It had been quite awhile since Svetlana and bought the building in which her art gallery resides, she just hadn't officially opened it to the public yet. She nervously adjusted her pearl necklace as she was filled with anticipation. Tonight was the night for the soft opening after many weeks of planning and a lifetime of dreams. Her two passions were baking and art. The sleek minimalist space, with an ethereal glow, was a true testament to her vision.

Her guests, a curated mixture of art collectors, socialites, and Chicago's elite began to arrive. As champagne flutes clinked, conversations filled the air, and the hum of excited chatter created a vibrant atmosphere. Svetlana continued to move through the crowd to thank her guests for showing up.

She approached a distinguished-looking gentleman. "Mr. Van Der Luyden", she greeted and extended her hand. "Its a pleasure to have you here."

Mr. Van Der Luyden was a renowned art collector... he continued to nod, "A stunning collection, Svetlana. You have a discerning eye."

She smiled as she basked in his praise. The gallery, she realized, was more than just a business to her but her passion and a statement of her resilience as she tried to reinvent herself. Svetlana continued to move through the crowd, engaging in witty banter and insightful observations about the art on display. She tried her best to be a captivating host.

Amidst the glamour and excitement, a shadowy figured appeared and reminded her of her past. The life she left in the criminal underworld continued to make its way into her new, safe one.

The shadowy figures stare on Svetlana, at the entrance of the gallery, was unimaginably fierce. It didn't take long for her to feel the upsetting intensity, which really worried her. He was a stranger and to her, his face was unfamiliar. There was something about the shadow's eyes, a predatory glint that sent shivers down the spine. It appeared, that her past was not too far behind as she had once hoped. The criminal underworld with its entangling connections, had once again closed the gap she once had.

As the evening drew inevitably closer to the end, Svetlana was sending her goodbyes to her guests and party goers. Sensations gave a feeling of apprehension from her successful soft opening, it brought back past memories.

One week later...

Svetlana saw the same dark figure from her soft opening standing in her doorway as she prepared to shut down her gallery for the evening. There was no mistaking his keen look.

"Svetlana, do you remember me?"

Her heart skipped a beat. Even though she was expecting this encounter, she now knew that the man had been watching her and waiting for the right moment to approach.

"What do you want?", she said nervously.

"I want to offer you an opportunity with the Volturi. You seem to work well amongst the city's finest. Perhaps you do a few jobs for us."

She knew the Volturi were the other criminal organization working across from where her and her mentor once did, in the Loop. They were a young crew but still ruthless and powerful. She didn't know how to proceed...

Svetlana found herself strangely attracted to the offer. She figured that the offer was not going anyway time soon with how she was already so connected to the criminal underworld. If she could just continue to blend in as a civilian, she really might be able to make a real name for herself both legitimately and criminally. 

"I think you're right, I can do a few jobs for you." she said dangerously to the previously intimidating figure.

The man stepped forward out of the shadows and reached into his pocket. Had she not given the man the answer she wanted, she would've felt differently as he pulled something from his breast pocket. Instead she felt comfortable and intrigued as he gave her a slip of paper with a phone number on it. No name, just a phone number...

"Alright Svetlana. Time to see how we can trust you. Tomorrow morning at 7, call this morning to arrange a shipment of goods. Capiche?", the man turned his back to her and walked out. She was somewhat confused with how easily he left after giving her this paper. Perhaps he was just a man of results and she needed to pass his trial...