The kompromat to order

8.

We stopped at a gorgeous apartment building. It was the center of the city, brightly lit up even in the dead of night, when there was almost no one on the street.

In my mind, I was glad that he had brought me to his home, not to a hotel like most of the men I had worked with so far. But it was too early to rejoice. This was only the first small victory. The most important task ahead was to get to the computer. I was working on several plans to keep him away from me while I got to work. Once everything was ready, I would say that I had a really bad headache and was nauseous, and call a taxi and get out of here. I had a simple and naive plan in mind. The main thing was that everything would follow it.

Leaving the car in the parking lot, we headed inside. Only near the elevator did I break the silence between us:

- Do you live alone?

Robert looked at me in surprise, smiled, and said:

- No, with my wife and three children. They will be happy to meet you.

I jokingly pushed him in the shoulder, which made him laugh. The elevator doors opened and we went inside. He pressed the thirty-fifth floor.

- The highest floor? - I asked in surprise.

- Yes.

- So you're not afraid of heights? - I smiled.

- I'm not afraid of many things, - Rob answered.

- But you are still afraid of something? - I asked curiously, - tell me, what are you afraid of the most?

He tore his gaze away from my reflection in the mirror and looked me straight in the eye.

- Spiders, snakes, cockroaches? - I was lost under his scrutiny and jokingly tried to defuse the atmosphere.

- Disappointment, - he said seriously. My smile instantly disappeared from my face, and it seemed to me that his words were addressed to me.

- What? - I asked in confusion, not knowing how to react to his frankness.

- The thing I'm most afraid of is being disappointed in a person.

His deep look made me embarrassed. He said those words for a reason. Could he be on to something? I was so excited that I couldn't say a word. I couldn't lose my confidence. I convinced myself that everything was fine and I was not mistaken. After all, if he knew who I was and why I was here, he would hardly have let me into his home.

The elevator doors opened, and as if he didn't want to continue our conversation, he smiled and let me in front of him:

- Here you go.

In the corridor, I noticed only one door, which Robert headed for.

- Is there only one apartment here? - I asked in surprise.

- Yes, - Rob answered, opening the door with his key card.

When he opened the door, the lights came on and I saw a luxurious apartment in front of me. It was obvious that designers had done a good job on this apartment. And it was perfect for its owner - stylish, sophisticated, simple and complex at the same time. There was a staircase in the middle of the living room, which indicated that the apartment was on two floors.

- So you also have a thirty-sixth floor?

- Yes, it is special.

- And what is there? - I asked, looking around the apartment.

- It's a secret, - he smiled mysteriously and gestured me inside.

I noted to myself that it could be his office with his computer. But going deeper into the room, I saw a room behind a glass partition. That was the office. So there was something else on the second floor. But all my thoughts were occupied by this open room, in the middle of which there was a table, and on it, the computer I needed.

- Would you like a drink? - Rob asked.

It was the perfect moment. I had to take the chance, because I couldn't see the kitchen in the living room. It must be in a separate room, so he would have to stay there as long as possible. So I answered:

- I'll take it. And maybe you have something to eat? - I asked excitedly.

- I'll order everything right away. Do you like sushi?

- I love it, - I answered enthusiastically, happy that my plan was working.

- That's great. I had a bottle of champagne, I'll look for it. In the meantime, get settled in, - he smiled, - make yourself at home.

He headed for one of the many doors in the living room. Leaving the door open behind me, I could see the kitchen cabinets, so after making sure he had gone into the kitchen and couldn't see me, I took the flash drive out of my purse and headed for the study.

Once inside, I looked back at the kitchen door. I couldn't see Rob, but the fact that he had left it open worried me. If he came out, he would notice me immediately, and I might not even hear his movements. But time was short, so I had to do what I came for.

When I looked at the computer, I didn't see any place where I could insert the flash drive. But I came across a system unit where it should definitely be. Unfortunately, the unit itself was under the table. I was scared, because I realized that if I went under the table, I would lose the ability to watch the exit from the kitchen. But time was running out, so after looking at the entrance again and making sure Rob was gone, I sat down and installed the flash drive. It seemed to take me no more than a couple of seconds. But as soon as I got out from under the table, I saw Rob leaning on the bookcase in the office, staring at me.

His gaze was shackling my arms and legs. It was impossible to read his emotions on his face, no matter how hard I tried. A few ridiculous excuses came out of his voice when he asked me what I was doing here. But his question instantly disarmed me and made me forget about any excuses:

- Did you really think it would be that easy?