The door to the three SUVs opened and about ten men in black outfits came out. Each of them had a gun and they were pointing it at him. For a moment, Ryan smiled. Even scenes like this are not common in movies. The protagonist doesn't normally have as many men like this pointing guns at him. All the same, Ryan slipped his gun in his pocket and raised his two hands as the men drew nearer.
"We have secured him, Sir," one of them said.Now that they were close, Ryan could see that each of them had a covert earpiece around their ears."We are closing on him, Sir," the person said again.We're they soldiers or something? They really looked like they were coming to arrest a hitman.One of them came around and opened the door to his GMC."Come down," the guy said.Ryan got down, still raising his two hands. He wasn't ready to make any swift move and end up in hell."Come with u"Okay. Take your time." With that, Ryan hung up, pressed on the accelerator and sped home. He has to get rid of the blood and bruises on his body before Brenda returns home.As soon as got home, he went straight to the bathroom and took a thorough bath. It was not until started to bandage the gunshot wound that he realized how much it hurts. After a series of groaning and wincing in pain, Ryan finally succeeded in dressing up the wound. He took his phone and dialed a number. The person answered at the first ring."Some SUVs attacked me some minutes ago. Find out who they are. There should be surveillance cameras in the area. The cars have no license plates." Ryan told the person at the other end the address of the place where the event took place."Alright, Sir.""And my car is outside Brenda's house. I left the key there, get it washed and bring it back before tomorrow morning.""Alright, Sir."
Just like Ryan gave up trying to eat, he gave up trying to sleep after tossing on the bed several times. He sat up and checked the small table by his bed for his cigarettes. He found none. He fiddled with his pockets and finally found a packet in one of his trousers. Just holding the packet sent a thrill down Ryan's body. Would he ever get tired of smoking? He lit one of the cigarettes and took a long drag. By the time he let out the smoke through his mouth, he was already rewarded with a sense of relaxation. His phone rang. It was the person he called earlier."Sir, I checked the surveillance cameras around…"Ryan wanted to ask him what he found but he didn't. He waited for the person at the other end to spill out what he found."The three SUVs didn't drive past a kilometer before a bomb went off and killed everyone in the cars. By the time I got to the place, the bodies of everyone in the cars w
"These are the most stubborn tenants I've ever had," the man said. He continued walking toward the apartment complex, he didn't seem to have noticed Ryan.He stopped, noticing Ryan's car. A look of amazement was on the man's face."Did one of them buy a car?" The man asked."It could be the new tenant," one of the man's bodyguards said.The man turned to look at his bodyguards. "Did you just say a new tenant?""Yes, Sir. The vacant apartment was sold yesterday."The man nodded, when he turned back, Ryan was in front of him."Who are you?" The man asked, looking at Ryan from head to toe."My name is Ryan. I'm the guy who bought the vacant apartment." The man nodded, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "I don't know if you're aware of the tenants tax that you are required to pay as my tenant.""I don't think I understand what you're talkin
Ryan shook his head. "Bad.""Anyway, welcome to this great neighborhood. If there is anything you need, you can ask me. As long as it has to do with… um, requesting information about people.""Okay, Sir." Ryan bowed slightly as the man left.After the man had left and Ryan had closed the door, he pulled the blinds aside and looked out through the window. He could see the busy streets, posters and bills everywhere he looked. He took a deep breath and started arranging his things.His phone rang. He checked the caller ID. Landon."Buddy.""You stood me up yesterday," Landon said at the other end."Me? Stood…" he had totally forgotten that he was going to meet Landon before his experience with those SUV guys. "I'm really sorry.""No problem other than the fact that I'm on my way to Meet my boss after telling him to fuck off yesterday.""No need to go meet him. C
Ryan glanced around the store. The few artworks that he saw in the place were anything but appealing. Another disappointment."Sir?" The woman called.Ryan glanced at her and smiled. "Can I look around?" "Sure. After you." If Ryan ever had a thing for artworks, the ones he saw here destroyed it. "Did you find anything you love?" The woman asked after they had walked round the place.Ryan wanted to say looking around was a waste of time but he didn't say that, instead, he plastered a smile on his face and shrugged."Everything here doesn't look that bad. Are you the owner of this place?" "Yes, Sir.""You have a really great taste in artworks," Ryan said, hoping she wouldn't get the underlying meaning of what he just told her. She blushed. "Did you find something you love?" "Actually…" Ryan looked around, he pointed at a paint
The woman's eyes widened. She covered her mouth with her palm. "What did you just say?""Even I couldn't believe it myself. I just…" Ryan shrugged. "I was just told a piece of artwork here will change your life…." Ryan shut his eyes tightly. If he must do this, he might as well do it well. He allowed his lips to shiver."I see… red, blue…white… A lion...a young lad…" Ryan opened his eyes suddenly. The astonished look on the woman's face was enough to tell Ryan how much of a great actor he was. "Are you thinking of purchasing a piece of artwork that has a young boy gazing at a lion?" "Yes. Yes, Sir." She nodded her head vigorously."Buy it. It will yield you a fortune.""Actually, I…" The woman scratched her forehead. "Do you mind sitting while I get you a cup of coffee?""No need. I'm fasting." "Well, I have the exact piece of artwork you just described…
“I'm a very rare man. I really don't have a place I stay. I can be in Atlanta today and be in Finland in two days,” Ryan said. “But if you want to get in touch with me, I can give you the number of a friend.”“Won't it be better to have your number?”“I carry a phone around but I don't have a sim. It's too distracting.”“Oh…” the woman nodded. “Let me have the number then.”Ryan called one of his private numbers to her. Those ones he uses for secret business. If he had to call his real number to her, she might realize later on that he's really fake.“Thank you, Sir.”The woman helped Ryan to carry what he bought outside. Seeing that going with his GMC would make him easily traceable, Ryan boarded a cab. He waved at the woman before he got inside the cab. Even after he had entered the cab and the car had started driving, the woman still kept on bowing. Ryan didn't need anyone to tell
Behind the counter was the woman. It seemed she was the one who had greeted him because there was no one else in sight."Hello."Quickly, the woman walked over to Ryan. "Have your seat, Sir."Ryan looked around. He wanted to ask her if they were really not closed but figuring out that that might sound a bit rude, he smiled and sat down.The woman handed him a menu. "Anything you want, Sir."Ryan glanced through the menu. Other than pasta and fries, there was nothing on the list. Concealing his surprise, Ryan pointed at a number. The woman bowed slightly and left. Some seconds later, her husband came with a cup of water. "You'll be served soon," the man said after setting the cup down. "Okay.""And, thanks for visiting.""It's nothing. Are you… I was wondering if you were closed before I came in."Th