…continuation…
Adi tried to calm her pounding heart as she slipped back into the banquet hall. Quickly she looked about to see if anyone took notice of her reappearance, but everyone was lost in their own conversations to pay any attention. As she walked towards the dinner table, she could feel the now filled pouch rubbing against her leg. Amazingly her simple plan of breaking into a safe went quite smoothly. Much to her surprise, the safe was flimsy and very similar to the other safes she had broken into before. There were no jewels as she had hoped for since they were all being worn, but there was enough money to pay back Rasha and to set aside for herself.
Ze’ev looked up as Adi slid into the seat next to him. Noticing her flushed appearance, he frowned feigning concern, “My dear, you’re flushed. Are you feeling alright?”
“I am feeling ill, but I don’t want to ruin your evening, Ze’ev.” Adi gushed.
“Nonsense, Julia, I’ll take you home. If you’ll excuse us, gentlemen.” The men politely nodded and returned to their conversations.
“Where’s the Ambassador and his student?” Adi quietly asked as they walked away from the table.
“Who cares.” Ze’ev snapped.
Adi stood nervously fidgeting waiting for the valet to bring Ze’ev’s sleek red Porche around. Ze’ev reached over and silently grasped Adi’s hand in his to calm her. At last they were speeding down the road into the protected cover of darkness. Neither of them spoke until Ze’ev pulled up to his place.
Turning to face her, he held out his hand, “So where’s my cut?”
“What?”
“Hey, I got you in. You didn’t think I’d help out of good will do you?” he coarsely laughed. “You are so naive, Adi.”
“I have to pay Rasha, Ze’ev!” Adi pleaded.
“Alright, alright. How much do you owe Rasha?”
“Ten thousand was owed to him, and I couldn’t get it from the customer. He doesn’t care how he gets the money just as long as he gets it.” Adi struggled to hold back the tears.
“How much did you steal?”
“Ten thousand.” She lied.
Ze’ev laughed. “You’re a horrible liar, Adi. How much?”
Angrily Adi replied, “Fine. I got twenty thousand.”
Ze’ev let out a low whistle. “Not bad. Do you really think that you could keep the other ten grand a secret from Rasha? You’re a dead man if you do that.” Ze’ev looked thoughtfully at her, “I’ll tell you what I’ll do. You pay Rasha his ten and you give me 9. That gives you at least a grand to stow away.”
“What???” Adi exploded. “That’s not fair, Ze’ev!”
Ze’ev shrugged, “Who says life is fair? Now, if you want to wake up alive tomorrow, you’ll pay me the nine grand and give me back my jewelry!”
Adi knew that it would be impossible to fight Ze’ev. Angrily, she flipped up the bottom of her dress to unpin the bag. Ze’ev raised his eyebrows in amusement. “Here’s your nine thousand.” Adi shoved the bills into his hand. “And here’s your jewelry.”
“Thanks. Nice doing business with you!” he laughed.
“Can’t you at least drive me closer to my home?”
Ze’ev threw his head back and laughed harder, “Drive you home? I can’t be seen driving in your neighborhood, Adi. I have an image to uphold.”
Without another word, Adi reached down to the floor board where she had crumpled up her overcoat and jumped out of the car. Quickly, she threw on her coat and ran to escape the sound of Ze’ev’s mocking laughter.
Once she was out of sight, she slowed down to a walk. Her thoughts were whirling. For a moment I thought Ze’ev cared. Rasha should be home by now. I wonder if he’ll be angry that I was gone. How am I going to explain this dress? Well, the money should make him happy. I thought Ze’ev cared. He held my hand and said I was beautiful! Tears streamed unchecked down the sorrowful girl’s face washing away the concealer once again revealing the dark bruises. A car drove by sending a splash of muddy water over her, but she no longer cared, she was once again empty.
…to be continued…
They lie to one another; they speak with flattering lips and deceptive hearts. -Psalm 12:2
His mouth is full of lies and threats; trouble and evil are under his tongue. -Psalm 10:7
Many deceivers have gone out into the world; they do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist. – 2 John 1:7
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