Reading: "The Azimuth Principle" from EVENFALL OF THE HELICAL (A.Glass 2022)

“How's this sky?” Hagal says, as she looks briefly over her left shoulder, before sitting down in front of Elva.
“I know, I saw the report a day ago. At least...” Elva holds up her cellphone. “...these are still working.”
Hagal places her own phone on the granite table, with both hands, she pulls her chair in, looking at Elva. “Apparently the signal has been affected, it will fall in and out during the day...” Leaning across with her left hand, she opens the laptop that is angled to the right of her, Elva continues eyeing her actions which, although they seem methodical, are rushed in its pretense, attuned more to anxiety. “...So, Anina, I'd like to thank you again for meeting me today...” The café waiter places down a latte in front of Elva and a second cappuccino for Hagal, Elva thanks the waiter as the young, seemingly officious woman sitting across from her lifts the cup of coffee up with her left hand, sipping, placing the cream colored cup down whilst continually eyeing the screen in front of her. “….You have worked for us in the past as our, what we deem off the records, external auditor...” She looks up at Elva. “...As you know, we would like to keep these relationships discreet.”
“We don't normally meet like this,” Elva replies, lifting her latte, maintaining eye contact with the woman.
“That's correct...” Hagal says, nodding in nervous manner as she quickly glances at a middle aged man in a formal suit attire making his way up the escalator towards the foyer lifts. To which Elva also catches a glimpse, particularly his gold colored tie. Hagal returns her attention to Elva. “...The firm...um, well, it's shifting departments, marketing and retail auditing will fall under one banner, a kinda internal restructuring. So, I've decided to start up my own operation...” Hagal lowers her voice. “...on the side, so you will be, if you agree, work for me for some of these jobs.”
Listening to the woman sitting across from her, despite her conversation not making a lot of sense, Elva is aware that as a freelance agent she will be working under Hagal, as she attempts to take some of the clients from Kilgar & Stein.
“Would it be the same type of work?”
“Yeah, pay, will be slightly less...We're stretched with clients at the moment and some of the bigger conglomerates are taking awhile in paying their invoices. We're in an inflationary economy at the moment, messes up forecasts and budgets. Uncertainty reigns.”
“It always has. If you don't mind me asking. Are you, playing both sides of the competition? These retail giants, luxury holding companies, would it not be a conflict of interest?”
Hagal looks away with an arrogant disposition, she the returns her gaze at Elva.
“Seen their shares prices lately? Basically they are two main players who have cornered the market, who own a slew of high end retail. They're a cartel anyway, they work in tandem, despite being, as you say competition. Anyway, that is my offer. If you decided, I would prefer that you keep it quite, even this meeting...” She says, closing her laptop. “...I have a job coming up. If you are interested, I'll email you the details.” Standing, she lifts the laptop, looking down at Elva, who remains sitting, holding the latte in her left hand.
“Sure, I'm interested.”
“Alright, well, have a nice day...” Hagal looks towards the elevators. “...I best get back to work,”
“Nice meeting you.”
Hagal nods with a feigned smile, quickly walking in the direction of the elevators.
“Thanks for the coffee,” Elva whispers to herself, sipping the last segments. Placing the glass down, she checks her cellphone, eyeing the time.
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Reading:  "The Azimuth Principle" from EVENFALL OF THE HELICAL (A.Glass 2022)