A/N: Um, don't know what to say...enjoy chapter 9? OH YES, please do review, and I am extending this to our dear guests on Fanfiction! I'll give you all a shout out! :D
Happy reading!
-The Jordanator (my new name, do u like it?)
Chapter 9
The following morning, the telephone ringed on the office desk as Nataliya just had sat down.
She picked it up. "Hel—"
"Would you like to explain your absence yesterday?" Came Isabel Kabra's unrelenting voice.
Nataliya closed her eyes and inwardly groaned. Irina had obviously dobbed in on her. The dilemma reminded her of when she attended private school. Tell-tales finding bad behaviour and immediately reporting it to a strict, grumpy teachers. And now, Isabel Kabra was the grumpy teacher giving her a telling off.
"I wasn't feeling well. I couldn't do my job while I wasn't well."
"That's not good enough." Isabel snarled. "I expect the best out of you, especially after all that training we gave you."
Nataliya nearly snorted in contempt. True, she had learnt a lot and had become skilled. But the main thing she was taught we show to fear her superiors.
"I'm sorry." She replied. "I'll do better."
"Let's see about that." Isabel said, before abruptly hanging up the phone.
Nataliya sighed and put down the phone. So much for Irina being a trustworthy friend. She gazed at the door towards Irina's office. Should she...?
Just do it, Nataliya.
Nataliya rose and marched towards her partner's office. After walking down the narrow hallway, she knocked on Irina's door.
"What?" Came Irina's irritated voice.
Nataliya pushed the door open and faced Irina, who sat at her desk.
"You told on me." She said, with an icy tone. "About me leaving early."
Irina studied her for a moment, then shrugged. "I could've told her more."
"What do you mean?"
Irina looked smug. "I could've told her you were hacking into the Kabra Mansion."
Nataliya gasped. "What!?"
"Yes, I saw what you were doing my dear mission partner, or should I say, traitor!"
"Look, I know it seems edgy to you, but—"
"But what?" Irina fired. "What could possibly cover the fact that you were hacking the Kabras?"
"I want to know why the Kabras are really the Lucian leaders!"
Nataliya felt tears springing to her eyes, blurring her vision. She couldn't see it clearly, but she thought she saw Irina's expression change. It's because she understands, Nataliya thought.
After a moment, Irina spoke. "I see, I've been wondering that too."
Nataliya wiped get eyes on her sleeve, and sat down at a chair next to her. "Please Irina, I just want to know why they get to be in power, how Isabel and Vikram get the good life, while I'm being treated like a slave by them, and by you! It should be me whose leading the branch, I was the next in line—"
And then Nataliya gasped and put her hand to her mouth. She realised she'd just revealed something crucial to Irina. Idiot!
Irina's face had softened, and she nodded. "I know, you're the next in line because you're the rightful duchess of Russia. And the Kabras know."
Nataliya was shocked. "How do you know that?"
"I saw your mother on your desk."
Nataliya realised what mistake she'd made by leaving the picture behind. "Oh."
Another uncomfortable silence.
"Irina. Nataliya said after a while. "I just want you and me to be the best of friends. Whatever I've done to defuse that, well, I'm sorry."
Irina's eyes narrowed, unforgivingly, and then understanding and compassion was quickly replaced. "Okay. Let's do that."
And the two leaned over and hugged. It was a long-lasting one, but full of emotion and love, something Nataliya hadn't felt for a long time. They pulled apart, and found that they were both in tears. They wiped them away.
"Listen." Irina said. "I understand that you want to find out the truth about the Kabras, but it's not right. We can't go against our own branch. Besides, it's far too risky to break into their mansion. Who knows what they'll do to you if you're caught! I don't think you should do it."
Nataliya looked down in disappointment. She was right, of course. There was no way she'll learn the truth about the Kabras. And then she remembered.
"Did I tell you I have Madrigal support?" She grinned.
Irina looked aghast. "What!? How?"
"At my mother's funeral, Grace Cahill gave me a number, saying that if I need help, I could ring this number. When Cora Wizard had trapped you weeks ago, I panicked. I rang the number and this squad was there in minutes. That was how you escaped. I tried the number again last night, and they agreed to help me again, to break into the Kabra Mansion."
Irina looked troubled. "That...thats unbelievable."
"But it's true." Nataliya said in a serious tone.
Irina nodded. "Okay, then do it, if it means a lot then do it. But, I can't help you."
Nataliya smiled reassuringly. "I didn't expect you too."
Nataliya got back to work, hacking the Tomas. The excitement was building up for her as she expertly and precisely found herself in the database of the South African Tomas Stronghold, but not for the clue she was close to finding.
It was the fact that tonight, she and eight armed Madrigal men would be breaking into the Kabra Mansion.
