Chapter 1 : Stranger offers

The evening air was pleasant as I took a leisurely stroll through the park, observing the people around me, enjoying the serenity. Amidst the laughter and joy, I noticed a man in a dark suit sitting on the ground, his face buried in his hands. Something about him caught my attention, suggesting he might be the key to unraveling this intricate web of events. He seemed vulnerable, his sorrow palpable, making him an easy target for manipulation.

 I watched him closely, studying his every move. For a while, he did nothing but cry, completely consumed by his emotions. I stood there, silently observing him, before finally making my way towards him. As I approached, my shadow cast over him, blocking the sunlight he had been receiving. Slowly, he lifted his head, scanning me from head to toe, yet he remained silent, unwilling to engage in conversation.

 "Hey, may I join you?" I inquired, attempting to establish a connection.

He nodded dismissively, still showing no interest in conversing. "Why do you care, mate? Just give me some peace or get lost from here," he retorted with a harsh edge. I couldn't help but smile, knowing he was exactly the kind of person I needed. His depression and anger made him susceptible to manipulation, a pawn waiting to be moved.

 "No need to be so callous, my friend. They say sharing your problems can make them smaller or even solve them," I replied, attempting to build rapport.

 "Hahaha, how exactly will you solve my problem?" he asked wearily.

 "I can't, unless you share what's been bothering you," I replied, giving him a desperate look, hoping to elicit a response.

 "You really want to know?" he asked, disappointment etched on his face as if he were recalling the very moment that had brought him to tears. "Fine, try me," I encouraged him.

 "I didn't want to burden myself, but since you're so eager to know what's bothering me, listen carefully. Today was my job interview for an engineer position, and as usual, I messed it up. They kicked me out of their office, forcibly. Maybe they didn't appreciate the honesty in my answers, but I was only being truthful. It seems they didn't want to hear about their own company's mistakes, which I pointed out. And now, here I am, a 22-year-old jobless boy, sitting alone on the floor of a park, crying," he confessed, a mixture of sadness and anger in his voice and expression. It was exactly what I needed.

 I corrected him, "You're not sitting alone; I'm with you right now. And after listening to your problem, I think I can fix it. I can offer you a job right now. What do you say?"

 "What? You can provide me a job?" he asked, his hand reaching into his bag to retrieve his academic documents. "Here, take a look at my documents. See if I meet your job requirements," he said, his tone now calm.

 "No, I don't need those, and I won't be offering you a monthly salary. I'll pay you right now for a lifetime of work," I declared.

 Confusion washed over his face as he questioned, "Will it take a lifetime to complete the job or work in that job?"

 "It depends on you. You can finish it in a day, an hour, or even years," I replied, a smile playing on my lips.

 "And how much is the payment? What's the job?" he inquired, intrigued by the possibilities.

 "Ten million dollars," I stated, causing his expression to abruptly change upon hearing the sum.

 I paused for a moment, allowing my words to sink in, before adding, "You're probably wondering what kind of job warrants a payment of ten million dollars. Let me explain, but not here. We should find a quiet location, like a café, to have this conversation."

 Taking a step back, I gestured for him to follow me, knowing that this was the moment I had been waiting for. His mind seemed to be processing the information, but finally, he stood up and began walking towards me. I waited for him to catch up, and together we continued walking, side by side.

 "So, you're in, aren't you?" I asked, noting his unusual behavior.

 He nodded, his gaze fixed ahead. We walked in silence for about five minutes until we reached the main road, lined with various restaurants and cafés.

 "Let's go into that café," I suggested, pointing to a suitable establishment.

 "Alright," he agreed.

 "But remember," I warned him one last time, "if you enter this restaurant, there's no turning back."

 He paused, deep in thought, before responding with conviction, "I have already made up my mind."

 We stepped into the restaurant, greeted by a bustling crowd. I quickly located the restaurant manager and requested a quiet area for our conversation. The manager scanned the room and gestured for us to follow him. James followed me closely as we made our way to a more secluded spot. A table with two seats awaited us, and I thanked the manager, ensuring we would have privacy.

 I motioned for James to take a seat, and he settled in, adjusting himself to match my comfort level. In a hushed tone, he asked, "So, what's the job?"

 I reached into the inside pocket of my blazer and retrieved a diary. "All the information you need is right here," I replied, offering it to him.

 He stared at the diary, a perplexed expression on his face. "What's this?" he inquired.

 "To carry out this task, James, you must abide by a specific set of rules. Take your time, read it carefully, and then take action," I explained in a polite tone.

 "Okay, I will follow the... wait, how did you know my name?" he asked, giving me a quizzical look.

 "Yes, you introduced yourself on the way to the café," I said, attempting to deceive him. However, I knew he wasn't drunk or inebriated enough to forget.

 "No, I didn't. I've been watching you for a while. I know you have a sister named Hayley and a girlfriend named Madelyn. Your parents' address is on LA's New Road 328A. I know more than I should, but don't worry, as long as you complete your task, everyone will be safe," I warned him in return.

 Fear washed over his face, and he fell silent. "There's nothing to be afraid of," I assured him. "The payment is roughly ten million dollars, and I won't hand it over to a complete stranger without getting to know them or conducting some investigation."

 His expression shifted, and he appeared more at ease as he responded, "Okay, you can trust me. I'll finish this task as soon as possible."

 "Okay, I certainly hope so," I replied, standing up and extending my hand to shake his. As our hands met, I subtly nudged him, saying, "And perhaps remember the name of this restaurant when you leave; it might be important for you later."

 Curiosity glinted in his eyes as he asked, "Can I have your name or phone number? How can i contact you?"

 "I'm afraid I'm not at liberty to disclose my identity, but rest assured, my team and I will be keeping a close eye on you," I assured him cryptically.

 With that, I left the restaurant, leaving him deep in thought, processing the whirlwind of events that had just unfolded. Little did he know that I had been observing him for far longer than he could fathom. I had found the perfect moment, and now, the game had truly begun.