Chapter 10: Reflections and New Tasks

The cold night air continued to sting Emma's skin as she walked down the deserted streets, trying to calm her mind. Despite completing her mission and leaving the bar unnoticed, an uncomfortable feeling clung to her, like a stain she couldn't wash away. She had finished the job, but the price felt too high for her soul.

With each step, the echo of her own footsteps reverberated in her head. She repeated to herself over and over that she was "just helping" and that men like Francis didn't deserve sympathy. But despite her efforts to justify her actions, something inside her screamed that what she had done was wrong.

"Is this who I am now?" she wondered. The answer wasn't clear.

Her phone vibrated in her pocket. She pulled it out with trembling hands and saw a new message from Ana:

"Well done. I knew you could do it. See you tomorrow to discuss the details of the next job."

Emma took a deep breath. Next job. The reality hit her harder than the cold. This was only the beginning. She knew she had taken the first step into something much darker and more complicated. And although the mission with Francis was over, she hadn't felt the relief she had expected. There was only more uncertainty.

It took her a few seconds to reply:

"Thanks. See you tomorrow."

After sending the response, Emma put her phone away and stood still in the middle of the empty street. A heavy burden weighed on her shoulders. She couldn't back out now. She was part of this, and Ana knew it. Somehow, that certainty terrified her.

The Meeting with Ana

The next day, Emma arrived at the café where Ana was waiting. Her mentor was as always: perfectly calm and composed, as if nothing they did affected her. As Emma approached the table, Ana looked up from her coffee and gave her a brief smile.

"You look good," Ana remarked, gesturing for Emma to sit across from her. "How do you feel?"

Emma hesitated for a moment. Ana's smile was reassuring, but Emma couldn't shake a mix of resentment and fear toward her. Ana had been the one to push her into this world, and now there was no way out without consequences.

"I'm not sure," Emma replied honestly, playing with the coffee cup the waiter had just set in front of her. "I thought I'd feel better after the mission, but I actually feel worse."

Ana looked at her seriously, no hint of mockery in her expression. She nodded slowly, as if she completely understood what Emma was going through.

"That's normal," Ana said calmly. "The first time is always the hardest. You feel like you're betraying something inside you, right? That what you're doing is wrong. But in time, you'll realize that what you do has a purpose. It's not just about seducing unfaithful men. It's about giving their wives the power they deserve."

Emma listened to Ana's words, but the empty feeling in her stomach remained. Did she really believe that? She wanted to think she was helping, but she couldn't deny the unease that the whole process caused her.

"I understand what you're saying," Emma responded, though she wasn't entirely convinced. "But I can't shake the feeling that…," she paused, searching for the right words. "I don't know if I can keep doing this over and over."

Ana observed her in silence for a few seconds, then leaned forward.

"The question you need to ask yourself isn't whether you can do it, but why you do it. If you focus on the reason, the rest becomes easier. Think about your mother, the debt you need to pay, the life you want to have. There's no room for doubt, Emma. If you keep doubting, this world will swallow you. But if you stay focused on what really matters, you'll be able to handle it."

Emma pressed her lips together, feeling the internal conflict intensifying. Ana was right. She had to remember why she had taken this job in the first place: for her mother, for the debt, for survival. If she didn't stay firm, everything would fall apart. She needed the money, she needed stability. And this was the only path in front of her.

"What you did yesterday was just one step," Ana continued. "The next one will be more complicated. And as you move forward, you'll see that each mission comes with its own challenges. But I'm confident you can handle this."

Emma swallowed hard. She knew Ana wasn't lying. This was going to be much harder than she had thought. But she had already crossed a line, and there was no going back.

"What's the next job?" she asked finally, resigned but determined.

Ana smiled slightly.

"It won't be right away. I want you to take a few days to process what you've done and what you will do. But when you're ready, let me know, and I'll give you the details." Ana paused before adding, "I trust you, Emma. I know you can go far in this world."

Emma nodded, though the weight of Ana's words still pressed down on her. She knew she had no other choice.

Solitary Reflections

That night, Emma returned to her small apartment, feeling emptier than ever. She lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling as her mind replayed everything she had been through in the past few days. The decision she had made, the kiss between Francis and his mistress, the photo that had sealed her fate.

She wondered how much more she could endure before this world consumed her completely. She knew she had taken the first step into something much darker, and she wasn't sure if she could come out of it unscathed.

Her phone vibrated on the bedside table, but this time she didn't check it. She knew Ana would be waiting for a sign that she was ready for the next job, but for now, she just wanted a moment of peace. A moment to process the life she had chosen.

"How long before I become someone I no longer recognize?" she wondered as she closed her eyes, knowing the answers wouldn't come easily.