Word Count: 54,007
Summary of Events:
Nadia was hired at the restaurant she applied for, and in spite of her nervousness did well with her first table of customers. Borden got approval from his probation officer to leave — based on his claim that he was going to help family find a missing cousin — and packed up his supplies. Nadia was finished another day of work at the restaurant and so stepped outside to head home, thinking about how she was actually finding her job enjoyable . . .
Excerpt of the Day:
“Hello,” Nadia startled at the interruption to her thoughts.
Turning, she saw a young man standing beside her. He had dark hair, dark eyes, a black jacket, battered jeans, an earring glinting in each earlobe — as well as a metal bar stretching across the upper portion of one — and design that climbed up the right side of his neck.
To her surprise, Nadia had to admit that she recognised him, but she had no idea where from.
“Hello,” she replied cautiously. “Who are you?”
“Horea,” he replied. “A friend of your brother, Vitaly.”
“Oh,” Nadia said. “Why are you here?”
“Vitaly heard there was a purse-snatcher about in this area, and he wanted to be sure that you weren’t accosted,” Horea replied.
“Why couldn’t he come himself?” Nadia asked.
“He had other business he needed to attend to that he couldn’t assign to anyone else,” Horea replied. “I hope you don’t mind.”
Nadia looked at Horea warily. He definitely looked like an associate of Vitaly’s, and Nadia was sure she recalled seeing him with Vitaly when she’d come to him asking about what could possibly be done to get her a job.
“You do remember where we met, don’t you?” Horea asked.
“I think so,” Nadia replied, although waiting for him to say it so as to test and see if he was genuine.
“I first saw you in that lovely dress when you came to say hello to Vitaly outside the tattoo shop,” Horea said. “And then again when you came into the club to talk with Vitaly about your need of a job.”
Nadia nodded. She remembered seeing him at the club, but not at the other place; obviously she hadn’t been paying enough attention at that time.
“Do you trust me now?” Horea asked.
“Vitaly always comes, he never sends delegates,” Nadia replied.
“He said that too,” Horea said. “He felt terribly, but it was very important work, and if he wants to be promoted he needs to do it, in spite of the familial obligations he would like to fulfill.”
“Oh,” Nadia said.
“So, may I escort you home?” Horea asked.
“You really think there’s a threat to me?” Nadia asked.
“A young woman walking alone is an attractive target,” Horea replied.
“I don’t have enough money to be worth anything with me,” Nadia replied.
“They don’t know that,” Horea replied.
Nadia couldn’t deny the validity of that point.
“Please, you are a beautiful young woman, if I may say so, and I shouldn’t like to see you get hurt,” Horea said. “Even if you aren’t my sister. Besides, Vitaly charged me to see you safely home. If I fail to do so then I could get hurt.”
Smirking, Nadia had to admit she could believe that.
“You’re only making yourself later by this,” Horea said. “I’m sure that will concern your parents.”
“Well, if Vitaly was that concerned,” Nadia said.
“He was,” Horea replied.
She turned homeward and Horea fell into step beside her. Nadia noticed he was wearing heavy boots, just like Vitaly.
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