The morning sunlight showered through Viktor Draven's villa as Dexter placed a tray on the dining table. A meal of perfectly cooked meat with Eggplant Parmesan and grilled romaine lettuce wedge as the side dish awaited the master of the house. Viktor sat silently his gaze passing far beyond the food as if his mind was on something or someone far away.
After finishing his breakfast, Viktor stood up adjusting his cufflinks as Dexter approached him cautiously.
"Master." Dexter began "Miss Calista has accepted the proposal from Brush and Vision Gallery."
Viktor paused for the briefest moment his expression unreadable. He gave a slight nod of acknowledgment and walked out without uttering a single word. Dexter watched him leave muttering under his breath "How does he plan to even handle this? Sometimes I wonder if pure vampires or humans who are the more stubborn ones."
Calista sat in the kitchen with her laptop open on the counter as she sipped her coffee. The day ahead was packed and her thoughts were already racing.
B&V needs a modern touch, she mused. If they don't evolve, their legacy will remain just a history.
Her fingers flew across the keyboard as she searched for information on trending art galleries that had successfully blended classic and modern styles. A few names popped up and she made a mental note to visit one nearby. As she finished her coffee, she checked her watch. "Time to go." she whispered grabbing her bag and heading out the door.
As Calista backed her car out of the driveway, a red motorcycle idled at the corner of a nearby café. The rider, clad in a casual leather jacket and helmet watched from a distance. It was Axel. He had been assigned to shadow Calista, though he didn't exactly know why.
What are they expecting me to find? There's no husband, no other guy, nothing suspicious at all...just a working single girl. Axel sighed shifting uncomfortably on his bike as he trailed her at a safe distance.
Calista spent hours exploring another art gallery taking notes on how they showcased traditional art with contemporary flair. She admired how interactive elements engaged younger visitors, something B&V desperately lacked. By the time she returned to her office, her head was filled with ideas.
Agatha greeted her with a grin. "So, what's the plan? Any groundbreaking strategies for B&V?"
Calista smiled placing her notes on the desk. "We need to focus on blending the classic and modern. They're too stuck in the past. I think we can draw in a younger crowd without alienating the loyal patrons."
Agatha leaned in. "You're the one here. I'll back you up. But let's face it, this isn't just a business challenge."
Calista laughed. "Exactly. But I love a good challenge."
Meanwhile, Axel parked his bike outside Calista's apartment building feeling increasingly annoyed. This is ridiculous. She went to a gallery, her office and then back home. Why am I even here? He waited until she was safely inside before riding off.
Back at B&V Gallery, Elza was lounging on a couch in her cluttered office surrounded by piles of papers she hadn't touched in days. When Axel walked in looking exhausted, she barely glanced up.
"You're late." she said lazily stifling a yawn.
Axel glared at her. "She doesn't have a husband. Can I stop this nonsense now?"
Elza sat up pretending to look interested. "No husband, huh? Then who's the man that met with her in the cafe? Viktor wants answers, so keep digging."
"Digging what? I've followed her everywhere. She's just... normal."
Elza waved her hand dismissively. "Normal people can be hiding extraordinary secrets. Viktor doesn't like loose ends in these things, so Axel just keep at it."
Axel sighed heavily turning to leave only to run into Dexter outside Elza's office.
"You're to keep watch on her apartment at night" Dexter instructed.
"What? Overnight now?" Axel groaned.
Dexter raised an eyebrow. "Unless you want to explain to Viktor why you are not doing things, I suggest you follow orders."
The next morning, Axel began looking for a more practical solution to his predicament. He scouted for a rental property near Calista's apartment and eventually found one at the end of her street. It wasn't ideal but it would do. Over the next six days, he set up cameras discreetly around his new home and even in the surrounding streets hoping to monitor Calista's movements without having to shadow her constantly.
During the first three days, He followed Calista around.
On the first day, Eva called Calista at work her tone stern. "Nora says you promised her another park trip this weekend. Do you think you can keep your promises this time?"
Calista winced. "I'll try, Mom. It's just been so busy with the new project."
Eva sighed. "Busy or not, don't forget you're a mother first."
That evening Calista made it a point to spend extra time with Nora reading her bedtime stories and helping her color in her sketchbook.
On the second day, Agatha surprised Calista with a visit during lunch.
"I did some digging." Agatha said between bites of her sandwich. "That B&V owner, Dex Drakmore? He's kind of mysterious. No one knows much about him except that he's been in the art business forever."
Calista raised an eyebrow. "Mysterious how?"
"Just... no one seems to know where he came from. And get this, he never appears in photos. Ever."
"Strange. When I met he was pretty normal." Calista murmured filing the information away.
By the sixth day, Axel finally set up his surveillance equipment. Exhausted from the effort, he collapsed on his couch. At least now I don't have to tail her everywhere, he thought closing his eyes.
Little did Axel know during those three days, where he wasn't there from the forth to sixth while setting the surveillance many unexpected things had happened in Calista's life.
On the other end Viktor, he himself had also began quietly orchestrating his very own next move. At FCT's headquarters, he was already planning how to cross paths with Calista in a way that would seem entirely coincidental.
Viktor stood by a window overlooking the city, his thoughts consumed by her. Anyways, I'll soon have my answers.