Episode 7

Night had already passed, and we were getting ready to go out for breakfast when there was a knock at the door.

A security man entered looking for me.

"The boss wants to see you in his office now," he said with his commanding voice.

I feared maybe my presentation hadn't gone as well as it should have.

"Go on, Larissa," Becky said, "Maybe he just wants to meet you."

As I was about to go, Becky grabbed my arm and whispered in my ear.

"Be careful with what you say and how you act... Stay calm."

I walked to the boss's office with the guard, down a long hallway lined with cameras and overseen by tight security.

"Wait here," he instructed, and after entering the office, he gestured for me to come in.

There he was, asking the guards to leave and offering me a seat. His presence was imposing, yet he was a strikingly handsome man.

"Hello Larissa, can I get you something to drink?"

"No thank you, sir, don't trouble yourself."

"'Sir', me?" he replied with a mocking smile.

"I meant no offense."

"Don't worry, girl, I'm just playing with you. I really enjoyed your presentation and your voice is beautiful; you impressed me."

"Thank you, Mr. Santiago, I'm glad you liked it."

"How do you know Rebecca?"

"I met Becky through her father."

"How did that come about?" he asked while taking a sip of whisky.

"Her father saved my life, and then introduced me to Rebecca."

"Interesting... And what happened to you?"

"Just an accident, that's all."

"Mm, OK. You're reserved, I like that."

"I am, a bit. I wouldn't want to burden you with the details – perhaps you have more pressing matters to attend to?" I answered, feeling nervous.

"Don't worry, girl, we'll have more time to talk. I wanted to tell you that you're hired. I thought your performance was marvelous, and I hope you keep it up. Maybe I'll raise your pay, but for now, you’re still on probation – don't let me down."

I left with a beaming smile, thinking that what seemed like an end after the first night now appeared to be a ray of hope.

Meanwhile, at Demir's house.

His pain grew deeper, though sometimes he could hardly believe what had happened; just remembering that Larissa wouldn't return would toss him into agony.

The next day, there was a knock at the door; it was his best friend Charly (a nickname he had since childhood).

Demir invited him in and they went to the kitchen.

"Hey buddy, how are you?" Charly inquired.

"Not well at all, I wish Larissa would give me a sign she's still alive," Demir said, covering part of his face, tears soon followed. Charly quickly embraced him, trying to instill strength.

Wiping away his tears, Demir offered him some coffee. As he prepared the drink, Demir wondered if there was any news.

"No news yet, right?" Demir asked.

"Nothing yet, mate, but I'm sure she'll turn up," Charly answered, seated at the table, not wanting to look away from Demir, because inside, he felt Larissa was no longer alive.

Demir served a cup of coffee, and that's when Charly began to speak.

"I came to offer you a job."

"What kind of job?"

"One that could earn you $100,000 in one night."

Demir looked annoyed.

"I don't do bad things, and you know it," Demir retorted.

"I know, but you wouldn't have to do anything wrong; we'd just let some trucks pass through, that's all."

"And what's in those trucks?" Demir asked, with a piercing, angered glance.

Charly just nodded, and Demir, smirking to the side, smiled.

"This is wrong, Charly, and you know it."

"I know, but you said you didn't want to be in the police anymore. This could be your chance to get out and live like kings. Doesn't that sound good?"

"What if we get caught? Have you thought about that? How many years in jail, for what?"

"We've got to be smart, outsmart them all."

"I don't know," Demir said with a worried expression, shaking his head.

"Think about it and let me know. You saw what happened to Larissa; they betrayed her, they killed your sister, and they were your colleagues. Their act of grief doesn't mean they weren't complicit in her death."

"Stop, I don't want to hear it. I know my sister is still alive, I can feel it," he insisted, touching his chest.

"Even so, you won't find her there; they cover for each other."

"Yeah, I am utterly disillusioned with the force."

"Exactly. If they did that to your sister, who was an excellent person, what could they do to you when you're no longer of use to them? Think about it."

"Alright, let's do it, but on one condition."

"Which is?"

"That we be the best in the business."

"Of course, brother," they agreed, smacking hands and embracing each other.

Meanwhile, at the club Larissa grew more popular by the day. Her unrivaled beauty and a physique many men would pay for were undeniable, yet she couldn't bring herself to be intimate with any man. Memories of that night always haunted her, robbing her of sleep and turning dreams into nightmares.

Santiago also found himself increasingly drawn to her, especially since she was the only one who had refused to sleep with him. He couldn't understand why, even after threatening to fire her, she refused. He knew she didn't have a boyfriend because he had her followed. He thought maybe she was different, perhaps a romantic at heart.

Day by day, Santiago's affection for her grew, often treating her differently, raising everyone's curiosity. Still, Larissa maintained a sweet demeanor while her on-stage persona captivated the most. Santiago had seen her sweetness and charisma, yet he felt she retained an innocence. That was what he liked most about her.

But Larissa was no longer the same sweet girl.

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