Chapter 3-Protection

“I need to leave back to my country. I can’t stay here!” I protested to William while we walked to the safe house he assigned me to though the witness protection program.

”It’s out of the question Misha.”

” Please, I don’t want to be here, I don’t even know what happened that got me into all this” I pleaded. He stopped walking and turned to face me.

“Misha, I can offer you protection but the moment you leave America you will be Nicolais’ target wherever you go”. His words were like a cold shower. He was right. That man was capable of anything. I looked at him with resentment knowing that I could not argue. I believe he sensed my sadness as he pulled me close to him hugging me.

“Don’t worry. I will not let anything bad happen to you, I promise” he whispered to me and being wrapped in his arms indeed I felt safe. I smelt his cologne which was a combination of coffee with citrus, making my nostrils tickle at the fresh yet powerful scent while his touch produced goosebumps that fortunately, only I could feel. Finally, he released me and said:

“In approximately one minute we will arrive at the house”.

I walked with him the rest of the distance until we got to a big house with a large white fence. You could not see inside unless you were 12 feet tall. He opened the gate and when I stepped inside the yard, I couldn’t help but say “Wow...”. The house was flamboyant and very well maintained, surrounded by grass and in front of it was a large pool. A big portion of it was made out of glass and, as I walked inside, there was a bright living room with a large kitchen, two bathrooms and 4 rooms.

"What do you think? It's not that bad, isn't it?” he asked me visibly pleased by my reaction.

"William...”

“Please call me Will, everybody calls me Will, only my mom calls me William when she’s mad.”

“Will, this is...you have no idea what how much this means to me...thank you!” I said, eyes getting watery from the sudden avalanche of feeling invading me. I didn’t think a total stranger would care for me as my own mother didn’t. As a little girl, soon after my father died, my mother began drinking, bringing men home that would abuse me as she was passed out on the couch until I finally became old enough to move from that place, haunted by the memories even to this day.

” You have nothing to thank me for. Now, there are some rules that you have to follow so that we can keep you safe. First rule, don’t get out of the house unaccompanied. Second rule, do not invite anyone inside the house except for me or my colleagues.”

“Why?” I asked.

“Because mafia bosses are cunning and they may hire people to create a connection with the victims and become friends with them which ultimately gives them access to the victim so it’s a no go.”

“Ok.”

“And third rule, try to keep a low profile, don’t attend parties or go to the club or anything like that cause you’ll be targeted wherever you go” I nodded.

” Good! Then you’re all set!” he said rubbing his palms.

” Wait! I will be here all by myself? Will someone come to visit me?”

” I will visit you every day after I finish my schedule, ok?” he answered. I was pleased with his response as the thought of being all by myself in that big house was unbearable.

” Ok.” I said following him with my eyes as he left.

The days passed one by one and during each day I watched the clock periodically until it was 5:00 pm , that’s when Will was coming to visit me. There were 3 days since I was in that house and I couldn’t complain at all. The food was provided to me as every day an agent came to the house to make sure I had everything I needed; I was swimming in the pool for hours until my skin was getting wrinkled from the water. Will and I were eating together and, each time, he was bringing something different. Today we would eat Chinese and watch a movie together. I went upstairs to my room to get ready. I took a quick shower I and changed into a pair of black shorts with a fit red tank top. I still didn’t know much about Will except he enjoyed Chinese cuisine and horror movies. As outgoing and genuine as he seemed, I still felt that he was hiding something or he simply wasn’t comfortable enough with me.

Waiting for his arrival, I chose “The Conjuring” and poured some wine into my glass. I didn’t have wine in so long that, once it’s sweet flavour touched my taste buds, I got carried away and poured down the glass down my throat in a matter of seconds. I poured another one and drank it the same way as the first one. Damn, it tasted so good. When I was about to pour my third glass, I heard a voice:

“Don’t forget about me”. I turned around to see Will leaning his hands on the kitchen counter and looking at me with an amused look. I giggled and placed the glass on the counter as I was making my way to the dishes to get another one.

” I didn’t see you there.” I said opening the drawer to the glasses.

” I know you didn’t, I was looking at you for about 2 minutes before I said something. I was actually present at the inauguration of the bottle, but I didn’t want to disturb you.” he told me with a smirk on his face.

” Really? Why didn’t you say anything?” I asked tittering.

” Because I wanted to observe you in your natural habitat.” he answered and we both burst into laughter.

” Are you hungry?” he asked.

” Yes, you don’t even have to ask”. He got the dishes out of the bag and we began eating when someone called him.

“Yes” he answered.” No, I will get home soon...Yeah, I love you too.” he said and hanged up quickly.

” Your mother?” I asked.

” No, my fiancée.” he said looking down at the floor as if looking for something. My hand twitched involuntarily and I dropped the wine glass on the floor.

“Shit!” I muttered, leaning for the pieces of glass.

” Don’t worry! I’ll help you.” Will said and bent down, trying to get the glass from my hands. I wasn’t experienced in men and had no idea how to comport myself in cases like these. In my childhood, I used to hate them and see them as demons coming into my room during the night to hurt me. He was the first one who showed me kindness and for the first time in my life I was terrified of enjoying his company because he was engaged.

” Is something wrong?” he asked sensing the sudden change in my attitude.

” No, I'm fine” I answered looking down at the pieces. While I silently gathered the broken glass, I felt my heart in the same state as the pieces in my hand, broken, shattered...

” Really? Cause you don’t seem that way to me. Is it about my fiancée?” How the fuck did he know? Sometimes I had the impression that he’s a mind reader.

"No” I answered back coldly.

"Misha....” he took my chin into his fingers and raised my head so that I can face him.

” No Will....I think it’s better for you to go.” I said looking anywhere but into his eyes.

” Misha, you know there’s no problem with two people, even if they both are in different relationships, to meet, right?”

“But you are engaged!” I swiftly said. He sighed and went to the garbage can to throw the pieces

” Yes, but this has nothing to do with my job.” he said, bothered by my attitude.

“I understand, I’m sorry...I’m not feeling too well.” I tried to excuse myself as my face was red from the shame and disappointment I felt in that moment. So, this is what I was for him, a job well done and nothing more.

”What’s wrong with you, Misha? Did I do something to hurt you?” He watched me puzzled as I was incapable of saying anything else which created an awkward silence between us. Ultimately, he literally made the first step towards me but I rapidly took a step back and he noticed my hesitation.

“It’s ok, I understand, Misha. Tomorrow I’m going to assign you to another handler.” he said and turned around, grabbed his jacket and walked out the door.