**Chapter 13: Unraveling the Web**

The air was thick with tension as Pam turned to Luka, her eyes searching for answers. Luka's expression was guarded, and he avoided her gaze, his eyes fixed on the floor. Pam's mind was racing with questions, and Sophia's phone call had only added to the confusion. "What does Sophia want from me?" Pam asked, her voice laced with frustration. Luka sighed, his shoulders sagging under the weight of his secrets. "I'm not sure, Pam. Sophia's motives are always unclear. She's a master manipulator, and she knows exactly how to get what she wants." Pam's eyes narrowed. "And what does she want from you?" Luka's eyes flickered up to hers, and for a moment, Pam thought she saw a flash of fear. "Sophia and I... we have a complicated history," he repeated. "We were friends, but then... things happened. She helped me out of a difficult situation, but at a cost." Pam's curiosity was piqued. "What kind of cost?" Luka hesitated, his eyes darting around the room as if searching for an escape. "I owed people money, Pam. A lot of money. And Sophia... she offered to help me pay off my debts, but in return, I had to do something for her." Pam's eyes widened. "What did you have to do?" Luka's voice dropped to a whisper. "I had to help her with some... business deals. I didn't know what I was getting myself into, but I was desperate. And Sophia... she promised me that it would all work out in the end." Pam's mind was reeling with questions. What kind of business deals was Luka talking about? And what did Sophia have to do with them? As she sat there, trying to process everything, Pam's phone buzzed again. She hesitated for a moment before answering it. "Hello?" she said, her voice cautious. "Hey, Pam," Sophia's voice said, her tone sweet and innocent. "I hope you're thinking about what I said. We need to talk, and I don't want to do it over the phone." Pam's eyes locked onto Luka's, and she felt a surge of unease. What did Sophia want to talk about? And why was she being so cryptic? "I'll meet you somewhere," Pam said, her voice firm. "But you have to promise me one thing." "What's that?" Sophia asked, her voice curious. "You have to promise me the truth," Pam said, her voice steady. "No more lies, no more secrets. I deserve to know what's going on." There was a pause on the other end of the line, and for a moment, Pam wondered if Sophia had hung up. But then Sophia's voice came back, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, Pam. You have no idea what you're getting yourself into." The line went dead, and Pam was left staring at her phone, her heart racing with anticipation. What was Sophia planning? And what did she have to do with Luka?