"Ho-ly shit," Omega says, craning his neck up at the tall building Terzo's secretary had given them directions to. "Intellitech Genostudies? What the fuck is he doing in here? His card says 'consultant!'" The building is huge, floor after floor of glass and metal, not exactly what he was expecting when he'd been invited to come.
"Well, we're in the right place." Alpha points at the huge glass window next to an equally huge glass door leading inside, where small black letters proclaim 'Terzo: Consultation and Lifestyle Advancement'. "Come on, Megs. You're good."
Alpha holds open the door and Omega shuffles past him into a huge lobby that looks like it belongs in a hotel more than in a building housing the leading group of scientific researchers in the nation. Together, Alpha and Omega cross the marble floor to a wide desk, behind which sits a security guard dividing his attention between a bank of monitors and the couple approaching.
"Good evening," the guard says politely. "May I direct you to your area of business?"
"Uh--wuh?" Omega falters, and Alpha nudges him gently aside and takes over.
"We have an appointment with...Mr. Terzo, I guess?" They never did get a last name.
The security guard types something into a computer, then nods. "Of course, sirs. You'll find the consulting service on the second floor. Please proceed to the elevators just behind me."
A second security area is just before the elevators, where another security guard is waiting beside a metal detector, like one would find in an airport. Alpha and Omega make it through there with minimal fuss, and take the elevator to the second floor, as directed. Omega keeps wiping his sweaty palms on his jeans, though he's not sure why he's so fucking nervous. It's just a business meeting. The stakes could not be lower. So why does Omega feel like something major is about to change?
They step out of the elevator into a small waiting room. The chairs are plush and soft, there are decorative plants in every corner, soothing instrumental music playing quietly over hidden speakers. The art on the walls reminds Omega of the modern art section of a museum, all abstracts and splashes of color that speak of raw emotion dashed onto canvas.
"May I help you, gentlemen?" A woman sitting behind a counter at the far end of the room gives them a welcoming smile. She's older than them, but not by much, maybe in her late twenties, and she's lovely in an understated way. Elegant, if Omega had to describe her in a word. Behind her is a wall of panels of frosted glass.
"We have an appointment with Terzo? Omega and Alpha?" Omega wouldn't be surprised if they'd somehow been removed from the schedule, that would be just his luck, he didn't belong in a place like this, there had to be a mistake and Terzo would have realized it by now--
"Yes, of course. Here you are. Please have a seat, Terzo will be right with you."
"Oh my god," Omega says under his breath, following Alpha over to a pair of chairs. It's really happening. What it is, Omega isn't sure, but it's definitely happening. Alpha takes his hand, not even hesitating at how clammy it is, and begins rubbing Omega's knuckles with his thumb. It has the intended effect. Omega relaxes a little, takes a deep breath, shooting Alpha a shaky smile.
