Page 39 of Capuleto

I told him to remain there until the weekend, bring several reports, and I expected him back on Monday.

Also, I asked him, without telling anyone, to start looking for Cheng discreetly. If I had learned anything, it was that you couldn't trust anything or anyone, not even what your eyes see, which are the worst traitors in the universe.

I needed my own Plan B. Yuri's return didn't mean I was going to bow down and say amen to everything.

The gentle tinkling of the bell above the door announced my presence in Juliet's salon.

The clients looked at me with curiosity; fresh blood always stirred interest in such exclusive settings.

A sweet, though somewhat shrill voice rose above the soft music that exuded well-being and aimed to overshadow the sound of the files.

"Nikita Koroleva! How wonderful to see you here!"

I focused and realized there was Andrea, the wife of Arasagasti, the port director I had blackmailed with that inappropriate video. If her husband had told her, she wouldn't have greeted me with such enthusiasm.

I hadn't seen her since the party.

The receptionist must have recognized my name because she offered me a sweet smile and did not interrupt my entrance to address her.

"Hello, Andrea, it’s been a while."

"Indeed, we said we would meet and in the end, with one thing and another, we haven’t managed to see each other."

"Yes, well, we spent a few days in Santorini and were busy catching up with the companies."

The other clients had stopped talking, trying to draw their own conclusions about who I was. I didn’t know any of them except Andrea.

"Of course, I've also been quite busy adjusting the house. The move has been a nightmare. You know what it's like to get everything to one's liking." I didn't even consider telling her that I hadn't changed a damn vase in Romeo’s house. "I finally have it ready to invite you, so I no longer have an excuse not to ask you to come over for dinner; you were so kind to us when you invited us to that party when we arrived."

"It was the least I could do." She smiled politely at me.

"Excuse me for interrupting, Mrs. Koroleva," the receptionist interjected. "Would you like me to let Miss Capulet know you're here?"

"Yes, please. And while you're at it, if it's not too much trouble, I know you're fully booked, but see if there might be any openings today. My hands are a mess and I was hoping someone might have canceled." The girl looked flustered. "If not, it's fine, my fault for not calling ahead."

"Let me check. I can offer you a glass of champagne or a herbal tea while you wait. I'll personally notify your sister-in-law."

"Very kind of you. A glass of champagne will be fine, thank you. Do you have Moët?"

"Of course."

"Great."

The girl called over the employee who handled the bar, cloakroom, and product sales to serve me. I went to sit in a chair in the waiting area, but Andrea insisted that I come over to her, saying there was an empty seat next to her and we could catch up while I waited for my sister-in-law.

It didn't seem like a bad idea, especially considering who it was.

The place was very pretty, feminine, decorated in shades from pastel violet to white. It had beautiful glass windows that faced the street and quite spacious individual booths for each client.

I asked the bar girl to add another glass for Andrea and waited for her to give them to me so I could carry them over myself.

"Oh, how thoughtful you are, always thinking of others," the port director's wife celebrated.

"If only you knew," I thought to myself.

"So, have you settled in well? Does your husband like the port?"

"Very well, Karlos is really happy at work, the change has been a complete success."

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