Chapter 30 - Let The Evening Begin

Matteo leaned in closer to Ludovica, discreetly handing her an earpiece. "Here, put this on. We need to contact Angelina." he explained, his voice low.

But, as both of them placed the earpiece, all they received was a wall of white noise and static. "I think they are using signal jammers," Ludovica concluded, her brow furrowing.

Matteo, scanning the surroundings, a grey haze engulfing his vision. His eyes focused on several devices on the ceiling, glowing blue – some of them he identified as fire sprinklers while others were signal jammers.

Intriguingly, he also observed certain individuals glowing red - 'Initiate and Adept Viables'. The thing about these people is they were less interested in the art and gala and more interested in guests. These were no ordinary gala attendees.

'They have security guards undercover!' Matteo concluded internally, as he discreetly observed their subtle gestures, earpiece adjustments, and coded glances exchanged among them.

Matteo subtly pointed out the discreet gestures and coded exchanges among them to Ludovica, telling her his conclusion.

Ludovica, surprised at Matteo's discovery, wondered how he had found out, 'wasn't he a dud? how does he know they are Viables? Does he know I am a viable too? Is he stronger than me? No way!' She had so many questions she couldn't ask. If Angelina knew what she was thinking, she would sympathize with her.

They deduced that jammers were targeting all frequencies except a specific one were in use.

To regain communication, Matteo proposed a plan. "I can take out those jammers, but we need a major distraction. Something that will divert their attention," he whispered to Ludovica.

She skeptically asked, "What's your plan?" Matteo, with a sly smile, adjusted his cufflinks, revealing a concealed device in his sleeve.

"It's a cordless stun gun. I'll shoot the jammers with this," he explained in a hushed tone.

"You can't use a stun gun to stop jammers. That's madness," Ludovica whispered back.

"Call it what you want, babe. I call it improvisation," Matteo replied confidently.

"If they catch you, don't expect me to save you. I will deny any involvement," she stated firmly.

Matteo grinned, "Don't worry. I'm not one to rely on others for protection, especially not women. It's usually the other way around."

"You -" but before Ludovica could say anything, *ting* *ting* *ting*. The distinct sound captured their attention, and they turned towards the source, spotting a man in his late thirties. Dressed in a sharp white suit, he exuded an air of sophistication. "Julien Leroy..." Ludovica whispered, and Matteo nodded in acknowledgment, recognizing the host of the gala.

Julien Leroy, tapping his champagne glass, caught the gaze of the attendees. The hall fell silent as Julien prepared to address the crowd, his charisma emanating from the center stage.

"Esteemed guests, distinguished artists, and fellow connoisseurs of beauty, I welcome you to the Leroy Art Gala," Julien began, his voice carrying across the room.

"Tonight, we find ourselves immersed in a celebration of art, where creativity knows no bounds. As the Leroy family, it brings us immense joy to host this bi-annual event, a tradition that transcends generations. We are honored to showcase the brilliant works of talented artists, both established and emerging, who have poured their souls into their creations."

Julien Leroy's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as he continued, "Art has the power to evoke emotions, provoke thought, and unite us in appreciation for the extraordinary. The Leroy Art Gala stands as a testament to the belief that beauty can be found in every stroke of a brush, every sculpted form, and every captured moment frozen in time."

He raised his champagne glass, and the audience followed suit, toasting to the arts and the night that lay ahead. "May this evening be a tapestry of inspiration and discovery. Let the magic of art guide us through a journey of expression, as we revel in the exquisite creations that grace our presence. Cheers!"

The resounding clink of glasses filled the air, marking the commencement of the evening.

As the applause subsided, Julien Leroy continued, "And now, my dear guests, the art exhibition has officially begun. I invite you to enjoy yourselves, wandering through the masterpieces that adorn these walls. The pieces that are available for purchase will be part of a silent auction after the exhibition, providing you with the opportunity to bring a piece of this enchanting night into your own homes. Let the visual symphony unfold before your eyes, and may the allure of art captivate your souls."

//////////////////////////////

Matteo found himself standing before a classical painting, his gaze fixed on the canvas. However, his appreciation wasn't for the artistic techniques but for the underlying narrative and story that the painting told.

Memories of Angelina's preparations flooded his mind, and he couldn't help but reminisce about the stories behind these paintings.

Matteo wasn't interested in how well the artist painted. He was appreciating these paintings based on how good a story they told. This one particularly interested him - It was a painting of Nero burning Rome.

As he was engrossed in the painting, Ludovica, determined to identify Leandro, discreetly approached Matteo. "Leandro Moreau is here. I've spotted him," she murmured, trying not to draw attention.

Matteo, still deeply in thought, gave a nonchalant nod, "Mmm-hmm."

Ludovica, slightly irritated by his lack of immediate response, elbowed him, perhaps a bit too forcefully. "Darling~, did you hear me? Leandro is here."

Matteo winced a bit, still focused on the painting, half-heartedly acknowledging, "Yeah, yeah, saw him."

Ludovica, not satisfied with his casual response, emphasized with a glare, "Darling~, this is crucial. Leandro Moreau. Focus."

Finally tearing his eyes away from the painting, Matteo met her gaze with a faint smile. "I see him, 'darling.' Patience, remember?" 'Hateful woman!'

Ludovica, rolling her eyes, retorted, "Patience is a virtue, not a tactic. What were you even observing in the paintings? You don't look like someone who appreciates art." she took a jab at him.

"I wasn't 'appreciating' the art. I was appreciating the story -" Matteo was about to say more but suddenly his attention was drawn to the minor commotion in the hall. Everyone was moving towards the door. Matteo and Ludovica exchanged glances and they too moved towards where a small crowd was gathering.

As the door came into view, a man, probably in his mid twenties, looking surprisingly rough for his age, entered the room. He was wearing a three-piece maroon suit and a matching fedora hat. Julien Leroy himself went up to him to welcome him.

His entrance created a buzz of whispers among the guests. His aura exuded a mix of charm and danger, blending seamlessly with the sophistication of the art gala. The maroon suit added a touch of boldness to his demeanor, making him stand out in the crowd. (character art here)

Julien Leroy, with a warm smile, extended a welcoming hand to the new guest. The room hushed as they exchanged pleasantries, their conversation momentarily eclipsing the ambient noise of the gala. He was Alessio Dubois - the youngest of the Dubois clan.

'This is my chance!' Matteo discreetly backed away from the crowd.