The streets of Paris were bustling that morning with pedestrians and tourists going about their respective activities.

Damian had been in the city the previous day, having flown in yesterday and was having a business meeting with colleagues for a collaboration today. He was scheduled to head to the meeting place around nine o'clock, but he wanted to stop by somewhere first:

The Musée d'Orsay.

The place wasn't particularly crowded at this hour. He stepped through the main lobby doors after parking his car in a secure location.

He chose a charcoal gray wool overcoat as his primary protection. The coat was double-breasted with wide, sharp lapels, giving him an air of authority, as if he had just stepped out of a hotel after a night of going through business documents. He wore a black turtleneck and trousers with a black leather belt. He was a classic man who didn't want to fuss with his attire.

He had one hand tucked in his pocket as he gazed at the paintings along the museum hallway. But no, not the paintings. His eyes were focused on the woman standing in front of the large canvas, which had been the initial focus of his arrival in Paris.

Cassandra Evelyn.

The woman who had rejected her engagement at the dinner table a week ago had left New York for Paris alone.

She stood beside him, unnoticed, like the other visitors who also wanted to see the painting. (Starry Night Over the Rhône by Vincent van Gogh.) The deep blue night sky was filled with stars reflecting off the surface of the Rhône River. The city lights looked like golden sparks falling into the water. Two small figures walked along the riverbank, almost drowned by the vastness of the night. Although not an art enthusiast, she knew enough about historical artifacts.

"The painting is beautiful."

He said without looking up, his fingers interlaced behind his back, waiting for Cassandra to notice. "No wonder you chose Paris," he finally looked at her from the side. "Cassandra." He added her name.