Chapter 5

After weeks of hard work and thorough investigations, Julian and Emma finally began to put the pieces of the puzzle together around Ian Berger. It was hard to work for someone you didn't know who they were, and if that person was supposed to give you information about one of the most dangerous gangs today, you might as well conduct a background check. At least they were now one step ahead. Ian provided access to the exchange of messages between him and the Mountain Climbers.

The problem was that the conversation was protected by several passwords, which Ian did us the favor of writing on a sheet of paper at our last meeting, and when we finally had access, the conversation was encrypted in binary. That is to say, to write a sentence of medium complexity, it took maybe one page. In total, all the conversations amounted to hundreds of pages. But Julian was sure that it contained thousands of sensitive data about the organization, so he invested considerable time in deciphering the data. Not only him, but also his employees.

Sitting in the office that morning, reviewing hundreds of files, something intriguing caught Emma's eye.

"Mr. Julian, look at this," she said, printing out the transcript of the part of the document to which she referred and handing it to Julian:

Do you swear that you will speak the truth and only the truth, swearing for your safety and the good of your life?

Yes.

Before we start our transactions, we need to collect some information about you. The first would be if you have someone in your life who is so close to you that they could disrupt our business. Something like wife, ex-wife, children, very close friends...

No, I don't.

What is your full name and how long have you held this position in your job?

Ian Berger, 3 years old.

The conversation continued, that file was the closest he had ever come in his investigation to the present day. He was thrilled with his success, now he had an idea of how the recruitment process looked like. Despite this, Julian wondered why the hell would Ian Berger swear on his life that he doesn't have a wife? So maybe that flea on his ear about it was right. Ian couldn't be so desperate for money that he would lie to the Mountain Climbers even though he was under oath.

"That doesn't make sense. He always claimed that his wife was the reason for his financial problems," Julian pondered, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

"Maybe she just doesn't exist," Emma suggested, hesitantly. "Maybe he made this story up to cover up the drug problem. It is not cheap to have an addiction."

Julian looked at her, taken aback by the suggestion. And the more he thought about it, the more it made sense. Ian was always evasive when it came to personal details and the supposed wife was only mentioned as an excuse, a stopgap for his problems. Emma sometimes gave the impression of having lived with Julian for so long that it was a functional part of his brain. Or maybe it was just something like feminine intuition, but the fact is that these insights helped Julian a lot to flow with his thoughts.

In exchange for what would Ian lie to his lawyer? Essentially, Julian wasn't interested in his client's marital life, why lie about it? Before, it made no difference whether he was married or not. Now it was different... Ian had just bought a stone in his shoe, because Julian wanted to find out why Ian made life so difficult for a professional who wanted to help him and on top of that at no cost, telling so many lies about himself.

"Everything is falling into place little by little, Julian," Emma said, arranging the papers on the table. "We'll get there in no time."

Julian nodded, taking in the information. There was something about Ian's demeanor that indeed seemed out of place, just from his triumphant entrance into the office it should have been clear by now. But Julian didn't choose clients, he helped everyone. Of course, he knew from the beginning that this would not be an easy case, but he was willing to face it.

Just before lunchtime, Niklas showed up at Emma's office to ask formalities about processes he was reviewing for his father. Wearing a sleek leather jacket, exuding a youthful and confident presence, he spotted Emma working at her desk and approached with a sympathetic smile. Emma couldn't help but think that it was as if he was the father twenty years younger, the two of them were so similar.

"Good morning, Emma," he said, leaning against the side of the table. "I'm reviewing some files for my father and wanted to confirm some details with you. First, on the Thompson case, do you have the latest reports?"

Emma looked up from the task she had been concentrating on so far and smiled warmly at her boss's son, who was standing in front of her.

"Good morning, Niklas. Yes, I have them. I'll print them out and I can take them to your desk in a moment, or send them by E-Mail. As you prefer."

Niklas nodded, satisfied.

"If you can print it would be great, thank you. What about the Martins process, can you check if we have already received the necessary documentation from the client?"

"Sure, I'll check that out in a second and let you know." Emma said, as she jotted down Niklas' requests on a large aqua green post-it.

Niklas hesitated for a moment, seeming to want to say something more.

"Anything else, Mr. Niklas?"

"I was thinking... Maybe you'd like to have lunch with me today? We can..." He hesitated.

"Talk a little bit about work."

Emma was a little surprised by the invitation, but she didn't want to be rude to the boss's son, so she accepted.

"Thank you for the invitation." She blushed. "Where do you suggest we have lunch?"

"There's a new bistro around the corner... What about it?" He asked, a little shy.

"Perfect, then. Just give me a few minutes to finish what I was doing, and I'll go to your office with the information you asked for, from there we can follow if it's convenient for you." Emma replied with a smile and saw him nod yes and leave the room.

Niklas walked away, feeling satisfied. This was an opportunity to bond and, at the same time, he was always a little curious about Emma. After all, who was this woman who had been in his father's life for so long, but he knew almost nothing about?

Later Emma showed up at his office with the documents he had requested and his eyes couldn't help but be at the height of her bust, enhanced by a small cleavage that didn't show much. His face flushed and in an attempt to avoid his undue look, he thanked her for the documents brought and got up from his chair, putting his cell phone in his pocket and running his hand through his hair to straighten it out. Unlike his father, Niklas didn't always come to work with his hair perfectly combed. It was more the style natural hair without any product and that suited him very well and enhanced his honey colored hair.

Niklas's footsteps resounded on the carpeted floor, and it would be wrong to say that it didn't catch the attention of the other employees that Emma was right behind him, following his footsteps. Curious glances were inevitable. This made Emma a little unsure, but Niklas continued to take his sovereign steps, his leather jacket hanging from his arm and sunglasses on his face. Other people's opinions didn't matter to him in the slightest and he always did what he wanted. Woe betide anyone who thought that was bad.

When they arrived at the bistro, they were greeted by a polite waiter who placed them on a nice corner table that didn't draw much attention. Niklas made sure to take Emma's coat and hang it up, along with his own. Even in this he resembled his father... It was clear that he would be raised under the same values, Emma thought. She thought it was extremely noble.

"Gentleman like your father. Thank you very much."

"A lady like you deserves to be treated like one." He cracked a smile at the corner of his face, making Emma lose her words.

She wasn't sure if that phrase should sound just polite or had been an attempt at flirtation. Could it be? No... He would never do that. Not every single guy who is nice to you is hitting on you, she mentally repeated to herself.

Finally, Niklas sat down at the table and placed the napkin on his lap, a gesture that Emma repeated. Placing his sunglasses on the table and leaning back in his chair to make himself more comfortable, he ran his hand through his hair again.

"Then finally... Mr. Julian Schmidt's faithful squire. I've heard so much about you, Emma."

"I hope only good things." She said, hesitantly.

"That I tell you for sure. In all these years, he has always been all praise for you."

"Mr. Niklas, you don't have to... I know nobody's perfect, neither am I. I've made mistakes."

"Emma, I'm telling you the truth." He laughed, finding it funny that she didn't believe what he said.

"I grew up hearing about you... He says she's the best assistant anyone could ever have."

The blatant compliments inflated Emma's ego from afar, though she didn't like to admit it. That also made her imagination run wild. So you mean Julian has talked about her at home? She'd like to be a little fly to hear everything. What reason did he have for tearing her up so many compliments at home? Didn't his wife think that was strange? She rolled her eyes and instinctively scratched the back of her neck, trying to push away the images that insisted on invading her mind. What exactly did Julian say? How did he describe her to his family? That made her uneasy...

"You are making me feel embarrassed. But thanks." She answered, still a little out of her mind.

"I'm sorry, it wasn't the intention. I... I just think it's cool that now we can also work together."

"That's good, Mr. Niklas. I'm also happy to work together with you."

"Sorry Emma, but "Mr" is my dad, I'm just Niklas. You're only 7 years older than me. We don't need to keep that formality, right?"

"Oh Mr. Niklas... I mean, Niklas... I'm sorry. I'll try to get used to it."

A hush hung between them, Emma looked away, watching the cars pass by the window, while Niklas drummed his fingers on the table, looking for what to say next. For a few minutes the mixed voices of the restaurant's clients filled the space, creating a feeling that this lunch was going down a strange path. Emma and Niklas looked at each other, Niklas took a sip of the soda he had ordered, before breaking the silence

"You really enjoy working with my dad, don't you?" Niklas asked, his eyes fixed on Emma's, curious about the answer.

"Yes, very much. He is an excellent lawyer and a just and upright man." Emma replied, feeling a slight blush rise to her cheeks.

"It's hard to find someone like you, Emma. I've been noticing it for the past few weeks. So dedicated..."

"Let's not talk about me all the time." She smiled embarrassedly.

"Emma... I want to tell you something."

He looked out the window and noticed for a few seconds the people walking outside, in an attempt to get courage.

Emma's heart beat faster, having no idea what he had to say. There was something about his expression that made her feel vulnerable. Her hands began to sweat lightly and she braced herself for whatever was coming, good or bad, but she wasn't able to guess what he meant. Before he could continue, a cheerful voice interrupted them, lengthening this agonizing moment.

"Hello, good afternoon. Can I write down your order already?" said a waitress, breaking the moment.

"Executive filet mignon, please." Said Niklas, with the calmness and elegance that did him justice. His drawn, square jaw shifted as he spoke.

He had a sovereignty that his father did not possess, bordering on pride or arrogance, but it did not amount to that. It was a positive thing, maybe even... attractive. This showed him to be definitely sure of himself and his abilities.

"A caesar salad with chicken, please."

Emma ordered it being the first thing she'd seen on the menu, without even thinking about whether she really wanted it. After all, what did she want? It was the hardest question in the world, about so many things. Making choices wasn't her strong suit. The departure of the waitress, already heading towards the kitchen, caused the moment that was established before her arrival at that table to come back.

"You said...?" Emma asked, pressing one lip to the other, still nervously thinking about what it could be... What could her boss's son have to ask her in private? Well, maybe it's something connected to business and she's just overthinking it. Focus, Emma, focus; she repeated to herself.

"You remember when I was younger and... I used to go to the office with my dad?" He began, his voice a little shaky, something that surprised both of them.

"I must have been about 14 or 15 years old. It's been a long time." His eyes stared at the ground.

Of course Emma remembered it, but what was he trying to say for gods sake.

He couldn't believe that he was finally telling her this secret, which had been kept under lock and key for so many years. To this day, the only person who knew this was his childhood best friend.

"Well, I... I've had a crush on you ever since. That's it, it's said."

His gaze tried to flee from Emma's presence in front of him, staring at the ceiling as he gnawed at the cuticles of his index finger. All his fingers were eaten away due to an inexplicable nervousness that lived inside him, this was a tic that always belonged to the boy.

It was as if all his sovereignty had been swept down the drain, his self-secureness replaced by the insecurity of a puberty teenager, and his facial expression had taken on features worthy of a puppy. Niklas didn't usually open up like that, he always kept himself sovereign, so as not to run the risk of developing feelings, but Emma was... She was special to him and besides, she was one of his first female references in puberty. You could tell she was his kryptonite.

Emma was taking a sip of iced tea to her lips when she heard such a confession. The moment the words echoed through her ears, she gasped, unlearning for a second how to swallow. His eyes bulged so that they seemed to want to leave his eyeballs. She put a napkin over her mouth trying to maintain elegance in this more than exceptional situation, trying to gain time to understand it.

Her feet tapped nervously on the floor under the table, while her hands began to tear small pieces of the napkin. How could she react in an almost bizarre situation like that? He was the son of her boss and seven years younger than herself.

Niklas, for his part, felt exposed and vulnerable. Every second that passed without an answer from Emma caused his nervousness to increase exponentially. His nails succumbed to his uncontrollable addiction. He was beginning to deeply regret his sudden attack of courage and that he had shared his secret, feeling that it had been a very bad idea.

Emma was finally able to articulate a few words, even though her voice was shaky.

"Niklas, you're... Serious?" She looked at him, trying to find any sign that he was joking, but she feared he wasn't.

Her words had been like a knife sharp on both sides, being thrust into his pride. What led her to think he was joking?

Emma remembered the times when the boy talked and stopping to think, he really had an abnormal interest in her work for a boy still at such a young age... She never questioned it, she always thought he stayed there because his father didn't have enough time to explain things to him or give him attention. Deep down, she always treated those situations as part of her job. Her empty stomach churned at this situation.

"Niklas, I don't think that would be appropriate. Your father..."

"My father doesn't need to know everything, Emma. We are adults. I'm not a little boy anymore." Niklas visibly shifted when he heard her answer, his voice firm but not aggressive. His father had no right to influence everything in his life.

Emma bit her lip, pondering. The truth is, he was so similar to Julian in some ways, that it intrigued her. Niklas noticed her hesitation and took the opportunity to move closer, leaning slightly on the table, gradually regaining his self-confidence.

"Emma, I know we don't have much time to talk about it now... I want to invite you to go out with me tonight."

He gave her a smile from the corner of his lip, which could melt even a polar glacier.

Emma felt a chill down her spine when she saw that smile, and that feeling was accompanied by guilt, since she was reacting emotionally to his actions.

"Niklas, I don't know... That sounds wrong to me. You shouldn't mix work and personal life."

She started, but he interrupted her, putting his hand on hers. Her fingers moved slightly underneath his hand in fright, but her hand remained there, feeling the sweat of his hands on hers.

"When was the last time you went out to have fun? When was the last time you did something spontaneous?"

He asked teasingly.

"You only work, woman. And you're... so much more than your work. I see it through your soul, beautiful... as your exterior."

It seemed that this lunch never ceased to amaze her. The purity of his words left her without answers. The flirtation was now so clear to her, and her own reaction surprised her. It was as if the young Julian was in front of her declaring himself to her, her heart didn't know how to separate the two.

For a moment, Emma lowered her eyes, reflecting on his words. It was true that she couldn't remember the last time she did something just for fun. Her life revolved around work and responsibilities. But of all guys, why should she try it out with the little Schmidt? Isn't that out of bounds? And for that very reason, he represented something different, exciting and forbidden.

"I know it might sound strange... because of my father." He continued, self-assured and telling persuasively. "But I'm my own man, Emma. I'm not going to beg for anything, okay? It's not my type to do those things. You already know enough."

The food arrived at the table, momentarily interrupting the conversation. The waitress, with a professional smile, placed the dishes in front of the two and wished them a good meal. Emma's eyes drifted down to the salad plate in front of her, but her mind was still stuck on Niklas' words. She tried to look at him covertly, and noticed the sincerity in his eyes. She could see that he was being honest, and against her better judgment, began to surrender.

"A drink tonight." I choose the place. She said finally, a small nervous smile forming on her lips with the feeling of power. "But just one drink, Niklas. No second intentions."

The smile on Niklas' face said it all, he had been through an emotional rollercoaster in the last five minutes, between losing everything and winning the lottery. Emma, on the other hand, had gone from the opinion "not at all" to "just a drink". One thing had a direct influence on the other, and Emma's conscience was not one hundred percent at peace with this decision, but she decided once in her life to make a decision with her guts.

"You won't regret it, Emma Howland."

Emma felt a mixture of excitement and apprehension as she took forkfuls of her salad and put them in her mouth. She wondered what he was thinking, but that seemed secondary to the fatal gaze that stared at her, as if she were the filet mignon on his plate.

While his gaze was a little uncomfortable, she couldn't look away from him. Inside that boy there was certainly a lot of turmoil, his stunned soul was visible in his hands, his face told the story of a fallen angel and his gestures mirrored a flirtatious gentleman. It was impossible not to ask oneself thousands of questions staring at him, but Emma seemed somewhat almost immune, accustomed to his presence. At least more immune than most of the women he dated. Maybe that was the difference, Emma was a woman, and the ones Niklas used to play his charm on were girls.

"Was your food good?"

"Yes, what about yours?"

"Excellent, especially in your company."

Emma raised an eyebrow, the compliment sounding a little more intimate than she was prepared to handle.

"Niklas, I don't like this kind of flirting." She said short and sweet, imposing her limit. "Don't make me change my mind about tonight."

He straightened up in his chair in surprise, didn't expecting such an answer. Emma was a tougher woman than he had imagined, and this challenge only excited him more about the possibility that he would one day get to know her better.

"I'm sorry, Emma. I didn't mean to sound like that." He said, his voice confused. "I'll behave myself tonight, I promise."

"I hope." She spoke with coldness in her eyes, making it clear that she had no intention of making this situation easier for the young man, and drank the last sip of her iced tea.

After paying the bill, the two got up, and Niklas hurried over to help Emma put on her coat. Behind her, he got as close as he could and as he put the sleeve on her arm, he made sure that both hands touched each other and that his breath bounced off Emma's neck. He saw from the corner the look that dwelt in her eyes, she didn't want to admit it, but she shivered when feeling his gestures. Then he held the door open with a smile on his face, and as they walked together towards back to work, Emma couldn't help but feel that something was changed. He was bolder, and she saw him a little more as a man than a boy. Absurd. That situation was absurd in her head and she wanted to get it over with tonight. The faster, the better.