Memories of Bali

The next morning, Hana woke up to an empty bed. She felt a strange mix of relief and unease. Alexei's absence gave her a brief moment of peace, but his lingering presence in her life was like a shadow she couldn't escape. As she got dressed, she wondered where he had gone.

Downstairs, she found him seated at the dining table, his phone pressed to his ear. His face was calm, but his tone carried an edge of authority. The conversation wasn't in a language she understood, and she realized he was speaking Russian.

Hana hesitated in the doorway, trying to piece together what she was hearing.

Alexei's voice dropped, sharp and commanding.

"Груз прибудет вовремя. Убедитесь, что никто не заметит. Любая ошибка, и вы будете отвечать передо мной."

He paused, listening to the reply on the other end. Then he continued, his tone icy.

"Я доверяю вам, но это последний шанс. Если кто-то узнает, последствия будут катастрофическими."

When he ended the call, Hana stepped closer. "What was that about?" she asked, trying to keep her voice casual.

Alexei looked up, his expression unreadable. "Business," he said shortly.

"Business in Russian?" Hana probed, her curiosity getting the better of her.

He smirked, leaning back in his chair. "International clients. It's nothing for you to worry about."

But something about the way he dismissed her question made her stomach churn.

***

Later that day, Alexei suggested they go out for lunch at an exclusive seaside restaurant. It was one of those places that screamed wealth and power, where the waiters catered to every whim and the patrons exuded an air of luxury.

As they sat at their table overlooking the ocean, Alexei seemed relaxed, even charming. He ordered for both of them, choosing dishes Hana had never even heard of but ended up enjoying. For a while, it felt like the man she'd fallen for was back.

But then his phone buzzed, and the easy atmosphere shattered. He glanced at the screen, his jaw tightening. Without a word, he stood and walked to a quieter corner of the restaurant to take the call.

Hana couldn't help but watch him. He spoke Russian again, his gestures restrained but intense. From her seat, she couldn't hear much, but she caught snippets of his tone—sharp, commanding, and cold.

When he returned, he seemed tense. Hana decided to push her luck. "You've been on edge lately. Is everything okay?"

Alexei forced a smile. "Everything is fine, *lyubimaya*," he said, reaching across the table to take her hand. "You don't need to concern yourself with my work."

"But what do you do, really?" she pressed gently.

He chuckled, though there was no humor in it. "You ask a lot of questions."

"Because I care about you," she said earnestly. "I want to understand your world."

Alexei's expression softened for a moment, but then the walls came back up. "My world is complicated, Hana. Trust me, you're better off not knowing the details."

***

That evening, back at the villa, Hana couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. Alexei had gone out again, leaving her alone. She wandered the house, trying to distract herself, but her curiosity kept pulling her toward his office.

The door was slightly ajar, and she hesitated before stepping inside. The room was immaculate, with a large mahogany desk dominating the space. Papers and files were neatly arranged, but one folder on the desk caught her eye.

She opened it, her breath catching as she scanned the contents. Shipping manifests, transaction records, and names she didn't recognize. There were coded entries that she couldn't decipher, but one word stood out: *methamphetamine.*

Her heart raced as she pieced it together. Alexei wasn't just a wealthy businessman he was involved in something illegal.

Before she could process the implications, the sound of the front door opening sent her into a panic. She quickly closed the folder and slipped out of the office, trying to act normal as she heard Alexei's footsteps approaching.

"Hana," he called out.

"In here," she replied, forcing her voice to stay steady.

Alexei appeared in the doorway, his expression softening when he saw her. "What are you doing?"

"Just waiting for you," she said, hoping he couldn't see the guilt written all over her face.

He walked over and pulled her into his arms, kissing her forehead. "I missed you," he murmured.

Hana swallowed hard, her mind racing. She needed to know more, but how far was she willing to go to uncover the truth?

***

That night, Alexei's possessiveness resurfaced. As they lay in bed, he pulled her close, his grip almost too tight.

"You've been quiet," he said, his voice low.

"I'm just tired," she replied, trying to keep her tone neutral.

Alexei tilted her chin up, forcing her to look at him. "You're not hiding anything from me, are you?"

Hana shook her head, her heart pounding. "Of course not."

"Good," he said, his lips brushing against hers. "Because I can't stand secrets between us."

As he fell asleep beside her, Hana stared at the ceiling, her thoughts a whirlwind of fear and confusion. She loved him, but she couldn't ignore the growing darkness that surrounded him.

And now, she was caught in the middle of it.