The sun had just begun to descend, but I had a feeling the mysteries were about to do the opposite.
I ran a nervous hand through my hair as we walked through the doors of the Atlantic city convention centre. High jazz serenaded my ears on entry.
Huge chandeliers lay suspended from the roof, filling the hall with a golden tint.The reception area was filled with people in tuxedos and million dollar dresses, conversing with glasses of premium champagne in hand.
My kind of crowd.
A waiter walked passed with a tray and I gracefully grabbed one, while my sidekick made his way to the counter. Magnus and always getting to business.
Whatever happened to good ol' espionage. You know, playing the part, getting information.
Talking to the ladies.
Speaking of ladies, a beautiful ginger-haired girl stood a few feet away with an older woman, who I presumed to be her mother because of the similarities in hair colour.
The girl had her eyes on me, in fact a whole lot of people had their eyes on us from the moment we stepped in,mostly women, but a few men looked in our direction, uncertain of who the two handsome gentlemen men were.
I was just about to make my move toward the ginger when Magnus materialized beside me, seemingly out of thin air.
"I managed to get us these," he said, dangling two plastic cards from silk lanyards. "Apparently, we need hall passes to move past the lobby."
I took one of the passes, squinting at the "VIP" stamped across the front before looking up at my brother. "How exactly did you get the girl at the desk to hand these over? We aren't even on the guest list."
Magnus offered a raw, dry chuckle. "You're not the only one with charm, brother," he said, already turning to lead the way into the main hall.
"Don't you think we should gather information first?" I asked, my eyes on the ginger, who blushed and turned away.
I smiled knowingly. It wasn't easy keeping eye contact with such a handsome face.
I turned around to see Magnus looking at me, his eyes wandering to the girl next."Gather information huh?" He asked dryly.
I brought my drink to my lips, the bubbles popping on my tongue."Relax brother, I'm as focused as can be." I turned once more to the girl and winked.
My brother sneered and turned away. "Just don't get too sidetracked. We have too much to do."
"Ohh don't worry about me brother!" I called after him. "I'm as focused as can be."
Hehe.
I turned towards my target, gracefully dropping my empty glass on a passing waiter's trey. She was a little shorter up close, maybe Catherine's height, with green eyes that felt unreal.
I offered my hand and flashed my most dazzling smile. "Pardon my Intrusion." I said, my voice low and smooth.
The girl froze, her glass halfway to her lips. She looked at my hand for a moment, unsure of what to do. The older woman-definitely her mother- straightened her posture, her green studying me, her eyes a mix of admiration and lust.
Yes, I know when people lust over me. I wasn't Magnus.
"I couldn't help but notice you from across the lobby," I continued, ignoring the mother's stare and focusing entirely on the girl. "And I realized it would be a tragedy to spend the entire evening wondering who had the most captivating eyes in New Jersey."
The girl's blush deepened, spreading from her cheeks to the tips of her ears. "I… we were just discussing the keynote," she managed, her voice a bit breathless. "The Thaw presentation."
"A fascinating subject," I lied . I didn't know a thing about the presentation, but I knew the name. "I'm Joshua. And you are?"
"Clara," she whispered. "Clara Altican." And took my hand.
My hands were literally shaking, but I could not betray myself. I was too much of a professional. Inside my head, I could hear Magnus screaming frantically, telling me to get all I could out of them.
The eavesdropping bully.
I gracefully turned to her mother who was already wearing a disapproving frown and smiled. "AHH forgive my manners. You must be her sister." I took her hand in mine and watched in satisfaction as the woman's face turned a violent shade of pink.
You're laying it on a bit thick, don't you think? Magnus's voice dryly echoed in the back of my skull.
Shut up, Magnus. I'm working, I fired back mentally, not letting my smile slip for a second.
Do you feel anything off about them? Any godlike aura?
No. As simple as the response was, it was one of the most complex aspects of the evening. The Alticans were supposed to be a family of fire gods. If these two were family, why were they dormant?
Just like Layla. Magnus whispered
"You are far too kind, Joshua," the mother managed, her voice noticeably higher than it had been a moment ago. "I am Elena Altican. And this is my daughter, Clara. I'm afraid we aren't sisters, though I suppose the lighting in here is quite... generous."
"It isn't the lighting, Mrs. Altican. I assure you," I said, finally releasing her hand but keeping eye contact.
Clara stepped forward, her earlier shyness replaced by curiosity. "So what company do you represent Joshua?"
Tell her to fuck off. Magnus urged. I ignored him and smiled.
"I'm here on behalf of the Wanner group."
"Wanner group?" Elena asked, turning to her daughter, her eyebrows knotted in confusion. "I haven't heard that name before."
I smiled and reached for a passing champagne tray because inside I was already as upset as father got when he found out I used his office for a frat themed party.
"We're not a face company." I said, the lie forming in my head. Magnus was giving advice,but his lies were as awkward as he was.
Tell them we're venture capitalists,Magnus hissed in my ear.
I've got it, Magnus. Go find a corner to brood in.
I turned back to Elena, letting my smile turn slightly mysterious. "We specialize in... niche acquisitions. The kind of assets that don't want to be found. But when we heard about Thaw Inc., we realized we couldn't stay in the shadows any longer."
"Is that so?" An extremely Baritone voice asked from behind me. I turned around to see another ginger haired individual before me. His face chiseled and handsome. His eyes, green emeralds.
I was looking at the male version of Layla.
"Luis Altican." He said, offering his hand.