Chapter 12: Gallery Opening & The Rival

The gallery sat on a quiet street in Mitte, white walls and polished concrete floors reflecting the soft overhead lights. Guests moved in slow clusters, holding wine glasses and speaking in the careful tones people used when they wanted to sound important. Paintings hung at exact intervals. A sculpture of twisted metal stood near the centre of the main room.

Tolu arrived with Lena at his side. She wore a simple black dress and low heels. Nothing about her appearance suggested anything beyond a colleague or a friend. He had made certain of that before they left her apartment.

Inside the doorway he spoke quietly without looking at her.

“Stay on my left when we move. If I stop near the far wall, stand slightly behind me. If anyone joins us, let me handle the first exchange.”

Lena gave a small nod. She understood the instructions. They had practised similar things before, though never in a room this full of people who could damage careers with a few well-placed comments.

They walked into the main space. Academics from different departments mixed with collectors and a few journalists. Tolu recognised two professors from his faculty and a woman who sat on a funding board. He kept his expression neutral and his posture open. Lena matched his pace exactly.

For the first hour they moved through the rooms without trouble. Tolu greeted people he needed to greet. He discussed a recent paper with one senior lecturer and listened to a collector complain about rising prices. Lena remained present but quiet, speaking only when spoken to. When Tolu shifted position, she adjusted without being told again. The coordination felt natural to anyone watching.