Timeline: During Elijah's Time as Leo Jerkins at (Jerkin Base)
Location: Aethelora Headquarters - Executive Floor
The morning sun cast cold light through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Indira Voss's office. But the warmth of the day did not reach her. She sat behind her desk, her expression one of cold fury, her fingers drumming against the polished surface.
"Search every corner," she commanded, her voice sharp as a blade. "I want that camera found. Now."
Her security team moved with military precision—four men in dark suits, their faces expressionless, their movements efficient. They spread across the office, their hands gliding over surfaces, their eyes scanning for anything out of place.
Indira watched them, her jaw tight. Her fingers itched to reach for the cream in her drawer, but she resisted. Not now. Not in front of them.
Whoever you are, she thought, her internal voice carrying a note of dark promise. I will find you. And when I do, you will wish you had never crossed me.
The lead security man—a tall, broad-shouldered figure named Viktor—moved toward her desk. His hands traced the edges, his fingers probing the gaps between drawers.
Then he stopped.
"Director," he said, his voice carrying a note of grim satisfaction. "I think I found something."
He reached under the desk, his fingers brushing against a small, metallic object. He pulled it free, holding it up for Indira to see.
It was a camera—small, sleek, almost invisible. A tiny lens glinted in the light, and a faint red light pulsed at its base. It looked like a mechanical bug, its design so subtle that it could have been mistaken for a piece of the desk itself.
Indira's eyes narrowed. Her expression shifted from cold fury to something else—a mixture of rage and grudging respect.
Clever, she thought. Very clever. But not clever enough.
She took the camera from Viktor, turning it over in her hands. Her lips pressed into a thin line.
"Someone has been watching me," she said, her voice quiet and dangerous. "Someone has been listening. And I think I know who it is."
---
Cutscene: The Corridor
Priya stood in front of the vending machine, her fingers moving across the buttons with practiced ease. The machine hummed, dispensing a can of soda with a soft thunk.
She reached down to retrieve it, her movements automatic. Her mind was elsewhere—on Gerry, on the strange evening at the restaurant, on the keys that had mysteriously vanished.
Something doesn't add up, she thought. Something about him feels... off.
She shook her head, dismissing the thought. I'm being paranoid. He was just being nice. That's all.
A shadow fell across her.
She turned, her breath catching in her throat. Four men stood before her—tall, broad-shouldered, dressed in dark suits that screamed "security." Their faces were expressionless, their eyes cold and unblinking.
They were the kind of men who didn't need to speak to be intimidating.
Priya forced a smile, her voice carrying a note of polite confusion. "Excuse me. I was just—"
The lead man stepped forward, his voice flat and professional. "Apologies, miss. But you are immediately required to attend to the Director. In her office. Now."
Priya's smile faltered. "What? Why?"
The man's expression didn't change. "Those are my orders."
---
Indira's Office
Priya walked through the door, her steps hesitant, her heart pounding in her chest. She was escorted by the four men, their presence looming behind her like a wall of flesh and shadow.
Indira sat behind her desk, her posture relaxed, but her expression one of cold disappointment. She held a small device in her hand—a camera, its tiny lens glinting in the light.
"Priya," she said, her voice carrying a note of almost theatrical sorrow. "Come in. Sit down. We need to talk."
Priya's throat tightened. She forced her voice into a respectful, anxious tone. "Director. Can you tell me what this is about?"
Indira's smile was thin, almost predatory. "After everything I've done for you, Priya. After everything I've given you." She paused, her voice dripping with false sincerity. "And this is how you repay me?"
Priya's brow furrowed. "I—I don't understand."
Indira gestured to the screen on her desk. "Watch."
The screen flickered to life, displaying a recording. Priya watched, her eyes widening as she saw herself in the restaurant, her back to the camera. She saw Gerry sitting across from her, his expression one of smooth charm.
She saw the waitress trip. She saw Gerry's hand move, quick and deliberate, slipping into her purse.
She saw him take her keys.
Priya's face went pale. Her breath caught in her throat.
"I don't—" she started, her voice trembling. "I didn't know. I swear, I didn't know who he was. He was just—"
"Just a stranger you brought into our building," Indira interrupted, her voice cold. "Just a thief who almost destroyed everything I've built."
Priya's hands trembled. "I didn't mean to—"
Indira's voice was sharp. "Based on your reaction, it appears you weren't aware of who you brought to Aethelora. But that doesn't change the consequences of your actions."
She rose from her chair, her movements slow and deliberate. She walked around the desk, her heels clicking against the polished floor.
"Don't worry, Priya," she said, her voice carrying a note of false reassurance. "I'm going to clean up this blunder for you."
She gestured to the men. "Take her."
Two of the men moved forward, their hands gripping Priya's arms. She tried to pull away, but their grip was unbreakable.
"What are you doing?" she demanded, her voice rising with panic. "Let go of me! I didn't do anything wrong!"
Indira's hand shot out, connecting with Priya's cheek. The slap echoed through the room, sharp and cruel.
Priya's head snapped to the side, her body crumpling. The men caught her before she could fall, their grip tightening.
Indira stood over her, her expression one of cold satisfaction. "When all of this is taken care of," she said, her voice soft and dangerous, "you will pay a price for what you've caused."
Priya's eyes glistened with tears, her body trembling with helplessness and frustration. She stared up at Indira, her voice barely a whisper.
"Why are you doing this?"
Indira knelt down, her hand reaching out to wipe the tears from Priya's cheek. Her grip was gentle, almost tender, as she forced Priya to meet her gaze.
"Don't worry," she said, her voice carrying a note of dark amusement. "You have a rather pretty face. It could be useful as part of your payment. For what you've caused."
Her lips curved into a smirk, her eyes gleaming with cruel satisfaction.
---
The office was silent, save for Priya's quiet sobs. Indira rose, her expression one of cold control.
She turned to her men, her voice sharp and commanding. "Take her to the holding room. I'll deal with her later."
The men nodded, dragging Priya out of the room.
Indira watched them go, her smirk widening.
Everything is still under my control, she thought. Everything is exactly where it should be.
She reached into her drawer, pulling out the jar of cream. The light caught its surface, making it gleam like liquid moonlight.
And soon, she thought. Soon, I'll have everything I want.
The shadows in the room seemed to grow longer, deeper.
And in the darkness, Indira's smirk remained.