Memories of Bali

The air inside the villa was suffocating. Morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, but it did little to dispel the darkness Hana felt around her. She stirred awake, the faint rustling of papers drawing her attention. Alexei was seated at the desk by the window, his back turned to her. His posture was tense, the phone pressed against his ear as he spoke in a language she couldn't fully understand.

It didn't take long for her to recognize the sharp, clipped tones of Russian. She froze, pretending to remain asleep as his low voice filled the room.

"Это твой последний шанс, чтобы уладить все. Если сделка сорвется, ты понимаешь, чем это закончится."

(*This is your last chance to settle everything. If the deal falls apart, you know how this will end.)

There was a pause, the sound of muffled protests on the other end. Alexei's tone turned colder.

"Я не повторяю дважды. Корабль должен быть в Индонезии через три дня, или я лично займусь этим."

(*I don't repeat myself twice. The shipment must be in Indonesia in three days, or I'll handle it personally.*)

Hana's heart sank. She didn't need to understand every word to sense the weight of the conversation. His voice, calm yet laced with menace, sent chills down her spine.

"Understand?" Alexei finished in English before hanging up.

Hana quickly shut her eyes, feigning sleep as Alexei turned toward her. The silence in the room was deafening, and she could feel his gaze lingering on her for a moment before he stood and left.

***

Later that morning, Hana couldn't shake the unease that had settled in her chest. Alexei had gone to his office, leaving her alone in the villa. She took the opportunity to explore, hoping to piece together the puzzle of the man she thought she knew.

Her search led her to a locked drawer in his study. The temptation to pry was overwhelming, but she hesitated. Did she really want to know the truth?

The sound of a car pulling into the driveway made her decision for her. She hurriedly returned to the living room, feigning nonchalance as Alexei walked in.

"Busy morning?" she asked, her voice light but strained.

"Nothing you need to worry about," he replied smoothly, placing a hand on her shoulder. "I was thinking we could take a trip this weekend. Somewhere quiet, just the two of us."

Hana forced a smile, nodding. "That sounds nice."

***

That evening, Hana's curiosity got the better of her. She couldn't stop replaying Alexei's phone call in her mind. His words, the intensity in his tone, the way he had switched so effortlessly between Russian and English it all pointed to a darker side of him.

As he stepped out for a meeting, Hana found herself back in his study. She searched the room meticulously, her heart pounding with each passing second. Finally, she found a hidden compartment in his desk.

Inside was a file containing documents, photographs, and ledgers. Her breath caught as she scanned the papers. They detailed massive shipments of chemicals, coded transactions, and routes connecting Russia, Southeast Asia, and Europe.

One name stood out repeatedly: ~Volkov Enterprises~

Her hands trembled as she pieced it together. Alexei wasn't just a businessman. He was the mastermind behind an international drug empire.

The realization hit her like a tidal wave. His wealth, his connections, his paranoia—it all made sense now.

Before she could process further, the front door slammed shut. Her heart raced as Alexei's voice echoed through the villa.

"Hana?"

She quickly closed the compartment, shoving the documents back in place. By the time Alexei entered the room, she was sitting at the desk, pretending to read.

"There you are," he said, his gaze softening. "I've been looking for you."

"Just catching up on some emails," she said, forcing a smile.

He nodded, stepping closer. "You've seemed distant today. Is something bothering you?"

Hana shook her head, keeping her voice steady. "No, just tired."

Alexei studied her for a moment before leaning down to kiss her forehead. "Get some rest. You'll feel better tomorrow."

***

That night, as Alexei lay asleep beside her, Hana stared at the ceiling, her mind racing. She was trapped in a web she hadn't realized she'd stepped into.

She needed a plan. She needed a way out.

But for now, she would have to play along, pretending to be the devoted partner Alexei expected her to be. Because if he found out she knew the truth, there was no telling what he might do.