The sound of a pen's tip scribbling along embossed paper was solely accompanied by the ticktocks of the cuckoo clocks decorating the wall behind a sophisticated woman seated at a glass desk. Signs sat above several of the clocks, denoting the times of various places within the world. There did not seem to be any seeming pattern to how they were listed. The office was bright and modern save the items adorning the wall or set upon pedestals lining the southern and inner one. Lavish carpet framed with marble tiles, with the pattern of the Greek zodiac calendar large enough that the desk had to sit over it. Such would seem odd, but the depiction was more Germanic than Greek, just as the cuckoo clocks had more Greek figurines than German themes. Why the distinction of mixing cultures? Why the answer was rather simple.<a class="link link--external" data-proxy-href="/proxy.php?link=https%3A%2F%2Fimage.ibb.co%2Fhq333J%2F7a33a2d4ac2491bae8a858087d0e4797.png&amp;hash=baec175cedd10b7f1d96b5cf87510b62" href="https://image.ibb.co/hq333J/7a33a2d4ac2491bae8a858087d0e4797.png" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" target="_blank"> Ms. Christina Göbel</a>was the head of Mediterranean acquisitions for Dorotheum Auction Houses.<br/><br/>The woman looked intent, focused on the words being hastily written in elegant scrawl. The fountain pen seemed to fly as the ink slowly dried in its trail. She appeared to be ignoring the dark haired woman standing before her. Where Christine was sleek and polished in her tailored pants suit, Jimmy Choo heels and hair pulled back into a fashionable bun,<a class="link link--external" data-proxy-href="/proxy.php?link=https%3A%2F%2Fimage.ibb.co%2FdJRsVy%2F99aaedc1fc016cf880ef7cb03b1b94f0.png&amp;hash=e0491f9a9447977123f916f7949475a1" href="https://image.ibb.co/dJRsVy/99aaedc1fc016cf880ef7cb03b1b94f0.png" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" target="_blank">Elena</a>was rough around the edges in her designer jeans, buckle boots and leather jacket that seemed to favor zippers where none were needed. At first glance, these two women could appear as sisters. Such had been the mistake made at many parties they had attended. Elena was simply an extremely loyal assistant to Christina, and  who held a room within the executive's (Christina's)<a class="link link--external" data-proxy-href="/proxy.php?link=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.property24.com%2Ffor-sale%2Fjordaan-park%2Fheidelberg%2Fgauteng%2F4890%2F106382087&amp;hash=79468a618f9c7c95f60f1c8127fcad93" href="https://www.property24.com/for-sale/jordaan-park/heidelberg/gauteng/4890/106382087" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" target="_blank">countryside home</a>.<br/><br/>The fountain pen dropped onto the desk with a clank to roll until it caught on the uneven edge of the cap. Christina lifted the paper and began to gently blow across its surface.<br/><br/><i>"You will deliver this to Hermann's hands only. Do what it takes to get past his pesky bodyguards. The man is far too paranoid than is necessary. Also, drop the appointment over lunch and book me a table at the Oskar, away from the entrance but not too close to the kitchens."</i><br/><br/>The younger woman strode forward holding out a hand to receive the paper when her employer deemed it ready. She said nothing about the demands made on her, only making the mental notes of how much in bribes she should take along with her on her errand and for the table Ms. Göbel requested. Christina passed the paper but her nails did not immediately let go.<br/><br/><i>"His hands ONLY."<br/>
"I got it."<br/>
"Join me for lunch once you've completed your task."</i><br/><br/>This... surprised Elena who tucked the paper into the folder inside the leather satchel dangling across her shoulders. She rode a motorcycle and this was convenient and never left her side. Elena dipped her head to the pristine woman before turning around to walk out of the office and out the back of the auction house.<br/><br/>Once she was gone, Christine leaned back into her ergonomic chair while twirling her pen's end on the glass between her fingers, staring out into the space between her and the carpet. Things were being moved into place so that the board would be set for the final event. Much like in chess, it was her job to ensure all those pieces were on the map in the proper position and at the exact time. Soon. Very soon.