The kompromat to order

1.

Quietly closing the door behind me, I walked out into the long corridor of the hotel. Pleased with myself, I pressed the elevator button. Tonight, I could afford a glass of sparkling wine to celebrate a job well done. My profession was unusual, but there was something romantic about it for me. After all, not every job gives you a lot of emotions, adventures, and most importantly, a few extra zeros in your bank account. Some people call me a fraudster, others a swindler, some even a detective, but I just do what my clients ask me to do. In my mind, I used to call myself a dirtbag hunter. Among my clients are often women who want to expose their husbands' infidelity, businessmen looking for dirt on their competitors, and sometimes men who are willing to pay for round-the-clock surveillance of their wives. But sometimes I get assignments like today's. When I had to create dirt on my own.

When I left the hotel, I was greeted by a cool wind. The setting sun painted the capital in a pale pink color. Wrapped in my coat, I got in the car and immediately drove to the bar, where my client was already waiting for me.

Our meeting place greeted me with bright neon signs and the light smell of coffee. It was crowded, but among the crowd, I immediately noticed my client sitting at the bar away from everyone else.

- Good evening, - my greeting startled her.

- Good evening. How did everything go?

- Oh, it was great. It wasn't easy, because your husband didn't really want to cheat on you. But he met an exact copy of you on his way, so he went.

A bartender came up to us. I looked at him and said:

- An Americano, please.

- And he didn't suspect anything? - the customer asked more happily.

- Not yet, he's not up to it now. He's sleeping in the arms of the woman he cheated on you with tonight, -and I showed her some photos of her husband in the arms of another woman that I had taken a few minutes ago.

- Finally, I'm free! - the girl exclaimed joyfully.

- A marriage contract? - I asked again, knowing the answer in advance.

- Yes, - she exhaled tiredly, - everything was fine before the wedding. He carried me in his arms, gave me jewelry... and I was fascinated by such attention and agreed to sign a contract that stated that I could claim his money only in case of his infidelity. But after we got married, everything changed...

- Now everything will change for the better, - I interrupted, not wanting to listen to her drama anymore, because I've heard many such stories, and they are all almost the same.

- Thank you very much, - the girl said happily.

- After you pay the rest, I'll send you the photo by e-mail.

- Yes, of course. Here, - she handed me an envelope.

- I'm sending it now, - and I sent everything to her phone.

- Thank you again, - the customer couldn't stop smiling as she packed up her things.

- Goodbye, - I replied, watching her run jumping up and down with joy to the exit of the bar.

In the doorway, she almost ran into a couple of men who were coming in. But she sidestepped them and left. This company caught my attention. Three men in stylish business suits came in for a drink after work. My typical clients.

Two of them were actively discussing something, and the third one was walking confidently, looking around the room. He was tall and strong. I'm sure that underneath this suit was a perfectly muscled body, with a massive tattoo on his neck that partially peeked out from under his shirt. His well-groomed stubble and thick hair indicated that he was not poor at all. His deep, dark gaze scanned the room. For a moment, he looked at me, and our eyes met. My heart skipped a beat and I felt hot inside. I couldn't stand that look any longer. I turned away and continued to drink my coffee, trying not to look in their direction. The mirror behind the bar showed me clearly what was happening behind me. These men walked past me and sat down at the bar in the distance. Again our eyes met, but this time in the mirror. We were both sitting at the bar, but there were several people separating us. As if to hide from his gaze, I looked down, searching for my wallet in my purse. Pulling out a bill, I almost managed to put it next to my cup. But an attractive male voice next to me startled me:

- On me, - said the man who had caught my attention, addressing the bartender. Then he returned his gaze to me, - May I buy you a drink?

- No, I'm leaving, - I said, trying to look as confident as possible, although my insides were pounding.

I stretched out my hand, trying to leave the cash on the table. But his hand stopped me, grabbing my palm firmly but gently.

- No need, my treat, - he said with a smile.

- Well, thank you, - I replied, still hesitating to let him do it.

Standing up from the chair, I began to tie my coat, while he stood opposite me and watched me:

- My name is Robert, and you?

- I don't meet strangers, - I blurted out, wanting to get out of here as soon as possible.

- Only with people you know? - he asked again, smiling slyly.

- Exactly! - I replied coldly, trying to untangle the belt of my coat, which seemed to have been deliberately tangled.

- Then tell me how to become your acquaintance, - he continued without giving up.

- No way, - I finally untangled the belt, grabbed my purse, and finally said, - if it's fate, we'll meet again.

I almost ran out of the bar, away from this man. As I mingled with the crowd on the street, I tried to understand why I was reacting to him. Yes, he was attractive, and even a few words were enough to make me interested in him, but I've never been so nervous when talking to men. And I have no problems with that. My work often involves flirting and flirty conversations with the husbands of my clients. But something went wrong with it. Trying to convince myself that I wasn't losing my professional edge, I got in my car and headed home.

A relaxing bath and a glass of wine cleared my head. I lounged on the couch, turned on the TV and started eating dinner. Suddenly, the phone rang and my friend's name appeared on the screen.

- Hi, Chris, - I said as I finished my salad.

- Emma, hi. What are you doing?

- I'm eating, can't you hear me?

- Then finish eating and come to our club.

- Not tonight. I'm a little tired. Besides, I have a meeting tomorrow morning.

- On Sunday? - she was surprised.

- Well, what can I do, I have a new order, - I answered doomedly.

- Okay, maybe we can meet tomorrow and go shopping... I haven't seen you for a week and I miss you so much!

- Okay. I'll call you after the meeting.

- But not before lunch! I'll be sleeping!

- Okay. Have fun!

- That's what I'm doing. If you change your mind, call me.

- Okay, bye, - I hung up, hearing that my friend was already talking to someone else.

Kristina, or Kris as everyone called her, had been my best friend since my first year at university. Unlike everyone else, she knew everything about my work. We had no secrets, and we used to discuss everything that was going on in our lives. And she never judged me for my work. While some of my other friends said it was all wrong and maybe even assumed that I was sleeping with my clients for money. But that never happened and could never happen. Even a lot of money is not worth the damaged dignity, and I was inexperienced in this field. So I worked with a few escort girls who were willing to share a bed with anyone for a few thousand hryvnias.

A conversation with a friend made me feel very lonely. While all my friends were having fun and enjoying life, I was sitting at home alone. But I always tried to drive such thoughts away from me.

Feeling tired after a busy day, I went to bed and fell asleep almost instantly.