Aaron and Max were sitting next to the table when Connor entered the gym the next morning. They shifted as they heard the door open and saw him standing at the entrance.

"I'm sorry for yesterday," he said softly, his gaze fixed on the floor.

Aaron was the first to approach him, patting him on the shoulder and leading him to the table, saying, "It's alright, son. Come on in. We're waiting for our visitors." Max sat next to the table' he gave Connor a simple nod with no acknowledgement.

He's upset, Connor thought to himself.

He knows Max long enough to read him without him saying anything. It certainly helped that Max couldn't hide his emotions and that everything he was feeling was visible on his face.

Max could feel Connor's icy blue eyes on him.

They weren't always this way. Iced. There was a time when his eyes were bright and full of light, but now it seemed he couldn't recognize his gaze.

“I know I'm handsome,” he said bitterly as he turned to face him, “You can stop staring.” Connor turned his head and lowered his gaze. Max sighed, “Just talk to me Connor, why’s it so hard?!”

It was the first time Max actually looked at Connor, and it was an awful sight. His face was ashen and his eyes sank in their sockets, with red circles underneath them.

“Come on man, I'm your best friend!”

“I...” Connor fidgeted in his seat.

But before he could finish the thought, the gym's doors burst open, and two men in expensive suits stood at the entryway.

Suits and egos. 

Aaron and Max leapt from their seats while Connor remained seated.

"Hello gentleman," Aaron said, "Welcome to Olympus gym."

He extended a hand that was left hanging. The men walked right past him toward the table, not even looking at him. Aaron turned around, his face fell with an expression Connor had never seen before. The atmosphere shifted in an instance. A battleground.

"This is Connor and my son Max,” Aaron added, trying to keep his nerves under control.

The two men appeared to be bored as they sat down next to the table, saying nothing. They were now facing each other, as if they were two armies about to charge into battle, with just a cheap plastic table separating them. “Nice to meet you,” Aaron said anxiously, “but I didn't get your name.”

“My name’s Ryan.” said the man in the suit, “That's all you need to know.”

Aaron continued, “Just… Ryan? No last name?”

“Nope,” Ryan replied flatly. “Let's cut the chitchat. I don't have all day.” Ryan brushed a hand through his black hair. “I need to buy this place, so just name your price and we’ll be done.”

“I apologies, Sir,” Aaron said, his voice shaking, “but this place is not for sale.”

“Everything is for sale if the price is right,” Ryan countered with a grin. “So just name it.”

Max grumbled, “It's not for sale, Sir.” His rage rising from deep within him.

Ryan sighed, his face flushed with annoyance. “I'm not gonna ask you again. Name. Your. Price”

Max jumped from his seat and slammed his fists against the table, his rage visible in his eyes and his voice restrained by all the self-control he could find.

“Are you deaf? THIS PLACE IS NOT FOR SALE!”

“SIT DOWN Max!” Aaron yelled, grabbing Max’s arm, forcing him back into his seat.

Ryan sat in his chair, unbothered by the mounting tension. He tapped his finger on the table as he looked at each of them, his gaze finally meeting Connor's.

Is he a mute or something? He thought while staring at him.

Connor didn't flinch as he returned Ryan's stare with equal intensity. The only thing that made Ryan feel uneasy about this meeting, were Connor's dim blue eyes. His gaze was so intense it felt as if it's gonna pierce a hole in his head; but Ryan's attention was interrupted when he heard Aaron's voice.

Aaron took a deep breath and bowed his head. “Sir,” he said with widening eyes as if begging for his life. “I built this place with my own two hands. It’s all I’ve got. I ask you, please, reconsider your offer.”

Ryan just stared at him blankly, and for a split second it felt like a glimmer of hope, as if he was thinking about Aaron's request, but he wasn't. He regained his composure and threw the contract papers across the table.  "This is my offer. You've got three days to sign the paperwork.”

Max's cheeks flushed with rage. “You think you're in a position to make threats? You know you're sitting in front of three boxers, right?” He said with a vicious grin.

Aaron turned his head in surprise “MAX!” he gasped.

The nameless man next to Ryan finally moved, opening his blazer and revealing a gun strapped to his belt. Max's grin had faded, and he was now gritting his teeth.

Ryan let out a chuckle and rose from his chair, saying, "Well then, it appears we're done here," he smiled.

“I'll see you in three days.”