It had been two weeks since the hedge fund manager incident. For those entire two weeks, I spent most of my time alone. I met frequently with my team on the fifth floor and met with many potential businesses to discuss funding. It seemed as though I had returned to my monotonous days. On a rare occasion, I would be met with Howl who was placing pastries on my desk from his café. We would indulge in some small talk, but not much else. The only pivotal information I had received from him not long after that incident was that we were all currently in a cool off period. 

Whenever they would finish a case they would tie up loose ends and wait for the commotion to die down before setting off on another. I still had yet to see Tatum in all this time. It was clear that she had been looking into something specific for my father. Even though I wasn’t seeing any of them besides Howl, remnants of their presence lingered all over the office. From adjustments and missing things from their desks, to new papers that were tacked on the wall, I knew they were all here when I wasn’t. 

As time went on, I could see Howl’s anxiety grow. He was just as in the dark as I was. It made me wonder what role I played in all this. During my free time I found myself looking over all the records of their cases. The work they are doing is remarkable, it’s everything I would proudly want to be a part of, but I wasn’t sure how I fit into all this. 

Where had all the time gone? I’d been here for hours after work looking at documents. It was already six o’clock at night. 

My phone buzzed loudly one after another. Text messages flooded my phone. 

Meet

Me

Right

Now.

The blue bubbles were followed by a simple smiley face. They were all from Grey Salvatore. I thought he’d been too quiet after causing such a scene on my first day. I simply rolled my eyes and threw my phone face down on the desk. I don’t intend to answer him right now.

As if knowing I wouldn’t answer him anytime soon, another buzz came from my phone. With no context, he sent a single photo of a woman taken from behind as she was walking. Most people would’ve never known immediately who it was, but I knew it was Astrid. He sent another, this time one of her looking over her shoulder before crossing the street. 

Before I could dial his number myself, he was calling. 

“Meet me at xx street in thirty minutes.” He left me no time to respond as he hung up abruptly. I took off running. The moment he mentioned the street I knew exactly where he wanted to meet. After realizing the bad blood that was shared between him and my father, I deep dived into everything about him. It became abundantly clear that he copied everything Bond&Park did. Though it was no where near as successful as Silva’s, his bakery was successful enough to stay open and of course he called it Salvatore’s. 

I found myself in a cold sweat as I finally reached the front door of the bakery. I recomposed myself and walked in. Just like Grey himself, the café lacked any warmth or company. It was almost completely empty with the exception of two customers. I could feel someone approaching me from behind. A hand was lightly placed on my shoulder and a faint but firm whisper met my ear. Though it was low, the voice was faintly familiar. I knew it was a woman. She instructed me to follow her lead as she pushed me to the cash register. I looked at the electronic boards which displayed the menu. The listed items completely aligned with the menu at Silva’s with some added Italian pastries. I couldn’t hold back an eye roll before an employee approached to take my order. 

I vaguely remember what I mumbled a second before I turned to the woman who was guiding me. She nonchalantly ordered a water and looked at me and then the register waiting for me to pay. I handed the employee money and followed the woman to the waiting area. She was wearing a face mask and a baseball cap, so all I could see was long burgundy hair, brown eyes and golden tanned skin. It was clear that I knew who she was, but something was throwing me off. Our order was called and she confidently gathered the sad looking order and started for the stairs in the corner that lead to the second story. 

The setting sun was casting a orange light over the villainous Grey. Even though he had left with his tail somewhat between his legs that day, he had recovered all of his smugness today. His eyes glimmered with happiness at the thought he had gotten something over me.

“She doesn’t do much, but if having her work at my company will make you kneel and work for me… well, I’m willing to do just that.”

He wanted to put on a show of authority, but I’m not willing to give him what he wants. I can put on a much grander show. 

“Why would I kneel for something so trivial? I guess you just wanted me to support your sad endeavor you call a bakery.”

He grimaced at my words. It was clear as day he was disappointed by my reaction. 

“So, you don’t care at all about this girl? You have not a single attachment?”

“I do, as she is someone that works at the company in which I am employed. That is the extent of my feelings. Did you really think that would lure me to your side?”

The small cup of coffee that was once at his table was pushed onto the floor. The ivory ceramic had broken into pieces and rich chocolate hued coffee colored the floor around him. 

To that he simply screamed profanties inbetween telling me to get out. 

His words mattered little to me. There was a more pressing matter at hand. There was something I was dying to ignore because I just didn’t want it to be possible. The woman guided me down the stairs and out of the café completely. I followed her for a long time before we eventually found ourselves on a different street. 

We had come to back alley surrounded by nothing but walls. With no one to interrupt, I finally spoke up after hoping that I was mistaken. 

“What in the world are you doing with Grey Salvatore, Tatum?”