chapter 7

Roselyn Bell

"Adriet", I whispered. He really wanted me to make the call.

"This is the only chance we have Roselyn, otherwise we'll never, ever will able to know about these people." My name rolled perfectly from his tongue. "We really don't have a lot of time", he said softly. I didn't know what to do so I just followed his instructions.

"Okay", I replied.

"Great kitten. Now just go to the reception and make sure you ask for the right person", Ross said and I did the same. I was very nervous when I was in the lift. I was literally trembling. I was going alone, for obvious reasons.

"Excuse me" I tried to calm myself.

"How can I help you ma'am?" the receptionist asked in a sweet voice.

"Umm...... I was looking for Mr Matthew?" I asked while my voice trembled.

"Oh!" Her smile disappeared quickly. "Please follow me." She walked briskly and I followed her. She took me to an isolated part of the hotel. The rooms were less and were lit modestly. She knocked on a room which had no room number on it. Is Adriet so oblivious to what is happening in his own hotel? I don't think so.

"Just go right in there", she said and walked away from there. I knocked and entered. As shabby as the corridor was, the room was even shabbier. It was lit dimly and there was a strong smell of alcohol in the atmosphere. I wasn't feeling good. I felt sick.

"Come on Roselyn. I have been waiting for you to sneak out." A man in his late forties appeared from behind the cabinet. He had a very nasty smirk on his face and was holding a whisky glass in his hand.

"Come and have a seat. I won't allow a beautiful lady like you to stand for long." His tone was so gross, it made me want to puke. I quickly sat on the couch. He sat in front of me.

"Now Roselyn, what would you like whisky, wine or beer?" he asked while sipping his drink and eyeing me up and down. I shifted uncomfortably.

"Mr Matthew, can we please get down to the business?" I tried to say it in a calm voice. He smirked and walked towards me and sat near me.

"I think you have plenty of time darling", he said as he stroked my hair. I quickly slapped his hand away.

"Oooo feisty much", he said with a nasty grin still plastered on his face.

"If you want that." He walked back to the cabinet to refill his glass. He had a slight hint of a Russian accent in his speech.

"Look, I am not the bad guy if you are thinking that. I work as a spy here. I work for anyone who pays me", he said and gulped his drink.

"I didn't ask that. I just want to know what you had to tell me", I said while looking straight up at him.

"You are in a hurry I see." He sat beside not bothering to maintain the distance. As much as I wanted to push him away I wasn't able to. He wasn't doing anything and besides, he was the only one who could answer my questions. He leaned closer and kept his hand behind my neck. I didn't move.

"Now all you need to do is follow my commands", he whispered and moved backwards. "Tomorrow when Adriet and Ross leave, you will come straight here and don't forget to bring the chip. I will take you to them personally", he said in a sly voice.

"But how am I going to get that chip from Adriet?" I asked.

"That's for you to figure out Ms. Bell", he said and looked at his watch. "It's better if you leave before anyone gets suspicious." I quickly stood up and left without a glance. When I came out, I realised how suffocating the room was. I quickly made my way back to the room where Adriet was waiting for me.

I closed the door behind me. I saw Adriet sitting on the couch with his legs resting on the table and his laptop on his laps. He looked appealing.

"Wait there", he said without looking at me. He kept his laptop aside and walked towards me. "Stay still", he said looking at me intensely.

"Why?" I asked, frowning. What is he planning? He quickly slid his hand around my waist. His hands were touching my bare skin. Then he did something really unexpected. He hugged me. I was very still. I was shocked. Did he hit his head somewhere? What is he doing?

"Adriet", I whispered. I was feeling very uncomfortable. I'd never had an encounter like this with a male and if that male was someone like Adriet, then you can't even complain. But right then, I was in a very weird situation. He was hugging me and his chin was resting on my shoulder. He was much taller than me so it was obvious that he must be bending a lot. Suddenly he slid his hand behind my neck through my hair.

"Got it", he whispered and released me. I was dumbstruck. He had a little black chip in his hand. He quickly snapped it into two.

"You should have been more careful Bell", he smirked at me. He did this just to get that. I then realised it must have been there all the time when I let from Matthews'.

"How did you know about it?" I asked bluntly.

"It was obvious Bell. Come on. You probably need some rest." He grabbed my wrist and took me to my room. I laid down on the bed after Adriet had left. I had no idea about my next actions. My life had just turned upside down and all I could do is rely on a few strangers. So I simply shut my mind and soon drifted into a deep slumber. When I woke up from my sleep, it was still dark outside. I was panting heavily. I was sweaty and I don't know what had made me wake up like this. I needed water. I quickly made my way towards the kitchen. I took a bottle from the fridge. I don't know what took over me but I sat on the kitchen floor with my back resting against the wall. It seemed like all the energy from me had been drained out. I just wanted to go back now. I couldn't handle it anymore. If it meant getting my father back. I wanted to be selfish. I needed to be strong. I needed to stay strong.

"Roselyn" suddenly someone switched on the night light. It was Adriet. "What are you doing here?" He was concerned. He came and sat beside me.

"I don't know", I whispered. He hugged me.

"It's alright", he said while rubbing my back. I don't know why I was acting like that. I didn't say anything nor did he. I had never seen this side of Adriet. All sweet and caring. I didn't realise when I drifted off to sleep but when I woke up next morning, Adriet was still beside me and I was still sitting on the kitchen floor.

"Adriet", I whispered. He stirred a little and then opened his eyes. "I am sorry for last night I didn't mean to wake you up. I-I am-am..." I sighed. "I am sorry." I was not looking up at him. I felt his gaze burning through me.

"Come on, let's have breakfast", he said and picked me up with him.

"Are you mad?" I asked.

"Do you want me to be mad at you?" he asked in a playful tone.

"Not really?" I wanted to state that but it came out to be as a question. He just chuckled and continued breaking the eggs.

I brushed my teeth and took a quick shower. I then went back to the living room and saw Adriet in his grey suit eating his breakfast. I sat quietly in front of him and saw a plate already laid for me.

"Thank you", I said while taking a bite.

"It's nothing", he said while glancing at his laptop. "What did Matthew say last night?" he asked suddenly.

"Ummm....... he said that once you leave I have to go to him. From there he will take me to 'them'", I said while emphasising on them.

"Okay. I have an important meeting in a few minutes, so don't go right now. I will text you when I come back", he said while keeping my phone back on the table. "It's completely secured. Now no one can hack into your phone."

"Thank you", I said and took my phone.

"It already has my number and Ross's so if you want anything, call us." He stood up and left.

The rest of the day went by quickly. I texted Chloe a few times and that was it. Until Adriet came back. He had his coat, hung on his hand; sleeves rolled, and his tie hung loose. He looked tired but was still able to maintain his aura and that atmosphere around him. He sat near me and held my hand.

"Look, you don't have to be nervous. I'll be there...", he said while caressing my hand, "...near you. Don't worry", he said and kissed my forehead. All that time I had been with Adriet, I had never seen this side of him. He was always confident about what he did. But that day, he didn't look the same. He was nervous and maybe a bit concerned about me. It wasn't like I was going to die or something. I couldn't contain it anymore.

"Adriet" I moved away from him, "this personality doesn't suit you - being all considerate and sweet", I giggled a bit, just to lighten the atmosphere.

"You are really something Bell", he chuckled, "I think you should go now", he said and moved away.

"Okay, I will go," I said and went towards the door and left. I didn't glance at Adriet even once and just went. Probably because I knew it wasn't the last time. Maybe......