know him enough to say that he's tangled up in a big, BIG problem. He has been messing with the wrong people, and, unfortunately for him, I think this is the last time he's doing it. I don't think there's a way out for him. It's sad that two beautiful women like you and your mother have to suffer for his mistakes."

"What do you mean? Who are the people he's messing with? Where he is?"

"Let's say that these are very influential people in big positions, perhaps bigger than me. Lucifer is currently hiding. Or maybe plotting something. He's hard to find. But not for long. Too many people are looking for him. and when they find him, it will be over for him."

"Stop speaking in riddles," I interrupted him, "do you know where my mom is? She was at Mine headquarters before someone took her away. Do you know who?"

"I heard a rumor she was not taken forcefully."

"What does it indicate? Just tell me the place where she is now," I spitted out, wanting to hear answers so bad.

"Patience, dear," Mercado said. "But...I'm afraid nothing will be free."

"Don't worry," I reassured him, "I'm completely aware that in today's world nothing is free, so I bring a small gift, or as we could say – a bribe." I went into my right pocket with my right hand and pulled out a slightly crumpled paper. "As a token of gratitude." I placed the high sum check in front of Mercado, who looked thoughtful. "Fifty thousand for the answers I need. Nothing more, nothing less."

His laughter echoed through the spacious room.

"Is that a small amount?" I asked to which Mercado's brown eyes darkened.

"I prefer another form of payment," he explained, licking his lips slowly while glancing at me. I don't know if I was more disgusted or outraged, but a strong urge to spit in his face caught me.