chapter 9

It took a lot to Intrigue Dalia, and for the first time in a long while, she was intrigued By the woman Infront of her. She had spent years perfecting her study of people, learning them, reading the small shifts in their expressions, the slightest hesitation in their voices, those invisible moments that betrayed their true intentions. As an assassin learning these things were a must unless she would have been dead long ago.

Everything had pattern, Lies had patterns, greedy had pattern, fear had pattern but Cathryn exhibited none of those patterns. She had sincerity in her eyes, everything she had said, she meant them. This unsettled Avery than if Cathryn had pulled a gun on her.

It was either this woman believed every word she had spoken or Dalia had somehow lost the instinct that had kept her alive for years. She doubted the latter.

The silence stretched between them, Cathryn didn't rush her, she waited patiently for her to process her words.

Avery lowered her eyes, allowing her thoughts to wander. Her whole life she had work so hard to become a woman worthy of her name. she trained, learned and built it all. She chased perfection with an unhealthy amount of obsessive determination.

Eventually she became someone who everyone whispered about, someone who never failed, or left blood everywhere after her jobs. Some whos existence was questioned because no one has ever truly seen her.

She achieved everything she set for her self, money,fame , reputation , respect but she had to admit, she didn't fell fulfilled. She had no purpose, she just worked for survival and she survived.

She had no one because it was risky to have someone to come back to. No one to celebrate her wins with. If she disappeared they would probably think she was in between contracts. She had died and no one noticed. She had lived a life that could vanish with no disturbance. That left and ache in her chest. She had grown dull, immune to any distraction but maybe it was Thai body, she felt like she wanted more than what she had. Perhaps this body wasn't a mistake, maybe this strange phenomena , this second chance was given to her for something greater than surviving another day.

And besides she was a bit bored with the same things over and over again. Sha had to do something different with this life.

She slowly lifted her head as Cathryn waited patiently for her to make her decision, there was no manipulation or pressure, just confidence and truth. Their eyes met

"I accept " Avery answered.

Cathryn blinked

"I would be honoured to be your partner" she added as a smile tugged on her lips. For the first time since she walked in, A genuine smile pread across her Cathryn's face. Not her business smile but her real one filled with joy.

"I was really hoping you would say that,Dalia. I didn't expect you to accept so readily, I thought it would take a bit more convincing." Cathryn replied with a calm expression.

"Well what can I say, you got me excited with your whole speech. So what exactly are we building" Avery said with as she leaned back in her seat.

Cathryn leaned back, her chair swerving , her eyes paning to the massive windows overlooking the city. People moved through the steets, everyone chasing something. Money, power, success or survival. She watched them all before asking

"Tell me Dalia, what does the government fear?"

She considered the question

"The truth" , she answered

This earned her a smile from Cathryn.

"And corporations?"

"They fear scandals

"And criminal organisations fear...."

"betrayal" Avery finished her sentence

Cathryn nodded

Exactly" she said as she turned to face Avery once again.

"Everyone fears something and all of those fears have one thing in common, they come from the same source" her fingers tapped lightly against the desk

" Information....or the lack of it". She stood up and walked towards the wall mounted display on the other side of the room. She activated it and she cree. illuminated with dozens of names, companies government agencies and media groups. At first glance they seemes unrelated

They all specialize in one field, they collect information but that is also their weakness. They all just see one piece of the puzzle.

The display changed again. Now lines connected each company together an intricate web slowly formed.

"This is what I see" Cathryn whispered

Avery studied the screen carefully

Cathryn continued

"I don't want anther security company or another private military contractor. I don't want another intelligence agency. Theere are thousands anf hundreds and they are owned by the government. They get to pick and choose what to share and keep."

I want to build something that has never been built before. I want an organisation that becomes the first place people come to when they need certainty. I.....want us to have all the pieces of the puzzle., to see the picture no one else can.

If a billionaire suspect betrayal or a corporation suspects infiltration or the government needs info no one else can get, they all come to us. I want reliance, the control. If the world relies on you , you can control it..

Avery's interest deepened. she could see exactly what Cathryn wanted.

She continued as she stepped closer

I have everything needed to build this business, Money, connections, legitimate companies and Investors " she stopped only a feet away but money cannot get you everything. It can't buy discipline , judgment or principles. Nad it certainly can't buy someone like you."

she smiled softly

"You have spent years perfecting your craft, you understand how people think, how to investigate and build systems. that is how you got your reputation, why many cannot reach you. You understand loyalty . You will take charge of the operational side, recruitment, people and the training and I'll provide the funds and connections, I build the empire, you build it's foundation". She finished

Dalia looked at the city beyond the glass

An empire built on trust , precision and information.

Avery had come here to find a way to survive but she had been offered an opportunity of a lifetime. The thought of her problems had long escaped her mind as the excitement for this fill her head.

With this thought she remembered the money and the man she owed.

I'll help you build your empire she said her voice form

"But I need you help. I need to get five million dollars in thirty days"

Cathryn' smile faded into curiosity

That sounds like a story, You don't have money problems Dalia so I wonder what the story is"

It is , and if we are going to be partners then you deserve to hear all of it"

The office fell into silent as Dalia contemplated telling this woman about her reincanation. She was the only one she could tell at this po

int. This was either the smartest or the dumbest this she had ever done.

She met Cathryn's eyes

"This isn't my body"

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