At the small cafe Alana had chosen, they ordered two lattes and a couple of sandwiches. They went to a corner table and sat down. Alana looked at her friend with compassion before proving her earlier point. "Most of these people are business people, look at how they look.”
So Alana had not given up on the conversation, she just wanted to show Rosalyn the realities of the business world, thought Rosalyn defeated.
Alana knew that Rosalyn was uncomfortable, but she continued, “Pay close attention to the women. Just because you are smart, does not mean you should not look good. Remember you are always a lady and in the business world you must look professional.”
Rosalyn took a deep breath. She was not ready to change that drastically, but she got the point. She looked nothing like those beautiful sophisticated women. Alana was right, she was wearing clothes that were two sizes too big, and these ladies were wearing nice suits or dresses that accentuated their figures. A few wore short skirts and showed cleavage, but most looked classy and professional. She wasn't sure she could do it. She hated to be noticed, but she was in competition for jobs with ladies that looked so very nice. Can I do this? The last time I dressed nice, I got hurt. Was that a fluke?
A couple of days later, she found herself sitting at the same cafe, looking at the women. She had some money saved up and could afford a new wardrobe. She had already tried it her way unsuccessfully, now she had to try it their way if she wanted to move up in the world. She felt stagnant in her current job, so she had to try something else.
Understand, o dullest of the people!
Fools, when will you be wise?
Psalm 94:8
Chapter 6
Boris was a man of habit. He liked to follow the same routine. He took the same route to work and back toward home again. He ordered the same meals at restaurants and he visited the different restaurants the same day of the week at the same time each week. He knew who frequented which restaurant and always knew if there were any new faces in the places he frequented.
It was his opinion that in order to keep alive and out of jail, one had to be diligent in every aspect. Particularly in his line of work, he needed to know every detail of his surroundings, or it could cost him more than he was willing to pay. He did not think he was immune to disasters, instead, he believed himself to be prepared for them. One little mistake and that was it.
Today, he was walking with a swing in his step. He was expecting a nice sum of money to be deposited into his account. Life was good. As he was walking toward his normal spot at the bar, he noticed her. She was a beautiful brunette with green eyes, a very unusual combination. She was about 5’2" and very well proportioned. She wasn't model thin, but she had curves in all the right places. Instead of sitting at the bar this time, he managed to get a seat at the table across from her. She was so beautiful he had to look at her. He guessed she was in her early to mid twenties. He figured she was single. If she were his, she would never be allowed to be alone in a public place. He frowned at the fact that she never looked his way. He was not used to being ignored.
As he was trying to memorize the features of this rare beauty, he noticed the television above the bar. The news was flashing, “Senator Miller’s husband found dead in penthouse apartment.” The news anchor came live and explained that the cause of death was unknown, pending an autopsy, but they had found a knife, a corkscrew, and an iron next to the body. The news anchorman continued explaining that cops were still investigating and that they were asking for information. A large reward was being offered for anything that let to an arrest. They were looking for the people involved and would not rest until they were found.
Boris began sweating profusely, could they pin this on him? Did the temperature suddenly rise in this place? Where was the other man? Nothing had been mentioned about him or the girls. He needed to plan. If Davor or Kruno suspected foul play, he was a dead man.
The first thing he needed to do was find the girls and dispose of them. Then he had to call homeland security and report that he had two no shows. Once he reported the girls missing, they would become immigration’s business, and Boris would be covered. He needed to make sure no one else found the girls.
A week later, the case of the murdered senator was still running rampant. The cops, and it seemed to him, every other law enforcement agency had gotten involved. He was still looking for the girls and the missing customer, but they all had disappeared. He had to find them before the cops did. Those two had to die before they pointed the finger at him, but where could he find them? Was it possible that the other man had them? He had called his house and the housekeeper had said that Mr. and Mrs. Burwell had gone on an impromptu second honeymoon. She did not know where they had gone or when they would be back. She would love to take a message. Boris had chosen not to leave a message. He did not need to give the cops anything else to pin on him. What was he going to do now?
He chose to continue his life as normal as possible. If Davor and Kruno suspected anything, he would not be alive to tell about it. He was sure no one could connect him to the Senator’s husband, and the penthouse belonged to someone out of town. He did not even know to whom it belonged. He had done a little research and found out that it was vacant. No one could connect him to anything, so it was time to relax and see if he could see his green eyed beauty again.
When he got to the cafe, she had been there again. He continued to frequent the place, breaking every one of his rules. She had been there everyday during the lunch rush hour. As the weeks progressed, so had her attire. The first day she was wearing jeans and a t-shirt, tennis shoes and no make-up. Her clothes had been too large for her. She had looked like a little girl wearing her mother's clothes. Then, the following week, it had been more of business-like attire. Today, she was wearing a black pencil skirt and white blouse, black stilettos and make-up. She had not worn make-up before. She was like a caterpillar. She had metamorphosed into this sophisticated young beautiful woman.
Since the moment this beautiful woman had walked into Boris’ life, he looked forward to going to the cafe. All he could think about was the green-eyed beauty waiting for him. He was annoyed that she was playing hard to get. He was not a man to be toyed with. She would be his very soon.
Boris had been disappointed in himself. He had not obsessed about any female since he had been a teenager. He did not have that kind of luxury. She could be an undercover cop. Impossible! How could anyone know his taste in women? He wondered about her. He had to find out who she was. He had managed to sit facing her again, but he had been invisible to her. It annoyed him greatly that he could not get enough of her, and she had not even looked his way. He could not understand the reason she was toying with him.
Boris was so intrigued about her, he had ordered people to check her out, but the information had not come easily or cheaply. This gorgeous woman never used a credit card, which made him suspicious. The thought that she could be an undercover cop resurfaced again, and he needed to know about her. The people he put on her had followed her and found nothing out of the ordinary. They had finally found her name, Rosalyn Miller. Rosalyn, it suited her. She was as beautiful as a rose. He wondered if she was as prickly as one, and smiled at the thought. They had also found out that she had just graduated from the local university a year earlier and that she was at a dead end job. He was in a situation to solve that problem for her. The information also reiterated that she filled every one of his requirements. Her background was impeccable. She was a very private person and had no social life. He loved the fact that she did not even attend church; people spoke too much when they felt the need to bare their souls. He had found a few minor problems with her background check. For starters, he did not like her roommate. He was mildly concern about her. Did they confide in each other? He did not think so, since they had never been seen together. His other concern was in that she seemed so very independent. He wanted his employees, especially the females to be dependent on him. H
e will make sure to become indispensable to this beauty.
He had a reputation for helping his employees. Of course they all had to pay him back with work. Most everyone who worked for him felt indebted to him for hiring them when others wouldn’t. These same employees were willing to cover for him and even break the law for him. Little favors for people went a long way. He loved the way he ran his business. Once he hired Rosalyn, pulling her out of the dead end job she had, she would be extremely thankful to him for having given her the opportunity to succeed.
He had to figure out how to bring her onboard, and later he would figure out his other problem with the two runaways. Now, he needed to tell her about his company. He needed her there and he would have her there. He dialed a number.
Commit your work to the LORD,
and your plans will be established.
Proverbs 16:3
Chapter 7
“Hey, White. I have a case for you.” Said his RAC (Resident Agent in Charge) as he tossed a file onto his desk. “These two girls are overstays. The company who had sponsored them has declared them missing. Now their families are calling the embassy demanding to know where their little girls are. This is causing an international incident. We do not need this publicity.” He continued as he walked out the door. “When you find them, let us know. I want to be there when you apprehend them.”
John looked at the information. He was so tired of getting the insignificant cases. These two girls probably had planned everything from the very beginning, had found a guy to shack up with, and were having too much fun to call home. He’d get to it once he had a free moment.
There were real cases out there, but somehow his boss did not want to hear about them. There were innocents who needed rescuing, and evil people who needed to be put behind bars. Every time he opened a case involving child pornography or white slavery, his boss shut him down. He couldn't figure out for the life of him if it was because the boss was dirty or because the boss preferred to give those stats to some of the lazy people in the office, those same agents who were female and who happen to be friendly with the boss.
Myrna and Sonia had run away as fast as they could from the apartment. How did we manage to get into this much trouble so soon after getting here? Myrna wondered. Myrna was terrified of the repercussions from the law. She knew it had been self-defense. She had hid in the hall closet while her friend had gone to bed. When she had seen the two men come in, one had gone to her friend’s room and the other man had gone to the other room. Myrna had run, and pushed a chair against the door holding it in place. Then she had gotten the iron that she had left on a chair by Sonia’s room, just in case she needed it, and when she had heard her friend scream and then the man screamed, she had burst in to the room. The man was on the floor screaming at Sonia. He had the corkscrew in one hand and a knife on the other. Sonia was cowering against the headboard; Myrna had not known what to do. She hit the man over the head and grabbed her friend by the hand, pulling her toward the door. By the time the other man had opened that door and gone into the room to see the reason for the screams, the girls were on their way out the front door. The man had seen them, but did not try to stop them. He had been the one to call 911 from the dead man’s phone.
Myrna’s idea had been to go to the cops, but when she found out that she had killed the man, she knew she was going to be sentenced to death. It did not matter that she did not hit him hard or that it had been self-defense, in her country, men were always right. It did not matter what they did to women, the women were always at fault.
Now they were hungry and alone hiding in this abandoned home, along with a bunch of other people, and from the looks of them, they were high on something.
They needed to eat. In her desperation to find food, Myrna had gone to the dumpsters in the area. Most of them were locked. As she went from restaurant’s dumpster to restaurant’s dumpster she found herself in the back of this small café. The dumpster was not locked. When she had tried to climb in, this man had grabbed her from the waist and pulled her back down. She had been terrified. She got a hold of a bottle from the dumpster and hit him on the head with it. “Ouch! Why did you do that for?” She heard him say, but he did not let go of her hand. He dragged her inside the restaurant where he had her sit at a stool. He proceeded to put some food together and handed it to her. Since then, she had gone back every night to pick up a carryout bag. She was sure he had felt sorry for her and was trying to help her, but that could not last forever. She had to figure out what to do now. They could not continue to live like this, nor could they go to the cops.
Although Boris had covered all his bases, he was worried of the loose ends. These girls were loose ends. He needed to find them and dispose of them. The cops were still investigating the Senator’s husband’s death, and the senator, herself, had promised that the responsible party would be prosecuted to the extent of the law and then some. There were only three people who could point the finger at him. The two overstays and the attorney’s husband. Burwell would not rat him out. He would be in as much trouble as Boris, if he did.
For I know the plans I have for you,
declares the LORD,
plans for welfare and not for evil,
to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11
Chapter 8
Rosalyn had become more independent and confident in the last few years. She did not understand how it had happened, but now she was ready to go out of her comfort zone to look and search for a new job. Her current job was horrible, and she was ready for something new. Rosalyn was twenty-eight now, she wasn't a baby. She was going to go out and look for a job.
After Alana had taken her to the cafe, she had decided that a change was inevitable. She wasn't happy with that, but it was time she learned how to play the game. She had bought several outfits and was very proud of how she looked. It seemed to her that she looked a bit taller and slimmer than she had ever look before. The first time she had dressed in one of her new outfits and gone to the cafe, she felt that every eye in the place was on her. She knew that wasn't the case, but she still felt as a target, nonetheless.
Ignoring her inner voice, she continued to frequent the little cafe. The food was good and inexpensive, and it had free Wi-Fi. Her usual order was a latte and a BLT. As she ate, she would proceed to open her laptop, check the employment sites, and before applying to anything, research the different companies. This day was no different with the exception that this very pregnant woman had joined her.
"Hi my name is Helen Durov, I am a personal assistant for the CEO of Global International Import/Export Trade and I am looking for a temporary receptionist,” she heard the woman say as she extended her hand toward Rosalyn.
Rosalyn whose manners had disappeared and her tongue had gotten stack, managed to stretch her hand toward the older woman and the only word she could manage was, “hi.”
Mrs. Durov seemed oblivious to the breach in manners and continued as if everything was perfect. “While I train you to take over my job, I will be teaching you everything you need to know to make Mr. Brockovich happy. He is not very demanding, but he likes order.” Rosalyn had no idea what the woman was talking about, and just nodded.
“It would only be for two months, but if you are good, we will find a place for you in the company. Are you interested in taking the job?” Rosalyn had tried to process all the information, and could barely contain her excitement. She nodded as no words were coming forward. She had taken the job immediately.
After Rosalyn had accepted the job, Mrs. Durov had handed her a business card, and departed as quickly as she had arrived. Rosalyn, who was still numb with the events, dialed Alana's number. “I have a job! I am so excited.” She managed to say.
Alana had smiled, “I knew you were going to get something. Maybe we can celebrate tonight.”
“That will be great!"
Alana did not know how to break it to Rosalyn, but Luke had asked her t
o marry him. They had been friends for a long time and they had only officially become a couple three months earlier, so she had been stunned when he had proposed. Of course she had said yes. She was going to have to tell Rosalyn tonight. She hoped that the new job came with a raise in salary for her. It was going to be hard for Rosalyn to afford their place on her own.
As Rosalyn was paying the restaurant bill, her cell phone rang. The ID caller said it was Mariah; weird she never called her. It had been months since she had heard from her, and weeks since she had heard from her parents.
“Hi Mariah, how are you doing honey?”
“I am sorry, this is not Mariah. This is officer Richards. I need to tell you that there was an accident today.”
Rosalyn did not let her finish, “Oh no, is Mariah okay?”
“Your daughter is fine, unfortunately; your parents were the ones involved in a wreck. Both of your parents are in ICU at University General Hospital.”
At first, Rosalyn did not know what to say. She had been avoiding her parents for so long. The idea of losing them was something she was not ready for. Her parents were not old. They were supposed to live forever.
“Ma’am?” the cop insisted.
“Yes, I am sorry. I am going to leave right now, and I should be there in about ten hours.”
“Ma'am, you have a child here. Do you have friends in the area, or would you like us to call the Department of Children and Families?”
“No, please. I will call my parents' pastor. Mariah can stay with a member of the church. Give me fifteen minutes to arrange it and I will call right back.”
Rosalyn had called Alana to apprise her of the situation, and then she called her parents’ pastor. She forgot all about her new job. She did not have time to think, she just had to act. She needed to get to them. She felt that she was going to implode with the desperation she was feeling. She had to apologize to them. She had been feeling sorry for herself, and wasted so much time away from them, from their love. She had been so stupid and selfish.
Second Chances: The Power of Renewal Page 4
