Tyler’s pov
I’m stunned by the revelation. “How is that possible? Didn’t he say the other time that there were five apartments left?”
“Yeah, right?” Jake replies, clearly still trying to wrap his head around it. “But apparently, the owner knew the buyer personally, so he couldn’t do anything about it.”
It isn’t really a big deal as we can get an apartment closer to it. Anyway, it is just to be closer to Sophia. But for some reason, i can’t help the feeling I get that Alexander has something to do with this.
How is it that it is when we want to get the apartment, that all five of them have been bought, and it was by one person. Not to mention, those apartments are not in a sequence, so it can’t be to open an office.
“It’s Alexander,” I tell Jake, and he looks at me with wide eyes.
“Him?”
I nodded. “He is out to boycott us.” I pause for a moment to think before telling him, “Did he not mention any other nearby apartments that are close to her?”
Jake nodded as though a lightbulb just lit up in his head. “Yes, he did. He said there’s another building right next to it that’s still available. It’s from the same developer, and the apartments there are just as good.”
I nod, considering the new option. “Well, that’s fortunate. Tell him we’ll pay for that right away.”
He nods and proceeds to text the man. I return my attention to the game to see that I lost, and I drop the pad, suddenly feeling out of sorts.
Suddenly, Jake suddenly exclaims, glancing at his watch, “Oh no, Tyler, it’s six o’clock! We need to get ready for our meeting. The driver will be picking us up in an hour!”
I realize I lost track of time during our gaming session, and I quickly replied, “You’re right. I already had my bath a while ago, so I just need to dress up.”
Jake playfully fruits at me for not reminding him, “Ugh, Tyler, you should have told me! I need to freshen up, too. I’ll be right back.”
He rushes off to the bathroom, leaving me to prepare for our outing. I quickly put on a smart casual outfit, ready for whatever the meeting entails. Jake soon returns, looking fresh and ready to go.
Then we step out of our apartment, heading to the station where the driver will be waiting for us. It is an old alley which is very inconspicuous so it will be easier for us to disappear without attracting any attention. The evening air is cool, and the city buzzes with life as we make our way through the streets.
As we approach the alley, we spot the inconspicuous car parked there, just as it always is during our closed-door meetings. To an outsider, it looks like any other ordinary car, but Jake and I know better. Inside, it’s a whole different story. The windows are completely tinted, and there’s a divider separating us from the driver. We have no idea who’s behind the wheel, and that’s by design.
We’ve been to these secret meetings three times before, and each time, the car and its setup remain the same. The screens are pitch black, preventing us from seeing where we’re heading. It’s all part of the tactic to avoid betrayal. If any of us were caught or interrogated, we wouldn’t have any information to reveal about the other members.
As we step inside the car, it’s like entering a world of shadows. The only sounds are the faint hum of the engine and the muffled street noise from outside. Jake and I exchange glances, and even though we can’t see each other’s faces clearly, we don’t worry anyway as it is only a few minutes ride.
As we ride, Jake and I sit in silence, lost in our thoughts. The tinted windows prevent us from seeing anything outside, leaving us to rely solely on our other senses. Finally, after what feels like an eternity, the car comes to a smooth stop.
The door opens automatically, and we step out into the cool night air. The mansion looms before us, an architectural marvel that looks like it belongs in a fairy tale. Its grandeur and scale are awe-inspiring, and I can’t help but feel like we’ve stepped into another world entirely.
The housekeeper, a poised and elegant woman, greets us warmly at the entrance. She hands us masks to wear, a routine part of our meetings to maintain anonymity, and leads us through the opulent hallway. The mansion’s interior is as stunning as its exterior, adorned with intricate designs and lavish decorations.
As we walk, I can’t shake the feeling of being in the presence of someone incredibly wealthy and powerful. This person, the leader of our organization, has resources beyond my wildest imagination. It makes me wonder why such a person is concerned about potential betrayal. We’re not criminals; we’re just werewolf hunters, protecting the city from supernatural threats.
The housekeeper ushers us into the meeting room, a dimly lit space with a large table at the center. Surrounding the table are other members of our organization, all wearing masks like us. I recognize a few familiar faces, but most remain anonymous to me. The leader, too, is concealed behind a mask, their identity hidden even from the most trusted members.
“It seems everyone is here now. Shall we begin?” The leader asks the moment we enter and take our seats.