Chapter Text
Nora
Stepping into the office, Nora drew a deep, shuddering breath, trying in vain to steady her nerves. It was only her first week at the journalism firm, and being called into this room already felt anything but promising. She had heard enough stories from colleagues to know it was rarely a good sign. The office was dimly lit, shadows clinging to every corner. Her boss, a tall, angry man loomed over her, almost blending into the dark room filled with towering shelves. Books and framed clippings lined the walls, while a stack of papers filled the desk, works of seasoned professionals whose names were etched into the industry.
Nora was on the smaller side, and most people tended to tower over her, but there was something different about the presence here. It was not just the height of her boss; it was the energy that filled the room—unnatural, almost tangible, like the calm before a storm. It set her on edge.
She had never liked this space, though she had only been here twice now. The first time was on the day of her job interview, the memory of which was still vivid, playing in her mind like it had happened just yesterday. She remembered sitting stiffly in the middle of the room, her back straight, hands clasped tightly in her lap, while three older gentlemen circled her like predators. Their eyes followed her every move, their expressions unreadable, but she could feel the sharpness in their gaze. It was as if they had not eaten in days, and she was the meal they were about to devour. Every question they asked felt like it was meant to dissect her, to pry open her thoughts and lay them bare.
When the interview finally ended, she left feeling drained, her nerves frayed. It was not until the following week that she received a call from a man named Liam, informing her that she had gotten the job and could start on Monday. Relief had washed over her then, but it was fleeting. Now, sitting in the same chair as before, with one of those three men seated across from her, that initial unease had returned, tenfold.
The air felt thick, and the silence stretched on, heavy and expectant, as if the room itself were holding its breath.
Liam
Just ten minutes ago, Liam had been sitting in the same chair where she now sat, receiving the exact same assignment, and fighting the urge to sigh aloud. He knew from the moment the task was given that it would be nearly impossible. They were expected to interview a notoriously reclusive artist duo, a pair who had not spoken publicly for over five years. Their only contact with the outside world was through their annual showcase, where a handful of new pieces were unveiled, each selling for millions at auction. It was an event shrouded in mystery, one that left more questions than answers about the artists’ methods and their rapid rise to fame.
In a moment of reflection, Liam felt a pang of sympathy for Nora. It was her first assignment, and she had been brimming with excitement. But he knew better—the artists were untouchable, their lives a fortress of secrecy. No one had ever managed to uncover the origins of their meteoric success, and that was precisely what they were tasked with investigating. Keeping his gaze fixed on the office where she now sat, Liam spoke quietly to his colleagues, trying to make sense of why "the Boss," as they called him (since his real name was a mystery), had chosen her—a newcomer with barely any experience. From what Liam understood, she had only just scraped through the hiring process, her selection seemingly influenced by a corporate push for diversity. He knew she was not ready for something this challenging, yet the Boss was adamant that Liam take her along as his partner, perhaps to mentor her or maybe to test her resolve.