The cloud and the clock

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 3

Melanie walked down the street, her long hair ruffled by the wind, her hands slipped casually into the pockets of her duster, her gait quick and confident despite her high heels. People turned to look at her, especially men, struck by her sinuous figure, by her face with a perfect complexion, by that “I don't know what” that emanated from her presence. She smiled noticing two young people who had stopped to observe her and were talking to each other without taking their eyes off her, amazed, almost astonished.

She lifted her head proudly, waving her golden brown hair around her face and shoulders. She had always been beautiful since she was a child. She remembered the comments of the teachers, when they spoke to each other in a low voice: “Look at those blue eyes, this little girl ... it's a pity that she is so poor”.

And it was true, she had had a very poor childhood, in a family always hungry, with her brothers fighting over the last sandwich, and she in a corner, frightened, nibbling on her share. She blinked back the tears that sprouted from her lashes - but why did her mind always go back to this? - and she began to thinking back to her adolescence with more relief, the first suitors at the commercial technical institute, the little hearts drawn on her diary. At school, however, the most handsome boys preferred the curvy, flashy schoolgirls who dressed in tight pants and designer shoes, and she was still in the corner like when she was a child, nibbling on her sandwich, with her long legs covered by old baggy jeans bought at the market, and the shirt always too loose or too short. Only in the computer lab did she feel great, important. The abilities of her school mates were simply ridiculous compared to what she could do, if only she had a keyboard and a computer at her disposal. The professors called her “the sorceress”. This magic was not actually born out of nowhere, it resulted from long lonely afternoons spent tinkering with an old machine from the early nineties, one of those large and heavy electronic computers that soon became obsolete, which she had practically collected from the garbage dumpster.

Her passion for electronics was born in an insurance office where her mother took her with her when she went to do the cleaning; an employee, struck by her blue eyes, had made her play with a computer, to entertain her while her mother worked, and she was immediately fascinated by the colored screen, by the writings, by everything that could be done. In a short time she had become so savvy that the clerk would ask her for help when she had a problem, and then, when the company had given away the old outdated computers to buy new ones, she had taken one for herself. Information technology had become his world, his reality. The professors were amazed at what she could do, and nothing could stop her.

After graduation, she had enrolled in a graduate program for programmers, but she knew almost everything she was taught, and more. Then, one day, everything changed. She had received a call from a company for a job interview: she had introduced herself, had passed a test, and had been hired. She felt like she could touch the sky with her finger, she finally had an income, she could buy something asking no one for anything. When she got her first paycheck, she went to a downtown boutique and bought an expensive designer dress that made her look like a supermodel.

Still, the best was yet to come. Even in the workplace, as had happened at school, her ability was such that it went beyond the company: one day in the pizzeria she heard that at the next table they were talking about a girl extraordinarily skilled with the computer, and the references they cited gave her the certainty they were talking about her. Soon another phone call came, and then another one, and in a short time she changed employers several times, and her salary increased proportionally: she was also called as a consultant, brief but high-level jobs and professionalism, and she never disappointed her clients’ expectations, even if it involved having to work at night or in difficult conditions. By now she could afford to spend any amount on clothing and personal care, and the result was that men fell at her feet, fascinated, bewitched.

She was just going to an appointment with a man, for a confidential job interview: she did not turn down even questionable and dubious assignments, to earn high sums of money. What did she care, after all? She had suffered too much from misery to have any moral scruples, she took the job no matter what. Had she refused, she knew someone else would have grabbed that opportunity. Each time she raised the stakes, for she had learned the stakes were high, and she could achieve a lot by harnessing her talent.

She had almost reached the café where she was to meet the man who had contacted her, but she felt uncomfortable because she had never seen him before. She hoped it would not be too difficult to recognize him based on the clues he had given her over the phone. Instead, there was no need, he sneaked up beside her with a stealthy step: - You are Melanie, right?

-Yes I am. Shall we talk at the café?

-No, forget it, there is too much confusion there. Come with me, I know a quieter place, right around the corner from here.

Melanie studied him out of the corner of her eye, suspicious: he was a man of about forty, well dressed, and looking distinguished. She followed him to where he had indicated, into a small, old-fashioned, dusty room with discolored curtains on the windows.

-Then? - As soon as they sat inside, she asked him in a dark corner.

-It’s a job.

-Well, I figured that. What kind of work?

-It is very delicate, it requires competence and secrecy. Do you think you are capable of it?

-Look - Melanie said, looking him straight in the eye, with a slightly aggressive tone. - Let's try not to waste any time, if I am here it is because I am interested, and you have contacted me because you have gotten information about me, so let's get right to the point, and I will tell you how much it will cost you.

-They told me you are a determined type, and you know what you are doing - the man answered with a half-smile - well, it’s better that way. I have little to say, they just sent me to get in touch, you will find all the instructions in the email we will send you.

-An E-Mail? I've never worked like this.

-Don't worry, we use very high security encrypted codes; we want to be absolutely sure that everything goes perfectly.

-Excuse me, you speak in the plural, which company are you talking about?

-You will find everything in the message, with precise information regarding your assignment.

-What about my pay?

-Ah, sure. We thought about this figure - and he showed her a note from his pocket.

-Double, I want double, otherwise we have no deal. And I need a down payment right away.

-Agree. We have also thought about this; here is an envelope with what you need. We only recommend that you strictly comply with the instructions and deadlines, as they will be communicated to you. Remember, you should never talk to anyone about this assignment.

-I'm not a newbie, I know what I am doing - Melanie said, pocketing the envelope.

-We will let you know more soon.

-Good. See you soon. Will you and I meet again, Mister…?

-Oreste. However, we will not meet again; if necessary, you will meet with some of my colleagues. I'm leaving on another mission, I'll be gone for a long time.

-Good luck with your new endeavor.

-Good luck to you too, Melanie.