A new beginning

Ian Kabra just didn't have the power, didn't have the will, didn't have the patience and didn't have the time to go to another Cahill meeting.

He glanced at his phone to check the hour. He had half an hour left to be there. He cursed the time and blew his horn, indicating the stupid car that blocked him to start moving.

After the Vespers were defeated, it was decided that he would be the head of the Lucians in due time, when he reaches the age of thirty. That way, he could go to college and have a degree and find a decent job. It was likewise with all the rest - Amy, Jonah, Hamilton and Sinead.

Now, at the age of twenty four, he was deep inside his business - A new law firm he established just started to grow and get some clients. He managed to advertise this firm so successfully that even though he had just started - He already had many curious clients waiting to hear from him and other lawyers wanting to know about him and have an interview with him.

Of course he would be a success. He was Ian Kabra after all.

But now, old Fiske asked for all of them to gather together, even though they hadn't met for couple of months now. What was so urgent?

He parked his car and got out of it smoothly. He got into the building, showing his ID though all the secretaries already knew who he was.

He took the elevator to the third floor, and when he opened the door, he saw that Hamilton and Amy were sitting there, next to the big elliptic table, talking and laughing.

When they saw him, they both stopped talking. "Hey man," Said Hamilton, his blue usually friendly eyes a little hesitate. "What's up?"

Amy smiled at him. "Hey, Ian."

"I'm good, thank you." He said and took the seat in front of them.

Hamilton, now, was a Football coach star. If that was possible, he was even bigger than when they were teenagers. Amy, on the other hand, worked in a publishing firm as an editor.

That moment, Sinead starling came inside, and Fiske behind her. "Good, you are all here."

"What? That's it?" Said Hamilton in amazement. "Where's everybody?"

"I only wanted the four of you." Fiske looked at him sharply and then stood before them. "We have a problem."

"Of course we do." Ian grumbled.

Fiske sighed. "There's a group called "The Darmores". We're in the Madrigal headquarter heard about them a year ago. It's a group of scientists, very accomplished and successful, that divide into many fields, like Medicine, High Tech, and so on. Recently, we heard that a few of them heard somehow of the 39 clues." His voice turned to a whisper in the end.

"So what are we going to do about it?" Asked Sinead.

"We need to figure out what they know," Explained Fiske. "What they want. This mission is secured especially for you guys, considering you're a primary candidates to replace the branch leaders in due time. This is your chance to prove yourselves!"

Ian rolled his eyes. If there was one thing he didn't have to do - It was proving himself.

Sinead nodded, her red curls swaying with her. "So what's the plan?"

Fiske passed his sever gaze between them. "The Darmores have a special event at Rudolf Hotel this weekend. We'll all get on a direct flight to there at Thursday. The event is a very fancy one, funded by many inventors around the world. The different scientists will present their work to each other and get an opportunity to find more investors to their projects."

"Oh, dear," Amy stretched her arms on the table and put her head inside. "I hate those events."

Ian felt irritated by that. Every single meeting they had, he just hated hearing her talking. Her voice was soft and melodic, she sounded too cute. He just couldn't have this thoughts anymore, this thing they never had had between them was over a long time ago.

"That's a shame, dear, because you're going to be a part of the gala that will take place Thursday evening." Said Fiske.

Amy rose up and chuckled. "Of course I am."

"In that weekend, and at the gala specifically, we need you to try to find out what they know about the 39 clues. Sinead, you will stay at our near headquarter with me, and manage all the gadgets, Microphones, cameras and so on. And you will have many. Amy, Ian, you are going to pretend to be a couple, searching for a Start-up to invest in."

Amy immediately blushed bright pink. "Oh, god."

"Yes," Ian said stiffly and met her eyes across the table. His stomach was whirling but he wouldn't let anything show. "Oh god."

Fiske nodded and focused on them. "I will give you your fake profiles at the end to the meeting, you have everything you need there, including what you're supposed to look for in a Start-up to invest in. Make sure to memories everything. Each one of you will be given the other's profile as well, as you're supposed to be engaged."

Amy took a deep breath while Hamilton blinked in surprise. "Ah... Old man? What about me?"

Fiske smiled at him. "You will pretend to be their bodyguard. Notice that You will be their bodyguard, but you will also play as their bodyguard."

"I see." Hamilton scratched his chin. "So I get a profile, too?"

"Of course."

"Awesome."

Fiske waited a second and then sighed. "Every question that needs to be answered will be given to you as well as a description of the ideas and culture the Darmores have. Notice that it's all very technical. Ian, I know you have studied software engineering together with law, so you probably will recognize most of the definitions."

Ian nodded. "Yea, I will."

Amy looked at him and felt kind of upset. So Ian have this successful firm of lawyers and he also has studied this boring ass, numeric, and smarty major? She just couldn't believe there was so much only in one guy. In some ways, it just wasn't fair.

"Seriously?" Hamilton looked at Ian. "I thought only dorks study this kind of things."

Ian smirked. "What can I say? I'm social and smart."

"Guys," Fiske sighed. "Back to the subject. Everything's clear? I will give you now the papers, read it very carefully back home. We will have a rehearsal before we get Hamilton, Amy and Ian to the hotel to make sure everyone knows what they need to do." He took some files from his bag, and started giving them away.

"That's for you, Sinead." He handed Sinead her papers. "As for you, Hamilton... you will be Ron Anderson." He gave Hamilton his file. "You, Ian... you will be Cedric O'connell." He gave Ian his file. "And you, Amy..." He smiled at her as she sighed, her green frustrated eyes popping with her bright hair spreading around. "You will be Sophie Martin." He gave Amy her file.

"So what now?" Asked Hamilton.

"Now, you go home and prepare. Make sure your work places are ok with you having to go, although we're supposed to come back in Sunday, so it's not supposed to be a problem."

"I actually have a question." Said Amy, and Fiske nodded. "Yes?"

"Where's Jonah?"

"Jonah..." Fiske said, musing. "Jonah had a big important performance this weekend. I think now that it's safe to tell you that he's considering giving up being the next leader of the Janus."

"That's too bad," Sinead rolled her eyes. "But it's his choice I guess."

"I get him, actually," Said Amy. "I mean, not that I would even think about that, but Jonah has to do what makes him happy, and I think what he's doing now has this effect on him. Being a leader of the Janus... It may cause him to lose something that he cherishes."

Ian rolled his eyes. "Yea, whatever."

Amy frowned at him. "What's your problem?"

"You say that like it's a good thing, but actually, Jonah decides that his fame is more important than taking care of his branch."

"Dude, that's not what she said," Said Hamilton, his big blue eyes wide.

"Right," Said Amy, pissed. Her green eyes turned darker and her cheeks redder. He had to hold back a smile - He always tried to pick a fight with her. Every meeting they had, he managed to find this crack where he could twist her words and get under her skin. Those reactions would be the only reactions he would ever get from her, though. He knew he didn't want to be friends with her.

"What I was trying to say," Amy continued angrily. It was cute how she tried to seem calm and nice though he knew she was boiling inside. "Is that it's important to take care of one's happiness, and I get that. Besides, it's not like he's leaving the Janus branch to die - another candidate will take his place."

He smirked at her. "Ok, love."

"Don't call me love!"

"God," Fiske sighed. "You're supposed to be engaged, remember? You're going to have to put your personal problems aside in the mission."

Amy took a deep breath. "Of course."

Fiske nodded. "Ok, then. You can go now, I'll see you all at Wednesday night. The details of the flight will be sent to you later, all tickets already booked."

They left, the four of them walking together to the parking lot. Ian was walking a bit ahead of them, his head buried in his phone. He had to make arrangements - He had not plan on missing this weakened, and now he had to reschedule most of his errands. Suddenly, he heard Hamilton's voice from behind.

"So that's it? You decided to break up?"

He froze, taking his eyes off the screen.

"I can't believe it, I thought you and Jake were forever." - Sinead's voice.

How was it possible that his heart started to beat faster? Why?

"Yea, me too." Said Amy, sighing. "I mean, we've been together forever, kind off. But we both know it just doesn't work anymore, and wasting more time is just... not right."

Ian turned and looked at her, the minute she rose he gaze to him. He covered up his stare with a smirk. "Well, looks like you wouldn't have to explain to your boyfriend why we're engaged so suddenly."

Amy rolled her eyes at him and passed him. "I'm sick of this. Screw you, Ian."

Hamilton walked with her demonstratively and Sinead sighed, staying with him. "I don't get you, you know? What's in it for you to piss her off every single time?"

She passed him, and Ian sighed, still clutching his phone.

That way, she would stay far from me. She would stay out of reach, far away, where I don't have a chance. And that way, my heart wouldn't break all over again.

Hi guys :)

So... I actually can't believe I'm writing another story here. That's crazy. Crazy. Honestly I thought I was done when I finished "It's all about the chances".

But... even though I don't have time for anything this days, I've had this idea for a story in my head, and then the lovely MademoiselleEtincelle contacted me and encouraged me to give it a shot.

So thank you MademoiselleEtincelle for this, and more importantly, for being nice and honest at the same time.

Anyway, I need you guys to -

- Know that I don't have much time this days, but I will try to update occasionally. Those of you who know my style know that I don't like to keep anybody in suspense.

-Keep writing! It doesn't matter how many people like your thing, as long as you do. So write whatever you would like to read.

(If I can - you can. Trust me on that ;) )