Chapter 1: Opening Image
The fluorescent lights hummed a familiar tune as Ewelina pushed her shopping cart through the wide aisles of Lidl. She was on her lunch break, trying to cram in some grocery shopping before she had to get back to the police station to finish her shift. Her red hair, pulled into a messy bun, bounced with each step she took, a few loose strands framing her face. Her tattooed arms, adorned with intricate designs, glided along the handle of the cart as she maneuvered through the crowded store.
She was on a mission, her eyes scanning the brightly colored products lining the shelves. Her list was mental, her focus intense, and her pace quick.
As she rounded the corner of the canned goods aisle, she saw it - her favourite flavour of Monster, on sale no less. She reached for it, her fingers wrapping around the familiar jar, and without a second thought, she dropped it into her cart. She was in a hurry, after all.
Meanwhile, at the front of the store, Sebastian was restocking the checkout counters.
He was a burly man in his thirties, with short black hair and tattoos peeking out from under his Lidl polo shirt. He had a quick wit and an even quicker smile, which he frequently used to lighten the mood with customers and coworkers alike. Today was no exception.
"You know, they say that laughter is the best medicine," he said to when he saw Ewelina, as she passed him in the aisle. "But I think a good spanking might just be a close second."
Kamil, a handsome colleague of Sebastian in his late twenties with a strong jawline, rolled his eyes but grinned nonetheless.
"You're such a clown, Sebastian. When are you going to grow up?" he said, but there was no malice in his voice, only playful banter.
Ewelina, who was still within earshot, couldn't help but chuckle. She glanced back at them, her green eyes sparkling with amusement. "Well, both can make your face hurt from smiling," she joked, her voice low and sultry, surprising even herself. She quickly looked away, a slight blush creeping up her cheeks.
As she made her way out of the shop after going through the till, she was surprised to see Sebastian and Kamil walking towards her.
They had a certain swagger in their step that made her pause. Something about their demeanor hinted that this wasn't just a casual encounter.
Sebastian stopped in front of her, reached into her handbag and took out a familiar can of Monster. "You wouldn't happen to know anything about this, would you?" he asked, his voice teasing.
Ewelina's heart skipped a beat. She knew exactly what was in her cart, but she played dumb. "What about it?" she asked, her voice nonchalant.
Kamil leaned against the cart, his eyes flicking between her and Sebastian.
"It seems to have found its way into your bag without you paying for it," he said, his voice laced with a playful challenge.
Ewelina's blush deepened, and she laughed softly, trying to brush it off. "Oh, really? I am sure I payed for it" she said, her eyes sparkling with a mix of embarrassment and amusement.
Sebastian grinned, his eyes lingering on her for a moment too long. "No problem, we can check the cameras. How about you join us in the office?" he suggested, his voice dropping to a lower octave.
Ewelina felt a heat rise in her cheeks, and she quickly looked away. "I think I might not be safe with two handsome men back there," trying to keep the sitaution funny.
Kamil stepped in, his voice smooth and calm. "Come on, Ewelina. I am sure Sebastian is mistaken. But we do need to check."
She bit her lower lip, considering their offer. She looked at her watch, calculating the time before she had to be back at work.
"Alright, but make it quick," she finally said, her voice soft yet firm. "I have to get home."
Sebastian grinned, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "We promise, we won't keep you long," he said, winking at her. He gestured for her to follow them, and they made their way towards the back of the store, past the stock rooms and into a small, cluttered office.
The room was filled with the hum of a nearby refrigerator and the soft whir of a computer fan. Kamil closed the door behind them, leaving the three of them in the cramped space.
Sebastian took his seat in front of a large monitor, Kamil leaning against the desk beside him. Ewelina remained standing, her arms crossed in front of her. She shifted her weight from one foot to the other, her eyes scanning the room. She noticed a framed picture on the desk, of the two of them with another colleague, all wearing silly hats and grinning widely. She smiled to herself, appreciating the casualness of their work environment.
Sebastian leaned into the computer, adjusting his position to view the screen better. "Alright, let's see what we've got," he muttered, scrolling through the footage.
Kamil, meanwhile, had his eyes fixed on Ewelina. "So, Ewelina, how do you like working at the police station? Must be interesting," he said, breaking the silence.
Ewelina shrugged, a small smile playing on her lips. "It's alright.
I've seen and heard a lot of things you wouldn't believe," Ewelina said, her voice taking on a distant quality as she thought back to some of the more outrageous things she had done with Keith in the station. "But most days it is quiet."
Sebastian chuckled from his seat, not looking up from the screen. "See, Kamil? Even the cops have boring days. Makes our jobs here seem exciting in comparison, doesn't it?"
Kamil laughed, but his eyes remained on Ewelina. "Yeah, but at least we don't have to deal with criminals.
Well, except for the occasional shoplifters," he added, casting a glance in Ewelina's direction. She looked away, the familiar weight of guilt settling in her stomach.
Sebastian spun the monitor towards her, and her eyes flicked to the screen. "Ah, here we are. Look familiar?" he asked.
She leaned forward to take a closer look and saw herself on the screen, reaching for the Monster energy drink and placing it in her handbag. She couldn't believe she made such a silly mistake.
"Oh, I see," she murmured, stepping back.
"Guess I got distracted."
Sebastian grinned, "Distracted, huh? By what? Our charming personalities, perhaps?"
Kamil chortled, "Or maybe she just wanted us to catch her?"
Ewelina rolled her eyes, but a smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. "Yeah, yeah. Very funny, guys."
Sebastian stood up and stretched, cracking his knuckles.
"Alright, Ewelina. Now, we can't just let this go, can we?" He shot Kamil a look, and the two exchanged a smirk.
Ewelina's eyes narrowed, a flicker of suspicion crossing her mind. "What do you mean?" she asked, her voice laced with caution.
Kamil took a step forward, his hands in his pockets. "Well, we can't just let you walk out of here without paying for that drink, now can we?"
Ewelina's eyebrows shot up. "So, what?
You want me to pay for it now?" Ewelina asked, her voice steady as she tried to hide her growing unease. She dug into her pocket and pulled out her wallet, ready to settle the matter quickly.
Sebastian held up a hand, shaking his head. "Nah, we can't accept payment here. Store policy."
Ewelina's shoulders relaxed slightly. "Alright, then. I'll go out and pay for it at the register." She started to turn away, but Sebastian spoke up again.
"Hold on a sec.
There might be another way to settle this," Sebastian said, his eyes gleaming with a mischievous glint.
Ewelina turned back to face him, her curiosity piqued. "Oh yeah? And what's that?"
Sebastian exchanged another look with Kamil before turning back to Ewelina. "Well, since it was an honest mistake, we could, you know, let it slide. But only if you agree to... compensate us in another way." "Compensate you? How?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.