Induction

Despite your better judgment, you continue along with the short notice request. Only having decided to do so after he alluded it was due to a needed interview with his unnamed employer. A short plane ride later and you find yourself in the outskirts of sunny California. Having realized on the flight over that Alexander seems to have little interest in revealing more about the potential employment, you remain silent on the car ride. You feel your trepidation increase when you see the vehicle turn into a remote and extravagant villa. At the end of the long drive lies the largest, most ornate mansion you've ever seen, though all the one's previously viewed had been on television or in magazines. Exhaling shakily, you **** yourself to exit the vehicle and follow Alexander up the stunningly white steps. You feel quite out of place knowing you're certainly not dressed for the occasion or location. Stepping inside only increases the feelings of inadequacy, meaning you're fairly relieved when you hear the mysterious employer had to leave unexpectedly shortly before your arrival.

Surprisingly, this seems to have had little effect on your tentative position. Alexander informing you that you're to reside at the lavish home in between certain jobs or while aiding with research. He takes you on a short tour of the sprawling abode while giving you a brief description of your new employer, known only for now as Mr. M. Internally rolling your eyes at the unnecessary subterfuge, you listen with mild interest as he continues. It appears the man in question came into a large inheritance about fifteen years ago and has subsequently devoted his time and wealth towards the collection of rare antiquities and items. It seems that you will be tasked with the job of retrieving said items from time to time when you're not assisting with their reassembly or study. You don't dare mention to the man that this all seems rather out of your depths. After all, you view this as more of a trial run than anything. Being fully prepared to quit should things not be to your liking.

Initially everything was fine, as you spent the next few weeks aiding in the reconstruction of a Japanese mural. Going in, you had assumed you would be of little use. However, your artistically inclined mind was able to lend you some assistance which helped confirm your worth. All seemed to be going well and more so you were actually enjoying the job. Unfortunately, that all quickly changed when you were tasked with your first retrieval mission. It seems there was another meso-american artifact in Mexico that Mr. M was eager to acquire. According to Alexander, it was to be the straightforward task of flying over, meeting with the seller to retrieve the object, then bring it back. It sounded simple enough, although you were a bit trepidatious about crossing the border for the first time. Regardless, you were quite eager to prove your place and apprehensively agreed. Though you had yet to meet your elusive employer, you got the distinct impression he was not used to being let down.

After packing and getting your instructions from Alexander, you make your way to the airport. A few hours later, you're wearily deboarding a plane. According to your information, you're to meet the seller, David, at your hotel. You're certainly relieved that you ended up south of the border for your first mission since you're conversationally fluent in Spanish. After collecting your bag, you head outside to hail a taxi. You give the driver the address written on your notes and settle into the back. When he arrives at the destination you're certain he must have made a mistake. After reconfirming the address you hesitantly get out of the car and approach the garndiose establishment. You hadn't expected to be put up in such an extravagant location. Still skeptical, you approach the front desk where you're surprised to easily check in.

Forgoing any other thoughts, you quickly follow the bellhop up to your room. It's more elegant than you had anticipated even after viewing the hotel's facade and lobby. After tipping the bellhop, you enter the restroom and turn the shower on. Twenty minutes later you feel far more refreshed and awake, though unfortunately your face looks far from it. Frowning, you spend a few minutes applying a bit of makeup so you don't look quite so fatigued. Leaving your hair down, you dress in a simple blouse and skirt before remembering you're supposed to be meeting your contact. Hastily slipping into a pair of low heels, you hurry back to the elevator. A few moments later you step back out into the lobby and look around the area. You're not entirely certain how you're supposed to recognize the seller as you weren't really given his description. Biting your lip, you reach for your purse to look for your notebook.

"Miss Jones." A lightly accented voice from behind quickly catches your attention.

Turning, you quickly falter when your eyes land on the speaker. A tall, tan gentleman in a white linen suit smiles when he sees your wide-eyed stare. Warm brown eyes look down at you from beneath a crop of wavy brown hair. Still at a loss for words, you silently nod in affirmation.

"It's a pleasure to meet you." He steps forward, the dazzling smile still across his attractive face. "I'm David Cortez."

"Likewise." You manage to find your voice before extending a hand out to him.

A light blush covers your cheeks when he bows his head and you feel his lips brush against the back of your hand. Straightening back up, he slips your arm into his before gesturing to the adjoining hotel restaurant. Feeling as though you have little choice, you allow him to escort you to the area. A few minutes later you're seated across the handsome man while a waiter moves to hand you a menu. David waves them off before ordering effortlessly in Spanish. Though you're decently fluent yourself you struggle to keep up with his rapid fire pace, ultimately only getting half the words he speaks.

"I never order off the menu when I'm here." He explains before unfolding his napkin and draping it across his lap. "Besides, this way you'll have a more authentic taste of the food, none of this stuff catered to tourists."

You pick up on a slight edge to his voice when he says the last word. However, you decide not to address it as you're technically a tourist yourself in a way. Remaining silent, you unfold your napkin as well before placing it across your lap. A moment later the waiter returns with two drinks and sets them before you.

"So, you have something my boss would like to buy." You mumble, wondering why you're the one having to bring up your reason for meeting.

"Yes, it's quite the beauty." He remarks, picking up his drink while his gaze briefly flits over your figure. "As are you. Tell me, how did you end up in this... field?"

"I'm quite good at solving puzzles and piecing things back together." You reply, trying to sound more sure of yourself than you feel.

"Is that all?" David replies in a disappointed tone, pausing momentarily to take a drink. "I must admit, it seems as if Mr. M's hiring skills have declined."

Frowning, you reach for your own drink and take a sip in an effort to keep yourself from saying something you might regret. Your eyes widen in surprise when the glass you assumed to be full of water turns out to be tequila. Your gaze briefly shifts up towards the man where you see him watching you with a mix of interest and expectation. Blinking back the tears that have formed in the corners of your eyes, you **** yourself to swallow the liquid that remains in your mouth. It burns slightly as it makes your way down your throat, however, you manage to keep it all down. David appears mildly impressed as he takes another drink from his glass. Clearing your throat subtly, you set your cup down.

"I opened a box no one else in Mr. M's staff could." You reply once you're able, forcing yourself to offer the man a pleasant smile. "This square, wooden, contraption with strange engravings all along it. I had it open in about three hours."

"Really?" The man sits forward in interest and his voice lowers slightly. "Tell me, what was in it?"

"I-" Your voice falters as you realize you may have said too much. "I don't know, Alexander took it away from me before I could look inside."

"I see." David replies sounding disinterested again as he leans back. "Be that as it may. I'm still rather skeptical of this arrangement... Tell your employer the price of the artifact just increased."

"What? You can't do that!" Your voice raises before you catch yourself and lower it again. "Just because, what, you don't trust me?"

"Precisely." He retorts brusquely, leaning back in his seat casually. "I don't want to get caught in the middle should you decide to screw your boss over and not deliver the artifact. Those kinds of complications always get so messy."

"I wouldn't do that." You frown feeling as though the situation is getting away from you. "There must be something I can do to prove that."

"Perhaps." The man appears to muse over the idea for a moment before his gaze rakes across your figure again. "I can think of one thing that would convince me."