Aaron's Gambit

Chapter Seven

Aaron stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the sleek black suit Technophile had insisted on buying for him. The suit was sharp, the tie was perfectly knotted, and his hair combed neatly. He barely recognized himself. “This is so not me,” he muttered, tugging at the collar.

“Hey, you’re not going to meet your high school teacher. Stand up straight,” Technophile teased, walking into the room. He was dressed in a silver blazer with a loud floral shirt underneath, his personality was as loud as his outfit.

Aaron sighed, rolling his shoulders back. “Are you sure this is necessary? It’s just a party.”

“Not just any party. You’re meeting the boss,” Technophile said, his tone sounding serious for once. “He doesn’t like sloppiness. Trust me, you don’t want to get on his bad side.”

Aaron gulped and nodded. “Fine. Let’s just get this over with.”

The two headed out, with Technophile driving them to the party venue. The car ride was mostly silent, except for Technophile's occasional hum as he tapped his fingers on the steering wheel. Aaron stared out the window, his mind racing.

“Relax,” Technophile said suddenly, glancing at Aaron. “You did well on the job. The client’s happy, and the boss is happy. Tonight’s just about celebrating.”

Aaron forced a weak smile. “Yeah, celebrating stealing billions. Sounds like a blast.”

Technophile chuckled. “It’s not stealing. It’s… redistribution of wealth. Besides, the client’s happy, and that’s all that matters.”

Aaron shook his head but said nothing.

When they arrived, the venue was breathtaking. Strings of lights hung from the ceiling, casting a warm glow over the lavish décor. A red carpet led to the entrance, where two imposing men stood guard. One of them approached and gestured for the keys. Technophile handed them over without hesitation.

The other man nodded, his voice gruff. “This way.”

As they walked inside, Aaron couldn’t help but gawk at the grandeur. Crystal chandeliers, gold accents, and an air of sophistication filled the room. He muttered under his breath, “All this for intercepting money?”

“What’d you say?” Technophile asked, catching a bit of Aaron’s mumble.

“Nothing,” Aaron lied quickly.

“Alright, feel free to enjoy,” Technophile said, grinning as he made a beeline for the dance floor. Aaron watched as he seamlessly blended into the crowd, greeting people with his usual charisma.

Aaron swallowed hard, his throat dry. He wandered through the room, taking in the sights. His heart was pounding, and he felt completely out of place. Then, he spotted Celeste. She was leaning against a pillar, a glass of champagne in her hand. She looked stunning in a simple yet elegant black dress, her hair styled in loose waves.

“Hey,” Aaron said awkwardly as he approached her.

Celeste glanced at him and smirked. “Hey, suit guy. You clean up well.”

Aaron chuckled nervously. “Thanks. Uh, you look great too.”

“Thanks,” she said, taking a sip of her drink. “Nervous?”

“Is it that obvious?”

“A little.” She motioned for him to follow her. “Come on, I’ll show you where you’re sitting.”

They walked through the grand hall, passing servers carrying trays of appetizers and drinks. Celeste led him to a massive banquet hall with a long, ornate dining table in the center.

“You’re here,” she said, pointing to a seat near the end of the table. “Relax. It’s just a party.”

Aaron nodded, sitting down. He noticed a few familiar faces—other hackers from the station. They exchanged polite nods, but the atmosphere felt tense.

After what felt like an eternity, the client entered. He was dressed in a crisp white suit, his face beaming with joy. The room buzzed with energy as people greeted him. He moved with the confidence of a man who had just won the lottery—which, in a way, he had.

“Ladies and gentlemen!” he announced, raising a glass. “Tonight, we celebrate a flawless job. To the team that made it happen, I owe you everything.”

Cheers erupted, and Aaron tried to smile, though his nerves were still getting the best of him.

Then, the room fell silent. Aaron turned to see the boss entering, wheeled in by the same tattooed man who had barked at him days earlier. The boss was an older man, his face lined with age but still radiating authority. Tattoos covered his arms, and the top button of his shirt was undone, revealing a lion tattoo on his chest.

Everyone stood, even the client. The boss raised a single finger, and the room sat down in unison. The tattooed man wheeled him to the head of the table, where he took his place at the center of attention. The client sat to his right, and the tattooed man to his left.

Aaron tried to avoid the boss’s gaze, but he could feel those piercing eyes on him. His palms were sweaty, and he focused on the empty plate in front of him.

The dinner was lively at first. People laughed, drank, and shared stories. The client was clearly thrilled, recounting the job’s success with dramatic flair. But as the plates were cleared, the mood shifted. The boss’s demeanor changed, and he tapped his fork on the table. The sound was sharp and commanding, cutting through the chatter.

“Let’s take a moment,” the boss said, his voice deep and steady. “To appreciate the talent behind this victory.”

The room erupted in applause. Aaron’s heart raced as the boss’s gaze fell on him.

“Celeste, Technophile, and… what’s your name again?”

Aaron’s throat was dry. “Aaron,” he managed to say, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Yes, Aaron,” the boss said, his tone neutral but his eyes intense. “This wouldn’t have been possible without these three. And remember, this was our first off-site job. A big milestone.”

“He takes after you,” the client said, grinning at the boss. “Resembles you so much.”

A murmur spread through the room. Aaron glanced around, confused by the sudden tension. The boss’s expression darkened as he turned to the client.

“It was just a joke,” the client said quickly, chuckling nervously.

The boss’s gaze lingered for a moment before he turned back to the table. “Let’s not forget,” he said, his voice colder now, “the consequences of failure.”

The room fell silent. Aaron felt the weight of the boss’s words like a stone in his chest.

“Starting now, more field jobs will open,” the boss continued. “And you—” he pointed directly at Aaron, “—will be of great use to us.”

Aaron’s stomach churned, but he nodded, unable to find his voice.

The boss leaned back in his chair, his gaze sweeping over the room. “Work hard. Don’t disappoint me. Because if you do…” He let the threat hang in the air, unspoken but clear.

As the tension eased slightly, Celeste leaned over to Aaron, whispering, “This guy’s no fun.”

Aaron stifled a nervous laugh, grateful for the brief moment of levity.

The party wound down shortly after. People began to leave, exchanging polite goodbyes. Aaron felt a strange mix of relief and apprehension as he stepped out into the cool night air. He had survived the evening, but the weight of the boss's words lingered heavily in his mind. Whatever was coming next, he knew it wouldn't be easy.