By the next day, the rush of excitement, anticipation and triumph that was brought to Victor by his political success and Eve's happiness to hear about them, abated in front of reality. There still was a lot of work to do.
This was why he—for the fourth time now—asked Duglas for a meeting. Unlike all the previous Victor's attempts to talk with him, this one actually made through. Eve without coming close enough to Duglas to read his mind, Victor was sure the reason for the sudden change of mind was in upcoming elections.
Until now, Duglas had been, for the exception of the first two times they met, avoiding Victor like a plague.
Duglas's office didn't change a bit since the last time Victor been there. It was just as meticulously clean and ordered. There were three photo-portraits of older men hanging on the walls, all in ceremonial military uniform, with medals all over their chests—Duglas's esteemed ancestors.