Chereads / The Shadow Empire / Chapter 6 - Chapter 6

Chapter 6 - Chapter 6

Elena couldn't shake the sensation of unease as she walked out of Alexander's workplace. His phrases echoed in her thoughts: "Be ready for something." She tried to consciousness of the exhilaration of the approaching occasion at the Metropolitan Museum, but there was an undercurrent of something she couldn't quite understand.

The elevator doors slid open, and Elena stepped inside, leaning in opposition to the cool metallic wall. She pressed the button for her floor, her thoughts racing with opportunities. What precisely turned into Alexander hinting at? And why had he chosen her, out of all the humans inside the organization, to accompany him to such an important occasion?

Her mind had been interrupted with the aid of the gentle ping of the elevator attaining her floor. When the doors opened, Elena saw Lydia ready inside the hallway, her palms crossed and an unreadable expression on her face.

"Elena," Lydia greeted, her voice clean yet with an aspect that made Elena's skin prickle.

"Lydia," Elena spoke back, trying to keep her tone impartial. "Is there something you want?"

"I couldn't assist, however,, to observe that you had been in Alexander's office for quite a while," Lydia stated, her eyes narrowing barely. "whatever exciting happened?"

Elena hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "simply discussing some changes to the Voss Tower challenge."

Lydia's gaze intensified. "changes? Care too complicated?"

Elena forced a grin. "It's nothing concrete but, simply brainstorming a few ideas."

"Hmm," Lydia murmured, certainly unsatisfied with the vague response. "I assume I'll hear more about it in due time."

Elena nodded, hoping the communication might quit there. However, Lydia took a step closer, decreasing her voice.

"Be cautious, Elena," Lydia warned, her tone softer now, almost concerned. "Alexander is… complex. It's easy to get stuck in his world, but you want to maintain your wits."

Elena met Lydia's gaze, attempting to find any hidden meaning at the back of the words. "I recognize the recommendation, Lydia. I'll hold that in mind."

Lydia studied her for a moment longer earlier than nodding. "appropriate. Simply recall, not the whole lot because it seems to be this corporation."

With that, Lydia grew to become and walked away, leaving Elena status within the hallway, her mind now even more tangled with questions.

Later that night, Elena sat at her table at home, the blueprints for the Voss Tower spread out before her. She attempted to consciousness on the venture handy, but her mind d returned to her communication with Lydia and Alexander's mysterious phrases.

Just as she was to dive again into her work, her telephone buzzed. She glanced at the display screen to look at textual content from David.

David: "How's the genius at work?"

Elena smiled and quickly typed a response. "trying to discern out the way to make Alexander's modern concept work. You?"

David: "Just were given domestic. Can't forestall thinking about what Lydia said earlier. She seems strange."

Elena's arms hovered over the keyboard as she thought of a way to reply. Should she percentage her issues? Before she could decide, another message from David came too.

David: "Appearance, I recognize you've got plenty on your plate, but maybe we must clutch a drink someday this week. Take a spoil from all this madness."

Elena hesitated. A wreck did sound best, but she wasn't certain if it was an excellent concept to mix enterprise with delight, mainly with all the uncertainty surrounding the task.

Elena: "I recognize the provider. However, I'm swamped right now.. Maybe as soon as matters settle down?"

David: "Fair enough. Simply don't burn yourself out, ok?"

Elena: "I received. Thank you, David."

She set her phone down, her mind nevertheless swirling with the entirety that had come about. The idea of taking a spoil became tempting, however, she knew she couldn't have the funds to lose focus now. No longer with a lot at stake.

The following morning, Elena arrived at the workplace early and decided to get a head start on the day. As she stepped out of the elevator, she was surprised to see Alexander already in his office, the door slightly ajar.

She approached hesitantly, knocking softly earlier than peeking inside. "Alexander?"

He looked up from his desk, a rare smile curving his lips. "Elena, are available in."

Elena entered, noting the stacks of papers and blueprints protecting his table. "You're right here early."

"could say the equal you," Alexander spoke back, leaning again in his chair. "however I suppose that's what occurs when you're passionate about your paintings."

Elena felt a flush of satisfaction at his words but quickly reminded herself to live carefully. "I wanted to get a head start on the revisions. I've been considering your concept to incorporate more green areas and public regions."

"appropriate," Alexander said, his eyes brightening with hobby. "What have you provided you with?"

Elena pulled out her notes, spreading them throughout the desk. "I've outlined some opportunities. We could redesign the rooftop to encompass a lawn with a mixture of local flora and seating regions. It might provide a nonviolent retreat inside the centre of the city."

Alexander leaned ahead, reading the notes cautiously. "I like it. What else?"

"We can also create an open courtyard on one of the decreasing degrees," Elena persevered, pointing to another sketch. "It might be handy to the general public and might be used for community activities or simply as a gathering space."

Alexander nodded, honestly thrilled. "This is precisely what I used to be hoping for, Elena. You've exceeded my expectations."

Elena couldn't help but smile, however, before she could reply, Alexander's cell phone rang. He glanced at the display screen, his expression hardening barely.

"I need to take this," he stated, status up. "but I need you to keep working on those thoughts. We'll meet once more the next day to finalize the plans."

Elena nodded, amassing her matters. "I'll be geared up."

As she left his workplace, she couldn't help but sense a peculiar mix of pleasure and apprehension. Alexander's praise changed into thrilling, but there has nonetheless been that lingering sense of uncertainty. What exactly is she getting herself into?

That evening, Elena determined herself over again, pouring over the plans for the Voss Tower. But this time, her thoughts drifted and returned to the upcoming event at the Metropolitan Museum. What did Alexander mean by trying to see "any other facet" of Voss enterprises? And why did it experience more than only a simple invitation?

Her cell phone buzzed once more, this time with a message from Claire.

Claire: "I hear you've been spending a whole lot of time with Alexander. Careful, Elena. He's no longer an easy man to parent."

Elena frowned on the message. Claire's tone became less pleasant than usual, and it handiest brought to her growing experience of unease.

Elena: "Just operating at the mission. Not anything more."

Claire: "Just recollect what I stated. It's smooth to get stuck up in his internationals."

Elena stared at the message for a second earlier than setting her phone aside. It seemed like everybody was warning Alexander, however, nobody was giving her any real solutions. What turned into him that had anyone so on part?

The night of the Metropolitan Museum event arrived faster than Elena anticipated. As she stepped out of the automobile and onto the crimson carpet, she couldn't help but feel a hurry of nerves. This wasn't just some other organizational occasion—this became a check.

She spotted Alexander waiting at the entrance, searching as composed and confident as ever. He smiled while he noticed her, his eyes scanning her from head to toe.

"Your appearance is beautiful," he stated, implying his arm, "Ready to stand the wolves?"

Elena took a deep breath and nodded, slipping her arm into his. "Equipped as I'll ever be"

As they walked inside, the grandeur of the museum took her breath away. But, she couldn't assist but marvel—become this simply any other step in Alexander's plan? And if so, what became his endgame?

The night was simply starting, however, Elena knew one issue for certain: she was about to examine the greater Alexander Voss—and she wasn't sure if she was ready for what she might find out.