But who really cares what cutlery you use? Even though I was in a fancy restaurant, I didn’t really care. It’s not like I’m some princess who has to follow etiquette. So I picked up the spoon in the middle and, even though I wasn’t hungry, I started eating. But something wasn’t right. The soup was completely tasteless for some reason. I tasted it again but nothing had changed.

  It was clear to me that they wouldn’t serve me food that they hadn’t seasoned before. And even if they had, just the ingredients used would have given it some fvor. I looked at my body and the soup in front of me. The expression on my face said it all, my disgust, a little confusion but mostly anger at not being able to enjoy good food.

  “What’s going on?” Henry called from the side. “Isn’t this to your taste? Would you prefer something else?”

  “Umm…No, I just, could I have some salt?” I replied in a bit of a panic.

  “But that’s not a problem. Arthur!” Henry said.

  “Yes sir?” He stepped closer and bowed.

  “Here, Miss Evelyn would like some salt.” Arthur looked at me and bowed again.

  “Of course, I’ll have it right away.” He turned and went back to the kitchen. He soon returned with a salt shaker and handed it to me. I just nodded and poured some into my soup and continued eating.

  “Better?” Henry asked me.

  “Yes.” I answered him even though it wasn’t true. Despite the salt, I still couldn’t feel anything. Not even a hint of taste. This body was starting to have more disadvantages than advantages and I was starting to not like that. But it was possible that if the food didn’t taste good, I wouldn’t have to eat it. Maybe it’s like water because I can’t believe I had to drink something so disgusting.

  And so the lunch continued. I shed a tear inside when a pte of beautifully seared steak was pced in front of me. Again, it's completely tasteless. It was like chewing gum that had run out of fvor. But I ate it so as not to look suspicious. Luckily, I had wine, which tasted perfect. Eventually, we all finished our meals, and when our ptes were taken away, Henry sent everyone away, even Arthur.

  It was just the three of us left in the room, and the atmosphere was starting to get serious. No one said anything for a good minute.

  “Anna.” Henry finally spoke.

  “I know.” Anna replied, looking at me.

  “You have questions, so ask.” But I remained silent, wondering what to ask first. So I started with them. “Who are you people?”

  Anna just looked at Henry, who nodded and said. “It was your idea.”

  “Okay.” Anna sighed. “Let’s start from the beginning. My name is Anna. I manage part of this business. Mainly the salon and all the girls in it. This young man’s name is Henry. He owns everything here and manages the rest of it.”

  I thought about it. “I don’t believe he only manages the club and the restaurant. I saw what you have in the warehouse.” I confronted Henry.

  “And here’s a question I have. How did you get into our warehouse?” he asked angrily.

  “Henry, do not worry about it now.” Anna spoke up.

  “Don’t worry about it?! How can I not worry when a woman shows up in the middle of our warehouse, I mean a locked and guarded warehouse, naked? Tell me Anna, how?” Henry continued in the same tone.

  “Because it’s not important now.” Anna replied casually.

  “Not important?! I think it’s quite important when you want to introduce the same woman to our business and let her run it!”

  “What?” I asked in surprise.

  They both looked at me as if they had forgotten I was there. There was silence for a moment, but finally, Anna spoke up.

  “Evelyn…if that’s your real name, even though we hardly know each other, I have to tell you a secret about something. I’m dying.” Anna told me with a sad voice.

  “What?” I asked again, confused.

  “Only me, Henry and my doctor know this information. I have cancer and I’m dying. And just like my husband found a repcement before he died. I want to do the same. And that’s why I chose you as my repcement.” She said with a serious face. I couldn’t understand what she was talking about.

  “Are you serious?”

  “I mean it as seriously as I can.” She replied and I just looked at Henry, but he just stared at the table and was silent. But one thing still didn’t make sense to me.

  “Why me? I mean, I’m honored, but wouldn’t Sofia be better? Even though I don’t know her at all, she seems like a better repcement than me.”

  “No, she’s not. She’s too soft and she knows the girls personally. I need someone new, someone I can train without being tied down to anything. And that’s why when I saw you in Henry’s office naked and tied up with three guys and you didn’t have an ounce of fear on your face, I knew you’d be my perfect repcement. I saw a strong, beautiful woman there with fire in her eyes who would be perfect for this job, who wouldn’t just break in the face of pressure.”

  It was unexpected and strange. On the one hand, it was the perfect opportunity for me, on the other hand, I didn’t know if it was a good one. I had no idea how to run a business like this.

  “I really don’t know what to say.”

  “You don’t have to worry. I’m not going to die tomorrow. I’ll teach you everything you need to know. So for now, you’ll be something like my Right hand.” She announced, and I just smiled. It was funny to think that in practically one day, I had become the Right hand not only of the devil but also of a high-ranking member of a criminal organization.

  “You seem happy with this information.” Anna remarked. “I think this is a wonderful opportunity for a woman like you, Evelyn. So I’m asking you. Will you be my repcement?”

  “Before I answer, this was all just so you could ask me this question. Why not ask me right in the office? Why make a fuss about it?”

  “Because as Henry said, we can’t trust just anyone, and even if I thought you’d be a perfect repcement, how could I trust a random woman tied up in an office?” That was a fair point. But something still didn’t add up.

  “And what changed your mind? It hasn’t even been half a day.”

  “A few things actually. First was Henry, who pressured me to do something with you, and so I told him what I intended to do with you, and second, your questions, which no one who knew what was going on here would ask. So I skipped a few steps and asked you this right now. So what’s your answer?”

  “I think I’ll take it.” I finally answered.

  “Great. So you’ll be my Right Hand from today. So we’ll start right away.” She announced and stood up from her chair.

  “I just hope I don’t regret it.” Henry said and he stood up too.

  And so I sat there for a while longer, smiling. This was going to be interesting.