The kompromat to order

4.

The small coffee shop on the corner had almost no seats available. Compared to the restaurant I had been in a few minutes earlier, it was noisy. Most of the people were employees of the same business centers around here, but with much simpler jobs, salaries, and food requirements than the restaurant patrons. Among the crowd, I heard Kris's voice, and when I spotted her, she was waving at me:

- Emma, come here.

Heading to my friend, I barely had enough room to pass between the tables.

- It's crowded here, - I said as I approached my friend, - Hi.

- Hi. It's always like this here. Here's your coffee, - and she handed me a cup of aromatic coffee.

- Thank you. How are you?

- Don't ask, - my friend replied tiredly, - Monday is the worst day because the stock exchanges open and my boss is never there. And he gives me so many assignments that I'm afraid I won't be able to finish them by the evening. I haven't even finished the previous task yet, and I already have five new ones in the mail.

- You said you liked it, - I teased my friend.

- I like getting paid and all the other days except Monday!

- Then ask to work on other days.

- He probably hired me because of such crazy Mondays, - she joked, - and what are you doing in these parts?

- I had to meet with my next order. Have you heard anything about the head of "Babylon"?

- About Mr. Wilson? - her eyebrows went up in surprise.

- Do you know him?

- Who doesn't know him? I'm surprised you don't know him! He's the most famous lawyer in town! By the way, last week he came to see my boss. He's in a lawsuit with some company, but it doesn't matter... I want to tell you that Wilson is so hot... girls in our office were throwing themselves around his neck.

- And what about him? - I asked inquisitively.

- He's either married or gay. Because he turned down everyone.

- I don't believe he's gay, - I said confidently.

- Is he into you? - my friend asked, rounding her eyes.

And I told her about our first meeting at the bar, about the order and about today's lunch.

- I just can't help but feel like he suspected something, - I added thoughtfully.

- Don't imagine it. He clearly has a crush on you. Believe me, I've seen that the girls he doesn't like don't stand a chance. And then he came up to you himself and left his phone number...

- Maybe you're right, - I tried to reassure myself.

- Be sure to call him today. Just... - she paused, - don't fall in love with him.

- Come on! It's work, - I convinced my friend, and maybe even myself.

- Well, the fact that you personally took on this case says something.

- Kris, this is just a responsible and important order.

- Uh-huh, - she looked up at me and smiled. Looking back at the wall clock, she jumped up from her chair, - Oh, I've been talking to you too much. I have to run.

- Thank you for listening to me.

- It's my pleasure, - she smiled happily, - bye.

She kissed me on the cheek goodbye and stormed out of the coffee shop. I went outside, got in my car, and drove home.

I spent the rest of the day thinking about Wilson. My search for information about him was limited to articles in economic journals. No social media pages, no scandals or information about his personal life. My friend's words that he might be married never left my mind. If it turned out to be true, it would be much harder to get to his house, because no one would bring a mistress to his wife.

In the evening, after collecting my thoughts, I decided it was time to call him. Twisting the phone in my hands, I did not dare to take the final step. My heart was pounding so hard that it echoed in my ears. Realizing that the longer I delayed, the harder it was for me to decide, I finally gathered my strength, exhaled, and pressed the call button.

With each dial tone, my heart picked up the pace, but after the fourth or fifth dial tone, anger replaced excitement. After listening to many rings, the answering machine came on. I instantly turned off the call, boiling with rage. Did he really decide to play with me? - I thought in my head. Maybe he didn't like me that much, so I'll have to find a girl who can hook him. This thought made me a little sad, because I liked him, and it was useless to deny it.

After a while, I dialed his phone number again. But there was no answer. I even checked the phone number against his business card, thinking that I might have made a mistake. But the number was correct. In my mind, I was already imagining what kind of girl he should pick up. That's how my evening passed.

On my way to bed, I heard the phone ring. It was him. My first thought was not to answer it, because the resentment was still there. But my brain convinced me that it was just a job, and I had to do everything to fulfill the order, and of course, get my reward. So I picked up the phone:

- Hello?

- Hello, - the determined male voice answered.

- Hi.

- I'm sorry I haven't been answering. I've been busy.

- I understand. How did you know it was my number?

- I wasn't expecting a call from anyone else.

Our silence dragged on. It seemed that it was getting harder for me to keep his attention. Trying to get him interested, I asked him:

- How was your day?

- Emma, let's meet, - he said, ignoring my question.

- Now? - I was surprised.

- Yes. I'm still in the office. I can pick you up and we can have coffee somewhere.

- I don't know, it's so late, - I said excitedly.

At the same time, he remained silent, waiting for my answer. I didn't want to say yes at all, but I didn't want to miss the opportunity to get closer, so I answered:

- Okay, but not for long, because I have a class tomorrow morning.

- Sure, - I could feel his smile even from a distance, - text me the address. I'll pick you up right away.

After sending the address of another house on my street, I started to quickly get ready, because I needed to get there before he did. I threw on jeans and a sweater and went outside. I wasn't going to tell him the address of my dorm, because it wouldn't be a problem for him to find me there. So when I got to the building, I waited. A couple of minutes later, a luxurious black SUV pulled up next to me.

Rob got out of the car and handed me a small, delicate bouquet.

- I'm sorry I'm late. Have you been waiting long?

- No, I just got out. Thank you for the flowers, they're beautiful.

- You're prettier, - his compliment made me blush and wonder if maybe it wasn't so bad and I wouldn't have to find someone else for this task.

- Thank you, - I replied shyly.

- I passed a coffee shop nearby, and it wasn't closed yet. Shall we go there?

- Yes, let's go.

He kindly opened the door for me and helped me sit down. The cabin was pleasantly wafting with his perfume, which prevented me from thinking. His pleasant scent was relaxing and exciting at the same time.

Getting behind the wheel, he started the car and we drove off.