One by one, black luxury vehicles came to a halt, silently, like predators awaiting their prey.

Exiting the first car, the man in the black suit with the covert earpiece peered up at the third-floor apartment’s balcony.

He walked straight up without knocking, with the assurance of someone who knows exactly where they are going.

Lidia had just poured herself a cup of tea and was on the verge of spilling it when she heard a brief but firm knock on the door.

Her voice was quiet as she asked, “Who is there?”

“Good afternoon, Lidia, Mrs. Do not be alarmed, please. I work for Mr. Andrei’s security agency, or more specifically, Mr. Andrei Rădulescu.

Heart thumping, Lidia opened the door. An imposing man with a cool but courteous expression stood in front of her. He gave her a covert signal, saying:

“I would like to see you, Mr. Rădulescu. At this moment.

“Rădulescu? I don’t get it. He was just taken to the hospital by me.

“Everything is known to us, ma’am. And for that very reason, you must accompany us.

Lidia felt a chill go down her back. With few questions, she picked up her coat and followed him. There was silence in the car.

The only sounds coming from the windows were the rhythmic tapping of the rain and the covert attachment of a gun to the front seatbelt.

They reached a vast estate with iron gates and dimly lit pathways after an hour’s drive.

The villa was even more spectacular than the one they had seen at the party the night before. Everything appeared to be from a nightmare or a movie.

Andrei, wearing a silk robe, lay back on the cushions of the plush living room couch. He had a deep voice, clean, shaven appearance, and alert eyes.

“Please come in, Lidia.”

The girl reluctantly went in, feeling totally uncomfortable here. He gave a small, appreciative smile.

“I was saved by you. You have no idea what you have rescued me from. I doubt I would still be here if it weren’t for you.

“I… All I did was what anyone else would have done.

No, the majority of people just pass by people who are lying on the street. You came to a stop. You stayed with me and you paid. And that occurs in a society where everyone acts in their own best interests.

Andrei gestured discreetly, and a man carrying a red velvet box came in. In front of Lidia, he opened it and found a bank card and car keys inside.

The key is in your brand-new, fully furnished hybrid taxi. Ten thousand euros is on the card. You will receive the transfer today.

“This is only a tiny portion of what I have in store for you. You should be my personal chauffeur. Actually.

“Three times your current income.” Additionally, your child should have everything they require when they are born.

Lidia could not speak. Even though her eyes were watering, she secretly felt a strange sense of calm, as though she had made the right decision.

In a world that had forgotten what it meant to be human, it was a human gesture.

Her life was about to undergo a permanent transformation, even though she was unaware of it at the time.