Almost 30% of Alora's stock market had plummeted sharply due to the negative review results of their new launched beauty products.
As she read the news on her iPad, a triumphant smile arched in the corners of Catalina's lips. She moved a finger to scroll up the screen as she ran the rest of the article through a quick read. After she satisfied herself reading the news, she tossed the iPad back at the shotgun seat next to her. She glanced outside her car, where the highway turned into a giant parking lot. The traffic snaked up the hill, two lines of steel and tire, and each in their stop-start fashion.
Catalina gaped at the traffic light ahead of her, as she gasped in annoyance her phone suddenly rang. She put on her earpods and answered the call.
"Have you seen the news?" said a female voice from the other line.
"Uhuh. Great job." Catalina replied with a smirk. "Raquel will call you for your reward, Jamie."
"Oh, glad you're pleased. Thank you, Ms. Haytham."
Catalina ended the call and started up her car as the traffic jam moved along. After just a few minutes, she arrived at the underground parking lot of E'vico Empire. As she approached the entrance, a valet was already waiting. She got out of her car and tossed her key at the chauffeur who gave her a slight bow as she made her way towards the elevator. Catalina pressed her hand against a small glass panel. A sensor read her fingerprints, verified them, and activated the elevator. The doors slid shut and the elevator rose to the sixtieth floor without stopping. Nobody else ever used it since it was directed to her private office. The walls of this elevator are made of crystal and a small Plume Blanche Diamond sofa stood luxuriously inside, where she always loved to sit as she watched the people on the ground floors shrink to ants as she shoot up into the air.
The elevator opened directly into her private office and she wasn't expecting someone would be already inside waiting for her. She spotted the Mediterranean woman from the window, sitting in one of the great, big chesterfield chairs on the porch, one leg neatly folded on the other, showing her black oxford shoes. Her attention was too focused outside that she didn't notice Catalina entered the office. Her fingers were tapping rhythmically on the armrest while her eyes settled at the bustling city that spread below her, yet it looked like she was seeing something else, deep in her thoughts.
"Never thought you'd pay me a visit, Astrid." Catalina remarked as she head towards her table. "You have something very important to report that you really have come in person?"
Astrid didn't break her gaze from the window as she answered Catalina. "It's about the person you asked me to run a background check on." She paused to turn her head to Catalina. "Ash Schiller."
Catalina glanced at her. "Uhuh. Did you find something suspicious?" She reached for a folder on top of her table to scan it. When she didn't get any reply from Astrid she glanced up to look at her. "Yes, you did. You wouldn't be here if you didn't, would you?"
"Nothing suspicious about his personal background," Astrid said that made Catalina to look at her again, but she didn't comment and waited for Astrid to continue. "He's an excellent student in Stanford University, majoring in Computer Science. He and his family used to live in London but they migrated here in California after his father died. He's living with his mother, Scarlet Schiller and a younger brother named Gray Schiller at 59 Walnut wood Rd. Oak Park, CA with a zip code 91377. He has no criminal record or anything suspicious about him," She paused as she stared back at Catalina, "not until I decided to leave the assistance of wires and codes, stood outside the console of my keyboard and computer screen and indulged into the reality of other's campgrounds." Astrid stood up and transferred at the chair in front of Catalina's table. "Since you said that you wanted to know everything and I don't want to report back to you with nothing riveting, I decided to hook up with one of his friends named Lorenz Scott, which I am very much glad that I chose him and I didn't comply to my idea of hooking up directly to my target which was, Ash Schiller. Because if I did—which was almost—I would've been blown out by my cover right away."
"What do you mean?" Catalina asked, still scanning the folder.
"That guy," Astrid lifted a finger to point out at a random direction like she's actually pointing out to someone else while her eyes were glued to Catalina. "His eyes were sharper than his jawline!" she squealed, "I was so sure I was the one who was trying to observe him and to get anything from him, but, it turned out the opposite way around. It was him who was actually observing me! If we both have guns, his were already loaded with bullets and mine was still empty. He knew I was married from the very start just because he saw the faint mark of my ring in my ring finger!" Scoffing, Astrid showed her ring finger—which already has a ring—to Catalina. "He even stated that I had just removed it after a long time. Which I really did since I decided to flirt with his friend. Can you believe that? And you know what? He also discovered I'm an assassin, for crying out loud!" She spoke so fast and sounded so distressed this time.
Catalina stopped what she was doing and focused her full attention to Astrid. "How?"
"I don't know. He just noticed everything. Maybe if I get naked in front of him, he could whoop out to me my whole goddamn life story. He noticed my burned mark—for godsake it was hidden under my dress! And this," Astrid placed her fingers to her necklace that was just right between her collar bones. "Can you even tell me what this pendant looks like? This necklace is so thin, the color's almost translucent, no one could even easily tell I'm wearing one. But, that guy, he just uttered it to me like it was actually the most obvious thing in the world! He seemed to know everything, like he was actually the one who did a thorough background check on me." She chuckled sarcastically. "He just guessed everything right. Except, of course, for one thing." She lowered her voice, "I was an assassin. I stopped that life a long time ago when I got married, of course, I don't want to horrify my husband, that one day a coffin of mine would be delivered in front of our house. It was supposed to be confidential, something that I've already buried. But that guy just blurted it all out; as if he just found out I was a damn Pikachu! And after everything he had said, that eccentric crook—he fell asleep! Like he just told everyone a fucking bedtime story." Astrid was whining in front of Catalina, like she had been in so much struggle clenching over this and this was somehow the only chance she was able to release this disturbance inside her.
"What does that supposed to mean? He's no ordinary?" Catalina leaned back in her swivel chair as she slowly swung it from left to right. Her expression looked intrigued.
"I don't know. Maybe he's a lunatic. If only I got my gun with me that time, I'll shoot him right after he declared I'm a goddamned assassin. You know, I couldn't really express how he did all that, but seriously, that was absurdity. I'm just glad he didn't find out he was my target and I was actually there to spy him."
"You know, I'm meeting with him this afternoon." Catalina said, "I asked Raquel to call him earlier, since I need to discuss something about the drugs he sold me."
"That's good then, you'll know what the heck I am babbling here about." Astrid replied, "And oh, bring a gun. If he says something you won't really like, shoot him right into his esophagus. I doubt if he'll still be able to plaster that arrogant, high-and-mighty face of his."
Catalina let out a low laugh. "Now, you're being childish? It doesn't suit you, you look gross. You're a special agent of RECEO, Astrid. Why don't you play the usual game of a special agent if you're that upset?"
Catalina shifted her attention to her computer screen while Astrid rolled her eyes heavenwards.
"Anyways, how's your grandfather? You visited him earlier, right?" Astrid settled on her chair.
"I told him about the drugs." Catalina replied while typing on her keyboard.
"I'm very sorry, Cath." Astrid voice suddenly plummeted into an apologetic one. "RECEO couldn't even give you something. You know, we're really doing our best—"
"Oh, shut up. Why don't you just get your ugly face out of my sight and get back to work, instead of apologizing here in front of me?" Catalina averted her gaze at her. "You know 'sorry' is not what I need, so make sure next time I see your wretched face, it's triumphant, not apologetic."
Astrid let out a sigh as she shook her head. After a while, she stood up, "Then, I'll head out now. Have a nice day, Haytham." She turned her back at Catalina and made a quick sway of her hand in the air.
"And, oh, Astrid," Catalina mumbled, making Astrid to turn back to her. "It's nice seeing you again."
Astrid smiled, nodding her head slightly, "You too, Cathy."
•
When afternoon came, Catalina went to Late Halberd. This is where she will meet with Ash. When she arrived inside, the bartender greeted her with his usual bright, serene smile.
"I've reserved the upstairs as usual for you, Ms. Cath, since your secretary called earlier." The bartender muttered in a friendly manner to Catalina. He's a chubby man on his middle 60's. He's been working in here for a long time now and was also the owner of this place. He was jolly and quick witted for his age.
"That's great, Lucas. Thank you so much." Catalina replied and went directly upstairs where everything was much brighter since it was indeed an open place. Like a balcony type above this bistro. It has concrete ledges, square rough edges, rusty rails, and scattered every corners were potted plants that in the spring and summer season it become a riot of color. There are a few numbers of small wooden tables and chairs, anyone could enjoy the breeze, the sun, and even sometimes could sit out in misty rain.
Catalina walked towards the railings, she looked up and saw a beautiful choreograph dance of the birds' silhouettes against the orange-kissed heaven. They're like children of the sky, free spirited, not a care in the world. Somewhat, the sound of the birds brought her back to her childhood. A sound so comforting and heartfelt.
"Are you also thinking that you'll ever leave the ground?" Suddenly someone spoke beside her. A voice so quite, cold and distant.
Catalina tilted her head to see Ash standing beside her. His elbows rested at the railings as he looked on the opposite direction. He smelled faintly of cigarette smoke.
"You're crazy then. Only angels know how to fly." He continued, meeting Catalina's gaze. "You look like one. But, can you fly?" He added in a low voice.
How his eyes could look empty and penetrating at the same time?—Catalina thought. It's dull, it's dark, it looked less human, but why does it feel like behind those are a thousand unreachable feelings?
Catalina managed to lift an eyebrow. "Is that your way of hitting on girls? Do they usually bite that?" She chuckled, then paused to shoot him a cold stare, "It won't work, you just made the president of the top beauty industry in the world wait. I salute your guts."
"I told your secretary I have a class. Besides, you look relaxed and happy standing here alone."
"I wasn't. Come on, let's start with business. I still got other important things to deal with." Catalina went to one of the tables situated near the railings.
"Do you usually prefer this kind of place?" Ash asked as he followed her to the table. His eyes briefly wandering the place.
"It's none of your business, Mr. Schiller. Here," Catalina reached something inside her bag. It's a small, gray box that Ash was very familiar with. "Focus your attention to this. I don't think you've explained something like this when you sold me this drug."
Ash reached the box from Catalina. When he opened it, the tiny tube was still inside, though, the content wasn't this much the last time he remembered.
"I was sure that when you showed that to us, it was this pint-sized, but after a week, I noticed the amount of the powder was increasing. Even the color changes briskly from light blue to white." Catalina explained.
Ash lifted the tube warily, his gaze hitched on it at the same time Catalina's did. He narrowed his eyes as he analyzed the tube deliberately on his hand. "What about the drug? Did you run a test to it?" he asked, his eyes magnetized at the tiny tube.
"We asked the police for the drug sample that they got from my grandfather since we can't just trust the drugs you gave us. I hired someone to run a test to it but it's still in process."
Ash was quiet. His attention was completely locked to the tube. "This was supposed to be a mere substance that I found in the drugs, but, it looks like I was wrong at this rate. This substance is multiplying, it's alive." There was a note of fascination in his voice. His dark eyes somewhat glinted, he looked like a kid who just saw a newly invented toy in the world. "It's more likely a biologically engineered drug." His eyes looking displeased and allured at the same time. "I can't believe I missed the major part." He muttered, almost a whisper.
"A-Alive? For real? As in that thing is breathing? Like there's actually a life inside it?" Catalina laughed, "What the hell does it mean?" She added, looking mystified.
Ash glanced at her. "This is like the process of synthetic biology, a research that seeks to create new biological parts, or to redesign systems that are already found in nature. Like how they developed synthetic illegal drugs. Synthetic biology is actually a bottom-up approach, the method of making and using of predominantly synthesized molecules. Biologists used it to produce a type of something, similar to any natural thing, like genetic materials that can only be seen in living things. Mostly, it's about reconstruction of a new "living" artificial cells or creating synthetic life." Ash removed his gaze from Catalina and shifted it back to the tube. "This is an intriguing question, you know. How certain molecules assemble or associate to acquire the features of living entities in such a manner that the characteristic of a life emerge? And that's what I gotta find, what kind of living compounds they exactly used to produce this substance. And what are exactly the objectives to the extent of making this kind of drug."
"You'll do that?" Catalina snapped.
"Isn't that what you want? That's why you meet up with me?"
Catalina got quiet for a moment, then she straightened her chair and crossed her arms. "Right, and because I have something to offer to you." She said while Ash stayed quiet. "Why don't you work for me, Ash?"
There was a moment of silence.
"Work for me and I'll pay you the exact amount I'm paying at the RECEO. I want you to work for me and find whoever is behind this, and if you're making progress in the process, I'll double the price, or maybe triple it, depending on your achievements. I'm asking you to help me save an innocent man, Ash. And if ever you'll succeed, I'll pay you ten times the price."
"Why?" Ash asked, "Do you think I'm efficient and competent enough for you to trust me on this?"
Catalina shrugged shortly, "Not that I would know if you won't gonna show me, right? If you can't do it, I can just dispose you right away, it's not a problem."
Ash stared at her keenly, then the side of his lips twitched. "Ten times the price, huh?" Catalina nodded. "Deal."
Catalina gave out a ridiculed low laugh, "Aren't you just a money-minded monkey?"
Ash just scoffed as he shrugged his shoulders.
"That was fast. Well then, here's my contact number." Catalina passed him a piece of paper. "I know your time would be split up between your studies and this job, so, call me if you need anything and I'll provide whatever I can help."
"Yeah, sure." Ash quickly replied, "I gotta go, then." He raised the small box he was holding. "I need to do my first official job for you, right?" He looked like he was already itching to investigate the thing.
Catalina nodded and when Ash was about to walk away, he suddenly stopped, turning again to face Catalina. "You know, you should be careful. I suggest you stopped visiting your grandfather for a while." He suddenly said.
"Have you gone mad?" Catalina retorted.
"I'm telling you, whoever made this drug is not some chickenshit enemy. Sooner or later, they'll find out we're already plunging deeper into this. You visited your grandfather earlier, and I'll consider you talked about the drugs to him. You wouldn't know if someone's already poking around, you know, waiting to see if you already have something valuable in your possession, and they might just make a move to make you fall off. It's not like they'll just let you walk peacefully in a straight path without getting tripped over a rock."
"How the hell did you know I visited my grandfather earlier?" Catalina snapped, creasing her eyebrows to Ash.
"What?" Ash muttered, like he couldn't believe Catalina's much concerned about that than the rest of what he just said about her safety. He uttered a light sigh as he wrapped his hand at the back of his neck, "The foul scent of criminals, rusty steels, and police linger in you. There's no other place with a smell as discomforting as a prison." Ash answered her anyway with a hint of bitterness in his voice.
Catalina stayed quiet, her expression was trenchant, her eyes marveling to Ash from head to toe, like she's examining not just his outside appearance but penetrating the depth of his soul. After a moment, Catalina managed to coax a faint laugh from Ash. She was taken aback because of that, somewhat stupefied that this guy actually has other expression aside from an impassive, blank face.
"If you got nothing to say, I should start heading out now." Ash said, turning his back to Catalina. He marched out of the door until he vanished on her sight.
Catalina was left alone; she just realized that twilight already fell. The soft breeze of the night stroked her skin and through the trees simultaneously, sending loose leaves on a dancing funfair ride, hypnotic, and beautiful. She decided to straighten up and went out of Late Halberd. She crossed the street and headed directly inside her empire. There were still few employees working inside, some who caught sight of her briefly bowed their heads, others greeted her. She headed to one of the elevators and went down to the parking lot to get her car.
As she got out of the elevator her phone suddenly rang. Her brows furrowed when Ash's name appeared on the screen. She answered it anyway, as she continued to walk.