Prologue

Prologue

THe pavement was composed of bricks layered in a neat way, the cracks were filled with cement thus creating a smooth ride for the carriages and steam- powered vehicles. If one were to look up from the road and the pavement, they would see buildings—mostly lodges or apartments— that are in the colour of brown or in the hue of a ‘nude’palette, the materials were also made of bricks, even the roofs. Most of the buildings were two to three story high, their windows as tall as the room itself accompanied with a balcony for someone to look from or maybe have a cup of tea in the night,but the balcony was mostly used by the onlookers observing the surroundings and its happenings. 

Lamp posts were in every corner of the street, providing light when the darkness of the night fell. Of course, it uses oil as the steam cannot generate enough power to have an electric lamp post yet, but the government was certainly allocating funds for the invention of such an idea; furthermore, many locals were hired to light up the lamps when the night falls, thus creating a stable job for the many even if the pay is not that high. Of course, to compensate for the need to cut down the trees just for the creation of this somewhat modern living spaces, each building— no matter the space they have left on their land— must have some sort of garden, whether it contains vegetation or merely just for decorations, the land must contain a garden to which each owner of the building pride for. Owners would often invest in their garden as they want to look the best, but there are those who take advantage of the land and created a vegetation, having their food already on their reachand for free at that. 

When the night falls, the lively streets— from bustling with people talking or walking about– become a ghost town—devoid of the presence of any humanas most of them are inside and having their dinner or sleeping like a log due to fatigue and tiredness. With the exception of some drunken men coming from the pub, the streets were silent for most of the part of it. But rest assured that when the sun comes out again from its hiding spot, the same street that was devoid of life that night will become lively again with people talking and walking about, the carriages and steam engines transporting people from one place to another. It is always like that… it has become a cycle. 

Well, even if the everyday life of the people has become a cycle without any apparent change, at least it was not as mundane to a certain blonde who was busy opening the windows of their office. “Finally, fresh air! Seriously, Sir, you should really let the air in the office or else the cigarette smell would stick to the walls. And we both know how stinky it is,” Jack Morcov, the assistant to the office said as he handled all the simple chores that are in the office. Jack Morcov never really imagined that he would be working in an office, let alone at the office of a Private Investigator. At first, his dream job was to join the task force or the police of the city, but then he found himself following his mentor into this place. 

His mentor, a gruff man who was always seen with a cigarette in his mouth or his hand, puffs the last smoke from the stick and extinguishes the butt in the ashtray, completely taking the smoke out. With a groan, he sat up from the sofa and squinted his eyes as the light of the morning sun hit him, earning another grunt from him. Ruffling his hair, he looked at his assistant who was sorting some documents at one of the desks. He called out and said, “hey, Jack?”

“Yes, Sir?” Jack responded, never taking his eyes off of the documents in his hands.

“Would you be able to go out and buy me my regular coffee at the cafe? I don’t think the coffee in here can cure my headache.” Azrick said as he ruffled his hair once again, trying to decrease the headache he was feeling. 

“Did you go out drinking ag—” Jack looked up from the documents and noticed the problem that his boss is in at the moment, letting out a sigh, he stood up from his seat, “--- never mind, I will go down now. Do you want anything else? 

“A pack of—” however, Azrick was completely cut off by his assistant. 

“I am not buying you another pack of cigarettes!” Jack slammed the door shut as he went down the stairs and into the streets, walking towards the cafe that he and his boss frequently went to. Azrick could not help but flinch at the loud noise. But he cannot also blame his assistant, Azrick knows himself that he is really hard to deal with. He is questioning how Jack managed to stay that long with him. 

Azrick Norton Tevyat. A man of few words and always reeks of cigarette smell. He is a tall gruff man whose voice is so deep, he might as well be a DJ at some radio station. But Azrick— or more known as Mr. Tevyat— wanted something else. At first, he worked at the police station as a detective where he managed to solve cases after cases, making him a veteran at the Detective Department, and if not for his boredom, he would stay at thePolice Station. However, he knew to himself that he would grow more and solve more cases if he became a Private Investigator—and so he did. 

What he did not expect was for Jack to follow him in this path. He met the young man in the Police Force— a rookie police officer who has the same dream to make the world a better place—and he took in the young rookie police officer under his wing. Mr. Tevyat, according to Jack, was a magnificent mentorand was always there to correct or make him learn things,thus, Mr. Tevyat left a hefty impact on Jack, making Jack follow him into being a Private Investigator as his Assistant. To which Mr. Tevyat was glad for… since he was not great when it comes to the documents and things in the same line. 

Mr. Tevyat let out a sigh as he went to the balcony of their floor, inhaling the fresh air. Renting the 2nd floor of the building they are in is really the best choice he could have made. Just right across the street was the stand for the newspaper of every printing press of the city. By the left and two buildings away was the cafe that he and Jack often went to for coffee and pastries. Surprisingly, both of them have a sweet tooth. And then by the right and a few buildings away is the Police Station that he and Jack used to work. He often stops by the station, saying hi to the workers and his former co- workers. 

And at times, he would ask help from them when he had a case, the same was done in reverse as the Police Station would also sometimes employ his help. 

A little while later, Jack was back with a handful of bags. “I’m back. The baker at the cafe gave us some free bread, he said it was the leftover from yesterday’s sale.” Jack then put down the bags and took out the food, handing the cup of coffee to Azrick who drank it straight down in one gulp. They then had a quick breakfast before returning to their work. Jack sorting out the files and Azrick looking through the documents and his bulletin board beside his table, the bulletin board was ornated with yarns forming a web- like structure. It was a peaceful day for the two, as they are almost done with the case they are holding, they just have to submit the evidence to their client and they will be on their merry way. 

Well, that is what it is supposed to since it was always like that. Peaceful and somewhat mundane, only for that silence to be interrupted by the shouts and screams outside. The instinct inside the two men kicked in as they rushed to the balcony and scouted what was happening. They thought it was a commotion, maybe a ramble, but it was not. Jack and Azrick thought they would at least be two men punching each other to death but the situation was nothing like that. There was a car, a woman with brunette hair got out of the car and proceeded to enter the building they were in. people are screaming and shouting a name. 

“Auria! Oh my god, I saw Auria!” most of them shouted. It continued until Jack and Azrick heard a knock coming from their door. “I’ll go get it.” Jack hurriedly went to the door and opened it, presenting the brunette woman at the other side of the door. “Hello,” said the woman. 

“Hello. Um…please, please come inMs. Martinez. It is an honour to have you.” Jack bowed his head a little as he guided the brunette woman to a seat. 

“You know this woman, Jack?” Azrick asked his assistant as he sat down in front of his desk, facing the woman who was at the other side. But instead of Jack answering, the woman spoke. “You do not know me?” the woman raised a brow as she asked that. 

Azrick simply replied, “no, haven’t met you. How would I know who you are?”

“You do not watch performances, don’t you?”

“I find it a waste of time. I would rather read a book in my place." After that conversation, Azrick and the brunette woman had a staring contest, only for the increasing tension to be cut by Jack serving tea to the sudden guest. “Here, Ms. Martinex, have some tea.”

“Just call me Auria. I’m more used to that.” the brunette woman— bearing the name of Auria Martinez, took the cup and took a sip as she slid an envelope towards Azrick. 

Azrick took the envelope and momentarily looked at Auria, observing her. He then opened the envelope and inside it contained a single piece of paper: a letter. Raising a brow and looking at Jack who was beside him, also looking at the letter, Azrick proceeded to open it and read it. The contents of the letter was nothing like a love letter or even a plain one. “As you can read, I received a death threat in the form of that letter just this morning. I want to know who sent that. ASAP.” Auria said with all the seriousness in her voice. 

“Why not file a case to the police?” Jack replied, taking the paper from Azrick’s hold and reading it once more. 

Auria shook her head and said, “no, I want things done efficiently and with as little involvement as possible. And through research and asking around, I figured that you two are the one fit for the job.” Auria opened her mouth to say more things but redacted, instead, holding a hand towards Azrick and Jack as she introduced herself. “I am sorry, I forgot to formally introduce myself. My name is Auria Martinez, an actress and singer of the Odyssey Production. I am a popular actress and singer and often perform at theatres and things alike. I hope you can help me with this.” 

Azrick and Jack both shook her hands. “I am Jack, Jack Morcov. It is a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Auria. I am a huge fan! I really loved your performance during the Prime Minister’s birthday!” 

“How did you get invited to that event? It was a strict invitation only event.” Auria asked with a raised brow.

“I was working in the force back then, hence the invitation.” Auria formed an ‘oh’ with her mouth as understanding. She then looked at Azrick who was still looking at her with an intense gaze. 

“Why are you looking at me like that? Can’t believe that a goddess has graced your presence?”

“No, I am thinking as to why you have received a death threat when it looks like the public has a good liking to you.” Azrick then waved the letter, putting their attention to the letter. “And can you please make them all shut up? I cannot concentrate with them always screaming for you.” he pointed towards the balcony, the window was open and the screams of the people outside were ringing and echoing inside the office. With no other words, Auria went to the balcony, catching the attention of everyone outside and with just one motion from her hand, they all went quiet and silent, going back to what they were doing before her arrival. Auria then returned to her seat and asked, “so, will you help me?” 

Jack went to sit down at the chair beside Auria, taking hold of a pen and paper. Azrick leaned forward and responded, “tell me more.”