Sofia's breath hitched as her eyes darted around the cramped wardrobe. Her heart pounded violently against her ribs, and her fingers trembled as they grazed the wood behind her.
That's when she saw a faint outline of a door on the opposite side. A flicker of hope surged through her chest.
There was a way out.
But she couldn't move yet. The man outside was no amateur. Any sudden movement would earn her a bullet to the skull.
He tapped the barrel of the gun against the wardrobe door, slow and deliberate, like a predator toying with its prey. Each knock vibrated in her ears like a countdown to her death.
"I've got one bullet left" he said with a calm, and almost playful voice.
Sofia's throat tightened. She tried to speak, but her voice came out cracked and weak. "Please… Dont shoot. Marshall… gave me your…stuff."
It was a lie. A dangerous, but desperate one. She needed to buy time. If she could make him hesitate, even for a second, that second might save her life.
The man chuckled softly. "You're a ba—" He stopped mid-sentence.
Sofia froze.
Then she heard a soft sniffing sound. He sniffed the air slowly, almost reverently, like a predator catching the faintest whiff of blood.
What the hell? The absurdity of the moment chilled her.
She felt the tension shift, and then, shockingly, his gun lowered. She could feel it.
And in that moment, sirens wailed.
The sharp cry of police cars cut through the night, bouncing off the walls of the casino. Red and blue lights flickered faintly against the curtains, and the man's gaze darted toward the sound.
Her heart leapt. It was now or never. She couldn't afford to think.
With a burst of adrenaline, she lunged.
The panel gave way, creaking open to reveal a narrow passage. Without a second thought, she slipped through and slammed it shut behind her.
Her hands shook violently as she fumbled for the latch on the other side. Miraculously, the lock slid into place, just as the door rattled violently.
"Fuck!" The man roared, slamming his fist against the wood. The sound echoed like thunder in the confined passageway.
Sofia stumbled backward, panting, her body drenched in sweat. She was alive.
She bolted, before he would successfully unlock the door, and finished what he started.
Outside, Sofia found herself in a narrow alley, dimly lit and unfamiliar. The air reeked of spilled liquor and damp trash.
But in the distance, she spotted the glowing sign of Smoke and Mirrors bar.
So she ran, as fast as her legs could carry her.
Two police cars were parked near the casino entrance. Relief flooded her chest. The bastard would be caught. Hopefully.
She tapped her earpiece. "Tati. Mission successful. I'm coming in."
"Oh, Thank God!" Tati's voice crackled with relief and excitement. "I was about to faint!"
Sofia reached the cubicle behind the bar and began changing back into her work clothes. But as she packed her duffel bag, her heart sank.
One invitation card was missing.
Shit, shit, shit!
"Damn it" she muttered under her breath, biting down hard on her lip. She must have dropped it while trying to escape that lunatic. Their perfect heist was ruined, all because she wanted to play Captain Save-a-rapist.
She obviously couldn't go back in there to pick up another invite. Her only option left now was Brooke.
Fucking hell. Back to this.
Now she had to think of a way to ask Brooke for another ticket without sounding like a degenerate.
Refusing to sulk now, she zipped up her bag and quietly slipped back into the bar. Tati spotted her immediately and rushed over, hugging her tightly.
They found a quiet corner near the storage room.
"Tell me everything" Tati said, eyes wide.
Sofia leaned against the wall, voice low. "I almost shot, girl"
Tati gasped, hand over her mouth. "What!? How?!"
"I happened to listen in on a conversation between some gang or mafia persons. It was crazy. I'm still not over it, Tati" Her knees were still weak from the shock of what happened.
Sofia also broke the bad news of how she lost one of the invites.
Tati groaned. "So we only have one?"
Sofia nodded. "I'm sorry."
Tati rubbed her temples. "Damn. We worked so hard for those. What are we going to do now?"
Sofia leaned on the wall, exhaling. "I'll talk to Brooke."
"No!" Tati shook her head furiously. "We are not taking another risk. You go to the ball, and I'll help from outside."
"No," Sofia said firmly. "I want you there. You deserve to enjoy yourself, and make great connections."
"No, Sofia. The party's in like three days" Tati insisted. "It'll take her a while to get the ticket. Let's just change plans. Okay?"
"Alright. I won't ask her." Sofia promised.
****
The next morning, Sofia stood at the entrance of the Bubley residence, holding a massive bouquet of daisies and a box of gourmet chocolates.
The door was opened by their butler, and she was ushered in.
"Sofia!" Brooke exclaimed from the stairs. "What a surprise."
On sighting the flowers, her eyes sparkled. "I love daisies. How did you know?"
Sofia smiled. "They're my favorite. Thought you'd like them."
Guilt prickled in her chest.
She was handed a cup of tea by the house staff. And as she arranged the flowers in a vase, she overheard Brooke on the phone.
"Yeah. Zach told me" Brooke said "Apparently, he overdosed at that casino last night."
Sofia froze.
She continued, "But then again, I'm not surprised. It's a Casino at the end of the day."
Fuck. She really should be listening to Tati more.
Sofia's hands trembled slightly as she adjusted the stems.
Overdose? That wasn't what happened at all.
She had witnessed a murder, and the body was dragged away.
"…Alright. We'll talk later. Bye" Brooke ended her call, and turned back to Sofia, a faint smile tugging at her lips.. "So, what's up with the surprise visit?"
Sofia cleared her throat and shifted gears. "I just wanted to check on you." She said softly. "Last time we spoke, you mentioned feeling under the weather."
Brooke's expression melted. "That's so sweet of you, darling." She sighed. "I'm feeling much better now. We should do brunch sometime."
"I'd love that" Sofia replied, taking a slow sip of her tea.
After the visit, Sofia headed straight home. As she stepped through the front door, Ashley greeted her with a disgusted look. "Dad wants to see you in his study, bozo."