I'm not her - Bad premonition and bodyguard (12.)

Anna flinched slightly at the sound of the voice behind her, but the next moment she shook her head to rid herself of the unpleasant thoughts and straightened her back more.

"No, that won't be necessary," she spoke in a voice that held no warm emotion, sounding oddly calm and composed. Without a backward glance, she forced her feet to move, and the clatter of her cane against the floor somehow made her take two deep breaths.

"There, you're not hiding anymore, little girl!" The old lady barked at her just after she opened the door. "I thought you'd be hiding for ages," she continued, striding into the shop without any permission or invitation to continue.

"What will you have, Madame Omelgl?" said Anne, without responding to her words. She closed the door as she did so, but before she closed it completely, she saw a black car with dark windows parked across from the shop, and two men who looked like undercover agents standing by it. There was no doubt that Madame had brought her personal security detail with her, but why? Anna asked herself momentarily, while a bad premonition washed over her.

"I see you've got yourself a nice little shop," Madame uttered with a hint of mockery.

"What are you doing here?", Anna phrased the question quite differently and turned to face the woman.

"I came to see how you're doing in your hometown," Madame began to look around the shop as if she was about to make herself at home, which was quickly confirmed when she sat down at a table. "You're making a nice living," she said, slamming her palm lightly on the table. "Meanwhile, my son..."

"Would you like something?" Anna nervously put a strand of hair behind her ear. She wanted to avoid the subject that was beginning to hang in the air at all costs, but as it turned out, luck was once again against her.

"I came to clear something up..."

"As for the money, I sent it to the account you gave me," she quickly jumped in and walked with a slow step behind the counter where she began to prepare a mug.

She was just turning to get the container that held the coffee when a deep voice spoke up.

"Anna, I'll set the tables, just tell me where the tablecloths are." She jerked but turned her head towards him.

You didn't think I was going to leave you with her. She read his eyes, which at first glance didn't look at all pleasant. Anna's gaze turned to Julia, who was holding onto Michael perhaps even tighter.

"That won't be necessary, I'll do it later," she huffed, turning back around and starting to make herself some coffee. I'd better make two, she thought.

*

"Here you go." She placed the mug and saucer in front of Madame, hoping she would keep her venomous remarks to herself for now.

"I was beginning to think I was sitting here completely unnecessarily," she uttered in a friendly voice, but one that hid resentment.

'You have quite a nice place,' Glotylda went on, taking a napkin in her hand while she slowly wiped the rim of her mug.

"I kind of wonder where you got the money for this, hmm..."