Sebastian

A few kilometres away from the sleeping woman, a man named Sebastian Vero was finishing the last email of the day. Despite the long day at work, the only evidence that he hadn't rested all day was the fact that his tie was draped over the back of his chair. His black hair was cut short and businesslike. His custom-tailored suit cleverly hid his muscular frame and only revealed his class and confidence.

This man could feel at home both at the top of financial circles and on the red carpet and still wow everyone. He was one of those rare representatives of the male sex who were impressed just by his presence and were desired by everyone regardless of their age. One could contemplate this amazing individual for hours without getting bored. But despite his impressive physique, what was most striking were his eyes. Impossibly masculine, with a willowy chin and a steely grey gaze, it was the face that would embody both the sweetest dreams and the worst nightmares. For women, it was the greatest desire, and for men either the best ally or the greatest enemy. And no matter which list you ended up on, you would always get the best out of it.

At that moment, a look of satisfaction appeared on that same face as the man leaned back in the leather chair. He reached over closed the computer programs and turned to the window. After finishing work, it was time to relax and enjoy the surroundings.

It was on the twelfth floor of the business building that housed his company, and the view was intoxicating. Everywhere he looked there was movement, color, and life. The picture in front of him made him feel like a god, and as he looked down at the streets one of his fondest childhood memories surfaced of an ant farm that had taken up hours of his time as a child.

The silence of life in nature, combined with the hustle and bustle of hardworking ants, always relaxed and energized him. He had always liked this office and enjoyed every minute of it whether he was solving a small problem or winning a long battle. Unlike most construction company owners, his hands were not gentle, and it was obvious that he had struggled to be at the top. Some of his colleagues in the industry laughed at the fact that he made his fortune using a hammer and screwdriver, but he considered it an advantage. He knew very well how much it cost a worker to complete his project and how much effort of body and mind it required. His employees respected him and did their best for him. In response, he worked just as hard to justify their trust.

But after years of work and no rest, he had begun to wear himself out mentally. Recently, even his hard-working parents expressed their concern by suggesting that he go on holiday with them. He refused of course, after all, it was their fortieth wedding anniversary, and a child, no matter how grown up, would not be good company on their second honeymoon. So he convinced them that he would relax as soon as possible. Maybe next month. He had things to finish.

He sighed softly. There was always work. He had to accept the offer from his relatives and run away somewhere. But alone? He didn't find it that interesting. Maybe if he took a girlfriend?

But which one? He hadn't seen anyone in months because of the development of the new art market. He lived by the maxim of never putting all his eggs in one basket. All the female friends he went out with from time to time must have found someone else to entertain them. He knew deep down that this was exactly one of his problems. But he didn't want something like that. Looking at his parents, who had been together for forty years, he desired something real and alive. He wanted to find the woman who would love him for who he was, not for his money. To have a friend, not just a lover, to share all the important moments with.

He closed his eyes and tried to relax. He slowly fell into a doze, and in that state, he seemed to be transported to another place. He was already in some room. He tried to focus and the image of a beautiful, dark-haired woman with milky white skin and soft curves appeared in his mind. She was lying on a large sofa, her face turned away from him. At her feet sat a cat, which looked at him shrewdly with its emerald green eyes.

A wonderful aroma of herbs filled his lungs. He looked around and found that he was in an apartment owned by a woman. The decor was soft, comforting, and feminine. In his mind his appearance in the room was unquestionable. It was logical and true. Although this happened for the first time, he saw nothing strange about him being anywhere other than his office and turned his attention to the woman.

She was fast asleep, and the slow, rhythmic rise of her breasts was more seductive than any other erotic picture in his entire life. He was feeling oddly calm and thrilled at the same time. He wished he could snuggle into the warmth of her body and breathe in her comforting scent. To stroke, her hair and press his body into hers.

He could feel a connection with this woman. He burned with the desire to feel the thrill of belonging, to feel that he belonged to another being. This desire burned him and left a hole in his soul. He moved closer and leaned over her. He wanted to see the face that was hidden by the hair. The softness of her skin and the aroma that it emitted intoxicated him. He was just reaching to brush her hair away when he heard a knock.

At that exact moment, he found himself in his chair in the same position he had been standing a moment ago. He shook his head and rubbed his face with his palm. He had apparently dozed off for a moment and, driven by his thoughts and overtired, he had dreamed for a bit. He smiled for a moment. He hadn't had such dreams since he was a teenager.

Still smiling like that, he heard a second knock on the door. He tried to concentrate and answered:

- Come in - he said. A young man in his twenties appeared at the door with a notebook and pen in hand.

- Mr. Collins is here - said the secretary with an expressionless face.

- Thank you. Let him in - said Sebastian, thinking of the reasons Collins should be looking for him.

Maximilian Collins was one of the most unpleasant people on the planet according to Sebastian, but with such a large company it was impossible to like everyone who worked for you.

He has tried to avoid on one meetings so as not to disturb the peace. But apparently, Collins had not understood the message and visited him almost every week under various pretexts, most of them nonexistent. If he was paranoid, Sebastian would have thought he was being watched, but since he wasn't, he was just annoyed at the stupidity and tactlessness of this individual.

He had hired him about a year ago when he purchased his first art gallery. Collins was well known in the circles and highly recommended. Personal feelings had no place in business, and by all accounts, he knew his business. The project got off to a flying start, everything was developing perfectly, except for the constant demands and friction between them. But he could handle that, Sebastian repeated to himself.

There were quick footsteps down the hall and a tall, attractive man entered the room. About thirty-five years old, with a face that would make any woman turn after him. Something they always did. Sebastian reminded himself again that nowhere did it say you had to like the people who worked for you. You just have to make sure they do their job properly.

- Collins - Sebastian greeted him briefly, expecting to be informed of the purpose why the man had seemed him out at this late hour, without any notice.

- Vero - nodded to him, walking slowly and confidently toward the middle of the room. After which he smiled slightly and cheekily sat down on the sofa for visitors - Working late, huh?

- Did you want to see me? Weren't you supposed to be on a business trip to Nepal for the week? - he asked impatiently. He didn't like this man's behaviour.

- Yes, I was, but at the last moment I had to come back - replied Collins without even looking at his boss. His attention was drawn to a non-existent speck of dust on his lapel, then he relaxed his hand and looked at Sebastian - You have a serious problem - he stated bluntly.

- Yes? – Sebastian asked, already irritated by the man's behaviour in front of him.

- In the gallery that we opened six months ago, there was an accident today. Someone really wanted one of the exhibits and decided to self-serve. - He started - The guard was found dead - He said without a speck of empathy.

For a second, Sebastian didn't move a muscle. He needed a second to process the news, given the lack of emotion from the messenger. Then he slowly stood up and said:

- I need details - he said, thinking fast - What happened? Are there any other injuries? What did they steal?

- Some kind of book made of human skin from a witchy kind of collection - seeing the confused expression he added - The manager's new trick over there. He decided that it fit into the current craze for the occult and that an exhibition of this kind would appeal to tourists. It was about dark magic through the ages. This was one of several books that were on display. The rest is not even touched. There were even a few exhibits that were worth over seven figures, but the only thing missing was the book. But that's not the problem. It turns out that the exhibit is from a private collection. The owner insists that it be found as soon as possible. It is feared that it can be used with bad intentions. Total nonsense in my opinion. As if a book has any power, especially as old as that one. It wasn't even that interesting, to begin with. He just rattles them like this to increase their value if he later decides to sell them - he explained, waving his hand in the air.

- Interesting – Sebastian could barely muster that word. The exasperation towards this person was growing by the second.

- Let's leave it at that - Collins waved his hand dismissively - After all, it's not our responsibility, it's the responsibility of those from the security company. They are to blame. Let them get better - he declared bored and irritated, tugging at the lapel of his jacket. He loved this stuff. He had just gotten ready for yet another party to show up to when he got the message. On the one hand, he was glad something had happened, so he had an excuse not to attend the stupid meeting he was supposed to arrange. Travelling tired him. As well as small people like that security guard. Why the hell was he pushing himself with the salary he was getting? He deserved it if they asked him. - The insurance should cover the funeral.

- Really? - Sebastian said through gritted teeth. This man was proverbially cheeky. There had always been animosity between the two of them, but his current behaviour was already crossing all limits. For Sebastian, such behaviour was absolutely unacceptable. He was about to explode, and he didn't want that to happen. He crossed his arms over his chest and forced himself to breathe. Maximilian sensed the threat and braced himself. He saw the stiff back and clenched fists of the man in front of him and realized how little he was from the hospital bed. It was time to retire. Still, he appreciated his looks more than picking on his boss. - You have an interesting view of the lives of our employees, Maximilian. How about I make you the head of human resources? - growled Sebastian, causing a trickle of sweat to run down the back of the man on the sofa, ruining the shirt.

- We can hire a private investigator to investigate if you wish, sir - he tried to mend the situation. It seems he has gone a bit too far this time. Although he did not like his employer, the money was good and he got to attend very high-profile places because of that. There was no way he would cut the rope before he had milked everything he could get here.

- No - he was cut off - We will start our investigation - Sebstina bent down to write something down on his desk - We will give compensation to the security guard's family.

- If necessary - answered Maximilian, not so much interested in the case as in saving his skin. Despite his connections, he had to be careful. This man could ruin it. And that thought made him hate him even more.

- Yes, I do - he said with a steely look - I also put you in charge of the investigation and demand a report on the development of the case every night.

- OK, so on Monday morning I will talk to the manager of the gallery and the police - he answered standing up.

- No, you will talk to them tomorrow morning - ordered Sebastian and added - Have a nice trip!

Maximilian was about to challenge the issued command, but his boss was no longer paying attention to him. The look he had seen in his eyes a moment ago reminded him how close he was to serious bodily injury, so he got up and headed for the door. Leaving the office, he glanced back and realized that he had narrowly escaped more serious consequences.

Without even passing through his office, he got on the elevator and headed for the underground parking lot. There, near the elevators, his Porsche was waiting for him. Always the best, he thought. He had bought it a few weeks ago and was already looking around for a new model. The most important thing for him was his social status and he didn't let anything get in the way of his performances. The best cars, the most prestigious properties, the fanciest restaurants, and the best tailors. Which brought him back to the meeting. His suit was ruined. He was angry at this fact. The suit was custom made and the shirt was of the finest silk. What he hated most in the world was looking ripped. Now he had to change before going out, which would take hours. Anger flooded his body again. In his mind, he had emerged victorious. The humiliating feeling he felt now was only accepted as anger. In his memory, he was the important one, and Vero was just a pawn in his game to the top.

He got into his car and started the engine. It was time to let him know who was running the show here and who was the real boss. He only had to dial one number. But he was afraid. He had only worked with this man once before, when he had to get out of a pesky contract, and he still got chills thinking about his partner's eyes. Black and dead as pins. But serious situations called for serious measures. He put it in gear and drove to the nearest street phone he could find.