Sophia
The coffee shop was warm, its earthy aroma of freshly ground beans and baked goods wrapping around me like a comforting embrace. I picked a table in the far corner, away from the windows, where the shadows seemed to gather protectively. My phone lay on the table beside a steaming cup of coffee, untouched. My eyes kept darting to the door, waiting for her to arrive. I was on edge, my mind buzzing with a mix of anticipation and dread.
When I'd decided to contact Liliana, it was out of sheer desperation. The gnawing uncertainty about my parents had driven me to this point. And Liliana, dangerous as she was, seemed to hold the missing pieces. I wasn't naive—I knew she had her own agenda. But the urge to uncover the truth about my parents outweighed my fears.
The bell above the door chimed, and I stiffened. Liliana walked in, her entrance as poised and deliberate as always. She was dressed in a sleek, dark ensemble that made her look every bit the enigmatic figure she presented herself to be. Her eyes, sharp and calculating, immediately found mine. A slow, almost feline smile curved her lips as she approached my table.
"Hello, Sophia," she greeted, sliding into the chair opposite me. Her voice was smooth, with a subtle undertone that hinted at amusement. "I must say, I didn't expect you to reach out so soon."
"I'm sure you were expecting it sooner or later," I replied, forcing calm into my voice. "You seem to know a lot about me."
Her smile widened, though it didn't reach her eyes. "I make it a point to know everything about the people I find interesting. And you, my dear, are very interesting."
I felt a flicker of unease but pushed it down. "I want to know what you know about my parents."
Liliana's expression softened, her demeanor shifting to something almost motherly. "Ah, your parents. I know how much they meant to you, Sophia. Their loss was… tragic."
The way she said it, with just a hint of something unspoken, made my skin crawl. I had to remind myself why I was here. "You implied you have information about them. I need to know what happened to them."
Liliana leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs elegantly. "I do have information, but it's not something I can just hand over. Information of that kind is… precious. You understand that, don't you?"
My stomach twisted with frustration. "Then what do you want in return?"
She watched me for a moment, her eyes gleaming with something I couldn't quite place. "You're direct. I like that. But first, let me ask you something. How much do you really know about Vinces' organization?"
The question caught me off guard, and I frowned. "What does his organization have to do with any of this?"
Liliana sighed, as if she were disappointed in my lack of understanding. "Everything, my dear. Vince is not the man you think he is. His organization is involved in things far beyond your comprehension."
A wave of discomfort washed over me, but I masked it with indifference. "That I believe," I said, though the words sounded hollow even to my own ears. Vince had always been secretive, but I'd convinced myself it was for my protection. Now, doubt began to creep in.
"Good," Liliana replied, her tone light. "But I'm offering you a chance to find out the truth for yourself."
I narrowed my eyes at her. "What are you suggesting?"
"I'm suggesting," she said, leaning forward slightly, "that you help me by keeping an eye on Vince and his activities. All I need is information, Sophia. Simple observations, nothing dangerous. In return, I'll give you what you seek—answers about your parents."
My heart pounded in my chest as I considered her offer. Spying on Vince? The very idea made me feel sick. But Liliana's words about my parents echoed in my mind, fueling my desperation. "And how do I know you're telling the truth? How do I know you'll hold up your end of the bargain?"
Liliana smiled, as if she'd been expecting the question. "You don't."
The coffee shop's warmth felt suffocating now, the aroma of freshly ground beans too sweet as it mingled with the bitter tension hanging in the air. Liliana sat across from me, her eyes sharp and watchful, like a predator assessing its prey. My heart pounded in my chest, the weight of her offer pressing down on me like a lead blanket. This was a line I had never imagined crossing, but I was desperate—desperate for answers, for the truth about my parents.
The moments stretched on, each second a battle between my better judgment and the gnawing need for closure. I couldn't walk away from this. Not now. Not when I was so close to finding out what really happened to my parents.
The tension between us thickened, and I could feel Liliana's eyes scrutinizing every minute shift in my expression. Her gaze was so intense it felt as though she was peering straight into my soul.
Before I could respond, the waitress approached, her arrival an unwelcome intrusion in the fraught atmosphere. She smiled brightly, oblivious to the tension hanging in the air.
"Can I get you anything ?" she asked, her voice cheerful.
Liliana turned to the waitress, her smile never wavering. "Not really, thanks."
The waitress nodded and turned to me. "And for you?"
I shook my head, unable to trust my voice. The waitress left us, and the moment she was gone, Liliana's gaze snapped back to me, all pretense of warmth gone.
"You're hesitating," she observed, her tone neutral. "Is it fear, or something else?"
I swallowed, my throat dry. "It's not hesitation," I said, though the words felt like a lie. "I'm just making sure I understand what you're asking of me."
Her eyes softened again, though the sharpness in them never fully disappeared. "I'm asking you to take control, Sophia. To seize the opportunity to learn the truth about your parents. You've been in the dark for too long, haven't you? Doesn't it frustrate you?"
The words hit me like a punch to the gut. I did feel powerless—lost in a maze of secrets with no clear way out. And Liliana was offering me a path, even if it was treacherous.
Taking a deep breath, I made my decision.
"Fine," I said, my voice firmer than I felt. "I'll do it."
Liliana's smile was slow, triumphant, and it sent a chill down my spine. "Smart choice, Sophia. Very smart."
I could see the satisfaction in her eyes, the glint of victory that made me uneasy. But I couldn't back down now. I was in this, and I had to see it through.
"What exactly do you want ?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
Liliana leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs with a practiced elegance. "It's simple, really. Vince is involved in something… significant, and I need to know what that is and all his moves.
Her words echoed in my mind, stoking the doubts that had been growing since our last conversation. "And you think I can find out what he's hiding?"
"I know you can," Liliana said confidently. "You're getting close to him, Sophia. Closer than anyone else. He trusts you, and that gives you access to places and information that I—and others—can't reach. All I need are observations. Keep your eyes and ears open. Watch him. Report back to me."
A cold shiver ran down my spine at the thought of spying on Vince, of betraying him like this. But the memory of my parents, the unresolved questions surrounding their deaths, pushed me forward. If Liliana had answers, then I had to take this chance.
"And in return, you'll give me the information about my parents?" I asked, needing to hear her promise.
Liliana's smile softened, almost as if she felt some semblance of sympathy for my plight. "Yes. I'll tell you everything I know about your parents—their work, the circumstances of their deaths, and the people who were involved. But you have to hold up your end of the bargain first."
I felt a strange sensation, a brush of her fingers against my hand. Startled, I looked down to see Liliana's hand lingering on mine, her touch soft but lingering just a moment too long. I pulled my hand back, trying to mask my discomfort. This wasn't the first time I'd noticed her doing this—to invade my space. I had thought it was just her way of asserting dominance, but now it felt… different. Almost like a deliberate tactic to unsettle me. The realization made me wary, but I couldn't afford to let it show.
Liliana's gaze followed my movements, her smile never faltering. "Sophia, you're safe with me. Trust me, we're both after the same thing—answers."
I nodded, though the touch had unsettled me more than I wanted to admit. "What do you need me to do first?"
Liliana's eyes gleamed with satisfaction as she leaned back, crossing her legs again. "For now, just stay close to Vince. Keep an ear out for any unusual meetings, any discussions that seem out of place. He trusts you, and that's your biggest asset right now. Report back to me with anything that stands out. The more you gather, the sooner you'll have the answers you're looking for."
The weight of her words settled over me, final and unyielding. This was it. I was stepping into a world I barely understood, one where trust was a luxury I couldn't afford.
"I understand," I said, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me. "I'll do what you ask."
Liliana nodded, satisfied. "Good. And remember, Sophia, be discreet. Vince is perceptive, and if he suspects anything, our deal is off. Do you understand?"
I nodded, my throat tight. "I understand."
Liliana reached into her bag and pulled out a small, sleek phone, sliding it across the table to me. "Use this to contact me. It's secure, untraceable. Only use it when you're certain you're alone."
I took the phone, its cold surface feeling heavy in my hand. This was real. There was no turning back now.
She stood, smoothing down her coat as she prepared to leave. "I'll be in touch, Sophia. Be careful. "
With that, she reached out and brushed her fingers along my arm, a gesture that was both casual and intimate, sending another ripple of unease through me. She turned and walked out of the coffee shop, leaving me alone with the phone and the weight of my decision.
The warmth of the coffee shop felt stifling now, the scent of brewing coffee almost nauseating as I stared down at the device in my hand. I had just agreed to spy on Vince. The thought made my stomach churn, but the thought of walking away without knowing the truth was even worse.
The coffee in my cup had gone cold, but I didn't care. I pushed it aside, my mind racing as I considered my next steps. Liliana had given me a mission, and I had no choice but to see it through.
As I left the coffee shop, the chill of the early morning air hit me, sharp and bracing. I pulled my coat tighter around me, my thoughts a jumbled mess of fear, guilt, and determination. I was walking a dangerous path, but I couldn't stop now. The truth was out there, waiting to be uncovered, and I would find it—no matter what it took.
Even if it meant betraying the one person I had thought I could trust.