The next episode will be out on 08/01/2024. Thank you so much for reading.
Overwhelmed by shame and guilt, Abby quickly stood up and ran out of Carlos's apartment. Carlos, still processing what had just happened, remained frozen on the couch for a few moments before springing into action to chase after her. By the time he reached the parking lot, all he could see was the tail end of the SUV Abby had arrived in, speeding out of the building's driveway. Defeated, Carlos returned to his apartment and tried reaching his friend Toby, wanting to share what had happened. However, after several unanswered calls, he gave up for the night. The following day, just after settling into his office, Carlos decided to seek out Toby. He knocked on Toby's office door and heard his friend's familiar voice from within, telling him to come in. As Carlos stepped in, Toby looked up from his desk. "Hey man, it's you. You don't need to knock." "Well, it's the normal courtesy and the right thing to do," Carlos replied as he sat down. Toby grinned, "What brings you to my humb
A few days later, Carlos navigated his car through New York's bustling highway, the cityscape a blur of lights against the deepening evening sky. The day's fatigue weighed on him, but his focus remained sharp as his dash screen lit up with an incoming call from Abby. He tapped to answer, his voice steady despite his exhaustion. "Hey, what's up?" "I'm good," Abby's voice chimed in. "What are you up to?" "Just wrapped up a long day at work and heading home," Carlos replied, his eyes scanning the road ahead. "How about you?" "Just chilling in my room," she said casually, then added, "I’m calling to let you know my friend in the Secret Service is ready to meet." Carlos's grip on the steering wheel tightened, a surge of adrenaline cutting through his fatigue. "Really? When?" he asked, his voice brimming with anticipation. "Tonight," Abby said, her tone matter of fact. A grin spread across Carlos's face. "That's fantastic. Where should we meet?" "I'll text you the location late
Toby then turned to Abby. "Yes, that's who he's saying he saw."Abby looked at Carlos, her brow furrowed. "Are you sure?"Carlos shook his head dismissively. "Nah, it’s probably just an hallucination. I must have imagined it before I passed out."Just then, the doctor attending to Carlos entered the room, making his way to Carlos's bedside after exchanging greetings with Abby, Toby, and Trevon. He addressed Carlos, "How are you feeling, sir?"Carlos coughed uncomfortably before replying, "Feeling great, sir."The doctor assessed Carlos's injuries, asking, "Do you feel pain anywhere else?"Carlos winced slightly. "My ribs hurt really bad."The doctor nodded. "That's normal, considering you sustained multiple fractures on the right side of your ribs. Any other pain?"Carlos shook his head. "Not really, apart from the cramps I feel all over my body. Doctor, when will I be able to leave?"The doctor reviewed Carlos's file. "Soon, Mr. Wilson. We just need to run a few more tests, so as to p
Arriving at their destination, Carlos gracefully opened the car door for Abby, his demeanor reflecting the gentleman he was. Abby stepped out, a smile of appreciation on her lips. “Thank you.” “The pleasure is mine,” Carlos replied warmly, offering her his arm as they made their way to the entrance of the five - star restaurant. As they entered, a polished staff member greeted them with enthusiasm. “Welcome to Q&W. We’re thrilled to have you.” Carlos nodded appreciatively. “We’re happy to be here.” With a courteous smile, the staff member led them to their reserved table. “This will be your seat. Your order will arrive shortly.” They settled into their seats just as another staff member approached with a tray of cocktails and treats. “Here are some appetizers to start. Your main course will be arriving soon.” Abby thanked the staff member, and they were left alone to enjoy their evening. The ambiance of the restaurant was elegant, with soft music and candlelit tables creating a r
As they lay tangled in the warmth of each other, Abby's phone continued to buzz incessantly with message notifications and calls. Carlos, his arms wrapped around her, broke the silence, his voice soft. “Are you sure you don’t want to check that? It might be important.”Abby shifted slightly, her voice barely above a whisper. “It’s probably my dad. He can’t just leave me be, not even for a single day.”Carlos furrowed his brow. “Given that he’d have expected you to come back home yesterday. I think it’s only natural for your phone to be buzzing with his calls and messages, you know”Abby pulled away slightly to face him, her expression wary. “Know what? Are you taking his side again?”Carlos shook his head. “No, I’m not.”Abby’s eyes narrowed. “Sounds like you are.”Carlos sighed deeply. “I wasn’t aware there were sides. But if there are, you can count on me to always be on your team.”Abby raised an eyebrow, her tone skeptical. “Really?”Carlos met her gaze. “Yes. Have I done something
Time crawled as Carlos sat alone on the couch, the weight of dread pressing down on him. Every second felt like a lifetime, each tick of the clock echoing in the silence. Then, finally, his phone buzzed beside him, shattering the stillness. He snatched it up, eyes scanning the screen— a W******p message from Tony. His pulse quickened."Just spoke to my guy. Can’t get a gun right now— he’s out of town. But he’ll be back in two days. Should I come over?"Carlos let out a shaky breath, tension rippling through him. His fingers moved quickly, typing a reply even as his mind raced. "No need, I’m fine. Thanks for checking. Just keep me updated— I need to get that gun ASAP." He hit send, but the words felt hollow.With a sharp exhale, Carlos flung the phone to the edge of the couch, not caring if it fell. His chest tightened, his heartbeat hammering in his ears. He pressed his palms to his forehead, running his fingers through his hair, trying to steady himself— but it wasn’t working. The wal
Several hours later, around 5:00 a.m., Carlos was jolted awake by the shrill sound of his phone alarm echoing through the dark alley. He blinked in confusion, disoriented as he wiped the drool that had collected on his chin, a reminder of the uncomfortable position he'd slept in. The damp chill of the under-bridge alley seeped into his bones, and he shivered slightly, rubbing his eyes as he muttered groggily, "Where am I?"For a moment, he was lost, his brain struggling to adjust to the stark difference between this cold, grimy alley and his cozy bedroom. Then, like a hammer blow, the events of the previous day slammed back into his mind. Edgar. The threats. The strange phone call. He had run here to hide, hoping to stay out of Edgar's reach. He stared at the old cracked walls around him, wondering how long he could keep this up. His mind raced back to the woman’s words from the call: "This is payback for what you've done."Carlos rubbed his temples. “What did I do?” he muttered. He ke
Carlos stared at the cracked pavement beneath him, feeling the cold reality of his situation sink in. Without a phone, without a way out, and with the threat of Snackhead looming over him, he knew he was running out of time.----------------------------------He felt the tension rise as the man’s warning echoed in his head. “You don’t wanna be here when they come back,” the man had said, looking at him with tired, knowing eyes. It wasn’t a suggestion.With a slight nod, Carlos gathered himself, standing up on shaky legs. His body ached, especially his head where they’d kicked him, but he knew he had no choice. He couldn’t stay there. The thought of those thugs returning— maybe with more numbers, maybe more violent— made his skin crawl."Thanks," he muttered, giving a faint nod to the man who had handed him the aspirin. The man just grunted, already turning back to his own spot on the street. There was nothing more to say.Carlos tightened his grip on his nearly empty backpack and made