✔ᵉⁿᵍˡⁱˢʰ Splinter Cell [Fast and Furious 07]✔

02

It was the last fifteen minutes before the show began. Nervously, Charlie walked around with her clipboard and pen in hand, checking each exhibit for the hundredth time. Once again, like the last ninety-nine checks, everything was perfect. Of course everything was in order, she had organized it all.

In the last minutes before the show began and the guests were greeted, Charlie began to tug senselessly at her dress. She just hated this dress. Much too long. It was just too long. Shorter would have been 'inappropriate'. Inappropriate for the people here.

A quick hello, then running around to answer questions from the guests, and that was it. Only after that did Charlie know if the effort and work of the last few weeks had been worth it.

"I am pleased to see so many of you here," Charlie greeted the guests, pointing to all the objects in the room, "Over the next few hours you will have the opportunity to admire numerous paintings, sculptures and objects from different eras. If you have any questions, I will be at your disposal, of course."

With an inviting gesture, Charlie pointed to the first room to his left, a small round of applause followed, and the guests began to stroll through the rooms with champagne glasses in hand. Everything was going smoothly so far. Which should not have been so difficult when it had just begun.

Beaming, Charlie went after the first ones, stopping at a small group to give more details about their origin or history. It was her job, and probably one of the few things she was really good at. Facts and figures.

"I'm guessing 17th century," Charlie heard a woman say to her husband, "the artist must have been French."

"Nineteenth century from Italy. The period of classicism. Just after it was finished, Romanticism started," Charlie reported with a smile, walking over to the couple, "It's not always easy to tell, especially if you don't deal with art every day.

"And it doesn't change the fact that it's still an ugly painting," Charlie's left nostril began to twitch, her lower jaw shifting to the right and left, and she half turned to the man who walked over and kissed her in greeting, "Honey."

"One of the few known to Giacomo Conti," with a tingle in her hand that was hard to suppress, Charlie continued unflinchingly, trying not to slap Deckard, "I hope I could help you."

With no further questions, Charlie nodded and left the three people standing. This is where Shaw showed up? Today? Today of all days.

He had already ruined Charlie's life once and a second time was not guaranteed. The fact that he showed up here was enough for her.