I shouldn’t care. Shouldn’t let my curiosity get the better of me.
And yet…
I move across the room, careful to keep my steps light, and press my ear against the door.
Normally, Mark’s clients come up to his office. They walk in, close the door, and discuss whatever financial matters brought them in. But this time, something’s different.
They’re talking downstairs.
Maybe I should just sit down, rock in Gran’s chair like I planned, and ignore whatever business Mark is dealing with. Pretend it doesn’t bother me that I’ve been shoved into silence, like I’m an afterthought.
Except… I don’t.
I crack the door open—just an inch. Just enough to hear the conversation.
Mark’s voice is easy to recognize, smooth and polished—the one he uses when he wants to sound impressive, professional, in control.
But the other voice?
It’s not a client’s voice. Not the usual buttoned-up, nervous professional looking for financial advice or investment strategies. No, this one is different. Rougher. Lower. Sharper. The kind of voice that doesn’t ask—it demands.
A frown tugs at my brow.
Is Mark in trouble?
I shift closer, trying to make out their words.
“…not part of the deal.”
Mark.
The other man’s response is quieter, but there’s sharpness to it, something that makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. “You don’t get to decide that.”
A heavy silence.
Then Mark speaks again, tension barely concealed beneath his tone.
“You’ve got what you came for. That should be enough.”
A short, humorless laugh.
“You really think that’s how this works?”
My pulse picks up. This isn’t just another business transaction. That unknown man isn’t some pissed-off client—he’s threatening Mark.
But… Mark was expecting this, right? He told me to stay put, not to interrupt when the man arrived.
So what the hell is going on?
Mark exhales sharply.
“Fine. Let’s talk about this outside.”
The other man doesn’t respond right away, but I hear the unmistakable sound of footsteps—Mark’s, heading toward the door. A pause. Then, after a beat, the deeper voice speaks again.
“Be careful. Someone might think you’re trying to hide something, Dilano.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Mark says. “I just don’t want your grimy boots all over my house.”
