"A latte and a croissant with a cheese plate."
I was going through my emails while handing the menu back to a waiter I've never seen before. I've been having my breakfast in the same cafe for the past few years but I still can't get used to the fact that their serving staff always changes and despite being a regular, I've never really gotten to know anyone that worked here.
Oh- an email from Sir Jacob. Hopefully there's news about the authenticity of the Van Gogh piece we found.
"... verified... estimated to be worth at least $ 20 million.."
I'm so glad I wasn't drinking anything. "Two Lovers", a Van Gogh that hasn't been found in years just suddenly pops up in an estate sale of an old french lady. I hurriedly finished my coffee and paid my tab, I have to go to the gallery and plan the unveiling auction of this piece.
—
"Good Morning Adrian, what's got your tail wagging?" The moment I opened the door to my office, I was greeted by an obnoxious smirk from this idiot.
"Sandro, I'm sure the moment you hear it you're gonna start barfing rainbows." I turned my back on him, I couldn't resist tormenting him back because of that smirk.
"Well is it because of the new lady boss?" was the first thing that came out of his mouth, and I had to do a sudden 180.
"New lady boss?" I had no clue about what he was going on about.
"Yeah, apparently the madam gave an early inheritance to her favorite granddaughter- Wait! That isn't it?! Then why are you all giddy?" I really wanted to dwell more on how ridiculous his face was right now but I wanted to know more about this new boss.
"I'll tell you after you tell me about this new boss." This was essential news and this was news that I hadn't heard about at all!
"Ugh, fine..." he roller his eyes but continued "So you know how much of an eccentric the madam is despite being from an old family, right? So this morning, just before you came in, her assistant comes in and informs us that the new gallery owner will be holding an introductory dinner at the hall tonight. So Peter asked the 'whys and hows', so we found out that the madam had given her granddaughter a bit of her inheritance pre-mortem. Apparently there was some other drama involved but I doubt we can be too in-depth about it."
This is giving me a whiplash; a new boss with no prior warning at all and what's more, we're meeting her tonight.
—
"Why do you have to change your clothes?" Sandro dragged me outside to buy a new suit with him.
"You never know, if she's a beauty then I might just leave an impression and if she was a snooty boss then at least she can't fault my attire." And there's that smirk again, I honestly want to disfigure his jaw just to wipe that off.
"Just make it fast. Regardless of which one she is, being late won't help your case... or mine." I was looking through the cufflinks and saw one that had small Sapphire gems on them. They would probably match a couple of my new suits so I went through the purchase process.
*CRASHHHHHHH*
I turned around to see Sandro standing there dumbfounded at a teenager on the floor that tipped a mannequin over and broke a glass window. Another teenager just a couple of steps beside them rushed to the one on the floor.
"Mister, why did you push my friend?!" He suddenly shouted at Sandro.
Oh, what a ploy.
"Get me your manager and check the security footage." I whispered to the clerk that processed my purchase.
—
"I can't believe those kids, trying to do something like that just for compensation money." Sandro was ranting in the cab back to the gallery.
"Why can't they just focus all that deviousness into something else? Honestly, they don't even need the money. They were wearing designer from head to toe. Just how bored are those rich kids?!"
I can't really say anything to that.
Of course we ended up late because of that ordeal, now we have to quietly slip in at the back of the hall.
"...a gallery where everyone can be considered family, ..."
Oh what sweet words, I can't even see the new owner from where I am yet but I can hear her speech and I can feel the air of dignity in her manner of speaking. Her words and tone were cheerful.
We slowly made our way towards the curators table, grabbed some champagne, and sat down.
"...and so I hope that in the future, we may all be able to maintain the warm and welcoming atmosphere in the gallery."
She ended her speech and everyone started to clap and nod their heads with smiles on their faces. Her words making it's way into everyone's hearts.
I looked up to clap and I first saw her warm smile, thinking that this might be why.
Then as I continued looking up, my gaze focused on one thing.
Cold.
Her blue eyes were cold.
Am I the only one that noticed this? That warm smile and cold look, don't go well together.
Just how did she-?