om her slumber on the couch. Disoriented, she blinked into the dim light of he

on her wall said it was a few minutes past 6am. She yawned. Molly was nibbling at

ed as she stumbled to the door.

ulated composure and austere elegance. From the crown of his well-groomed ha

an ID card in her face that she didn't see. "I represent Mr

in the city. What could he want with her? Or was

th apprehension. The man before her was unsettling,

s words carefully. "My employer has take

very vague. "What could I po

you inside," the man suggested, making hi

She was dying to hear why Alexand

the modest but dishevelled apartment. Molly had scurried away und

ove to make 3 mi

th as he raised an eyebrow at Olivia's question. No woman could turn down that offer. "Three million dollars,

folded her arms protectively across her che

s voice low and even. "My employer merely re

ks, and you will be paid three million naira,"

credulous. "Why would your 'emplo

mblance to his late wife," the ma

much. "But her presence is required at several important events in the coming weeks, which is where y

the two paths her decision would set her on - one path would be turning her back on this offer and returning t

aware of this

y, a hint of impatience creeping into his voice. "My e

ind r

r voice steadier than s

d a glint of satisfaction. "Excellent," he said, his vo

ll weight of what she'd agreed

a crisp, white sheet of paper with practised ease from his briefcase. He offered Olivia a

aid, pointing to the dotted l

, her fingers trembling slightl

is briefcase, and then, with the same eerie grace, he turned and strode

there, froz

spell that had descended upon her. She looked down to see her feline companion's wide ey

believe this, girl," she said, her voice still tinged with disbelief as she shut the door of her apartme

ling out of her. "I can't believe it. Three million dollars

via's face, her tail swishing back and forth as