The kompromat to order

10.

 I was in a bad mood from the very beginning of the morning. I woke up with the same thoughts I had fallen asleep with. On my way to the university, I dialed Chris's number.

- Hello, - she said in a sleepy voice.

- Chris, are you still asleep?

- Of course I am... what time is it? - something on the other end of the phone rang as it fell, - Oh, yeah... Emma, why are you calling so early?

- We have a class in twenty minutes, - I said confusedly.

- You know I don't go to class on Saturdays. I'd rather copy it over at your place later... because my head is splitting right now.

- And for the last class? - I asked, remembering our strictest teacher.

- Well, whether you want to go to the demoness or not, you have to go, because she will eat me later. But it will be in the afternoon... I still have time to sleep a little.

- All right, get some rest. See you later.

- Okay.

As much as I wanted to share my experiences with my friend, it was not the right time.

After two classes, I headed to a coffee shop for lunch. My phone rang and I took it out of my purse. Hoping it was Chris, I was close to answering the call. But when I saw Robert's number on the screen, I instantly froze. My hands started shaking and my first thought was not to answer the call. But I had to do something about this incomprehensible situation, so I hesitantly answered:

- Hello.

- Hi, - Rob said in a calm voice.

- Hi.

- Are you busy right now?

- I'm at the university, - I said, confused.

- What time do you get out of class?

- Around three o'clock. Why do you ask? - only now could my brain not only automatically answer his questions, but also analyze the information.

- Emma, we need to talk. - He said it absolutely calmly, even somehow cautiously, and for me his words were so heavy that my heart started pounding like after a marathon.

- I don't think we should... - I said, trying to convince him, but he didn't let me finish.

- Emma, we'll just talk, - he said more insistently, sweeping aside all my excuses for avoiding the meeting.

- Okay, - I barely managed to say. But inside I felt like I was twisting and wanted to be outdoors.

- See you then, - his voice returned to calmness and he hung up.

I grabbed a cup of coffee and went outside. I did not know what Rob wanted to talk about, but I had a feeling that it would not end well for me. I stood on the street with a cup in my hand, deep in my thoughts for who knows how long, but my friend's voice brought me back to reality:

- Hi, are you waiting for me? - Chris asked, coming closer.

But it seems that my pale face spoke for itself, so her smile instantly disappeared and she asked worriedly, - Emma, are you okay?

- No... Chris, I'm in such trouble... - I couldn't hold back my tears and fell on my friend's shoulders.

- Come on, let's go to a coffee shop and talk.

- But we have a lecture... - I said through my tears.

- What lecture? You can barely stand on your feet! - and she sat me down on a chair.

Forgetting about my studies, I told my friend everything that happened to me yesterday. She didn't interrupt, but listened attentively. And it helped me a little. The panic receded, but the feeling that I was trapped did not disappear. After my long story, she answered:

- Oh... Emma, maybe you shouldn't meet with him? Meet the customer, give the money back and that's it. Wilson is a shark. Look how he works with court cases, once he gets a hold of you, he won't let go... And now you're on his hook! And it is not known what he plans to do next.

- I understand that, - I said doomedly, - but what will change if I don't go to the meeting? Nothing! I'm in the middle of nowhere.

- And that's true. But I'm afraid for you.

- At least you know who I was with the last time you saw me, - a nervous smile appeared on my lips.

- Spit it out, stupid! - my friend was offended by my words.

We stayed in the coffee shop for a while, where Chris tried to put me in a belligerent mood. When my phone rang, Robert said that he was already near the university. I said goodbye to my friend and headed to meet him as if he were a slaughterhouse.