Business Arrangement

Part 27

CHAPTER 27:

Eight months ago, I was certain the Magisterial would connect the bombing at the facility in ice cold Antarctica to me.

Eight months ago, I knew where my family was.

Eight months ago, I could call Astrid easily and know what was going on outside the Magisterial.

Eight months ago...I knew Gabriel didn't give a sliver of a damn about who I am.

No one told me eight months into the future...everything would change.

Elodie was a growing problem that I was tasked with investigating. If it is a synthetic compound used to mimic the pharmacological effects of another, already known drug, then its purpose just went sideways. I watch it evolve under the microscope while Gabriel works at the catches at Magisterial Headquarters, level forty. With fifty levels in total in this building alone. I lean back and write the physical features first and photograph the general image. Gabriel has been quiet since he told me last night that I could trust him. That he wasn't an enemy of mine.

Eight months, and I still hadn't heard from my own family. Whether Lauren had awoken and regretted what she did-

"Penny for your thoughts." Gabriel says behind me.

"I'm working."

"Your head tilts left when you're working, right when you're thinking. You slouch ever-so-slightly when you're upset or thinking of something sad, and you're slouching right now." He describes like a creepy stalker learning every expression. We families all did the exact same. But he didn't grow up the same way I did. His upbringing consumed by the normal ones of this society. Those who walk to school, worrying about prom, exams, boys, girls, popularity and status. I saw that in him and his friends. All but Jackson, who is as familiar with killing as I am.

I run my eyes over the collar of his white button down shirt, with golden strips on the hems of his blazer, "That wasn't even remotely impressive." I tell him with a flat look as I turn away and step down to the couch seats that surrounded a magnificent, rectangular fire place in a protective glass panel. There was an aquarium in the wall behind us and the view from this floor made us feel like gods watching down on humans that look like ants crawling from up here.

I open the hidden couch cushions of the seat to put my feet up, use the armrests and lastly unlock the couch desk choreographed well in the couch. He takes a seat back down next to me, laptop in hand and curious gaze that I preferred wasn't curious right now, "You're thinking about your family, or that inconsiderate dragon who's still bouncing between sci toes trying to find his pretty little Bee." He assumes.

I look at him, "Now whose assumptions are miscalculated?" I ask.

"You're diverting the question." He points out.

I look up from my work, "If you have something to say, just say it."

"It's okay to miss him," He shrugs, closing the laptop, "First loves aren't so easily forgotten." He murmurs in addition to his wrong assumption.

I roll my eyes, "Pardon, you have confused me for someone who has experienced love. I wouldn't quite call what I had with Ender to be passionate love. I'm worried about my sisters, and you refuse to allow me to look since my every tab on chrome, every phone call made and every thought I create must be told, analysed, and reported from you to your superiors...since I'm still on the trial period that should be lifted by now." I mutter.

Highlighting certain information about the use of the drug used in the Magisterial and not the synthetic mimic out un the market be used on criminals withholding information or evidence on cases. Why would the drug be used restricted on criminals alone? Unless they're trying to look clean here?