DOUBLE

Working at the bar was a role she hadn’t envisioned in her childhood dreams, yet Dora Miller found a certain comfort in it. With a steady income, at least for the present, and a sense of closeness among colleagues that felt almost like a family, she navigated through the daily grind.

For Dora, this sense of belonging was crucial, especially following the recent loss of her adored father a few short months ago. His departure had etched a deep scar on her heart, struggling to find solace. One thing she was sure about: the time spent caring for her ailing father before his passing was a choice she wouldn’t change. Having paused her university studies was the right thing to do, she harbored no regrets.

Now, she had to deal with a grey existence, where hope felt like a distant memory from her youthful days, before the scars of life’s hardships had left their mark.

Little did she know, her life was about to take a turn, unfolding into a story where unforeseen twists and concealed truths lay ahead.

***

Dora found it odd that Miss Tilly wanted to see her that evening. Yet, the note stuck to her door left no room for misunderstanding – she was to visit Miss Tilly’s apartment situated just below hers.

The girl descended the stairs and rang the bell. As soon as the door swung open, Tiberius – Miss Tilly’s cat – made a quick exit, followed by the old lady, who wore a big smile.

“How do you do, my dear?”

“Everything’s fine, Miss Tilly. I saw the note from you “Dora said, holding up the piece of paper. “What happened?”

“I have got a letter for you”

“A letter?”

“Precisely. A man, quite handsome, dropped it into my hands,” the lady said, giving a small smirk. “He insisted I make sure you receive it the moment you return home. I suppose he’s aware you rarely check your mailbox.”

“What man?”

“How was his name...” Miss Tilly closed her eyes, her expression deep in thought. “Ah, my dear, when you age, you tend to forget things...“. Finally, she said “Here it is! Ross..., yes, he introduced himself as Richard Ross.” The old lady pronounced the name in a manner that suggested Dora was expected to be familiar with it.

“Whom?”

“Mr. Richard Ross” repeated the woman, ensuring she spelled it correctly.

“I do not know any Mr. Richard Ross" Dora stated firmly. She was quite certain of this fact.

“Really, my dear? This surprises me. He showed this picture of him together with you... He did this to convince me that you two were acquainted. Quite a charming photograph, it was, but I must say, his efforts to establish a connection seemed rather peculiar.”

Dora observed the thick glasses perched on Miss Tilly’s nose and considered that, owing to the old lady’s age, the details in the photo might not have been clearly discerned.

“Ah, yes. Maybe, he is indeed....” She hesitated, her voice trailing off as she continued to ponder who the man could have been.

Finally, Miss Tilly offered “You seem interested in this letter. Would you like to read it?”

Without thinking too much, Dora stretched out her arm and took the envelope. “Thank you” she said her voice tinged with curiosity.

“If I were you, I would keep in contact with Mr. Ross” Miss Tilly suggested with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. “He’s quite a captivating individual, and who knows what opportunities or surprises he might bring into your life.”

“Of course” replied the girl, already stepping on the stairs. “I will definitely consider your advice” she called back, her voice echoing faintly as she ascended.

There was no doubt that Dora had never encountered Mr. Richard Ross before. Still, Miss Tilly’s words sparked her curiosity. What could that letter be about?

Standing at her door, the girl decided to open the envelope before even stepping inside her apartment. As she unfolded it, something slipped from her hands, landing on the floor. Perplexed at first, she soon recognized it as a flight ticket.

She read the details on the boarding pass: Stockholm, Sweden, departure from NY at 15:30 am. Date, 21/02/2024. Passenger’s name: Helena Bukarova.

“What’s this?” Dora murmured, swiftly scanning the contents of the letter.

To Miss Dora Miller – 5th Avenue 105, 10001- New York

“That’s definitely me” she thought, dispelling any doubts that someone might have mistaken her for someone else.

You are required to be at JFK Airport on February 21, 2024, by noon.

That was all. The letter bore only that sentence, leaving her puzzled. She unfolded the sheet to verify, only to discover it devoid of any additional content. Was this some kind of joke?

Instinctively, her initial reaction was to crumple the sheet and discard it in the trash.

However, a few minutes later, Dora found herself retrieving the letter from the bin, unable to resist the urge to read it again.

February 21, 2024, was just around the corner, a realization that struck Dora as she glanced at the calendar on the wall. Suddenly, an unusual sensation swept over her.

Amidst a whirlwind of thoughts, she couldn’t help but question her own sanity: Am I truly considering whether or not to embark on this journey?

Perhaps, she mused, she was simply asked to hand over the flight ticket to this Miss Bukarova. However, if that were the case, what could be the reason behind entrusting her with such a peculiar task? After all, she had no connection with the woman and had never heard of her before.

And what about Mr. Richard Ross? Who was he? The only thing she knew was that this person possessed exceptional good looks, a detail she found hard to overlook. Maybe, Miss Tilly was onto something; she should entertain the idea of getting to know him.

Was she seriously considering that?

Dora wrestled with the letter’s request throughout the entire night, vacillating between cautious trust and outright disbelief. Eventually, fatigue overcame her, and she succumbed to sleep in the early hours of the morning.

As the first light of day touched Dora’s eyes, she glanced at the clock—it was 10:00 am.

An unexpected thought nudged her, despite the knowledge that she had no shift at the bar today; it was her free day, after all. Nevertheless, a sense of unease crept in, and in that moment, the letter rushed back to her consciousness.

Eagerly, the girl leaped out of bed, swiftly preparing herself for the day. She chose a pair of comfortable jeans and a crisp white shirt, expertly combing and securing her long, blonde locks. A touch of soft makeup enhanced her features. Completing the ensemble with stylish flat Italian shoes and grabbing her bag, she hurried to catch the metro, en route to the airport.

***

Leaning casually against the wall, Mr. Richard Ross stood near the main entrance of JFK airport, anticipating the arrival of Dora Miller.

As an FBI special agent, he had the privilege of dressing without distinctive attire, giving him the appearance more akin to a sophisticated businessman than a government official.

Mr. Ross was undoubtedly a striking figure with his tall and well-built frame that set him apart from the crowd. His dark curly hair framed a face that exuded both strength and charisma. His eyes, an intense shade of gray-blue, seemed to hold a depth of experience and wisdom. One peculiar detail that caught the eye was a subtle silver ring on his right hand, bearing an intricate emblem. Its design whispered of an ancient lineage, possibly from a noble family.

As he stood there, idly twirling the ring on his finger, his thoughts danced with anticipation. The arrival of Miss Miller marked a crucial moment in the unfolding mission. Despite the peculiar nature of the assignment, Richard found himself drawn to the challenge. His years of training as an FBI agent had prepared him for unexpected encounters, but there was something about this particular meeting that felt like the beginning of a puzzle he was eager to solve.

Eventually, the girl arrived, and he recognized her instantly the moment she stepped into view. His keen instincts immediately picked up on her presence.

The FBI agent observed her from a distance, his experienced eyes dissecting every detail. As she approached, he couldn’t help but acknowledge the unique charm she exuded. Her choice of attire, a blend of jeans and a white shirt, revealed a refreshing simplicity that appealed to Richard. It was a departure from the usual sophistication he encountered in his line of work.

As she neared, he noticed the subtle makeup that enhanced her features, adding a touch of elegance without overshadowing her natural beauty. The way she carried herself, a mix of confidence and a hint of curiosity, intrigued Richard. There was a magnetic quality to Dora Miller, leaving him with an unspoken curiosity about the person beneath the surface.

And as she finally stood before him, a single thought lingered in Richard’s mind—a realization that this assignment might have been more complex than he initially thought.