Maybe I should have waited. Maybe I should have been more hesitant….. Oh, who am I kidding? I know I should have! This is super dumb, not to mention dangerous. Why did I agree to go live with a total stranger so easily? Well, he did save my life today…. But what if that's because he has nefarious plans of his own? He says he's a government psychiatrist and judging by the address on the card he gave me he obviously has a very good income. But what if he's lying? What if he's not really a psychiatrist but another part of the secret services? Or what if he's an abductor? What if he's a spy? Or what if he's an undercover cop trying to get information about my brother? I can't believe how stupid this was of me!
Then again, I believe him when he says I've been short-listed as a potential spy but the secret services. That one agent even said so before he, er Loid, arrived. Loid…. Loid Forger. Well, perhaps I shouldn't get too worked up with worry; he did tell me his name and address, after all. And he let me return home on my own. I doubt he'd do that if he was trying to kidnap me. He says he needs a wife just like I need a husband, though clearly a lot less urgently. If I am short-listed and being monitored, it's just a matter of time before I am taken away, and once girls disappear, they never come back. That's potentially even riskier than Loid being a kidnapper. At least if Loid abducts me, Yuri will definitely find me. I need to stop worrying so much.
Ever since the National Unity Party has come to power in Ostania, they've been stripping away women's rights slowly. It is a real danger to remain single as a grown woman, and the government keeps making it harder for us. Meanwhile, married couples get tax benefits and lower mortgages on their first house. The government wants Ostanians to get married and procreate; more soldiers to draft in the upcoming war with Westalis, I suppose.
The consequence of all this is that once a woman is married, she loses all legal standing. She isn't her own person in the eyes of the law but that of her husband. All her property becomes his, and she is under his total authority. Loid did seem a bit controlling back at the café, but he doesn't seem like the domineering type. Or maybe that's my misperception. This marriage isn't a real marriage. Well, it is real in the legal sense, but that's it. Still, I doubt I'll be allowed to keep my job once my boss finds out. He undoubtedly will….. once he sees my new married name on my paperwork.
All this was circulating through my head while I was packing up my little one-room apartment. The building was quiet tonight and it was starting to get dim outside. I was just folding up a shirt and thinking I'd better get going when my phone rang. I already knew who it was; my brother was the only one who ever called me. But just to be on the safe side I answered in the usual way.
"Good evening. Briar residence." "Hey, Yor. How have you been?" I let a little relieved sigh. "Yuri," so it is him. "How's work holding up?" Work? Uh oh. Should I tell him I'm probably never going back to work, or is it too early for that? I still don't know for absolute sure that Loid isn't an abductor or working with the secret service yet. Better play it safe. "It's uh, fine, thank you," I wanted to ask how he was but felt like he had more to say going off the concerned tone of his voice.
There was a brief pause. "I worry about you. Things have been pretty tense there lately. It's all over the news here." "Oh, you don't need to worry about me. I'm fine. Everything's…." My voice cut off here for a second as the memory of the agent's big hand reaching out to grab me suddenly flashed through my mind. My lips quivered a bit. "Fine," I made myself finish my sentence. Everything's fine….. As far as he's concerned, everything's fine.
He hesitated, humming in that anxious way of his. "I don't know; it's so dangerous for girls like you out there. I'd feel much better if you were married." My heart skipped a beat. "M-Married?" He chuckled softly. "Are you surprised? Isn't it time you got married, sister?" "Ah! Well um, actually I um…." My fingers coiled around the phone's cord. What should I do? Should I tell him? Would he think it's too improper to get married so quickly? Of course he would. "Found someone yet?" He prodded and I gulped. This was getting uncomfortable…..
"Well actually, I did meet….. someone." "Really?! That's wonderful news! I'm so relieved. The thing is, my "boss" is considering promoting me to S-rank," that means the top tier of secret assassins. It's what Yuri's been working towards his whole underground career. "If I get promoted, I'll probably have to travel more than I already do, but….." Yuri paused for a moment here. I waited patiently for him to continue. "I'm worried about leaving you all alone, so I'm not sure if I should take it." Yuri….. My mouth opened a little in despair.
"I wouldn't be here if it weren't for you, and I'm really grateful. I just want you to be happy…. Happy and safe, Yor." Blushing a tad, I clasped the phone in both my hands, lowering my head. "I know, and thank you, Yuri. You don't need to worry about taking the promotion. I'm actually seeing someone right now," It's not a total lie; you can go on dates with your husband, can't you?
Yuri gasped happily. "So you do have a boyfriend?!" "Yes! He's very nice and very…. protective of me. You'd like him a lot," ok, maybe I shouldn't have said that. I wouldn't call Loid "nice", but he does seem to be the protective sort. Oh well, it made my brother happy. "Wow! That's great to hear. Congratulations, sis." "Thank you, Yuri. That means a lot," I smiled. "You'll have to tell me all about this mystery man. I know how trusting you can be, but don't worry. He'll have to answer to me if he turns out to be some jackass." Huh? Oh no…. I don't think Loid or Yuri are two people who should get entangled with each other; one works for the government and the other is a private assassin. I'll have to be delicate about this going forward.
"I'll hold off on this promotion until I know for sure you're in good hands," Yuri proclaimed, much to my dismay. My shoulders flinched. "You really don't need to do…..!" But he cut me off. "I look forward to hearing about him. Good night! Love you!" "Ah! Yes, good night. I love you too. But wait a minute, Yuri! I…..!" Click! Too late; he's hung up already. He never talked on the phone long since his boss worried that the secret service might tap my line and use it to find his operations. While I didn't exactly tell Yuri the whole truth, at least he knows that someone's in the picture now. Gazing down at the phone for a minute, I slowly hung it up. Someone else is in the picture….. Maybe I should write down the address on the card and hide it somewhere in this room that only Yuri would think to look, in case I go missing. But then… Loid's face popped up into my head. I don't know why, but something deep inside tells me I can trust him. That doesn't really matter now though….. We're married; legally one single person together. That means I have no choice…..
I have to trust him.
