The streets of Damascus were lively, filled with the steady hum of activity. Cars of all shapes and sizes moved along the narrow roads, honking occasionally as they navigated the winding pathways. Pedestrians walked along the sidewalks, some carrying bags of fresh produce from the local markets, others in groups, engaged in animated conversations. The scent of spices and street food wafted through the air, mingling with the occasional puff of smoke from small roadside stalls roasting meats and baking flatbreads. Benjamin glanced out of the car window, taking in the scene. The city was a blend of old and new, with ancient stone buildings lining the streets, their facades weathered but charming, standing alongside more modern constructions. Some areas were more polished, showcasing wealth with upscale boutiques and cafés, while others displayed a more modest lifestyle, with small shops and vendors peddling their wares. The atmosphere was vibrant, yet not overwhelmingly crowded. Childre
Benjamin exchanged a glance with Cipherella, his expression relaxed yet cautious. “We’re looking for a room,” he said. “Something private and comfortable. We’ll be staying for a few days.”“Of course,” the young man replied smoothly. “We have several options available. Would you prefer a suite or a more standard room?”“A suite would be perfect,” Benjamin answered, keeping his tone friendly. He wanted to appear like any other traveler, even if his purpose here was far from ordinary.The young man nodded again and typed swiftly into his computer. “We have a lovely suite on the top floor that offers privacy and an excellent view of the city. I think it would be perfect for you.” He paused and looked at Benjamin. “Will that suit your needs?”“Yes, that sounds good,” Benjamin replied.The receptionist finished her conversation with the driver in Arabic, then turned her attention back to Benjamin and Cipherella. Her smile was polite but held a hint of curiosity as she assessed the newcomer
Cipherella nodded, her expression thoughtful. “It’s perfect for what we need,” she replied.As Benjamin sat on the sofa, taking in the luxurious surroundings, he suddenly felt his stomach rumble. He hadn’t realized how hungry he was until that moment. He glanced over at Cipherella, who had moved from the window to inspect the room.“I’m hungry,” Benjamin said, standing up and stretching slightly. “Let’s go find something to eat. I guess the breakfast option will start tomorrow.”Cipherella nodded in agreement. “Good idea, Master. We should get something now.”They quickly gathered themselves, making sure to lock the door securely behind them before stepping out into the hallway. They then made their way to the elevator, descending to the hotel lobby.Once they arrived in the lobby, Benjamin approached the front desk, where the same receptionist who had greeted them earlier was now attending to another guest. After a moment, the receptionist looked up and smiled at Benjamin. “Excuse m
As Benjamin took his first bite of the Shakriya, the flavors hit him all at once. The lamb was incredibly tender, almost melting in his mouth, but the yogurt-based sauce had a tangy sharpness that caught him off guard. It was unlike anything he had tasted before — rich and creamy, yet slightly sour, with a subtle hint of garlic and spices.His brow furrowed slightly as he processed the unfamiliar flavor profile. The tang of the yogurt clashed momentarily with his expectations, but as he continued chewing, the blend of spices began to warm his palate, and the dish started to grow on him."It’s... different," Benjamin said, glancing at Cipherella. "Definitely not what I expected.”Cipherella took her own bite, her expression thoughtful as she experienced the same initial surprise. "Strange, but kind of good," she responded, nodding slowly. The sauce's tangy edge was softened by the tenderness of the lamb and the mildness of the rice, making for an unusual but comforting combination.As
Maverick shifted in his seat but met his father’s angry stare. "It wasn’t enough, okay? Things are expensive! You have no idea what it’s like to keep up appearances. There was this event, and then the after-parties—”“Lavishing money on parties and events!” Rudra cut him off, his voice now booming. "You’re wasting the money I give you, and now you want more? Have you lost your mind?"Maverick's face flushed with anger as he shot back. "The money is small! Do you even know how much my friends spend in a night? They’re living it up, and I’m here counting every penny you give me like some... some common kid! I need more! There’s this huge show coming up, and I can’t miss it. Everyone will be there!”Rudra stood up, his patience clearly gone. "You want more money?" he yelled. "Then come work for it! I’m not a bottomless bank. You want to live like a king? Fine, then start helping me run this hotel. You need to understand how hard it is to make that money you throw away!”Maverick's eyes w
Matthew drove with steady focus, completely absorbed in trailing Maverick's car. He didn’t notice anything unusual as they wound through the streets, his eyes fixed on the target ahead. Eventually, Maverick turned into the driveway of a luxurious villa and parked. Matthew and Austin slowed down, stopping a bit farther up the road, keeping their car hidden from view.Maverick stepped out of his car, looking irritated, and walked toward the front door of his villa. The brothers watched as he entered the house, the door closing behind him.Inside their car, Matthew glanced at Austin. "Do you think he'll come out anytime soon?"Austin shrugged, leaning back in his seat. "I can't tell... but hold on." Without waiting for a response, he opened the car door and stepped out, heading towards Maverick’s villa.Matthew watched him go, frowning but staying put as Austin approached the door. Austin knocked firmly. After a brief wait, the door creaked open, revealing Maverick, who eyed Austin with
Cipherella sat at her laptop, her fingers moving swiftly over the keys as she worked her technical magic. First, she accessed the hotel's WiFi system, rerouting and masking their connection to prevent any possible tracking. She installed several layers of security encryption, making sure no one could trace their online activity back to them. Every five seconds, she set up an automatic IP change, bouncing their location to different countries around the globe. One moment, it would show them as operating from Japan, the next from Brazil, then Germany, and so on.After a while, Cipherella glanced up at Benjamin with a satisfied smile. “Master, I’ve changed the WiFi system so no one can trace us. Our connection is now completely secure. I’ve also set up an IP relay that changes our location every five seconds. We’ll look like we’re operating from dozens of countries in just a few minutes.”Benjamin, who had been inspecting the gun in his hand, looked over at her, clearly impressed. “You’v
Soon, Maverick’s eyes began to flicker open, a dull, throbbing pain spreading across his head. He groaned, trying to reach up and rub his temple, but his hand wouldn’t move. He blinked several times, shaking his head to clear the blur from his vision. His heart pounded in his chest as the room came into focus.He was in an empty, vast space—no furniture, no windows, just walls that loomed around him. His arms were tied behind his back, his wrists tightly bound, and his legs were tied together, preventing any movement.“What the hell?” Maverick muttered as he tried shaking himself free, only to realize the bonds held him firmly in place. Panic surged through him.As he raised his head, his eyes widened in disbelief. Two figures stood in front of him, arms crossed, staring intently at him. Maverick blinked again, trying to make sense of what he was seeing.“Matthew? Austin?” he rasped, his voice dry and weak. The sight of Austin made his blood run cold; he had spoken with him not long a