The board meeting unfolded like every other board meeting. Manuel had slept in the room in his office and so he was able to be in the office earlier than most people. Now, the board members were slowly beginning to get used to Manuel and some of them had even began to talk freely.One director complained about rise logistics cost, another suggested delaying the european partnership and someone else proposed increasing the advertising budget. The routine was normal for a board meeting.Manuel stood at the head of the table in silence and began to tap his fingers slightly against the polished wood as he looked distracted and then he stopped. Across the room sat the people he had worked with for a few months and some had even served the company longer than he had been alive yet one of them had hacked their way into his trap but which one?“President Rodriguez?” Director Hayes pushed his glasses up his nose. “The manufacturing reports require your approval.”Manuel glanced at him, snappin

The event coordinator appeared again, “Five minutes.” Lisa’s face dropped, “Already?” Penelope just giggled while the event planner replied, “Already.”The applause from one side of the venue drew Penelope’s attention, and it seemed like another important guest had arrived. There were more cameras and Penelope was in a funny conversation with Lisa trying to cheer her up and at some point she opened her mouth to reply to Lisa and then froze.Wave of whispers moved through the room and Penelope just stared, “No way.” Lisa followed her gaze and then her eyes widened. Manuel adjusted the cuff of his suit as he stepped inside. Several reporters changed direction immediately, some investors abandoned their conversation halfway through, a photographer nearly tripped trying to get a better angle and most of the guests being females, screamed and squealed at the top of their lungs. Manuel Rodriguez had that effect on people.Penelope blinked, “He came.” Lisa’s grin widened, “Yeah. Don’t worry,

Manuel’s eyes remained on the screen with Gavin standing opposite him. “Come over here,” Manuel beckoned to Gavin. The footage was played again and they both watched it with a lot of focus. They saw Alistair hovering around Penelope the whole time, the surprised look on her face upon seeing him.“Now I understand why she said something about disappearing and reappearing,” Gavin said. Manuel still kept his eyes glued to the screen until the video finished playing, “She definitely knows him but I don’t think it’s in a friendly way. There’s really something fishy about this Mr. Vaughn. First off, he has access to my laptop, at least he thinks so, secondly, his relationship with Penelope and thirdly, his connection to Project 608. Look into Alistair Vaughn deeply for me.”Gavin bowed slightly and left Manuel’s office.At Lisa's place, Penelope slept over and they both woke up to a terrible hangover after drinking themselves away the previous night. Several hours later, Penelope sat on the

“No worries sir, I’d just send for him.” Gavin said and went out, returning a few minutes later.The knock came exactly five minutes later and the door opened with Alistair stepping inside. He stopped when he saw the office, Manuel sitting behind his desk and Gavin by the window. When he was sent for, he had spent a lot of time masking his emotions properly before coming to face Manuel even though he had no idea why he was being sent for. His eyes swept over them once before returning to Manuel. “You wanted to see me.”“Sit,” Manuel said.Alistair remained standing for a second, then he pulled out the chair and sat. The office fell quiet and Manuel just slid a photograph across the desk. Alistair’s hand froze, not for long but just a second and then he looked up, “Where did you get that?”“My question first. Who’s she to you?” Manuel asked calmly.Silence filled the office as the photograph remained between them. A woman smiled up at the ceiling, one hand hooked through Alistair’s arm

The office had emptied by the time Manuel reopened the laptop. The steady hum of the air conditioner was the only sound in the room. Outside, evening painted long shadows across the courtyard. Most employees had gone home hours ago. A few lights still burned on the lower floors, but the executive wing had fallen silent. Gavin was at his desk arranging Manuel’s schedule for the next day as Manuel had quite a number of meetings the following day.Manuel rested his hand on the mouse, the archived recording waited on the screen, ‘Board Meeting – Project 608’ and he clicked on it. The loading circle spun once before dissolving into the familiar boardroom, the video was dated four years earlier. The camera overlooked the entire conference room from one corner of the ceiling and the younger version of himself sat at the head of the table. His suit was darker, his expression harder.Around him, the board members settled into their seats, exchanging quiet greetings before folders began opening