After spending the weekend at that house tucked away in the mountains surrounding the city, they both return to what is supposed to be their daily routine.
Alexander has an important meeting at the pharmaceutical company's executive offices to discuss the progress of drug R-50018 — We've seen significant improvements in patient recovery. We conducted a durability test on the drug's effects. We divided the participants into two groups with an equal number of men and women to ensure more accurate results. One group stopped taking the medication once they went into remission, while the other group continued taking it even though no cancer cells were found in their bodies — says the doctor.
— And what were the results? — Strauss asks.
— No residual cancer cells or growth have been detected in the group of people who stopped taking the medication five months ago, but they did experience side effects from discontinuing the medication, such as fatigue, insomnia, or loss of appetite. These side effects lasted only for the first three months — says Dr. Mideros.
— On the other hand, the group that continued taking the medication remains in stable health, and there has been no evidence of cancer cells or cell growth during this entire period, according to the most recent test results released yesterday, sir — says the director, who is also in charge of the research — It appears that side effects only occur when the administration of R-50018 is modified or completely discontinued. It's also worth noting that a healthy diet and resuming exercise help alleviate side effects, prevent them from lingering, or even avoid them entirely after stopping the medication.
— Thank you very much for the information; this is very good news — says Strauss with a smile, but he maintains his composure. — I think it's time to submit this to the Agency for Medicines and Health Products to obtain the required licenses.
— Yes! — celebrate Dr. Mideros and Director Solís with a hug.
— I suppose it's not necessary saying that this remains completely confidential until further notice — Alexander states. That day, Strauss treats everyone at the company to dinner to celebrate the progress on project CR-50018-1.
Meanwhile, that same day, Tadeus arrives in Greece to stand up for his father, as he has done before, and to cut all ties with him. After that weekend with Alexander, he couldn't stop thinking that maybe telling him the truth would be a better option than continuing to prolong this whole romantic charade. — You seem pretty deep in thought — Gustaph remarks. They're both sitting in a small private lounge at a nightclub — Is it about the Animal?
— You don't have to call him that, you know?
At which, Gustaph makes a raspy sound from his throat, as if holding back a sudden burst of laughter. — If he finds out you're not the man in love you're pretending to be to win his trust, there won't be a recognizable part of you left for a Christian burial.
— I'm not pretending, and I'm not a Christian either.
— You can tell him you don't love him anymore and that you've found someone else.
Tadeus sighs and leans back in his seat. — He won't believe me. He told me he feels complete with me. How can I bring myself to tell him I don't love him?
— Be careful what you're thinking, Tadeus.
— So am I supposed to be made of stone?
— He's not just some random person you met at the supermarket or on a walk in the park, Tadeus. He's a serial killer hiding behind the facade of his family's fortune — Gustaph draws his liquor. Tadeus recalls the moment Alexander put his hand on his neck, but he shakes off that thought.
— You say that as if you knew him quite well.
— And of course you do — Gustaph replies in a reproachful tone.
— Could you be my friend for once, instead of just my father's lackey? — Tadeus feels how his throat turns into a knot — What do you think I can do?
— he continues — I slept with him many times while telling him I'd stay with him until he stopped loving me, but the problem is… I don't want him to stop.
— Love and cruelty exist in the same place. Besides, any decision you make now will only hurt you.
— What if I don't care about that?
— Then you have to tell him the truth — replies Gustaph. He brushes his hair back and interlaces his fingers in front of his mouth, his elbows resting on his knees as he tries to think — If you're sure about what you're telling me, I'll help you.
Tadeus nods with a smile that ends up bringing a tear to his eye.
Gustaph takes a handkerchief and wipes away that tear before it reaches his chin when he hears footsteps approaching. A couple of men enter the room, followed by another who serves four tall glasses filled with ice, tsipouro, and some kind of syrup. The server leaves the room as soon as the two men take their seats.
— Good evening. We hope we didn't keep you waiting too long — says one of them, wearing dark glasses. He takes them off and extends his hand to greet them. — Nice to meet you. My name is Egan, and this is my cousin Bastián.
– It's a pleasure to meet you — says Bastián, shaking both their hands after his cousin. — You must be the Gray Coyote. You look quite young.
— Does that surprise you? — Tadeus replies.
— No, actually. We've done business with a partner that young before, but we ran into trouble because of his carelessness — Egan says.
— Are you talking about the Animal? — Tadeus asks, to which Gustaph shoots him a warning glance.
Bastián notices this, so he asks, "Do you know him?"
— I've heard of him, but only the devil knows what level of hell that bastard is hiding in — Tadeus replies, putting to use the improvisational acting skills he'd honed in the shower, back when his showers were long, relaxing, and something he actually enjoyed. — I wanted to do business with him, but you know how complicated it can be to make connections in this line of work.
— Of course — says Egan — We're curious to know how you found us.
— I do business with the Turk, Roku Olan. I was hoping to strike a similar deal with you. The product in exchange for the profits.
— As we told your man — says Bastián — we already get plenty of organic products, and we don't work with live merchandise either. Or are you offering something new?
— If I may speak plainly, it's a fentanyl- and cocaine-based drop. It's applied to the eye for an immediate relaxing effect — replies Gustaph — If you have someone who can try it…
— You've already offered that product, and we're not interested — Egan states — We don't want the person to crash like a rock; people just want to have fun, get high, and escape their worries for a moment.
— That's why we're here — Tadeus says, just to break the silence. He has no idea what drug they're talking about.
— The necessary changes have already been made — says Gustaph.
— Bring her in! — orders Bastián. A few seconds after the tense silence, a scantily clad woman in high heels enters.
— Good evening, gentlemen — she says with a smile. She begins to move as if to dance.
— No, you're not here for a private session — says Bastián, holding her arm to keep her seated — Would you like to test a new drug? If you like it, we'll get some.
— Okay, how exciting!
— Look up and open your eyes wide — says Bastián. She obeys and blinks several times once she receives the drops in her left eye.
Suddenly, she feels dizzy and starts laughing hysterically. — What do you feel?
— I feel like I'm floating, but I'm not moving — she says excitedly, continues to laugh hysterically — Your heads are huge!
Egan can't help but smile at the sight of her. — All right, take her out — he orders — Looks like we have a deal.