At Johnson headquarters,
Miles Johnson was working as usual when his secretary went inside the office room and updated him by passing his iPad, "President Johnson, Alvin Matthews, and Anya Owen are going out for lunch."
Little did they know, Senon had broken some bones of the men the secretary contacted and took care of the task.
The secretary continued to report about Alvin to put his president at more ease, "His private jet is at the airport. Robertson is in the company and Ean Watson is in a meeting with the administration to finalize a project."
He swiped on the screen of his iPad to show the article about Skylark. "The sources say that Skylark successfully got the permission for excavation in Narnia and to open museums to promote the history, art, and architecture of Narnia at the international level." It updated Skylark's recent news to mention how busy they were with business.
Sliding on the screen to the bottom of the page, the secretary briefed without the need for Miles to read the article, "Skylark has opened a platform inviting the people to design the museums' layout. Every chosen design will be rewarded handsomely."
Miles internally breathed a sigh of relief after knowing Alvin and Anya were in Narnia. Miles snickered looking at the rewards of Skylark. It was a simple tactic for marketing and to stay in the limelight instead of looking for an efficient architect team. It was an open chance for every employed and unemployed, architect and non-architects to try their luck, and show their talent.
Miles commended Alvin for smoothly managing the troubles of his personal life and swiftly working on strengthening his power in Narnia. Although he was itching to trouble Alvin and Anya while they were in a mess, he wanted to hand over the two students safely first.
They have waited long enough and found nothing suspicious. He instructed his secretary, as he began wrapping his work, "Arrange for the departure." He dropped his guard down against Anya and Alvin.
The secretary softly bowed to the man and rushed out. There was just an hour for the students' flights. He first instructed the men to take care of the students, then requested airtime for their travel and instructed the standby pilot to be prepared for the immediate departure.
–––––––
At the airport of Country F,
Anya trusted Jason and his decision but her annoyance and worry were apparent. The responsibility of another life is heavy. The pressure of new responsibility is high. If something happens to the man, she will be guilty all her life.
She can't change what's done. Instead of wasting time on it, Anya shook off her thoughts. She didn't know or bothered what Jason had in his mind. She quickly chose to do the fieldwork and give the backend tasks to the man.
Composing herself, she turned to the man whose eyes were on the laptop screen but the attention was on her. "There is no plan." She summarized for him because he always followed the pre-planned attack with the support of his whole team. Team Ace is different. Each member has to work like a team.
Walking towards him, her crisp distant voice sounded in the room. "We have to act as the situation comes." Both of their thinking, attack, and defense would be completely different. Hence it was dangerous for the two to take action when they had zero coordination.
She shamelessly grabbed the sandwiches from the paper bag and instructed him, "Connect the earbuds."
Taking a bite of the sandwich, she waved her hand, asking him to take a seat. After a bite, Anya buried the pleasing hum at the taste of hot coffee. Looks like her chief has sold her off.
The man had a lot of questions. He didn't know completely about her mission but knew why they were in country F, following the two students. He followed her commands just to assist her instead of being thrown out.
Wearing the tiny buds, Anya thanked the man like a modest lady, "I appreciate your actions." She meant the food.
Nevertheless, her eyes narrowed at the confident man. She was trusting him to work with dedication, "Your negligence could cost three lives."
Dot was about to say he won't put those students and her in danger but, Anya continued, "Lives of those two students and your whole career." It was a warning before she left the room.
Dot: "…"
She walked out of the room after it. There is always a fine line between confidence and overconfidence. Being confident over something new and unknown is overconfidence. If he was trying to impress her with confidence, there is no other fool.
She was confident to handle alone but she wasn't confident enough if she had to work alongside him. She gave him backend support. His false information or delay could ruin the mission. If he can't manage behind the screen, he was of no use to her or the Team Ace. Because it's a very basic need to be part of Team Ace.
Dot breathed once she left. Wasn't she much younger than him? Apart from Jason, he hadn't seen anybody else having that strong bearing.
Anyway, he focused on the work assigned. He had no plans to pull any stunts to impress anybody. He just wanted to do the first task, study Anya's actions, and be prepared for anything.
Wearing the earbuds, he minimized the surveillance screen and began inspecting the area to find out if anybody was keeping an eye on the two students.
Nevertheless, he soon glued his eyes to Anya. His jaws dropped, watching her take action smoothly. He quickly packed his laptop and changed his disguise when she instructed him to take the immediate flight to country E leaving her behind in the airport.
_______
In a five-star luxurious suite,
Alvin thought he could grab some sleep but he was anxious without Anya's message. He wanted to drop her a message but didn't want to disturb her without knowing the situation she was in. So he video-called his son who was obedient in the absence of his mother.
His son was ready in uniform to go to school. [Chipmunk Monster, you should be with me to avoid Mommy being worried.] Zane patiently taught the man and took a bite of his spongy omelet at the breakfast table.
Jia appeared behind Zane and tiptoed to look at him, [Uncle Alvin!!!] She beamed, waving her hand. Then she agreed with her future boyfriend, [Zane is right. My mom always stayed with me when Jass went out on a mission.]
Alvin didn't get to say anything. He watched Zane send Jia to her chair and ask her to eat quickly. He spoke when he met Zane's eyes, "Little Chipmunk, I'm here for your Mommy."
As Alvin expected, the little man's eyes shone and a smile adorned his face. [Just like how you helped Mommy on the ship?] Anya had told him Alvin fought with bad people to protect her.
Unfortunately no. Alvin wasn't going to directly help Anya. But he was going to monitor Miles and be around Anya. If Miles manages to escape Anya's trap, Alvin was going to throw the man into the ocean without a trace. Because Miles was the real reason behind the explosion at the archaeological site and Miles was eyeing Anya. He will get rid of the pest.
Alvin didn't respond to the question. He instructed the little man, "Be good. I will bring your Mommy home."
Zane happily agreed thinking his mother will be safe with Alvin around. The call ended after Jia sweet-talked with Alvin.
Neither Rob was in the mood to catch sleep so he was working alongside Alvin after their breakfast. They received a call after some time. Rob's lips had curled into a lopsided smirk when he ended the call. "Country E." He informed Alvin.
Alvin's lips arced slyly hearing country E. Alvin didn't only have his branch in country E, he also knew a few high-profile businessmen who wouldn't mind giving him a hand.
Rob began arranging for a worse so that they could be prepared for every situation.
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