Rogue (The End 4)

“Yes, I do. She’ll be working for me. Don’t worry, Barbara. I’ll take it from here,” he said, and the receptionist nodded before looking back at her computer.

“This way, Suzanne. We’re pleased to have you here,” he said as he motioned for Suzanne to follow him. Vivien followed him reluctantly. She had a couple of ideas as to why he knew her; however, she couldn’t figure out how he had known the moment she arrived.

“Ty iz Adrika, da?” he whispered to her as they walked through the corridor. Her suspicions were confirmed. He was probably the one she was to look for. He was asking if she was from Adrik.

“Da. Ty dolzhen byt’ Harris,” she replied in a low tone too.

Yes. You must be Harris.

The man nodded and smiled. When they got into the elevator, they were alone. He looked up so that her eyes went up too. She saw the camera, and she nodded. They remained quiet until they got out of the elevator and went to his office. When the door was closed behind her, he smiled at her again.

“Welcome, sister. I am Harris Bidden, special adviser to the president on legislative affairs,” he said in English as he took his seat and motioned for her to sit down too.

Vivien nodded in respect, wondering how he’d managed such a feat.

“Adrik told me of your great idea, and, I must say, it’s an honor to work with such a brilliant mind."

“Thank you, Mr. Harris.

The honor is all mine,” Vivien said.

“Great. Then you understand how important your mission is. You can’t afford to mess it up. You can’t afford to be caught. You can’t afford to be lazy or even get into any scandal. You know what happens if you disappoint the Ray. Adrik spoke so highly of you. It would be a shame if you disgraced him,” Harris said, handing a file over to her.

“In two more years, I’ll have to leave this office; however, I’ll be able to get you a higher position before then. You’ll have to find your way from then on. It’s in your best interest to begin to come up with a strategy. You were sent here because they believed your mind was up to the task.”

Vivien nodded. She had only just met Harris. She couldn’t tell him how afraid she felt or how lonely America made her feel. She couldn’t tell him that she was confused and didn’t know what to do. She simply smiled confidently and nodded her head.

“Yes, sir. I promise not to disappoint you,” she said.

”Take that file to Mrs. Gazelle. Her office is noted on the folder. Introduce yourself to her. You’ll be working under her,” he said, and Vivien got up.

Just as she was about to leave, she asked:

“How did you know the moment I arrived? It was as though everything had been perfectly timed.”

Harris laughed lightly.

“You tracker is still in your abdomen, isn’t it?” he asked. She raised her head in surprise.

“Oh,” she said as she turned and left the office.

18th January 2002

11:50 am

Vivien carried a file heap from her table and took them to the elevator. She had to deliver each file to the appropriate office.

Mrs. Gazelle was nothing like a gazelle. If anything, she was a lioness: roaring orders at Vivien and overworking her. Vivien was sure the lady had something against black people.

Worse still, hardly had any of Vivien's training prepared her for being a secretary. She hated typing. The only thing she hated more than that was carrying heaps of files around. In a couple of minutes, she completed her deliveries and headed back to her desk. Her break period was around the corner, so she began to get her papers in order. There was a doughnut shop close-by. She loved doughnuts.

Once noon struck, her phone began to ring. She wondered who was calling as she picked up the call.

“Suzu, my beloved. How are you?”

She recognized Adrik's voice, and she became excited. She took her bag and rushed out of her cubicle.

“Adrik! I’m fine. I’ve missed you,” she said as she stopped by Mrs. Gazelle’s table and signaled that she was going on break.