The car door closed behind Adrian. A soft click. The man leaned back, eyes never leaving him. "Welcome, Adrian." Adrian didn't sit. "What do you want?" he asked, voice flat, controlled. Like he'd been expecting this. The man's suit was impeccable and a very obvious scar on his left hand, his watch gleaming in the dim light. Victor. That's what he said his name was.
The man gestured to the seat. "Please. This won't be quick." Adrian hesitated, weighing options. Then sat. Door still open. Ready to leave. He knew how to move fast if needed.
"My name is Victor," the man said, voice smooth like silk. "I work… indirectly. With people who matter." Adrian raised an eyebrow. "People who matter?" Victor smiled thinly. "People with power. Influence. The ones who shape things.
Silence stretched like a wire. Adrian waited, expression neutral.
"Your father," Victor said, "was one of them." Adrian's eyes flickered, just for a moment. "Was?" Victor nodded, eyes locked on him. "He's gone. But he left… something. For you."
Adrian leaned forward, slight tension in his shoulders. "What?" His voice was low, intent.
"A choice," Victor said, voice low. "A way out. A way up." Adrian narrowed his eyes. "What does it cost?" Victor chuckled low, like he'd expected the question. "Everything. Or nothing. Depends on you."
The car felt smaller. Adrian's mind raced. What did Victor want? He glanced around the interior leather seats, tinted windows, a partition separating them from the driver.
Victor handed him a card. Plain. No name. Just a number. "Call me tomorrow. Midnight. We'll discuss… details." Adrian took the card, fingers brushing against the smooth surface. He looked at it, committing the number to memory.
Victor opened his door. "For now… walk away, Adrian. Think." The door opened wider. Adrian stepped out. Into rain. Cold droplets hit his face, soaking his hair. The car drove off, smooth like a ghost. Adrian stood there, card in hand.
He looked down at it again. A number. No hints. Adrian tucked the card into his pocket. Started walking. Into the night. Rain swallowed his footsteps.
What was his father involved in? What did Victor want? Adrian's mind spun. He kept walking.
He stopped at a diner. Open all night. Slipped inside. Found a corner booth, back to the wall. Ordered coffee. Black. Stared at the wall. Thinking.
His father… important? Impossible. Adrian grew up with nothing. No name. No history. But… what if?
He pulled out the card. Looked at it again. Tomorrow. Midnight.
Adrian sipped coffee. Hot. Bitter. He'd call. See what Victor wanted. The diner faded. Adrian's focus sharpened.
This was a chance. Maybe. Or a trap. Either way… he'd play.
Adrian finished coffee. Left money on the table. Walked out into rain. Disappeared into night.
The streets were quiet. Adrian moved like a shadow. Thinking. What did he know? Victor wanted something. Adrian didn't owe him. But… answers.
Adrian stopped at an alley intersection. Looked up. Rain fell harder. Like the sky was pressing down. He pulled out the card again. Tapped it against his palm.
Midnight. Tomorrow. He'd be there.
Adrian tucked the card away. Kept moving. He had work to do. Before tomorrow.
He navigated streets, using alleys and side streets. Knew how to disappear. Reached a rundown building. Slipped inside. Found a room. Locked. Bolted.
Sat on a bed. Stared at the wall. Tick-tock. Midnight.
Adrian closed his eyes. Waiting…