A hush descended at the station as soon as Officer Valerya walked in. To her, the spacious office seemed strikingly different, and yet, exactly the same. She walked straight to her desk and took a seat, ignoring everyone's awkward stares, and trying to pretend not to feel Sebastian's piercing gaze burning a hole through her back.
She took a deep breath but before she could process anything, there was a buzz on the intercom.
"Officer D'ajnes, the Chief has summoned you to his office."
She stood up, knowing fully well how the conversation would go. The chief was behind his desk as usual, but unlike the imposing figure he usually represented, he looked unimpressive. He was diminished and seemed to have lost weight. Valerya could not forget how he was treated like a servant the previous night.
"Detective. What are you doing here?" he asked.
"I came to take my stuff. The essentials."
"Your new mission started yesterday. You could have easily sent someone for them. You aren't supposed to leave the first son's side."
"I know, sir."
"Good. Since you're already here, pack up your stuff and leave. We don't know how long the mission would take."
"Right away sir," Valerya replied as she turned to walk out the door. She hesitated, then turned back to face the chief.
"Excuse me, sir, I have a question."
He sat straighter in his seat, as he said, "Go right ahead."
"What excuse did you make, considering the fact that I wouldn't be in the office for a while?" she asked.
"You're on an official assignment. Confidential," he replied.
"Alright." She made to leave but turned back to face him again. "I don't want to do this assignment, sir. I became a police officer to help the nation. To cleanse the empire of vermin and uphold all its values. That is why I'm here. Doing this job, though important, doesn't really align with why I chose this noble profession in the first place. I'm sorry, but I think this job should be given to someone more qualified."
The chief looked at her like she was an idiot. He stood up and hurriedly closed the door.
"Officer D'ajnes. When I hired you, do you know what I saw?"
"No sir."
"I saw a fierce woman. A woman loyal to the empire. Definitely not compassionate. You were unemotional, rigid, by the book, a stickler for the rules. What I never assumed you to be was stupid. You have an opportunity even I never would have imagined having. A chance to scale up the ladder. You would be working hand in hand with the first son, and ultimately, the president. You would go to meetings that are a mystery to even myself, only known to the top military officers. You want the first maestro? If you do your job properly, you'd be looking at the third maestro. Listen to me, Officer. You have the intelligence, but foresight, you do not. Now get out. I don't expect you back until the mission is over and we have our culprit," he said as he opened the door.
She frigidly walked out as the door was slammed behind her. She had always admired the chief, but she had begun to see him in a different light. She was sure he was mistaken about the mission being a boost for her career. She only saw it as a duty and not a means to an end.
She made her way to her desk and hurriedly packed her belongings. It wasn't much, as she always kept her working area impersonal. She put a few files, a bottle of perfume, a decorative lamp, and a picture of her and Lilliban in the box.
She was emotionless as she made her way back out. It was midday, and the sun was scorching against her skin. Over the centuries, due to pollution, the climate has been affected so badly that the temperature was always in the extremes.
As she was about to leave for the train station, she heard footsteps hurriedly approaching her.
"Sebastian. To what do I owe the honour?" she asked sarcastically.
"The Chief told me to drop you off before I start my new assignment," he replied.
"What is it?"
"I'll be a part of the security for the Meneer conference," he said.
"As a police officer? Are you kidding?" she asked, shocked. The Meneer conference was held annually, with all the division's leaders. It was so exclusive that nobody ever knew where, or the particular day it would be. Only the best military officers and the highest officials were allowed to attend. It was unheard of for a common police officer to be in attendance.
"The conference is like a dream come true for a second maestro. How did you get that opportunity?" she asked.
"Let's just say I was rewarded because I was in the right place at the right time. I was specially chosen by the prime minister himself," he replied proudly.
"Lucky you. You're off doing mature work while I get to babysit."
"What was that?" he asked.
"Nothing."
"It's okay. I know about your mission. The chief told me. In fact, I believe you're even luckier than me."
"Yeah," she replied sarcastically.
"Hold on," he said as he leaned forward. She was holding the box with both hands so she couldn't react as he loosened her hair from its tight bun and arranged her hair over her shoulders.
"I like your hair down." He said slowly.
"I've never told you this, but I've always wanted to do that. Your hair is very beautiful."
"Is this a trick?" she asked.
"You could just say thank you," he said with a smile.
"Thank you."
"Let me drop you off. As I would be a part of the security and you have your special assignment, I believe we'd be seeing a lot of each other," he said as he headed to his car.
"…I believe we will," she replied as she followed him.