Neo's pov
The morning light crawled slowly across his ceiling, pale and reluctant like it too, hard no strength left to face the day Neo lay still eyes half open stearing at his ceiling his chest rose and fell in shallow breath.
Sleep had barely touched him, every time he closed his eyes he saw flashes, Aiden's frightened face on the screen, the cold glint in kellans eyes and lucas's calm detached expression when he called it a test
A test
His fist clenched at the memory.
The anger came first hot, Sharp and quick then they fear followed the kind that curled inside his stomach like a knot he couldn't untie. what if this was only the beginning what if Lucas was right about this world being dangerous
"you good" pia said closing the door as she walked in Neo sighed "I'm not okay pia... I'm not" he said voice low as he felt the hot tears threatening to fall "oh neo, please don't cry what is it this time" she said moving towards his side "yesterday I was given a test and Aiden god kidnapped because of that test, because of me pia, I don't want this not to him, me, you or anyone else pia" this time he felt them drop those darnn tears, pia stood still trying to process everything "h..how is he okay did you call him" "yes I did he was okay he even knew about the test before I took it but had to play along" "he knew? aiden knew but why didn't he tell you?" Neo took a deep remembering his talk yesterday with Aiden after the whole test.
Flashback*
Outside the estate the sun was pale and cold neo's ride waited at the bottom of the drive he slid into the back seat hands trembling now that no one could see him, he pulled out his phone immediately scrolling past dozens of notifications until he found Aiden's contact
He pressed a call
it rang once, twice then Aiden's familiar voice picked up casual and warm like nothing had happened
"yo.. neo you sound like you saw a ghost" naeo swallowed "aiden-" "hey I'm fine. chill they dropped me off near my place you won't believe it the guy had a good jawline though like criminally good"
Neo let out a breath that was half a laugh, half a relief "you idiot" "excuse you" "don't joke about that" Neo Said softly "please" there was a pause Aiden's voice gentled "hey I'm okay neo really you should have seen me I made them nervous" neo smiled faintly despite himself wiping a hand over his face "you always do" Aiden chuckled "so how was your test" neo's smile faded his voice dropped "you knew?" "yeah I did" "then why didn't you give me a heads up" "then it wouldn't have been a test" "I passed" "yay?" "yeah"
Pia studied him for a moment before she spoke "are you okay with everything and are you sure you want to continue" "yes I'm okay that's why I have you and Aiden here with me" "well coffees ready you will need it the world doesn't care if you're half dead" neo almost smiled at that pia never pressed matters too much she had her own way of showing care always hidden behind sarcasm.
By the time he sat at the small dining table his phone buzzed
Lucas
He froze for a second, his thumb hovering over the screen the same man who's cold the could stare Hunt his dreams, the same man who's approval somehow still mattered a little to him he answered
"sir?" Luca's voice came through low and even "be in the office in an hour there's something I need to discuss before I leave town" " leave?" neo asked "two maybe three days I will explain when you get here" the line went dead before neo could reply he exhaled slowly staring at the black screen. Pia was watching him from the kitchen doorway curiosity written all over half face "him?" "yeah" said finishing his coffee "apparently he's going somewhere" "you sure you should still be working with that man" neo didn't answer he grabbed his mini purse and slung it over his shoulder and whispered to himself than to her "I already started this I can't back out now"
Luca's pov
The office was quiet too quiet Lucas leaned back in his chair one hand resting against his jaw the other absently tracing the rim of his coffee cup, the faint hum of the air conditioner was the only sound, through the floor, to the ceiling glass windows the city glimmered below him alive, chaotic predictable he preferred silence, in silence people couldn't lie, they fidgeted they avoided your eyes silence said more than words ever could.
The clock ticked once then twice he checked his watch Neo would arrive any time Kellan stood by the far wall arms folded posture sharp as always he had that look the one that said I don't trust this plan "you're leaving him in charge" Kellen asked finally breaking the silence Kellan shifted his weight "you think he's ready to handle the office alone" Lucas smirked faintly,swirling the coffee "he survived you in one piece that's progress" "he's still green" "everyone starts green" Lucas replied "beside I wont be gone for too long" kellan's expression didn't soften "what if something goes wrong while you are away" Lucas finally met his eyes a cold calmness, flickering beneath his tone "then we'll see how much he's learned" before Kellan could respond the elevator chimed the sound of footsteps followed hesitant, measured.
Neo
Lucas straightened his self and set his cup down. the younger man stepped into the office dressed in a simple button up and slacks his hair was still slightly dumped like he rushed here, his eyes flickered towards kellan for half a second before landing on Lucas "you wanted to see me sir?" Lucas gestured to the seats across from him "sit" neo obeyed posture stiff, trying to look calm even though he's hands gave him away clasped too tightly on his lap "I'll be out of this city for two days" Lucas began "there are meetings that can't wait you'll manage the office in my absence" neo blinked, was this another test "me?" Lucas raised a brow "do you see anyone else sitting here?" "no I just-" "good then you understand"
Lucas slid a sleek black folder across the desk "this contains every file you'll need, ongoing transactions, client reports and the schedule for the next 48 hours, you take calls, sign deliveries and ensure no one enters my office without permission"
Neo nodded slowly flipping through the papers trying to absorb the weight of responsibility "and what if something comes up that's not listed here" he asked Lucas leaned forward eyes narrowing slightly "use your adjustment but whatever you do, do not mention my name where it's not needed" the words carried an unspoken warning that made neos throat tighten Kellen broke the silence "he should also know about security protocol" Lucas nodded "right you will have access to the office intercom, the emergency call button and the inner cameras use them if you must" neo gave a quick note trying to memorize everything. lucas's gaze lingered on him longer than necessary measuring, assessing there was something about neo's eyes something restless beneath the fear.
"You'll be fine" Lucas said finally standing "don't make me regret this" as he picked up his coat neo caught the faintest hints of something softer in his expression almost unreadable like a Shadow that flickered for half a second before vanishing, then the door opened and lucas was gone Kellan followed after him but just before he exited he gave him a look a small smirked mixed with warning "don't burn the place down" neo rolled his eyes faintly muttering under his breath "wouldn't dream of it"
The door clicked shut leaving him alone in the large office the silence returned heavy and humming, for a while everything was calm until it wasn't.
The noise from the Secretary started as a faint argument but within second it escalated into something that made neo's pulse quicking "sir you can't go in there" the Secretary yelled her voice shaking neo instantly rose from his desk his heart thudding ,heavy determined footsteps echoed down the hall without thinking twice he ran out of lucas's office and turned the key locking it quickly behind him the sound of the latch clicking echoed like a final line of defense.
He turned around just in time to see a tall man stride forward towards him dark coat, sharp eyes confidence radiating like danger itself, the man stopped just a few feet away his expression unreadable.
"where is Lucas" he demanded Neo Straightened trying not to show the tremor in his hands "he's not around at the moment you have to come back later" the man's lips curved slightly "you must be neo?" neo frowned "do I know you?" a low chuckle "who doesn't know you" the man's voice carried both Mockery and something "the pretty assistant who works for a man he barely understand" neo blinked "excuse me?" The stranger stepped closer and neo instinctively moved to block the door behind him. Their eyes locked steel against defiance "you don't even know who you are working for do you?" the man murmured "you think you are saved behind that door but some doors can't be locked forever"
Neo's jaw tightened he wanted to look brave even though his heartbeat was loud enough to fill the hallway "whatever business you have with Mr Lucas, you'll discuss it with him, not me and if you try forcing your way in again I'll make sure you regret it" the man's brows arched impressed "you've got guts kid I'll give you that" "I have more than guts" neo said firmly though his palms were sweating "I have authority, this office is under my supervision until Mr Lucas returns so unless you want security dragging you out-" the man raised a hand slightly smirking "alright alright no need to call your gaurd dogs" he leaned in just close enough that neo could smell the faint scent of smoke and rain on his coat "tell Lucas something for me" neo swallowed "what?"
The man's Gray eyes glinted with dark amusement "tell him the past is catching up faster than he thinks" with that he turned on his heel and walked away slow , confident like a man who already knew the ending of a story everyone else was still trying to read neo stood frozen his breath uneven his fingers were still clutching the door handle tightly.
The past is catching up faster than he thinks this words wouldn't leave his head he didn't know what they meant but he had a feeling he was about to find out neo stayed there for a few more seconds after the man left staring at the empty hallway his pulse hadn't caln down if anything it's felt like his heart was still trying to catch up what had just happened slowly he unlocked the door and slipped back inside, the familiar scent of Luca's office clean wood, faint coffee, and the sharp tone of expensive cologne felt heavier than usual he turned the lock again once he was in, leaning against the door as his breath came in slow uneven pulse "what the hell was that" he whispered to himself
He tried to process it the man's voice, his words, the look in his eyes then he remembered how confidently he he spoken how steady his voice had sounded his hands trembled now but back there he stood tall he gave a short shaky laugh "since when did I grow a spine" he ran a hand through his hair pacing behind lucas's desk still hearing the man's voice
tell him the past is catching up faster than he thinks, that's when he's phone buzzed.
Neo frowned and reached for it on the desk an unknown number, no name, no profile picture he opened the message
unknown: now I know why he keeps you around.
Neo's heart stopped for a second his eyes scanned the message twice as if maybe he'd misread it but no that was exactly what it said he looked around the office, the ceiling corners the walls, the book shelves his gaze darted to the small red light on the security camera in the corner it was blinking or was it, he wasn't even sure.
He grabbed his phone again quickly snapping a screenshot of this message then scrolling through to check if they were more they weren't just that one sentence, he's fingers hesitated before he pressed Lucas's contact the call connected almost immediately "Neo?" lucas's voice came through deep and calm as always "sir" neo started trying to steady his tone "someone came to the office he called himself Darian said he wanted to see you he tried to force his way in"
silence
Then lucas his voice grew low "and?" "I stopped him" Neo said swallowing "he left after saying something weird something about the past catching up and then I got a text from an unknown number" Lucas exhaled sharply "what did it say?" neo hesitated, then read it aloud "now I know why he keeps you around"
Another long silence, Neo could almost hear the tension on the other end of the call "send me a screenshot" Lucas finally said immediately Neo quickly forwarded the image "good" Lucas said after a pause "I'll handle this I'll be back in two days until then keep the office locked when you are alone don't let anyone in and neo-" "yes sir" "if anyone else comes asking for me you don't talk to them, you don't look at them just call me" neo nodded even though Lucas couldn't see him "okay" "oh and go to my desk press a button under the shelves you'll see a fingerprint scanner after that put in your index finger and lock the door with your fingerprint don't comes to the office until I return" "okay"
The line went dead he stood there for a while phone still in hands, walked to the desk bent down and looked hard till he found button the button and did as he was told Neo sighef shakily and set the phone down with the message still on he didn't know what it meant but something told him that darian
wasn't just another angry visitor and that Luca's past was much closer than either of them wanted to admit