Memories of Bali

The days following Alexei's revelation were tense, shrouded in an uneasy silence that wrapped around Hana like a suffocating veil. Though she tried to act normal, the truth she had uncovered about Alexei lingered in her mind like a ghost, haunting every quiet moment.

Alexei, on the other hand, seemed unfazed by her discovery. If anything, he was more attentive watching her every move, asking questions about her plans, and ensuring she stayed within his orbit. He played the perfect boyfriend, yet Hana couldn't shake the feeling that he was also keeping her under his control.

It was late in the evening when Alexei received another call. He answered in Russian, pacing across the living room with his voice low but sharp.

"Ты уверен, что они нашли груз в Джакарте? Кто это сделал? (Are you sure they found the shipment in Jakarta? Who did it?)" Alexei's tone was clipped, his jaw tight with tension.

Hana, sitting by the dining table with a book in hand, couldn't help but listen. She had started picking up on certain words after overhearing so many conversations in Russian. Though she didn't understand most of it, she could feel the weight of the words he spoke.

"Эта утечка обошлась мне в миллионы. Найди их и разберись. (That leak cost me millions. Find them and deal with it.)"

Hana's stomach churned as she realized the severity of his conversation. Alexei wasn't just orchestrating his operations from afar—he was actively involved in silencing anyone who got in his way.

When he finally ended the call, Alexei's eyes met hers. He must have seen the unease on her face because his expression softened.

"Work stuff," he said, his voice calm, almost reassuring. "Nothing for you to worry about, my dove."

Hana forced a tight smile. "Of course," she said, trying to sound unaffected. But her hands trembled as she turned a page of her book.

***

The next morning, Alexei suggested they take a drive to a remote part of Bali. "It's beautiful out there, peaceful. We both need some fresh air," he said, his tone coaxing but firm.

Though Hana hesitated, she agreed. Anything to escape the suffocating atmosphere of the villa, even if only for a while.

The drive was quiet at first, with Alexei navigating the winding roads like he'd lived in Bali his whole life. Hana stared out the window, watching the lush greenery blur past, but her mind was elsewhere on Alexei's life, the choices he'd made, and the danger she was now a part of.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Alexei asked, glancing at her with a small smile.

"I was just... thinking about how much has changed," she said honestly. "About us."

Alexei reached over and took her hand, his grip warm and steady. "Change isn't always a bad thing, Hana. Sometimes, it's necessary."

"Necessary for what?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"For survival," Alexei said simply, his eyes briefly darkening before he turned his attention back to the road.

***

They arrived at a secluded beach, far from the bustling tourist spots. The sound of waves crashing against the shore filled the air, and the salty breeze was a welcome relief.

Alexei laid out a blanket on the sand, motioning for Hana to sit. He poured two glasses of wine from the bottle he had brought, handing one to her with a charming smile.

"To us," he said, raising his glass.

Hana hesitated for a moment before clinking her glass against his. "To us," she echoed, though her heart wasn't entirely in it.

As they sipped their wine, Alexei leaned back, propping himself up on one arm. "I've been thinking about us a lot," he said, his voice low and contemplative. "About what we could have together."

Hana glanced at him, unsure of where the conversation was headed. "What do you mean?"

"I mean... you, here with me. Permanently. No work, no distractions just us."

Hana's chest tightened. "Alexei, we've talked about this. I can't just"

"You can," he interrupted, his tone firm but not harsh. "I can give you everything you need, Hana. You wouldn't have to worry about a thing."

"It's not about the money," she said, her voice tinged with frustration. "I need to have something for myself. Independence. A purpose."

"You'd have a purpose," Alexei said, his gaze intense. "You'd be my purpose. Isn't that enough?"

Hana looked away, the waves crashing in her ears. "I don't know, Alexei. I don't know if that's enough for me."

For a moment, silence hung between them, heavy and unspoken. Then Alexei leaned closer, his hand brushing a strand of hair from her face.

"I can't lose you," he said softly, his eyes searching hers. "You mean everything to me, Hana. More than you realize."

The sincerity in his voice made her heart ache, but it also scared her. His love was all-consuming, suffocating, and she wasn't sure how much longer she could endure it.

***

That night, back at the villa, Hana lay awake in bed, staring at the ceiling. Alexei was beside her, his arm draped possessively over her waist as he slept. She could feel the weight of his presence, even in his unconscious state.

She thought about her life before Alexei—how simple it had been, how free she had felt. Now, everything was different. She was caught in a web of lies, danger, and love that was both intoxicating and toxic.

Her phone buzzed softly on the nightstand, pulling her from her thoughts. Carefully, she reached for it, her heart skipping a beat when she saw a message from an unknown number.

*Do you know who he really is?*

Her blood ran cold. She stared at the message, her mind racing. Who could have sent it? And how much did they know?

Before she could respond, Alexei stirred beside her, his grip tightening around her waist.

"Who's texting you this late?" he murmured, his voice groggy but tinged with suspicion.

Hana quickly locked the screen and set the phone back down. "No one important," she said, forcing a casual tone.

Alexei's eyes opened, sharp and piercing despite the dim light. "Let me see."

"It's just spam," she said, trying to brush it off.

But Alexei wasn't convinced. He sat up, holding out his hand. "Show me."

Hana hesitated, her heart pounding. She knew she couldn't hide this from him, but the thought of what he might do if he saw the message terrified her.

"Alexei, please," she said softly, trying to calm him.

His expression darkened, and for the first time, Hana saw a flicker of anger that he barely kept in check. "Hana, I don't ask for much. Just honesty. Now show me the phone."

With trembling hands, she unlocked the screen and handed it to him, praying he wouldn't find anything that would push him over the edge.

Alexei's eyes scanned the screen, his jaw clenching as he read the message. When he looked up at her, there was a dangerous glint in his eyes.

"Who sent this?" he demanded, his voice low and deadly.

"I don't know," Hana said quickly. "I didn't recognize the number."

Alexei's grip on the phone tightened. "If someone is trying to come between us, they'll regret it. I'll make sure of it."

Hana swallowed hard, her chest tightening with fear. She knew Alexei meant every word, and she couldn't shake the feeling that things were only going to get worse.