POV: Jay
The car was parked right in front of Byte JC.
My company.
Our company.
From the outside, it looked like any other tech firm. Clean glass, sharp edges, quiet confidence. But inside those walls lived code that could bend systems, secrets that could ruin empires, and a name only a few people were allowed to say out loud.
Night Byte.
Hex leaned forward from the back seat, eyes shining. "Come on. Let's go inside already."
"Wait," I said, holding up a finger. "Did you forget something?"
He froze. "Oh."
"No one," I reminded him calmly, "must see our real faces."
I turned to Hannah. "Did you bring it?"
She smirked and tapped the boot release. "Always."
We stepped out of the car, and Hannah opened the boot, pulling out two black bags. She handed one to Hex and the other to me.
"Follow me," she said. "I know a place where you can change. And a way in that doesn't involve the main gate."
Of course she did.
We moved to the side of the building where a small, almost invisible room sat hidden between two structures. Hex and I went in and changed quickly. The clothes, the masks, the weight of who we were slid back into place like muscle memory.
When we stepped out, Hannah led us through a discreet entrance straight into the company.
The moment we were inside, people started passing by.
"Good morning, Boss."
"Morning, Boss."
"Good morning."
I simply nodded.
Control settled over me like a second skin.
When we reached the office, Hex spoke first. His voice came out deeper, altered by the mask.
"Feels good to be back. This is where I'm in control."
He flopped onto the couch and removed his mask immediately.
Hannah smiled. "Welcome back, Night Byte and Luna Byte "
"What's going on?" I interrupted, pulling my gloves off. "Why did you call me here?"
Before she could answer, the door burst open.
Nathan.
"HEX!" he shouted, throwing his arms around Hex without warning.
"Close the door," I said flatly.
Hannah quickly shut it, but Miguel and Carlos both turned to me, grinning.
"Boss," Carlos said. "Can we hug you?"
I stared at them.
Then I smacked both their heads lightly. "You guys never change, do you?"
They laughed and hugged me anyway.
"Heh, wait for me!" Nathan said, squeezing into the hug.
I glanced at Hannah, then grabbed her wrist and pulled her in too.
For a few seconds, it was just warmth, noise, familiarity. Something I didn't realize I had missed so badly.
Eventually, I pulled back. "Alright. Why did you call me?"
Nathan's expression shifted instantly. Playful gone.
"I checked the person investigating Hex."
I moved to the chair and sat down. Carlos and Miguel followed. Hannah stayed standing.
Hex stood up. "I'll walk around."
"Mask," I reminded him.
He put it back on. His voice dropped, cold and professional. "B.R.B."
Then he left with Nathan.
I turned back. "Who is it?"
Carlos answered. "Trisha Reyes."
The glass slipped from my hand and shattered on the floor.
"What?" My heart dropped.
"She's been investigating for a week now," he added.
"Make sure," I said sharply, "she doesn't find out Hex's hidden ability or identity."
All three nodded immediately.
Hannah glanced at her tablet. "Also, Jay… a man wants help from you and Hex."
"What's the problem?"
"He says something that belongs to him was stolen."
"Name."
She hesitated. "Kaizer Watson."
My body reacted before my mind could. I stood up… then sat back down just as fast.
The room went silent.
Miguel leaned forward. "Boss… are you alright?"
"Yeah," I said quickly. Too quickly. "I'm fine."
Liar.
"Tell Kaizer Watson," I continued, voice steady, "that I agree. We meet in three hours. Exactly 12 p.m. One minute late, and the deal is off."
Carlos nodded and left immediately.
Hannah and Miguel sat on the couch.
"So," Hannah said gently, "how's your new school? New house?"
I walked over and sat beside her, talking about it. The rooms, the people, the strange calm hiding sharp edges.
Miguel grinned. "So… found any boy you like?"
I opened my mouth to answer, then stopped.
Is there even someone?
My mind betrayed me instantly.
Keifer.
Hannah smiled. "That silence says yes."
"No," I said quickly.
They laughed.
Teasing followed. Chaos returned. Noise, jokes, memories colliding like nothing had changed.
Hex and Nathan came back later, adding fuel to the madness.
Three hours flew by.
Then a knock.
Hex and I put our masks back on.
"Come in."
A guard stepped inside. "Boss. Mr. Watson is in."
The room went quiet.
Game on. 🎭💻
****** Check the comment to see Jayand Hex outfit and company *********