Business Partners

"Look who's finally here," exclaims a bald, muscular man aged around 40-45 as I step into the bar.

The bar, usually bustling with a cacophony of chatter, is sparsely populated today.

"Would you believe me if I told you I was delayed at school?" I inquire, meeting the man's gaze.

"Let me guess, detention again?" he chuckles.

"Yup."

"Then I believe you. Quick, come in. We don't want to keep the guests waiting any longer, right? Oh, and turn the sign to 'closed,'" he directs.

"Sure," I reply, moving towards him. He dismisses the remaining customers, and I wait for them to leave before closing the door behind me.

"So, what's happening down there? I thought you'd be organizing things tonight," I ask the old man.

"Dexter is entertaining them. He's singing one of his songs," the old man replies, lifting his desk, revealing a small red button.

He presses the button, and the bottle shelf divides, exposing a hidden elevator.

*Why does it feel like all the old men around me act more like young adults? They always have something to surprise me with, especially their technology and strength. But having the idea of a cool basement in an old man's building engraved into my memory isn't really a cool thing right now. * I think.

"His songs? That's great. I love listening to his songs, especially the R&B ones," I comment, following the old man into the elevator.

*Ding*

The elevator's door opens and as we entered, it closes back.

"Hey, Gideon, how are you planning on participating in this? Are you still going with your formal plan?" the old man suddenly asks.

"Yh, I'll win with style, but my identity will be hidden. You brought what I asked for, right?" I inquire.

"Yes, but if you win this way, it's going to cause an uproar."

"But you can deal with the aftermath right? You've always had my back, even in the shittiest moments of my life."

The old man looks at me.

~Sigh~

"Sure thing. I'll deal with it, and I believe you know what to do After all, this is purely business," he says with a smirk.

"Don't worry; I'll compensate you properly. Just hand over the goods, and I'll take care of the rest," I assure.

"Fine. Oh and I also called the crew who'll make it into a good video, worth posting online. As per the agreement, I'll start uploading the competition on social media, so the world knows more about us," the man says, handing over a small pouch bag to me.

"That's great. The world shall know about uh... Have you come up with a name yet for us?"

"Nope, not yet."

"Okay, but let it be a super cool name."

"Of course, it would. Leave it to me. I was wondering, did you hear?" The old man asks as he looks at me interestingly.

"Hmm? What? Do you perhaps mean the explosion?"

"Yeah, that too, but that's not exactly what I'm talking about, although they are related. Haven't you heard the news?"

"News? Is it about me getting into an accident with the train?"

"No, I even forgot about that. How are you feeling now? That kick must have been pretty painful for you."

"Tell me about it, the pain worst than having a brain freeze. But if that isn't what you're asking me about, then what other news makes you want to tell me about it?"

"It happened this evening, I guess, within the period you were preparing to come here." The old man said

"Hope it's something beneficial to me, though. Wait, does it have anything to do with the police cruiser that has been running around?"

"Yup, it does, and I bet you will be interested to hear it."

"Well, tell me then." I urge

"Nah, I'll tell you once the competition is over. If I tell you now, you'll abandon me here. The competition won't take up to an hour and thirty minutes, and I'm sure that you wouldn't be late by then."

"Hehe, you know me well, old man."

~Koin~

"Hey, I thought I told you not to call me 'old man.' my name's Hank or you just call me'Sir'," he knocks me on the head.

"Ouch, I'm still a patient, you know. How irresponsible of you, old man... Hank."

"..." 💢 Veins bulge on his temple in annoyance.

"Haaa, you are impossible to deal with." He says after heaving a sigh.

"Hehe."

"Say, Sir Hank, I'll be needing both you and Dexter's help because from here on out, it's going to be ver dangerous and chaotic in my life and you guys have no choice, since you're path of my life."

"..." The old man silently studies me.

"That figures. How about Darwin?"The old man asks.

"I'll give you the full gist later, but now I'll need my technology and informant, Dexter, and you as my advisor and store. I'll be needing you both more often from now on." I say in a serious tone.

I'm sure I can't avoid the fight ahead and they're probably going to target people I'm close with.

"Sure, kid. We'll help you out the best way we can. Besides, it's not a good sign for a businessman to let a business partner fall, right?"

"Heh, I always know I can count on you guys, the best business partners." I smile.

"Oh, and could you stop tagging me as your store? I don't know about Dexter, but I'm strictly speaking for myself here."

"I would, but only if you agree for me to call you the acronym of your name, H.O.M. (Hank Old Man), because, you know, I've met a lot of old men already." I say,

"..." The old man gives a deadly glare.

"Eek! Ok, fine, I won't call you that. I'll call you Hank. Geez, you're even scarier than some nightmares." I add pretending to look scared

"Sometimes I wonder how dumb you can be." the old man says

"Funny, because I said the same to someone else today."

~Ding~ The elevator opens. It's a very wide basement, as wide as half of a football field.

The people who came are many and barely fit into the field.

*Damm, this old man has some good connections,* I think as I see the crowd.

The crowd sitting is in an ascending order: Normals, VIP, and VVIP.

The most crowded seat is Normals, then VIP, then VVIP.

~Clap, clap~

~Chatter~

🎶I thought that you cared

Now you got me so scared

All you did was steal my bread

You took it all and fled🎶 Dexter, a young teenager with orange hair and a golden eyes, he has the charm to him and is attractive.

He sings emotionally to the crowd as he sat in the middle of the field and the spotlight focuses on him.

"Wonderful." I said,

"I know I love this song's vibes, but why did he write a song about his ex who stole his bread?" I question.

"You have no idea how much he loves bread. They are both his weakness and his strength if you know what I mean."

"Oh, I see." I say rubbing my none existent beards.

"Now go join the contestants. I'll go and do my part of the job."

I nod and make my way to the contestants' area, contemplating the oddity of Dexter's song choice. As I join the competitors, the anticipation for the upcoming competition builds within me.