Mr. Mellone’s unique сollection

Proofreader Ekaterina Serbo

Designer – illustrator Katerina Vorobyova

© Mila Pavlova, 2023

ISBN 978-5-0060-6383-9

Created with Ridero smart publishing system

I express the greatest gratitude to my family, relatives and friends for their comprehension, help and support during this story writing.

⠀

Chapter 1

Los Angeles! This is a city of sins and temptations! This is a fantastic combination of reality and illusion! Los Angeles is a fairy tale city for some, and a cursed paradise for others.

A young pretty girl resolutely entered the panoramic elevator of a skyscraper towering in the center of the metropolis. She was on her way to a meeting in one of the luxurious offices, which was located on the twenty-first floor of the business center.

Mr. Devon turned out to be a very personable man with reptilian eyes. When the girl saw him, the phrases «airless space» and «temperature below absolute zero» for some reason immediately came to her mind. However, this made absolutely no impression on her. On the contrary, she was finally convinced that the order she was going to receive was quite real. And it meant that the incredibly generous fee for its implementation was also real.

– You are very young, – Mr. Devon’s voice was colorless and even lifeless. – But your recommendations are impeccable, and the people who gave them… However, you know everything yourself…

Mr. Devon picked up the remote control. A huge screen flashed behind him. A two-story mansion appeared on the screen, located in the forest, apparently somewhere in the mountains. The screen went blank after a couple of seconds.

– We have only this. There is no appearance, no signs, and no habits. We have only a photo of the house where the Object lives. – Mr. Devon’s voice was rustling somewhere beyond the hearing limit. – The subject is very cautious, suspicious and does not let anyone near him. The territory is guarded like Fort Knox, and even better. His cook, his housekeeper and his personal bodyguard who also acts as a chauffeur constantly stay with him in the house. The rest of the guards live on the territory, but these people are not seen or heard, although they see and hear everything. They are more loyal to the Object than watchdogs and they guard him just as zealously. There are no postmen, no pizza delivery men, or anything else. Getting close to the Object from the outside is simply unrealistic. But we were lucky. The Object needed a secretary. So there is an opportunity to get close to him from the inside. This is exactly what the customer needs.

Mr. Devon walked over to the window and folded his hands behind his back. The girl shrugged her shoulders and thoughtfully drawled: «There is a possibility… In that case, why is the amount for completing this order so astronomical?».

Something like satisfaction flashed in the reptile’s eyes. Or was it just imagination?

– Because any violent death is excluded, as well as an accident, – the unblinking cold reptile eyes stared into the surprised, puzzled eyes of the girl. – It must be suicide. This is an indispensable condition of the customer. The level of your professionalism is respected. You’re very creative. That’s why we chose you, – the rustling whisper stopped, and the eyes closed.

The visitor tilted her head to one side, pretending to think. But in fact, she has already decided everything. She decided everything at that moment, as soon as she heard about the impossibility of the task carrying out. She was hardly interested in money, because she had more than enough of it. During her not very long, but very successful career, she managed to earn for two or even three comfortable lives, if only she had them. She was attracted by everything unusual, non-standard and practically impossible. She was very adventurous and loved difficulties very much. And the more unattainable the goal was for her, the sweeter the taste of victory was. She has earned an impeccable reputation in her professional field precisely because of all of the above. Another merit of her was that she could cope with any order.

The reptile snorted contentedly and nodded his head almost imperceptibly.

– I am glad that our interests have coincided. Now I will provide you with the introductory data, there are very few of them. The Object is a collector. It is unknown what exactly he collects. We know that he loves classical music, painting and general art in all its manifestations, knows several languages. Despite his closed lifestyle, he leads an active virtual life. He has friends and partners in all corners of the earth. And more – he is disabled and confined to a wheelchair. It was a car accident.

– I noticed how your eyes twinkled. – Mr. Devon raised his hand and shook his index finger. – No wheelchair-related death. This will be regarded as an accident. He must commit suicide in the house and leave a suicide note in handwriting. His house is stuffed with cameras from top to bottom. Therefore, the fact of suicide, as well as murder, will be recorded from different angles, be sure, – the yellow-green eyes closed again.

The screen flashed anew, showing a sheet of newspaper with the announcement: «Live-in secretary required. An educated, young girl (knowledge of languages is welcome), able to keep up a conversation on any topic, with a great sense of humor. She must know office work, as well as be able to compile and maintain catalogs of archives. Payment …, – rather big payment was offered for the work. – Contact by…» – then the email address was specified. The screen went blank. The girl got up from her chair and walked towards the exit. Mellie, a professional killer of the highest class, has taken her new job. The reptile behind her made no sound.

Chapter 2

She sent her resume on the same day to the email address indicated in the advertisement. And almost immediately she got an answer. She was invited to an interview.

The mansion was impressive. The place where she arrived was striking in its solitude. It was hard to believe that such places could exist in the XXI century. And it was hard to believe that such places could exist near the city, which was boiling and bubbling like lava in the mouth of a volcano. Wherever Mellie looked, there were mountains covered with impenetrable forests, sheer cliffs and bottomless abysses. The road she took was like the road to hell. Although Mellie hoped never to find out what the road to hell looks like, for some reason she assumed that this is how this road should look like. After all, these were continuous cliffs, dizzying turns, ascents and descents. And in some places the passage was so narrow that one of the wheels of her car sometimes almost ended up in the air.

– Yes, – the girl thought with a smile. – Even if you order a pizza, you will hardly wait for it. No one will come here in their right mind and of their own free.

However, riding a mountain serpentine that would drive anyone else crazy only lifted her spirits. She loved danger, loved risk, loved speed and loved life very much! Therefore, she enjoyed it with full spoons and in all its manifestations. So Mellie stopped by her car in front of the wrought-iron gate under the gaze of video cameras bristling from all sides and breathed in the tart smell of pine needles after the rain that had just passed. How beautiful it was after all! And quiet! The silence was not terrible, empty, ringing, but appeasing and soothing.

Only a steady and muffled hum came from somewhere. She couldn’t find an explanation for this hum, and she didn’t want to. The hum did not interfere, it fit perfectly into the overall picture. For a minute, the thought even flashed – to build a house somewhere in the same place and retire after completing this order… Mellie pushed the thought away. How could she bury herself alive? Even in the most beautiful place on the planet – no, it’s not for her. The girl shook her head impatiently. Why is it taking so long to open the gate? She could always wait as long as she wanted. She could have remained completely motionless for hours, but now… Something seemed to be spurring her on from within. This order was extremely strange… And the Object was also strange, because almost nothing was known about him. And Molly couldn’t wait to see him.

Usually she received a photo along with the order, as well as a description of habits, routes of movement, and sometimes even audio recordings. She could look at the photo for hours, listen to the voice on the film, catch barely noticeable intonations and changes in the voice, imagined how the face in the photo would change depending on the conversation.

This time she had nothing! It was intriguing. In addition, she only had to come into contact with an Object a couple of times in her entire practice, and only for a short time. She will have a long communication, and the way of fulfilling the order will be more than extraordinary. It will take time, perhaps a very long time. But Mellie was in no hurry. She enjoyed the beginning and anticipated the pleasure she would get during this whole game. The only thing that darkened her mood, and then quite a bit, was the thought that the Object would turn out to be a feeble, harmful old man with a croaking, rasping voice. Oh, how she didn’t want that! She didn’t want to at all! She preferred worthy opponents capable of resisting. Then the whole game took on a special meaning.

Finally, the wrought-iron gates opened, slowly, as if reluctantly. Mellie got back into the car and drove into the yard under the gaze of numerous video cameras. It was the beginning of an interesting game.

Chapter 3

She was already expected. Mellie had no sooner climbed the steps to the door than it opened hospitably. She saw a woman whose age she could not determine. It was obvious that she was not young, but it was also impossible to call her old. The smile on the face of the person who met her was not on duty, but the friendliest. Mellie smiled back.

And the lady saw in front of her a young girl with large grayish-green eyes, not a beauty in the literal sense of the word, but very pretty. Too big nose for a thin face and somewhat asymmetrical facial features gave the guest a peculiar charm. But the girl’s hair immediately attracted her attention – it was a magnificent waterfall of thick long hair. Mellie was very proud of her hair and took care of it like a mother of a child. Her hair was dark by nature, but she achieved an amazing shade with the help of highlighting and various coloring. Her hair shimmered with pearly mother-of-pearl and sparkled in the sun. This radiant splendor flowed down his back to his knees. The hair was thick and heavy, so the girl usually tried to tie it in a knot or fasten it with hairpins. But in very rare cases, Mellie simply put her hair in a ponytail so that everyone could see the rare beauty. And such a case was just that day. Mellie noticed a note of admiration in the eyes of the stranger who met her.

– Are you Mellie? – the voice was deep and somehow homely. Mellie had been completely devoid of any sentimentality for a long time. She very diligently eradicated the beginnings of any feelings in herself, whether it was sympathy, anger or hatred. She could portray any feeling and reflect it on her face, but not in her soul… However, the girl wasn’t sure if she had a soul. But hearing this voice, for some reason, it seemed to her that it became warmer and more joyful …on the soul? No. It was just that the mood was good, the day was wonderful, and the woman was nice and kind. No soul.

– Come in, please, Mr. Mellone is waiting for you! – the lady stood aside, letting Mellie go ahead.

She found herself in a small but very cozy hall, which seemed to be bathed in sunlight. There were flowers, climbing plants, a minimum of furniture and silence all around… The silence was the same as there, outside the gate, not empty and cold, but peaceful and warm. Passing through the hall, they entered a long wide corridor, at the end of which was a large arch with a heavy door. The woman pointed to the door and said: «This is Mr. Mellone’s cabinet. I hope this office will become your workplace!», and went ahead. If Mellie had been alone, she would have galloped down the corridor, she was so eager to see the Object, but she was forced to trudge like a hobbled horse and feigned indifference. Her trained eye immediately identified the location of the cameras, half of which were artfully hidden, and it became clear that Mr. Devon was right. There was not a single corner in the mansion that would hide from the all-seeing eye. For a moment she felt like a frog, crucified on the glass of a large microscope, which was going to be dissected. The feeling was extremely unpleasant, incomprehensible and somehow new. She had never felt anything like this before. Millie was angry at the unfamiliar sensations that bothered her, and with difficulty refrained from showing her tongue, and with it her middle finger to the nearest camera. It is in the nearest one, so that it can be seen well! Although she suspected that those sitting on the other side could freely count how many breaths she took in a minute.

«Why does he need so many cameras? Fucking paranoid! – Mellie chuckled to herself. – No, he is not paranoid, because I, for example, didn`t come to pay a courtesy call at all…». She had to get used to the idea that her every movement was recorded – a turn, a tilt of the head, a look, a conversation. In addition, there was no doubt that the observers were able to read lips, in case the sound suddenly disappeared or someone spoke in a whisper. She was so lost in thought that she almost jumped, but no, thanks to her experience, when she heard the voice of a friendly companion: «Mr. Mellone, this is Miss Mellie!». The friendly lady again, as at the entrance doors, stood aside, letting Mellie to go ahead.

Chapter 4

The girl had no choice but to enter first. The office was huge, but at the same time very cozy. Rows of books from floor to ceiling occupied countless shelves. Some had magazines and catalogs on them. «Apparently, I’ll have to work with them…», – Mellie had thought. There was a full-length table by the huge panoramic window. «It’s not very smart to sit near such a window, considering how the owner is afraid of an assassination attempt. This is a great target, even a blind man will not miss!», – this thought flashed automatically, because the easiest way to fulfill the order was excluded. Another table was located slightly to the side. It was smaller, in the form of a horseshoe, with a laptop, an organizer and a printer. «Probably, this is my workplace…», – Mellie stated to herself. The heavy peach-colored curtains were pushed in beautiful waves into the corners. There was even more sunlight in the cabinet. It seemed like she could swim in it, like in a warm sea. The parquet, polished to a shine, sparkled all over from the sunbeams. Mellie saw her reflection in the parquet, as in a mirror. And when she raised her eyes to the ceiling, she gasped. There was no ceiling! More precisely, it was, but made of solar mirrors! It took her a while to figure it out! She had never seen such a thing anywhere before.

Due to the abundance of sunlight and the striking beauty and grandeur of the situation, the girl did not notice the man at all. He was sitting at a large table in a comfortable chair with half a turn to the window.

– Mellie… A beautiful name, and it suits you very well, – the voice was quiet, enveloping and the same as everything around, soothing.

The guest almost jumped in surprise for the second time in a short time. «What kind of place is this, it’s just enchanted!», – she was angry at herself for her inexcusable absent-mindedness. Although the brain was still clearly and quickly fixing everything around, there was a feeling of some unreality, as if she was looking at an iridescent postcard – here is a clear image, and everything is clear, but you turn a little, and everything slips away, changes, and you have a completely different picture in front of you. Mellie shook her head resolutely and promised herself not to disperse, briefly noting that her movement did not go unnoticed. There were enough cameras here. In her opinion, there were even an abundance of cameras. And all of them diligently turned their glass heads, accompanying every sigh, every flutter of eyelashes. It was already starting to make her feel a little queasy, but the nausea was immediately forgotten, as Millie began to study the man sitting in front of her with interest.

Chapter 5

The girl could not determine the age of the Object, as well as the age of the woman who let her into the house. He wasn’t young, but that was all she could say about his age. Thick, black hair below the shoulders was carefully styled and made the white face even paler, but it strangely suited him. The high forehead was without a single wrinkle, the brown almond-shaped eyes, fringed with long eyelashes, looked attentively and friendly without a shadow of wariness under the well-defined beautiful sweep of black eyebrows. Mellie’s gaze slid over his face like a sunbeam on water, not really lingering anywhere, but at the same time not missing anything. The nose was straight, classic. The swollen upper lip made the curve of the lips more sensual. A dimple on his chin and high cheekbones, as if carved out of stone, completed the picture.

Mr. Mellone wore glasses with large smoky lenses in thin frames, he was clean-shaven and perfectly dressed. The shirt cut the eyes with its whiteness, a black velvet home jacket could decorate any fashion show. One could guess a lean, but strong and trained body under the shirt. He had thin white hands with long elegant fingers and… that was all. Then the table interfered. Mellie even took a few steps forward to see what was under the table, but stopped abruptly. Her gaze went to the panoramic window, or rather to the picture that opened behind it. She understood why the cautious Mr. Malone was sitting so calmly by that window. And she realized where the steady hum that she had heard there on the street was coming from. It was impossible to see anything from where she stopped, so she erroneously concluded (it was very and very badly, because a mistake was synonymous with death in her profession) that because of this window, Mr. Mellon became an ideal target. As if not so! Almost immediately, the abyss began outside the window, where a waterfall fell from a huge height on the other side of the cliff. Tons of water rushed down, breaking on the rocky shores, which is why a cloud of spray constantly hung in the air, enclosed in a rainbow frame! The sight was so amazing and overwhelming that Mellie took her breath away. She frankly admired the fantastic beauty, so it did not immediately dawn on her… Silence! But there must have been such a roar in the room that would have burst eardrums! And again, the enveloping, quiet voice took her by surprise: «Noise isolation! It was a qualitative work. I strongly do not recommend opening the windows here!», – and the girl saw Mr. Mellone smiling for the first time.

Chapter 6

Mellie learned later that Mr. Mellone had a whole arsenal of smiles. It can be said that he had smiles for all occasions. Mr. Mellone no doubt knew how to smile and did it with a mark of quality. However, in the near future, she was to find out that this strange man does everything with a mark of quality. And she considered him strange, because… Well, take at least how he looked! He was a middle-aged, lonely cripple in the company of an equally middle-aged and, apparently, also a lonely woman. He did not expect any guests, he was not going anywhere, but he was always dressed as for a social event with a huge number of people. He was always perfectly combed and perfumed. Mr. Mellone’s shoes looked like a mirror. «Maybe he dressed up like that in honor of me? Still, my arrival is an event in his gray monotonous life…», – Mellie smiled contentedly to herself. If that were the case, it would make her goal of making the Object fall in love with her a lot easier. Anyway that was the plan for the moment.

The owner of the chic cabinet continued to smile with his inviting smile and at the same time to demonstrate his perfect and white teeth. He inquired in French how she got there. «Wow, it looks like everything here is serious, and getting this job will not be so easy…», – Mellie thought with some surprise. She thought that her resume, good looks and gorgeous hair would be enough to win immediately the favor of a lonely, sick old man. «Well, it’s even more interesting!», – she thought and with pleasure shared her impressions of the road in the purest French, noting the satisfaction that flashed in the eyes of her interlocutor. This was followed by a strange dialogue in Spanish, Italian, German and Russian. She had no problems with these languages. Mellie was a polyglot, proud of it, and was about to breathe a sigh of relief, but the next question, asked in Arabic, quickly brought her down to earth. Having difficulty grasping the essence of the question, she gave the answer with the same difficulty, absolutely not sure if she was answering correctly.

She saw the satisfied nod of her future employer and nevertheless exhaled, even almost relaxed, but it wasn’t there, because Mr. Mellone spoke in Chinese! She did not know this language at all, and could only shake her head in response to a questioning look. The same thing happened when a question in Portuguese followed.

Confused, Mellie cursed everything in the world to herself, literally burning with shame and anger. She was angry at Mr. Devon for not warning her, and she was even angrier at Mr. Mellone for making such excessive demands! The words were spinning in her head: «There is nothing to do for you, an old stump in a wheelchair! Just sit and teach others! And, by the way, there are still a lot of interesting things in life, especially for a young and pretty girl!».

Mellie said: «I’m sorry!» and got even angrier, at herself. «Sorry for what? Sorry for who? What kind of nonsense am I talking about?», – her thoughts were confused for some reason, although she had never noticed such a thing before. Contrary to her expectations, Mr. Mellone’s smile became even more benevolent.

– When will you be able to get to work? – there was a smell of wildflowers heated by the afternoon sun, the murmur of a stream and the chirping of cicadas could be heard when he spoke.

She shook her head to get rid of the obsession. The intonation and the voice itself caused audible and almost tangible hallucinations, but the meaning reached her. She passed! He hired her! And making a note to be extremely careful in conversations with this man who became her boss, Mellie said: «Now! If it is necessary!». She promised to give later a scolding to her imagination.

Smiling another disarming smile, Mr. Mellone told Mellie to present herself to the cabinet the next day at ten in the morning, wished her a good rest and drove off somewhere in his wheelchair.

The girl had the opportunity to take a good look at him during the conversation. The boss turned out to be a tall man, rather broad-shouldered, but of a fragile build. Mellie managed to see a lot – long, beautiful legs and quite impressive dimensions of what very expensive trousers almost tight hid below an even more expensive belt made of fine leather.