Neo's Pov
The first thing I felt that Saturday morning was peace the kind that only comes where you know you have absolutely nothing to do or at least I thought I did the sun was bleeding through the curtains brushing my cheek like it was trying to wake me up softly I rolled over and groaned curling deeper into my blanket for the first time in weeks I didn't want to think about work about Lucas or his cold still voice echoing in my head
I just wanted to breathe
The smell of fried plantains and eggs drifted into my room dragging me out of bed my mom was already in the kitchen humming some old songs as she flipped the pan "morning sleepyhead" she said without turning around "morning mom" I yawned rubbing my neck "you're up early" "I could say the same for you" she teased "no school today what woke you up hunger or conscience" "hunger" I said grinning as I grabbed a plate "definitely hunger"
We ate quietly for a while the TV was playing some random morning talk show and my mom kept giving commentary between bites her voice was soft comforting I hadn't realized how much I miss this sitting at our small table, sunlight on her face laughing over nothing serious.
Just when I thought the day would stay quiet my phone buzzed I picked it up and still chewing and froze when I saw the name on the screen
Nightmare[boss]
"Come to the office.bring your ID, don't be late" my fork paused midair "Neo?" My mom said frowning "what's wrong" I blinked trying to Look casual "uh.. nothing just a group project" oh wow I'm really getting into this lying of a thing mom raised an eyebrow "on a Saturday morning" "yeah group leaders crazy" she gave me that look "you've been going out a lot lately, Neo. Studying, coming home late or even still trying to find that job, don't burn yourself out" I smiled weakly "it's just school stuff" "I'll be back before lunch".
As I left the kitchen her voice followed me "just be careful and Neo if you did already find a job not all jobs are worth losing yourself for" that line hit harder than she knew.
The city was slower on weekends no honking chaos, no rush I walked the short distance to the bus stop heading for town still half tired and half annoyed I arrived, the building looked colder when it wasn't busy the glass reflected clouds instead of movement the elevator chimed softly as I stepped in the hum vibrating against my back when the doors opened again I nearly jumped.
A man was standing directly in front of me tall. Sharp wearing a black suit that fits like a second skin, hair well tied loose to the back his eyes they weren't warm, they weren't cold either just unreadable "uh.. excuse me?" I muttered he studied me for a second as though trying to read me just by looking, his lips twitched, faintest of amusement.
"You must be neo" "yeah... and you are" "kellan D'Moretti" the way he said his name carried weight like a quiet warning "head of operations" "oh" I blinked even though I didn't understand one bit of what he said "cool" he tilted his head slightly smirking "follow me".
The hallway leading to lucas's office felt longer than usual every step echoed the only sound was the quiet click of kellan's shoe and my own heartbeat.
He opened the office door and gestured for me to enter. Lucas was standing by the window, back turned sleeves rolled up sunlight cutting sharp lines across his shoulders without turning he said "you're late" I frowned glancing at the clock "it's just 10:01" he turned finally his Gray eyes flat "that's one minute late" I bit my tongue Kellan was leaning against the wall hands in his pockets clearly entertained.
Lucas gestured to the chair "sit".
I obeyed then he opened a black leather file and slip it towards me "this" he said "is the reason you're here".
The folder was heavier than I expected inside where crisp documents printed in that same slick souless font that screamed confidential.
Words like employee discretion, restricted access, non-disclosure, personal confidentiality stood out in bold.
"This isn't.... like a normal job contract" I muttered. "It's not a normal job contract" "you work directly under me now, that means you follow a different set of rules".
He leaned forward.
"You also don't decide your hours..you don't skip tasks and you don't make assumptions about what I need.
My chest tightned "I thought it was okay to tell you I'd miss_" "thought" "doesn't equal permission" kellen's voice cut in for the first time low and smooth "he's young he'll learn" at least someone here has a beating heart Lucas didn't glance his way "he better"
The silence felt heavy enough to choke me finally Lucas Leaned back tapping the file "sign it". My fingers hesitated over the pen "what happens if I don't" "then you're wasting my time" he said simply "and I hate wasted time" I swallowed hard and signed.
Kellen stepped forward sliding an envelope across the desk "your first assignment" he said voice cool but eyes sharp on me when I reached to take it our fingers brushed his touch cold but oddly steady "you've got a lot to learn kid" he said I scowled "and you're supposed to teach me?" he smirked leaning close enough that he's cologne hit me like smoke "only if you can keep up" Lucas stood, dismissing me with a look "you'll start Monday don't make me call you in again on a weekend" I nodded, grabbing the envelope and heading out, the second the door closed I exhaled so hard I almost laughed.
Outside, the world felt different too bright too noisy the paper in my hand suddenly felt heavier than it should my phone buzzed Aiden
'yo are we still hanging out tonight?'
I stared at the message for a few seconds before replying 'yeah.maybe later'
I looked up just in time to notice it the exact same black car again packed neatly across the street, same one from yesterday didn't flash, didn't move I turned away quickly convincing myself it was nothing.
Lucas pov
He watched neo's small figure vanish through the glass doors below, the boy had spirit, stubborn, reckless but sharp exactly what he needed.
Lucas poured himself a glass of Scotch the faint sound of liquid filling the silence "he's nervous" kellan and said "but curious" Lucas smirked "curiosity is good it keeps people close" kellan arched his brows "and when it gets them into trouble?" Lucas turned his voice low and certain "then they realized it's too late to leave" the glass clinked softly on the table, outside the city humed like a secret waiting to be discovered.
Neo's Pov
By the time I got home the sky had already traded blue for Orange the air smelled like rain heavy and wet clinging to my skin as I walked, the bag felt heavier than it should maybe it was the envelope inside or just the weight of everything Lucas had said.
The second I opened the door pia's voice cut through the silence "where have you been Mister" she said dramatically arms folded "mom's been calling your name like you're lost in the market". I groaned, kicking off my shoes "don't start pia" "oh I've already started" she said following me into my room like an over excited cat "you said it was a group project" she said doing the air quotes "but you are coming home looking like you fought the entire class" I flopped onto the bed "can you not please" a small snort came from the corner Aiden was there legs crossed scrolling through his phone like he owned the place "you are late" he said without looking up somehow this gives deja Vu "and I was 2 minutes from eating the remaining plantains just so you know" "you two are demons" I muttered "correction" Aiden said looking up with a grin "I'm an Angel she's the demon" "excuse me?" Pia said tossing a pillow at him they started bickering immediately the usual chaos that somehow made the room feel alive again I sat up watching them for a moment a smile tugging at my lips then I remembered the envelope the smile faded.
"Hey" I said quietly. Both turned towards me Aiden squinted "that tone sounds like trouble" "not trouble just.." I pulled the envelope out slowly setting it on the bed between us "serious" pia frowned "what's that" "my boss gave it to me today" "the cold one" she asked "Mr I don't smile I just exist" "yeah" I said chuckling despite myself "that one".
Aiden Leaned forward his curiosity instant "you met him today again huh? what did he say fire you already" "no" I sighed "he made me sign a new contract and gave me this" they both exchange a look the this doesn't sound good look aiden tore the envelope open before I could stop him "hey" I hissed "what you were about to anyways" he said shrugging "I'm just saving time" he unfolded the documents his eyes scanning quickly then his brow shot up "what the hell is this neo?" Pia leaned closer her hair falling into her face as she tried to read "what does non-disclosure of restricted activity under level five operations even mean" "I don't know" I said rubbing my forehead "it's ... corporate language,maybe it's normal" Aiden gave me a seriously look "Neo this isn't a school club, it's more like Godfather coded, it's how do I put it mafia dictionary,look at this part violation of confidentiality will result in immediate termination and disciplinary measures, bro that sounds like prison".
Pia frown deepened "you should quit" "I just can't pia" "why not"
"Because mom needs this,I need this, we all need this I promised I'd help her one way or the other".
Aiden sat back studying me quietly "you really think you can handle a guy like that from what you told me he doesn't even blink like a normal person" "I don't know" I admitted "but I want to try"
The room went silent for a moment the rain had started soft drops tapping against the window like a quiet applause "I..i just need backup" I said finally "people I can talk to when things get heavy and overwhelming people who remind me I'm still me" pia's face softened "you already have that" Aiden smirked "yeah team chaos is already here we charge in laughter and snacks" that earned a small laugh out of me the kind that escaped before you can stop it.
Aiden nudged my shoulder "fine we'll be your emotional support system, just if your scary boss ever shows up here I'm jumping out the window" pia giggled "you? you'd probably flirt with him first" "depends" Aiden said with a playful grin "is he as hot as his assistant" I rolled my eyes "I'm ending this conversation" they laughed but underneath all the teasing I could feel something steady a kind of quiet promise no matter what this job really was, no matter how dark it got I wasn't doing it alone.
Outside thunder rolled faintly I looked out the window one last time the rain blurredd the street light but even through the Haze I could've sworn I saw it again that black car packed just beyond the corner,
watching. watching and for the first time I didn't look away.
I had a feeling that this was related to my new job because this never happened and this started recently, all this just because I joined Lucas.j.Luther's company I wonder what my life would be like from now onwards let's see how it goes.