Monday, Monday, Monday

11 Monday, Monday, Monday

"Mr. Tsitak, Director Alden is going to be busy today. He sent you a list of tasks to work on. Please get to it," Henry sighed, disinterested in the intern.

Castor knew Henry didn't like him. He had no idea why, nor did he want to ask, "Thank you, Mr. Brewer, I will get right on it."

Henry didn't bother responding and went over to his desk to work. The Assistant Director hadn't arrived yet. Castor wished she was there. Her amicable presence always eased any tension at work.

Sitting at his desk, Castor re-read the text messages from Arryn this morning. He was looking forward to seeing Arryn again. He noticed that Arryn didn't use emojis or abbreviate much. On the other hand, Castor communicated more with gifs and emojis. He found it endearing when Arryn would ask what some of the abbreviations and emojis meant.

Sighing to himself, Castor put his phone away, not wanting to be so distracted. He found the list Director Alden had sent. It seemed pretty straightforward, contact a few staff to follow up on various projects and run errands.

Arryn was grateful that Karla had offered to meet with him when he arrived at Trans World Collection, his family's business. Relief washed over him as he pulled into his parking spot and saw Karla waiting at the elevator for him.

She was human and had no idea Arryn was a Celestial. She always seemed eager to travel and take risks to get what needed to be done. Sometimes he noticed something a little bit off, but he was used to seeing that from people. It didn't mean they were lying but perhaps insecure.

"Dr. Junge, thank you for waiting." Arryn approached her and put out his cigarette.

Karla nodded and pressed the elevator call button, "Director, I'm sorry about your parents."

Arryn grew solemn, "We have people looking for them. My uncle is seeing to it."

The elevator doors opened, and Arryn held the door for Karla and followed her in. He reached over and pressed the button to the executive floor. Arryn stared at his phone in awkward silence.

He saw Castor had responded and was at work already. Arryn figured he had time to send a text while in the elevator. Karla noticed Arryn's face soften as Arryn was reading something on his phone.

She wasn't going even to dare ask him what he was reading. She had worked with him long enough to know not to pry. The elevator stopped, and as the doors opened, Karla explained, "I can introduce you to the team there."

"I appreciate the offer, but right now, I just need coffee and make the announcement about my parents and those with them on that plane," Arryn said, following her out of the elevator.

The guard at the front desk let them pass and opened the door for them.

Arryn strode through the office doors, with Karla following right behind. The few staff at their desks stopped and looked over to see the intimidating figure of the Director, Dr. Quinn.

Arryn glanced around the room and pointed to the man standing by the kitchen, "Bring me a coffee, no cream, no sugar, please."

"Yes, Director Quinn.” Grayson snapped to attention.

Arryn stopped at his father's office door and then turned, facing the staff. His eyes scanned the room, waiting for everyone's attention. Karla cleared her throat, trying to hint to the Executive Team to stop and look this way.

"I am Director Quinn, President Quinn; my father and my mum and a few of our colleagues have gone missing. Randall, Collin, and Min Hue are among those who were on the plane when it vanished. This info is not to be discussed outside of this space. My family is handling the investigation. Just so you know – you will be updated with any relevant news we learn.

Now during this time of transitioning, I am stepping up as C.E.O. interim.

I wish to be addressed as Dr. Quinn, not the director or president. Before lunch today, we will convene in the executive conference room. I look forward to answering your questions and going over the responsibilities that will be changing. At the same time, we are short a few team members.

Thank you, and I will see each of you in a couple of hours." Arryn nodded to everyone and turned, unlocking the door. "Dr. Junge, please join me for a few minutes."

"Yes, Dr. Quinn." Karla smiled at the staff and followed Arryn in. Arryn hung his coat on the rack by the door.

"Please have a seat," Arryn offered by the desk. Sitting down, he lit a cigarette, knowing Karla didn't mind.

"Thank you, is there anything else I can do for you?" Karla asked.

"I appreciate you being here with me this morning." Arryn thanked her.

He then slid a file over to her full of documents to be digitalized and translated. "Here, normally, I would work on these myself. However, I need to focus on other matters. Please handle these documents carefully and provide me the translations by Friday."

Karla picked up the file, "Yes, of course, I will work on this immediately… May I ask where you got this from?"

Arryn ran a hand through his hair, thinking before answering, "Ask me no questions, and I will tell you no lies." Taking a drag off his cigarette,, "Just get it done."

She knew Arryn could be like this and so didn’t take any offense, "Well, Director Alden apparently isn't going to be around much today. I should go check on my team." Karla explained.

"But of course, Dr. Junge, please attend to your duties. I will be fine." Arryn assured her.

Amelie frowned when she smelled cigarette smoke when Karla walked by. She was the office manager and ran the Executive Team with an iron fist.

Amelie made sure rules were followed and deadlines met. Amelie wondered how much would change under Rory's son and wasn't sure she would like it.

Grayson noticed Amelie's frown and nodded, having noticed the smell too. When Karla was gone, the staff relaxed and returned to work.

Arryn had already sent them things he wanted to work on while in the office on Sunday. They realized that this transition of power wasn't going to slow things down. Instead, there was to be a lot of change ahead for them.

Castor found the secured lockbox Director Alden left for him. There were special instructions to deliver it directly to the new C.E.O. and not let the box out of his sight until handed over.

Henry watched Castor head out carrying the lockbox, “Hurry back, Mr. Tsitak, there is too much to be done to have you dilly dally around with errands.”

"Yes, Mr. Brewer, I will return with haste." Castor knew he was an intern but resented being treated so demeaningly.

Castor could tell Henry Brewer did not like him from the first day. After a while, Castor asked about Henry and learned that he was astute but never pursued his master's or doctorate. Henry did have years of experience and hard work.

Castor wondered if Henry didn't like him because he was about to graduate with a master's degree. Office politics never made much sense to Castor, and he didn't want to try to figure any of it out.

He had a goal: to get out in the field, reclaim lost treasures and artifacts, and perhaps even discover a new tomb or city. Doing research at a desk was not the life he craved. He wanted to see the world.

The lock box was lighter than expected but awkward in size. Castor was starting to strain to carry it while in the elevator. When the elevator stopped, he was relieved to set it down on the reception desk as Security verified that he was supposed to be there.

"All right, Mr. Tsitak, You are cleared to enter," the guard checked and opened the door with a button at his desk.

Usually, Castor was with a superior when he ever was up here. He smiled and headed towards Amelie. "Ah, Mr. Tsitak, I was expecting you." Amelie greeted Castor.

"Director... I mean, Dr. Quinn knows you are here; knock, and he will let you in." Amelie explained. She respected this young intern and his work ethic. He reminded her of her son; she thought he was a good kid.

Castor took a deep breath and carefully knocked while balancing the lockbox. He sensed Grayson laughing at him and tried to ignore him. Soon enough, the door opened, and he stepped in. "Pardon me, Sir, I was told to bring this directly to you," Castor explained as he stepped further in.

Arryn looked up and froze. Castor couldn't believe his eyes. Arryn jumped out of his seat and rushed to Castor. Arryn helped him with the lockbox. Then he faced Castor, who looked pale as if he had seen a ghost.

Excited to see Castor, Arryn embraced him. Castor felt calm in Arryn's arms.

"How can this be?" Castor whispered, trying to wrap his mind around this.

Arryn gently kissed Castor and sat him on the sofa in his office. "I don't know, but I'm happy to see you."

Arryn sat beside Castor and held his hands. "Why didn't you tell me where you were interning?"

"Umm... you didn't ask," Castor sheepishly shrugged.

Arryn smiled, chuckling, and pulled Castor closer, "No... I did not."

Castor looked around anxiously. "Shouldn't we be more careful here at work?"

"Why?" Arryn held Castor in his lap, kissing him behind the ear.

Castor moaned, "I forgot."

"That's more like it," Arryn whispered seductively.

"As much as I would rather stay here with you, if I don't return soon, Mr. Brewer will have my head and make me work late today…."

"Um, Cas, Mr. Brewer can't even get up here without my approval," Arryn reasoned, "Plus don't you want to help me with the lockbox?"

"Of course I do! It was bulky enough." Castor answered.

"I'm not sure, Mr. Brewer, but he is still in there with Dr. Quinn," Amelie explained over the phone.

"This is frustrating. I can't believe Dr. Junge thinks I am overreacting in wanting to dismiss this intern," grumbled Henry.

"I'm sure Dr. Quinn has reasons for keeping Mr. Tsitak," Amelie tried to reassure him, "Plus, Dr. Quinn has a meeting soon. I'm sure Castor will be back there with you soon."

Arryn's watch beeped just as they were about to open the box. "Oh, I nearly forgot; I was to meet with the Executive team before lunch," Arryn mused.

"I should be getting back. I'm sure I am in enough trouble for 'dilly-dallying around," Castor quipped.

Arryn furrowed his brow, "Oh really? Did I say you were dismissed?"

Castor froze, worried he had crossed a line, "I... I'm sorry.”

Smirking, Arryn placed a hand on Castor's shoulder, "Relax, I'm teasing you, but seriously I have an idea and want you to attend this meeting. And perhaps afterward, if you are free for lunch, we could go together."

Feeling silly for misunderstanding, "Yes, I am free, and lunch with you sounds great."

"I'll have Amelie let Dr. Junge and Mr. Brewer know you will be busy today," Arryn pondered out loud.

"I think you are trying to figure out how to keep me here with you," Castor winked at Arryn.

Mr. Brewer saw a message flash on his screen. He saw that Castor was not returning today and wondered what trouble he had gotten himself in.

Karla also got the message about Castor. With Arryn's passion for archeology and Castor almost done getting his master's in Archeology, she figured that Arryn was testing his knowledge. The kid was an intern, probably the best she had seen come through. She also knew not everyone in this department wanted him around. Karla saw the petty jealousies of others and so tried to have his back.

Arryn paced nervously in the conference room, waiting for others to arrive. Castor was already seated and watching Arryn.

Castor cleared his throat, hoping to get Arryn's attention, "Um, I... I'm trying to figure out... well, us and how to navigate things here now that we both… well, you're my boss."

Arryn stopped and turned, facing Castor, "While I tend to be very private, and also, as my cousin tells me, closed off and never open up to others."

Castor nodded, listening; Arryn knelt in front of Castor and grasped his hands, "I don't want you to feel like you have to be someone else around me. I don't want you to address me as Dr or Director Quinn. Arryn or Arry is how I prefer you address me, and may I address you as Castor or Cas?”

Castor's heart was racing, "I want that, too... but... others will notice and..."

Arryn gently kissed Castor to silence him, "I don't want to pretend we aren't a couple nor fake about knowing each other."

Castor felt his worries about their relationship melt away, “I don't have to hide this closeness, this bond we have.”

"No, my dear, and we met outside of work. So, if anyone takes issue with us, there's no ground to stand on," Arryn stood and brushed off his suit.

The door to the conference room opened, and Amelie, Grayson, In-Su, and Chase filed into the room and took a seat at the table. There were curious glances from them, wondering what the intern from Archeology was doing there.

Arryn stood at the end of the table, looking across the room, carefully studying their faces. "Thank you for joining. I know today is a solemn day, and things need to be addressed. We need to continue with keeping T.W.C. ahead of others."

The staff around the room nodded, listening.

"We are short-staffed, and unfortunately, we have no way of knowing when... or if those we lost this weekend will... return," Arryn paused, wishing his parents were there. "Also, the Directors and I have put into place plans for emergencies such as this."

Arryn took a seat at the head of the table, “Please look at your tablets. You will see the changes being made. As well as various projects will either be shelved for another time or possibly assigned to others."

Amelie raised her hand with a question. Arryn nodded, wanting her to ask, "Sir, why so many changes so abruptly? People need time to adjust to transitions like this."

Arryn bowed his head, wondering what he could say without divulging everything. "Whether or not my father returns, I will be stepping up as C.E.O. permanently. TransWorld Collections is a business; we cannot just halt our work because we are looking for our lost colleagues, my parents. With spots now vacant, though, I hope only temporarily, we need to have changes implemented for the time being.

With that said, Castor Tsitak will step up to take on much of what Randall did. He is more than capable of this position as he graduates with his master’s in a few weeks. Since Mr. Tsitak will work towards his doctorate, Castor will accompany me in the field. He is to be my Right hand, my assistant, and treated with the same respect you give me.

I will not be running things in the same manner as my father. Yes, my father, Rory Quinn, has done well in making T.W.C. the success it is. I am not the same person he is, but I strive to use my skills and knowledge to continue his legacy. I will be more hands-on in the field.

This means that each of you, as my team, will be taking on some of the tasks my father chose to handle himself. I know each of you has strengths that may have been underutilized. I plan to divvy up duties accordingly."

Castor tried not to look surprised. The rest of the team froze in shock, processing what Arryn had told them.

"Thank you for attending; now go and enjoy your lunches. Oh, please submit any questions or requests to Mr. Tsitak. You are dismissed."

With that said, they teamed up and left, whispering to each other.

Arryn caught Castor's arm keeping him from leaving. "Where do you think you are going?”

"I thought I was also dismissed...“ Castor answered.

"Nope, you heard, you are my assistant now, and we also have a lunch date." Arryn smiled.

"I'm honored, and thank you," Castor tried to find the words to say. Things were happening so fast.