Paris, a city known for its love and passion deep within the heart of France. The sights were always breathtaking, the feeling of love in the air was overwhelming, the Eiffel tower stood proudly above all things, and enjoying a warm croissant at the local bakery was regularly a treat to behold...
"Pardon moi?!"
"Oh honey come now! You knew this day would come sooner or later and besides, you loved the museum as a child!"
"Oui but-"
"You'll do just fine ma fille. There isn't much to it."
With a soft kiss on the head from her mother and a rub of her shoulder from her father, Anastasia Tremó stood on the front steps to her family's museum speechless as her parents packed their car with their personal belongings and travelling gear. For as long as she could remember her family had consistently been actively engaged people, exploring and discovering, or in some cases purchasing, ancient artifacts within Paris alone and bringing them back to their museum to be cleaned and displayed for the public eye. Barbara was a largely known archaeologist and her husband Remiere was both an architect and a part time archeologist even though his spouse did most of the excavating. Growing up Anastasia obtained a natural thrill whenever her mother and father brought back an aged Surrealism painting or statuettes dating back to the early 1900's. Because the girl was so engrossed with her parents thrilling and adventurous lifestyle it came as quite a shock to her that they would turn over all that they had worked up for so suddenly into the palms of her inexperienced hands. To be fair Anastasia wasn't a child anymore and had aged into her late twenties but even so taking on this large responsibility in such a short amount of time without any sort of a plan made her stomach turn and her heart race, and not in a good way.
Anger, confusion, excitement, and fear stirred inside her mind similar to that of a roaring sea embedded in the middle of a horrific storm. The way her parents tried to avoid eye contact with her and proceed to shove their suitcases and boxes into the back of their MINI Cooper Hardtop infuriated Anastasia even more. With a huff she marched down the concrete steps to confront them about this, while obtaining the museum would make her ecstatic under normal circumstances this felt more forced as if they planned this last minute. But why? Her heels clicking onto the pavement alerted the attention of her parents who in turn closed the trunk of their car just as Anastasia came within inches of them, a hard glare on her face. Not even the chipper chattering of the people walking by or the smell of freshly baked baguettes from the bakery down the block lifted her spirits.
"What is the meaning of this? You both have been acting strangely the last few days! You're usually so open with me!"
There was a long pause between the trio and the glare on Anastasia's face didn't seem to be leaving anytime soon. Literally being cornered with nowhere to go Barbara and Remiere gave each other a quick, side eyed glance before smiling anxiously at their fuming child. Barbara was the first to speak up,
"Well, you see Ana, how do I put this easily? Your father and I were called from a large historic society group in Egypt to come and be a part of a research team on a massive archeological site in one of the great pharaohs tombs! It was such a short notice call ourselves but we couldn't pass the opportunity up!"
"Unfortunately the trip to Egypt and the time we will be spending there will be...lengthy. B-But we knew that this museum had a special place in your heart so there was no one we would rather trust it with than with you!"
Another pause. Anastasia didn't know whether to feel disgusted or overjoyed for her parents. She knew it was their dream to explore beyond France and unravel all the mysteries within the world and she shouldn't hold them for that, however they didn't breathe a word of this joyous news to her! Their own daughter! Were they afraid that she would be angry? Jealous? It hurt inside knowing that these past few days they have been secretly packing away their belongings little by little to head off on this amazing trip and give her the museum at the last minute under her nose but it was too late to change anything now. Luckily the museum was closing up for the day because of Barbara and Remiere moving for Egypt so it gave Anastasia some relief that she wouldn't be starting right away today. But now that technically the museum was her problem now, and it was a mandatory all day job, she would have to let her boss Juhstin know that she would be leaving her position at the Lieu D'amourin Cafe in town to focus on her family's legacy. Hopefully he would understand and even if he got upset, she couldn't blame him. Anastasia was one of Juhstins favorite workers because of her dedication towards her role and to the friendly nature she gave to the customers that came in. It wasn't a big income job but something to put a little bit of self money into Anastasia's pockets to make her feel somewhat achieved of herself.
And now that was going to end.
Her silence made Barbara and Remiere even more nerve wracked but before they could ask if she was alright Anastasia cut them off without warning, her voice low and almost deadpan.
"How long will you both be gone for?"
"...Around four to five years at most."
"But we will write every single day and send you lots of pictures-"
"YEARS?! YOU'RE GOING TO BE GONE FOR YEARS?!"
"S-Sweetheart! An archeological trip and dig site exploration takes a lot of time and money to invest in! T-There's getting the equipment, setting up shop, and pooling our funds to pay for food, water, sleeping containers, and other things for everyone! The government can only fund so much to us! Please understand t-that your mother and I didn't mean to upset you!"
Oh the irony. Anastasia felt her face crinkle in even more displeasure as her stomach began doing cartwheels within her body along with her heart racing faster than a derby horse on the tracks. The way she saw it her parents were practically abandoning her to go frolic in some Egyptian tombs in the desert halfway across the world and leave her behind all alone to take care of one of the most popular and busiest attractions in Paris with no form of guidance or basic knowledge of how it even was organized!
Great.
If she had more time to plan out how she was going to run things sooner this would have been a very different scenario. Maybe if her parents actually talked to her about handing the family museum over or gave her some kind of list to follow highlighting main focal points this could have been a breeze! She should feel proud that they would give her such a grand and important task! Maybe she was overthinking things? People would just come in and look at the art and artifacts right? She watched the public enter before and scamper about or take pictures after paying, but what if they had questions about the history of the piece or where it came from? Anastasia would be screwed. There was only so much she could remember, her parents brought in new things every single day it was hard to keep track of it all. Hopefully she could fabricate something believable up if anyone asked questions. With no other options, and clearly no way out of this, Anastasia reluctantly accepted her newfound task and crossed her arms as the warm summer air ran through her raven locks. As much as she despised her predicament, and right now her parents, she still had a job to do for the community and deep down Anastasia did love the museum and all its mysterious halls. If only she had an earlier heads up.
"Fine. I'll take the museum. Not like I have a choice here. Enjoy your trip."
"Ana banana I know you're crossed with us, and you have every right to be. But understand that if we successfully find something worth a lot of value in Egypt we could get a large income for it and have it displayed back here in the museum! Isn't that exciting?!"
"Oui. I'm jumping with absolute joy. You do realise because of this sudden trip I will have to quit my part time job at the cafe right?"
Barbara frowned as her amber colored eyes fell downcast to the pavement then over to her husbands emerald green ones. She knew how much Anastasia loved working at the quaint little place. Remiere himself was shaking with so much anxiety he didn't even look at his daughter but instead at his golden wrist watch.
4:15 p.m.
If they wanted to get to the airport in time for an early flight then they needed to leave. Now. Sighing deeply Barbara opened her arms out and gave Anastasia a hug, rubbing her back in slow rhythmic motions. Anastasia didn't return the affection with her emotions clouding her judgment but naturally let her head fall onto her mother's collarbone as an incoherent grumble departed passed her lips. Remiere sucked up his paranoia and also gave Anastasia a hug and a kiss on the head much like Barbara planted on her prior to the conversation. Clearly they thought she would have been ecstatic and thanking them for this wonderful opportunity but instead they received bitterness. Hopefully once she cooled down after a good night's rest and time to herself Anastasia would see how this place was meant to fall into her hands.
It was as if this was some kind of inherited destiny.
With one last farewell and a wish of good luck Barbara and Remiere stepped into their car, waved out the windows, and drove off down the street until they meshed with other cars and disappeared like a thief in the night. Anastasia held herself and shook her head while turning back towards the large building. Well it couldn't get any worse than this. As if fate wanted to torment her further a large loading truck with a logo depicting an angel holding the world that was designed to look like the details on a map pulled next to the museum and slowed down to a complete stop. Anastasia was caught off guard by the sudden vehicle and watched a darker skinned, lanky fellow hop out the drivers side with a clipboard in hand scratching his dark haired head. His uniform consisted of a tan jumper with small angel wings printed on his right breast pocket and on the front of his hat. As he made his way towards Anastasia, her green eyes darted over to the name that was imprinted onto the truck.
'Earth Angel Artifacts'
Anastasia had never heard of such a company before in her entire life, but if they were anything about artifacts like the label said than it had to be something for the museum, but what? Decor? Specific cleaning supplies? With these questions running through her subconscious Anastasia hadn't realised that the man was already in front of her, smiling awkwardly and gave her a polite tip of his cap before speaking,
"Excusez-moi madame, is this the Tremó Historical Museum?"
"Oui, and who am I speaking with?"
"My name is Juliò Gonzales and I'm here to deliver the package that was to be delivered here. I am terribly sorry for the inconvenience that it wasn't sent in earlier but the over sea cargo boats have been having some issues lately bringing in trade."
"Wait wait wait, I didn't order anything. My parents perhaps but they just left for a trip to Egypt."
Julió made a small 'Ah' sound and looked down at the clipboard with the paperwork on it tapping his chin in thought. He couldn't just send it back. With a curt smile he handed the clipboard over to Anastasia to skim through while he signaled the passenger in the delivery truck to hop out and unload the package from the back. Whatever it was, if it was stored in the large end of the truck, it must be huge or largely sized. Another thing her parents forgot to mention. Perfect. Sighing under her breath Anastasia looked the paperwork over with a slightly intrigued expression on her face. Most of it was billing information with prints of both Barbara and Remiere's signatures and some other legal documents. As her emerald pools skimmed the printed words, the back end of the truck was opened and the other worker who rode with Julió jumped into the back with a cargo dolly to retrieve whatever was inside. Julió crossed his arms and looked up at the museum, whistling.
"You have a very nice place mon cher, your folks are incredibly lucky to be able to create such a historic landmark with their bare hands let alone bring in the stuff they find in dirt or inside abandoned places."
"Hm? Oh! Oui it is rather interesting. Say, what did my parents purchase? The details don't really describe anything here on the paperwork for some reason."
Before Julió got a chance to reply the worker from inside the truck yelled for his help. He gave Anastasia an apologetic smile then quickly ran over to help his co worker unload the dolly and whatever was on it safely. Anastasia watched the two men place the wheels of the moving equipment onto the pavement and once they moved to the side and wipe the sweat from their brows she got a pretty good look at what it was, she didn't even need to second guess the package even though it was all wrapped up in brown packaging paper.
It was a painting.
It had more length than it did width like any regular portrait painting size would so it was definitely not a longways landscape work. A part of her was very curious on what it looked like underneath all that paper but another part of her felt drained, physically and mentally, from the culture shock her parents gave her mere minutes ago so she decided to further investigate tomorrow morning. For now the painting would go into the back storage room until Anastasia could decide a proper place for it unless there was a spot her parents had already picked somewhere. Julió and his friend wheeled the artwork onto the sidewalk and up a built in concrete ramp Remiere had designed and installed so when larger items were purchased they could easily be wheeled up to the front door, it also was a walkway for handicapped people bound to wheelchairs or crutches who couldn't take the stairs.
Anastasia led the gentleman inside the front lobby where it was circular, or dome, shaped much like parts of a Victorian home were that had the dark wooden front desk and a large lit up map of all floors and levels of the museum as well as the nearest bathrooms and elevators. The sound of their shoes clicking and clacking against the polished marble floor, along with the squeaking of the wheels, echoed in the empty building as Anastasia took the two men around some corners and down a large dimly lit hallway where most of the displays containing old vases, silverware, garments, jewelry, etc were displayed. Most of the items dated back to the late 1400's or 17oo's with a few things from the early 1800's to 1900's. Lots of things varied in date within the museum. Julió even glanced at the displays from time to time to make awed faces at the neat little trinkets and ancient knick knacks. Soon enough the trio reached a large, black metal door that was locked but luckily Anastasia was handed the keys by her mother that very morning, they were the first sign that Anastasia knew something was amiss. There were many sets of keys along with a French flag and an I Heart History keychain attached to the ring. There was one for the front door, back doors, the storage room, the boiler room, and her parents office. Well technically now her office but even so.
Mumbling under her breath Anastasia was able to obtain the right key and unlocked the storage room, opening both doors wide enough for the painting and the men to get through. Julió happily made his way in first with his co worker and the painting following after. The storage room was a bit smaller than most of the rooms in the museum but there wasn't much back there since most of the time when new stuff came in Barbara and Remiere immediately cleaned it up and displayed it within the museum but knowing Anastasia, it would soon pile up because she had no idea where this painting was supposed to go yet. Who knows what else could be on the way or what she herself could purchase in the future. She had plenty of time to think about it since her parents would be gone for a couple of years. Would they even like what she would do to the place when they got back? Who cares? They're the ones who gave her they keys and said bye bye so they only had themselves to blame for what was going to happen around here from now on. Anastasia volunteered to help the men take the painting off the dolly and gently lean it against the wall but they refused her kind offer and did it themselves but appreciated her best thought at heart.
More friendly exchanges were made and some handshakes, or rather knuckle kisses from Julió, before Anastasia secured the room and locked it up allowing the men to follow her back to the front entrance doors and on their merrily ways along with herself, she needed to go home and recharge after today with some warm tea and ginger cookies. As they left the storage room, the hallway lights dimmed darker and darker behind them one by one, bulb by bulb, until the entire space was nothing but sheer darkness and for the locked door handle to shake ever so slightly….