Axel's slumber was restless, his body still aching from yet another night spent snoring in his cobbled together watch post. The multiple devices flooded his face with artificial light, leaving a dark ring around the eyes. He experienced an abrupt repairing of his body due to muscle-wrenching movements from stretching.
"Another day in paradise," he mumbled while starting to rub the sides of his head in self-doubt before inspecting the available videos. The recorded clips were served back, depicting the same boring footage of dark hallways few people walking and of course, an absence of anything important.
Axel felt a rush of fury as the endless seemingly insignificant drumming of his stomach worsened his frustration. Countless days devoted to hunting and sitting and waiting for a breakthrough, how absurd the mind could be such a manipulative tool that Axel was far from releaving any clue.
Elza was stationed at the gallery flipping over mundane papers like a restless Paperback. As she hopelessly tapped her pen in an idle way typical of that feeling everything from the opulent office with exquisite art might as well have been an ironic bridge. The atmosphere shifted immediately as the door pushed open and Dexter marched in as if he was on a mission. The air was thick with an eerie electrification brought by Elza's so suddenly powerful presence.
"Elza, have you talked to Axel about the urgency from my side?" The wording was harsh and Dextor barely tried to hide his annoyance while softly narrowing his jaw.
Elza let out a huge yawn like she was stretching her arms up to the sky. She then grinned and said "Yes, I ordered him to do this quicker but honestly, Dexter that guy couldn't find a needle in a haystack even if it was glowing."
Dexter's teeth were tightly gritted while he declared "This isn't funny." in an unyielding voice.
Elza on the there hand softly scolded him and said "Chill." while casually waving her hand "I'm still watching you... you still overstress the entire thing."
Exasperated, Dexter yelled back "Someone's got to do it here." continuing the heated argument "It doesn't take a scientist to see this seemingly effortless operation is on a knife's edge and Axel's incompetence is not serving this cause."
Elza then placed her hands on her chair and reclined to say "Oh! Poor poor Dexter. Seems to love the whole world on his shoulders while he doesn't realize that could be spent in Yoga classes for stretching out." while mocking him.
Holding his words back, Dexter clenched his fists as he knew how pushing Elza too far would end up not serving him greatly.
Calista on the other hand was sitting in a fully furnished office and orated through strategy meetings with her team. Given how the reconstruction of B&V was a delayed and crude one, she needed all of the details in a fine and polished format before handing it to the gallery team. As stark charts and graphs were consuming her laptop screen, she interacted with her team members.
Calista spoke with assurance declaring, "We will have to ensure that the pieces are exclusive because that is the most important aspect of the gallery." She went on to say "Ensure however, that the campaign makes it nigh clear that the pieces on offer are not just art pieces, but status symbols."
"Understood." the team members replied. "I'll have drafts ready by the end of the week."
Calista later that day met Agatha for a coffee in order to catch up with her. She as always proved to be the calm and clear minded person who was full of good ideas even under high pressure.
"How do you think it is progressing?" Calista asked while taking a sip of the latte.
Agatha rubbed her forehead as she placed her cup down. "As hectic as work can get. However, there have been some leaps taken and speaking of leaps, Elza seems to have kept her ego aside and is working together finally. I think she's starting to care about the partnership, after all."
"Oh, that would be rather unexpected. But for our sakes, I hope that is the case" said Calista with a frown as her eyebrow twitched.
Agatha was lost in her thoughts. The uncertainty in her voice and the change of tone revealed everything that she was going through while shifting her gaze. "One more thing, tell me if I already mentioned it. This building… now belongs to the holding company called FCT."
Setting her cup aside, Calista frowned while shaking her head disapprovingly in response. "FCT Holdings? When did that happen?"
"They are not going to be all low key about this but yes, it was in fact recent. Sorry for keeping this a secret from you." Agatha responded.
Viktor was already present inside the building. He had not intended to remain hidden and once he began his strategy and was in a corner that was as easy as watching Calista from there. Viktor still had not made his move. He was looking forward to making his approach while remaining on watch. His presence left no room for doubt about the fact that he intended to take control over the events.
Once again at the gallery, Elza sat back in her chair busy with her phone while propping her feet up on her desk. The brightness of the screen was reflected on her glasses as she absentmindedly went through her social media. There was an assistant that knocked on her door, only slightly opening it.
"Elza, the mock-up for the next showcase is done. Should we go ahead with the installation?"
"Hmm?" Elza raised her head and looked bored. "Yup, that's fine. Go ahead. Just try not to smash everything."
The assistant was unsure and looked at her reluctantly before nodding and leaving. Elza checked the clock and murmured to herself "It will be a long day."
Later that evening, Dexter arrived at a private meeting with Viktor. The dimly lit room was quiet, the heavy curtains drawn to keep out prying eyes. Viktor stood by the window staring out into the city skyline, his hands clasped behind his back.
"Master" Dexter began with a low voice "we've confirmed that Miss Calista has a daughter. Elza came to know of it during a dinner with their team."
Viktor's gaze remained fixed on the glittering lights of the city but a flicker of emotion crossed his face. "And the progress on locating her husband?" he asked, his tone steady."
Dexter hesitated. "Axel is… working on it" he admitted reluctantly.
Viktor turned slightly his expression unreadable. "Good. Keep me informed and ensure Axel understands the stakes. Failure is not an option."
"Understood, Master." Dexter replied, bowing slightly before taking his leave.
Alone in the room, Viktor's shoulders seemed to tense. His mind churned with thoughts of Calista and the tangled web of their past. He knew the path he had chosen wouldn't be easy but he was determined to see it through. As he stared out at the city, a faint smile played on his lips a mix of resolve and something deeper, something harder to name.