Washington DC (Years ago)
Sitting in my apartment I sipped from my cup of hot chocolate while snow falls outside the window. Christmas is nearing but I don't feel the festive mood one bit. The leader of the Russian opposition has disappeared for nearly three months, on my count and Andy quit the investigation involving the weapons in a bold manner but he's on board with the Russian case. Most of the residents in my apartment complex have gone home for the season, except a few including the superintendent. I didn't know what did AD Carey told Director Harkavy and what did the director told the President as a team of snipers are positioned around my home since last week.
I cast my mind back, to the days where Christmas is a thing with my mom and Uncle Roland during the four years I've spent in London. I can still remember the twinkling light garlands my mom always put up in her residence as Ambassador of South Korea to the United Kingdom, not to mention the wrapped gifts under the Christmas tree. I loved Christmas ever since I was a child but it doesn't feel the same after fifteen. No more gifts, no more hot cocoa time with mom where we dipped marshmallows into the hot drink. When I got my ear piercing to wear earrings she gave me a pair of snowflake-shaped drop earrings as a congratulatory gift. England's Christmas is more family-like, I thought to myself.
"Hey, Isa. Hope that you're enjoying Christmas." my cousin Chan-yeol said through a text message. "Because I got a job in the IT department at Samsung, it's IT security. Merry Christmas."
"Wow, good luck." I typed back. "Where is it? Silicon Valley?"
"Yeah. I need to get a working visa too."
"No worries, you'll ace that. I know it."
"My job's starting next year. Really hoped that you and Min can drop by for a drink at my home."
"Don't know yet, still working."
"Still with the FBI?"
"Nowhere else to go."
"You do what you like Isabella." he said. "I'm not judging."
"Neither do I Chan." I typed back. Putting my phone back on the coffee table the phone installed at the foyer rang, indicating a call either from the superintendent or one of the residents who stayed behind.
"Um... Isabella?" the superintendent asked when I picked up the phone.
"Yeah? Is there a leak in the systems?"
"No, everything's fine. It's just..."
"Federal employees?"
"No, there's some guy here. Said that he's your boyfriend."
"Uh... I don't have a boyfriend. Is he my dad?"
"No, just come down here." she said.
"Fine, give me a minute or two." I say. Leaving the mug on the kitchen counter I exited my apartment and took the lift downstairs.
"What are you doing here?" I snapped. No wonder that the superintendent said that it's not my dad, it's Bruce, one of the last people I wanted to see again.
"Thank God you're here Isabella." said the superintendent.
"It's fine." I explained. "I'll handle this." He was dressed in winter gear, a car key dangling free in his left hand. He gave a smile at me but I was having none of it. "Shouldn't you be on a date with any supermodel you met at any party?" I asked.
"Not tonight." he replied. "I lost my vehicle downtown." I stiffened my gaze and glanced outside through the glass doors. Letting out a sigh I gestured at him to get in the elevator and he went to the lobby.
"Sorry about that." I apologized to the superintendent.
"No prob Isabella." she said. "Oh, and I got this package for you." she took out a nicely wrapped package. The country of origin is South Korea and marked with a stamp, signalling that it's cleared by the US customs. "A guy at Fed Ex dropped it off an hour ago."
"Thanks." I say.
"Merry Christmas." she said.
"Merry Christmas to you." I smiled. The smiled soon disappeared when I entered the elevator lobby. Bruce is waiting at the elevator, studying the numbers of the elevator floors. The elevator arrived and I stepped in. He pressed a button but it wasn't lighting up. I swiped my keycard at the scanner and pressed the button on the floor where my flat is. "You didn't call Alfred when your car broke down."
"My phone's in the car too." he said, in an awkward smile.
"I don't simply allow guys to crash at my place but, judging from your problem... I don't really have a choice."
"You lived alone?"
"What do you think?" I snapped back at him. I fished out my keys when we reached the door and the keys suddenly slipped from my hands, due to the package immobilizing the ability to fish out keys easily. Bruce caught it and helped to open the door. I set the package down at the marble counter and locked back the door. "Guest room's at the door to your left in the hallway." I say, picking up the mug and turning off the TV. He disappeared into the guest room while I deposited the mug and package into my room. Setting the mug on the coaster at my study table I opened the package with a box cutter. Inside the box contains a set of winter clothes as well as a new watch in a velvet red box. A letter is placed on top of the clothes, written by hand.
My dearest and darling granddaughter,
How is your life here in the United States? I sincerely hope that you're doing well. Christmas is coming soon and per family tradition, gifts for everybody. I was hoping that I could mail some Christmas cookies but it's impossible. If you want to ask about everything here we're all doing fine. Although I felt something empty in the house every time I walked past your empty room. I acknowledge that your mother's death changed everything you knew in your life, we all felt the same. The watch is crafted by my brother-in-law for you, I told him you always loved winter and he came up with this design for you. The photos you sent me last year, you're still wearing the necklace with the pendant of an angel. Your grandfather always told me to not worry about you but I am devoted to every children and grandchildren I have.
Even though you're now living overseas, but remember, you're always welcome to come back home.
From your loving grandmother,
Kassandra Castellanos
I smiled and folded the letter, setting it down on the side. Sipping my cup of hot cocoa I took out the watch and looked at the design under the lights of the desk lamp. But my tablet vibrated, informing me of a phone call and prompting me to put down the watch. It's an unknown number but I answered anyway. "Who is this?" I asked.
"How close are you to a park?" my uncle Vladmir asked.
YOU ARE READING
Russian Roulette
Misteri / Thriller"This is a crossroad Isabella." he said. "There will be no return if you were captured." "Can I even turn back?" I asked.
