NYSSA
Again, he left.
But before he did, he talked ’bout someone makin’ it to the apartment after he was gone.
Who could it be?
I had wanted to ask ‘im but on second thought, I knew I should keep shut. Whoever it was, when he came would be seen by me at the end of the day.
As soon as I was certain that the house had only me in it, I walked to the bedroom to retrieve the bunch of keys from it. As soon as I did, I started my way down the stairs once more, catchin’ up with the door of the room in moments.
“Finally.”
With a sigh, I said this word.
Now my gaze reached for the keys and I searched for the key to the door. As soon as I did, I inserted it into the door, watchin’ it open and without hesitation, leadin’ my way into the space.
The safe.
It looked like it was taken away from the place I found it last night.
So where was it?
I stood in front of the space where I had seen it the other day, lookin’ around the next moment when I didn’t see it.
Where could it be, then? I wondered, walkin’ around and then recallin’ how scared I was in the early hours of the mornin’ as soon as I came awake.
Was there a camera in this room?
I let go of lookin’ for the safe in the meantime, concentratin’ on checkin’ out each corner of this office. From one end to another end, I looked through to be certain there was nothin’ like that, and there wasn’t.
Why then was the safe shifted from its supposed position? I wondered, walkin’ back to my initial position.
When I caught up, I looked at the ceilin’ – my last spot and options for a possible camera hangin’ in it, and there was none.
Suddenly, I was more interested in where the safe had gone. It must have been at that moment when Kazmir walked out and back into the room, or wasn’t it? I wondered, lettin’ a sigh run out of my mouth as I looked around to look for this safe.
Why will Kazmir move it from its supposed spot? Wasn’t it ’cause he had somethin’ to keep away from me? I thought, lookin’ around and suddenly, catchin’ sight of a cupboard for the first time since I walked into this office. I walked to the corner of the room and opened the drawer, glad that there was nothin’ like a key or even a code to open it.
The safe was in it.
I smiled, takin’ it out.
“Here you are,” I mouthed, placin’ it on the table. “How did you get there?” I looked at the door that was opened, walkin’ out and lookin’ around the space to be certain that Kazmir was not in the house.
In moments, I walked back to the room – the office with a secret safe in it.
My legs led me to the front of the counter where I placed it, and then a seat on a chair not so far from the spot. I looked at the safe, thoughts of what the code could be runnin’ around in my head.
What’s my date of birth?
How old am I?
I thought ’bout it for the first time in a long while, standin’ on my feet and pacin’ the space.
How can I not know my date of birth? How is that even possible but can my husband use my date of birth for the code to this secret safe?
The house bell was rung.
Not now!
It was either Ember or the person Kazmir talked ’bout.
Whichever one it was, I didn’t want them at the house already.
Not when I had somethin’ mischievous goin’ on here, but what can I do?
I took the safe back to the spot I met it moments ago, ensurin’ the room was lookin’ as it was before I came in – and then finally walked out of the room.
The bell rang again.
There was no need to shout, especially when they wouldn’t hear me from the livin’ room.
I walked out of the livin’ room soon, catchin’ up with the parkin’ lot. “I’m on my way!” I now shouted and in moments, caught up with the gate – openin’ up for the visitor the next moment. “Hello.”
“Hello, ma’am,” he waved at me. “I am the guy Mr. Draven talked ’bout before he left the house today. Do you want me to place a call to ‘im so you can be certain?” He took out his phone when I gave a nod and immediately, dialled a number.
“I’m at the gate of your house, Mr. Draven-” he announced when the caller from the other end took the call. “I’ll hand over the phone to your lady immediately.” And he did just that, while I listened to the voice of Kazmir from the other end, as well as what he had to say before the call came to an end finally.
“Let’s go,” I said, openin’ the gate wider. “What’s the name? He must have forgotten to mention your name before leavin’ the house, you know?”
From behind, he laughed. “My name is Darius, Mrs. Draven and I am Mr. Draven’s assistant. I’ve been workin’ with ‘im for over one year.”
Oh, that means he could have known me somehow before the accident, or isn’t it?
I nodded, not speakin’ a word.
In moments, we caught up with the entrance and walked into the livin’ room soon enough.
“What did he say you should do? You know you might be needin’ my help.”
“He wants me to get stuff from his office,” he sounded and I started walkin’ in that same direction. “I’ll be quick and let you be the next moment. It’s just a file I shouldn’t have difficulty findin’, Mrs. Draven.”
What I wanted.
To be alone, of course.
When we caught up with the door of the same office, he took a key from his backpack and inserted it into the door. I heaved a sigh, havin’ an idea at the same time. We walked into the space soon enough, while I walked away but on second thought, walked back to the room to watch ‘im do what he had come to do.
What if Kazmir had asked ‘im to come to take the safe away? I thought, relaxin’ on the wall inside the office. “Would you like somethin’, Darius? Water, milk, or juice – which would you like?”
He shook his head. “Nothin’, ma’am. I’m doin’ alright. I don’t plan to waste time here, so I’ll be as fast as I can. As we speak, Mr. Draven is waitin’ for this file at the store.”
I smiled. “Did you say a store? Do you mean restaurant?” I got off the wall and walked to the end of the room. “My husband says he owns one of the best restaurants. What store do you refer to? Or does he own more than just a restaurant?”
Darius retrieved the file he needed and gave a nod. “Mr. Draven is a hardworkin’ man, so he does many things to survive. How will he get a penthouse so big if not that way? I work for him as his assistant and can testify to a few things. You have nothin’ to worry about, mm?” With this statement, he walked out of the room and I followed suit, desperate enough to want to ask ‘im for the code to the safe.
“Do you know what the code to the secret safe is?” I asked the question when we caught up with the gate. “I know you shouldn’t be tellin’ me but I need to know what’s in it. I’ll ne’er mention your name to Kazmir if you help me with this information, Darius.”
With a nod, and a smile. He asked, “why do you need it, Mrs. Draven? I’m sure you know he doesn’t want people goin’ close to it. That’s why it’s a safe.” His response, frustratin’ me too much. “My boss will kill me if he knows I gave it to you.”
I smiled, maintainin’ composure. “I only need to see what’s inside, nothin’ more. And you also don’t have to let him know you gave it to me. I won’t do that, either. So what’s the code?”