Adam picks me up around eight, and we go out to dinner at one of our now favorite restaurants. First, we talk about how the day went and discuss how to effectively spin things at the partners' ball so that Kirk has no chance of cleaning up his reputation. Marina provided us with a lot of important information and direct evidence of his machinations, so I don’t think it will be too difficult; however, I want everything to go smoothly. Especially since Adam told me their story with Marina and that Kirk had betrayed her with Karina.
- What an idiot. I always knew he was a real scumbag. - I finish my glass of wine and ponder what Kirk was actually trying to achieve with this.
- I think there’s something we’ve overlooked. Honestly, I never expected complete loyalty from him, but this... - It’s clear that Adam is very surprised and troubled by the fact that we don’t know everything. But so be it.
- By the way, Adam, did you find out about Nazar? - We never got to discuss it because yesterday turned out to be too busy.
- Yes, I found out he’s in prison and won’t be out for a while, so I don’t understand this call. - I see a sign of anxiety, and from the way his fingers move across the table, I realize he’s not telling me everything.
- Adam, do you think someone else is involved in this? - I hit the bullseye. From how his expression changes and how he tightens his jaw, I know he thinks the same.
- I don’t know, Amanda, it seems to me that all of this isn’t just a coincidence. And especially now that I know your partner Lantsov, we need to be prepared for anything.
I tell him that Lantsov signed the contract and that Victoria said he left the country. So, we probably shouldn’t worry about him. Although people like this man never forgive anything similar.
- We’ll be ready if something happens, Adam. - he smiles and takes my hand.
- Ami, maybe after the partners' ball, we’ll go to London? You could settle your affairs, and then we could both away from everything for a bit. - I didn’t expect such a proposal. Although, I really need to go to London because I came here for a few days and have already stayed here for over a week.
- Maybe. I don’t know how things will go with my father’s business, so we’ll just have to wait and see. - Adam smiles again, but it’s a sad smile. I see how tired he is, and I can’t help him with anything.
We arrive home, and I plan to spend this evening more provocatively than the previous one. But while I was in the shower, Adam received a call; he was talking in the office, and I didn’t want to disturb him. By the time he returned, I had already fallen asleep. Adult life, damn it...
So here we are again, drifting apart in our offices and agreeing to spend this evening together. That won’t hurt either of us. We just need to be alone for a bit, forget about business and problems, and remember Adam and Amanda as they once were on the beach.
Victoria isn’t here today; she went on business, so I fully immerse myself in the documents that I need to review. I want to read some files on various partners; as I understood, that is quite an important part of our business—knowing everything about your partners. But I get interrupted by a secretary.
- Ms. Amanda, you have a guest. He says it’s urgent. - who could come? I wasn’t expecting anyone, but okay.
- Let him in. - the girl leaves and moments later a man enters whom I definitely didn’t want and didn’t expect to see.
- Good afternoon, Ms. Amanda. Do you have a minute for me? - Kirk smiles, and I feel like vomiting in his face.
- Speak, Mr. Kirk. I’m listening, but quickly, because I don’t have time today. - I wanted to say that I just don’t want to see him; you old pig, but I hold back. I can’t reveal my cards until tomorrow. There’s not much time left before this bastard gets what he deserves.
- I only need a few minutes. I want to know how you’re doing. - he’s clearly not there for this. I’ve got to know you well enough by now, and I see in his eyes something else.
- Everything is fine. Did you just come to this conclusion? - he smiles and sits down on the chair opposite me.
- You probably heard what happened to Karina the night such a tragedy befell you? - Bastard, do you realize that I know everything about this?
- Yes, I’ve heard a bit. But honestly, I don’t care much. And even less so, I care about her fate. - I had the right to say that. Especially since she pushed me down the stairs. What should my reaction be to her and everything related to her?
- Of course, of course, Ms. Amanda, but I’m not talking about that. - he smiles, and sweat drops appear on his face; how disgusting.
- I wanted to talk about what exactly happened to Ms. Karina and how your secretary is involved. - I don’t understand where he’s going with this.
- Mr. Kirk, if you have any questions about Mr. Adam's secretary, please address them to him. I don’t quite understand what you want from me. - the man stretches again, whether in a smile or a sneer.
- Indeed, I could go to Mr. Kelly, but I fear he isn’t ready to listen to me right now, so I decided to talk to you. - you’re afraid he’ll punch you, but I don’t say that out loud. - The thing is, Marina has been gathering compromising information on Mr. Kelly and all his partners. And she plans to use it against us. So, I think it’s necessary to warn you, Ms. Amanda, so that you can react in time. - Knowing the story Marina told, it seems that this rat just suspects where those documents went, so he’s trying to save his ass. But still, a part of doubt creeps in within me.
- Why, Mr. Kirk, should I trust you? - he anticipated this question.
- Ms. Amanda, I have no reason to lie to you. I just want to preserve my business, and Ms. Marina is a woman scorned. We broke up, and she couldn’t cope with it. The same goes for Mr. Adam.
He previously rejected her, which also hurt her. And you, I think, know what angry women are capable of. - God, bastard, and he doesn’t even like women. How he annoys me.
- Mr. Kirk, if you don’t have any direct evidence, I don’t see the point in spreading these rumors. - a new smile appears on his face.
- I do have evidence. - he pulls out a folder and places it in front of me.
- I think you’ll need time to investigate everything. You always know where to find me. Ms. Amanda, be careful. Not all people you trust are worthy of that trust. - he leaves the office, leaving me with my thoughts.
I take the folder he placed on the desk and begin to review everything inside.
And I’m in shock. This is genuinely catastrophic. Am I that bad at judging people? Is this all reality? And what do we do now? I call Adam, but he doesn’t answer.
So I decide to go to his office and show him what Kirk brought me. I arrive at the office very quickly. I enter the office where the secretary stops me.
- Mr. Kelly is currently busy and isn’t seeing anyone. - I’ve never experienced this before. Does this girl really not know who I am?
- He always has time for me. - I enter the office, and the secretary rushes after me. I open the door and am met with a scene I definitely didn’t expect.
On the couch beside Adam sits Marina, who is pressed against him, and he’s hugging her, stroking her back.
At the sudden sound of the door opening, the man raises his gaze, and shock and fear are in his eyes. This cannot be, I can’t believe this. Marina looks up at me and clings even closer to Adam, grabbing his hand.
- What the hell is going on here?