Heathrow Airport is bathed in a dim autumn sun. I leave the Airport building and look around. Where the hell is Taylor? I'm frowning... I fully understand that he's a busy man, but we agreed...
- Agent Hedwig - I hear Jason's voice. I turn to him and look accusingly.
- Agent Dusk, - I pronounce dryly. Jason nods and leads me to the car.
My name is Anastacia Still and I am a spy. I work for the United States and I'm here on business. More precisely, she flew to the funeral of her curator Grace Gray. She and her husband Carrick died a few days ago under very mysterious circumstances. Now all our agents are investigating this case. Grace was a prominent figure in our organization. At one time she replaced my mother.
- What is the state of affairs? I ask Taylor as we drive down the highway.
- If you do not take into account the death of the Grays, then everything is stable. We uncover conspiracy after conspiracy and keep the peace between England and the United States. Things have been too good lately, Taylor says. - And how are you?
- Fine, - I say. - Work, home and stuff like that...
- Anna, - Jason begins. - You need someone... to take care of you. What's wrong with trusting people?
Whenever I trusted someone, I was betrayed. The exception was Grace and Carrick, but now they are gone...
- Jay, we both know that I'm not good with people. Who will bear me? - I chuckle.
- Well... Mia for example, - Jason mentions Grace's youngest daughter and I smile involuntarily.
- How are they? - I'm interested. -All three?
- Mia is crying, Elliot is not talking, and Christian- Taylor sighs heavily.
-Drinking and fighting again? -I guess.
Jason nods. He brings me to my secret apartment where I usually stay when I visit London.
Stepping inside, I drop my duffel bag on the floor and collapse onto the bed. If I knew why I would fly here again... Tears well up in my eyes... Oh, Grace...
Late in the evening, when I went to bed, there was a persistent knock on my door. Cursing, I went to open it.
- I don't believe in God, I don't use cosmetics, - I grumble sleepily.
- Ana! - I hear Mia's cheerful voice. A little girl hangs around my neck. Elliot and Christian loom behind her. Elliot is a tall, awkward red-haired guy of about 16, and Christian is a handsome tall brunette with piercing gray eyes, the same age as his adopted brother.
- What are you doing here? - I say dumbfounded.
- Came to your guardian,- Elliot says.- Today they announced the will. According to him, you are appointed our guardian until we come of age.
What? I'm a spy, not a nanny! I watch Mia turn on the kitchen light and stare into the empty refrigerator with shocked eyes. Yes, they need to be fed!
I quickly dial the delivery number and order a pizza. You will need to learn how to cook or hire a cook. The second option seems more appropriate, but we'll see
An hour later we eat pizza and drink cola. Elliot and Mia willingly join in the conversation, while Christian is constantly silent and tries not to look at us. I feel the waves of pain that come from him and I understand that I want to help him but I can t ...
-Okay, little ones, it's time to sleep, - I say and Elliot and Mia go into the living room. I stay with Christian one on one and self-tamper with him.
- Why? Why did this happen to us again? Christian growls.
I don't have an answer to this question. The children of the Gray family have already lost their parents once, and now it happened again ...
-I don't know...- I say.
- You're not sending us to an orphanage, are you? - Asks with pressure Christian.
Like me, he doesn't trust anyone. Surviving terrible things as a child, alone and withdrawn with a fear of being touched, this handsome, broken young man is a loner like me.
-Of course not. True, I have no idea how to be a mother, - I'm stupid.
Christian smiles and hugs me. Warm, friendly. I awkwardly hug him back without touching his chest, remembering his scars...
- Oh yeah... In addition to the three backbiters, my parents left you their last assignment. It features Peter Creedy and the Eden School, Christian says. That's all I know.
Peter Creedy is a prominent political figure in England. Once he was the right hand of Adam Sutler in the pro-Nazi organization Nord-Fier, but after the terrorist attack on November 5, when the parliament was blown up, he declared that he was not involved in the atrocities of Sutler and put on the guise of a decent person. However, he hated America then and now. We have been following him closely for 5 years. And apparently he's involved in what happened to the Grays.
- We'll figure it out in the morning, - I assure Christian and he goes to sleep in the room next to me.
-Does Wi-Fi catch here at all? - I am indignant in the morning, sitting in the kitchen at the computer.
- Fucking catches. The jammers were never removed, Mia says. I cooked scrambled eggs at the very least and now the kids are eating it while I'm trying to work.
Finally, the Internet appears and I enter the mail. And I see a new letter from the authorities.
From: Eric Finch
To: Anastacia Still
Theme: Children, Creedy and Eden
Miss Still, please accept my condolences on the passing of Carrick and Grace. Their last assignment was Peter Creedy. For some time now, he has been leading a reclusive life and appears only at the parent meetings of his children at the elite school "Eden". The children of officials and senior officials of England study there. To find out what Creedy was up to, the Grays wanted all three of their children to go to Eden. They have applied and soon there will be entrance exams. Make sure Christian, Elliot and Mia get ready for them.
I close the email and delete it. I look closely at the children. They seem to understand what I want to talk to them about.
- Yes, we are preparing for them, - Elliot mutters. - Let's go to the living room, Jason will bring the textbooks.
t I nod to him and hear the doorbell ring. On the threshold - Taylor with a pile of textbooks. He smiles warmly at me and hands Christian his textbooks. The young man goes into the living room. And I'm left alone with Jay.
I brought the adoption papers. You are officially their guardian. Other than that, I'm ordering a bunk bed for the guys, while Mia sleeps in the living room. There was a problem with food, Jason says.
-Climb on YouTube and learn, -I shrug my shoulders. -What's our plan?
-Your children will bond with the children of Creedy-Kate, Jose and Gale. And there are pistils, stamens, friendship and an invitation to dinner. And then you will know everything. True ... there is another pitfall, but more on that later, - Jason smiles. -Are you sure you can do it? Still, Gray is an older teenager, hormones, a bad temper, and then there s a girlfriend
What? Does Christian have a girlfriend? What the heck? Why i do not know? You are a bad mother Still...
-He didn't speak, I say. -Who is she?
-His classmate, Helena Lincoln. Good girl. Smart, a little nervous Her father, Tom Lincoln, loves to drink and often squanders family wealth in the casino. Mother ... nothing is known about her. But she is a sweet, modest, pious girl. Supported Christian after the death of his parents. So Jason shrugs.
Helena Lincoln. I'll ask for information about her family. Maybe they're connected to Nordfire, who knows.
I look into the living room, where Christian is busily explaining something to Mia about mathematics. The girl nods, frowns, and writes.
They are so cute, I whisper.
-You don't want your own, but Still? Taylor teases.
I sigh. No, I definitely don't I know what it's like to lose loved ones when you're a spy.
Like me, my parents were spies and worked for the good of the country. They were good spies and had excellent encryption. However, despite all their skill and skills, they were revealed ...
Sutler's agents came to our house on the eve of Halloween and brutally murdered my mother and father. I hid under the bed and saw everything... When the killers left, I jumped out the window.
Then I realized that if I want to be a spy, I should never have a family. I used to rely only on myself, in my business I use the mind and logic. No emotions, no attachments, only colleagues and steps towards the goal.
So it was... Until last night... I clearly understand that Gray's children are not an empty phrase for me. I take care of them, they are important to me...
In the evening, the boys go to bed, while Mia continues studying for her exams. I smile looking at her and go to sleep.
There was a thunderstorm that night in London. I woke up feeling like my bed was buckling under someone's weight. When I open my eyes, I see a frightened Mia.
-I'm afraid of thunderstorms, the girl whispers. I hug her and stroke her hair.
-It's all right, I whisper, pressing her to my chest. Mia is trembling, but after a few seconds she calms down and falls asleep. And I make a promise to myself that I will do everything so that she and her brothers will never be afraid of anything ...
Two days have passed and the day of the Eden entrance exams has arrived. Ironically, it coincided with the day of Grace and Carrick's funeral. When I collected the children for school, I assured them that I would be at the funeral. All three nodded to me and hugging them in turn, I took them to the exams.
School "Eden" turned out to be a pretentious place. It was located in an old mansion in the center of London. Going with the children to her, I understood that it would be difficult for them to study here. As if reading my mind, Christian squeezed my hand.
We can handle it, Ana. To honor the memory of our parents, we have to manage, he says firmly.
After that, he looks expressively at his brother and sister, and they nod at him. After walking them to the school door, I almost run to Taylor's car, which is waiting for me outside the school gates. Jason understands me and starts the car and drives to the cemetery.
The farewell ceremony has already passed and I stand alone at two fresh graves, reflecting on my life. I'm 24, I'm a first-class spy, I was single until recently. And now I'm taking care of three wonderful children. Too bad Grace never gets to see Creedy rot in jail for everything he's done.
As I leave the cemetery, I see a young girl walking towards the Gray graves. She is dressed in a modest black dress, red hair is collected in a bun. She has carnations in her hands. Who is she? I watch her lay flowers and stand over the graves. So ... You will need to ask the children.
Pov Christian.
I'm sitting in a stuffy auditorium and diligently writing an essay about the heroes of the Second World War. It seems that this is the last test and I am free. I wonder how Mia and Eliot are doing? I'm sure they wrote almost everything too. Thanks to the fact that I worked with them, they will definitely pass ...
SMS distracts me. Elena... I open the message and see her photo in mourning attire. Hell, she was on the Gray graves. I said that it is not necessary ... How sweet and wonderful she is ...
I've known Miss Lincoln, this twin sister of Emma Stone, for almost a year. She transferred to my school from Glasgow and immediately caught my attention. Modest, fond of reading, she was different from the girls in my class who only thought about Tik-Tok and clothes. Once I defended her from the attacks of classmates and in gratitude to me she baked pies with cheese.
We quickly found a common language, even though she was from a poor family. I think I'm in love with her... Yes, it sounds crazy, I know. A boy with scars and a fear of being touched has fallen in love and wants more... But my psychologist John Flynn says I'm on my way to healing.
Having finished my essay, I go out into the street and see Mia playing catch-up with Elliot.
Guys, can I come to you? I'm interested in irony. They nod and we run around the schoolyard like crazy, laughing and fooling around. I haven't done this in a very long time, ever since I found out about the Grey's death.
Fully exhausted and satisfied, we lie on the grass and look at the sky. I understand that I am smiling for the first time in a long time and breathing deeply, I feel waves of happiness and peace.
Pov Ana
A few days later, I receive a letter in my mail saying that all three Grays have passed their exams and now my husband and I are waiting for an interview.
-In the sense of a husband? Not understanding I'm interested in Jason.
Don't you know? In "Eden" they take only children from complete families. A new trap, Shrugs a friend.
I see, get your business suit ready, I tease.
- As much as I'd like to play your husband, Still, it won't work. On the day of the interview, I have to be at the Brix Summit, Taylor sighs.
Damn, it looks like I'll have to look for a husband among the locals... A week before the interview, just a waste... Where can I find a normal, smart man who knows how to behave in high society? I ask Finch to send me profiles of suitable men by mail and plunge into the study.
I'm diligently poring over the data and it takes a moment for me to notice Christian standing in the doorway of my office.
Ana, do you mind if my girlfriend comes over for dinner tonight? the young man asks timidly.
Of course not, I say. - What is her name?
-Elena, Christian smiles. She studied with me. I often visited her. and she's with the Grays. But apparently when I enter "Eden" we will see each other less often.
I understand Christian's feelings. He seems to really love this girl. As for me, I've never been in love. No, I've had boyfriends, I've had sex, but for someone to really capture my heart... It's never happened before. And to be honest, I don't want that. I have kids and that's it.
That evening she came to visit us... Helena Lincoln... A modest awkward girl, with bright red hair, a scattering of freckles and bright gray eyes that looked with slight slyness. I was right: she was the one I saw in the graveyard on the day of the Grey's funeral. Lena was a good girl. Sitting at the table with us, she joked, flirted with Christian and took a keen interest in his life.
After dinner, she and I tidied up the kitchen while the kids went into the living room to watch cartoons.
I'm so glad you didn't abandon them, Ms. Still. They deserve the very best. Especially Chris, Lena sighs.
- Do you know? I ask puzzled.
- I know. He said. And about how he was starving, and about the pimp, and about the fear of being touched, - There are tears in Elena's eyes. He is such a brilliant young man, but so sad.
I understand that this girl's feelings for Chris are true and awkwardly stroke her hair.
I'd like to help him, but I don't know how... And this is his admission to Eden. I'm afraid that the beauties there will turn his head and ... - Miss Lincoln sighs. If only I could work there. At least in the kitchen.
Where do you work? - I'm interested.
Yes. Waitress in a small cafe. Of course, they don t pay enough money, but there s enough to deal with the father s debts, - Elena shrugs her shoulders.
Hell, she also has a gambler father. Okay, maybe I can talk to Finch and convince him to find something for Elena in our organization.
Having cleaned the kitchen, we go to the living room and fall at the TV, where together with the children we watch a cartoon about a knight girl who takes care of three royal children whose parents were bewitched by an evil sorcerer. Mia loves this cartoon very much.
Ana, if I enter Eden, we can arrange a quest: save the princess from the castle? Mia whispers sleepily, resting her head in my lap.
"Let's see," I whisper and kiss her on the forehead. Mia nods and falls asleep. I move her to the sofa, Gray says goodbye to Lena, and Elliot yells at me that he is leaving for a walk.
I return to my task. Find a husband... Damn, six days left. There will be no husband, to hell with us and not admission. It won't show up out of nowhere...
pov elena.
Entering the house I see a drunken father, who was severely beaten. Mom sits next to him and wipes the blood from his face.
- Dad, again? I almost scream. He looks up at me drunkenly.
"I'm sorry, angel... That Hyde... brute... I borrowed a lot of money from him, and today he demanded it." I'm sorry... - Father hides his eyes.
I run to my room and open my desk drawer and take out all my money. Hell, 10 pounds ... And dad borrowed more than a hundred for sure.
I close my eyes and start thinking. We have no money, my salary is only in October ... Ask the Grays? Drops out. Anastasia will think that I'm with Chris because of the money. What to do?
I go to work the next morning in a nasty mood. There is no money, and Hyde, according to dad, promised to come at the end of the week ...
Elena? I hear Gia Mateo's familiar voice. Gia was my classmate in Glasgow. Not that we communicated with her, but she always treated me well.
I turn around and see her - beautiful, elegant, graceful ... Incredible. The Gia that I remember was modest and poor.
Hi, I say hesitantly. How are you?
-Quit school and work in London. I provide for myself. And how are you? Gia is beaming.
I sigh and tell her about my father's misadventures. Matteo groans, gasps, nods.
-Listen, what if I get you a job? They pay good money there, you can pay off your father's debts very quickly, - Gia smiles. I work there myself.
-What is the place? I ask suspiciously.
-Merry Owl, - Jia chirps carelessly. -Don't be afraid, this is an elite club. You are beautiful and will quickly make a career there.
Ok, okay... I'll earn some money to deal with Hyde and leave. Everything is simple and clear.
But how wrong I was...
The next day, I put on my best outfit, accompanied by Gia, went to the club. Did I think about myself? No, I only thought about my father. Yes, he is unlucky and troublesome, but he sincerely loves me. I will do everything to save him.
Gia, are you going to leave this Owl? I ask.
- Why? They pay well, and I get everything I want ... I'll teach you. Both the girls and the owner will definitely like you, - Gia smiles encouragingly.
Girls... Master... Where is Gia taking me? Lord, not a brothel! I'm saving myself for Christian, I don't want to cheat on him! Your mother... I will not become a prostitute! Panic seizes me. Okay, Lincoln, it's too late to retreat...
Merry Owl It turns out to be an old Victorian mansion, which is located near the Eden School. I go inside and look around. Everything breathes elegance and screams good taste. There are erotic paintings on the walls, a red carpet on the floor. The interior is dominated by red and black colors. And despite the sophistication of the situation, something ominous is in the air ...
-Gia! I hear a young voice. A handsome young black-haired guy in a black business suit comes down the stairs towards us.
Roger, Miss Matteo smiles at him. - This is my friend, Elena. She wants to work here.
The young man gives me a look.
-Pretty... There will be no end to clients, - he grins.
I swallow. My worst fears about this place have come true.