Chapter 6: Chapter 6

The phone began to ring quietly. Stephen leaned back, phone in hand, and cast a glance across. It's a message from Jack.

[Are you going to have a drink?] Jack

[OK,] Stephen typed fast.

Then he stood up, took his vehicle keys off the desk, and rapidly exited the office.

The black SUV went directly to the "Sun" bar. By this time, it had started to rain. Maybe that's why the bar wasn't full of people. Music is gentle.

Stephen went to a sitting position, sat down, legs crossed, looking at Jack.

"What are you staring at me for?" Jack chuckled, then leaned back, took up the wine glass, swayed in front of him, and said.

"Have you been upset by anything lately?" Stephen inquired as he poured a glass of wine.

"I see you're the one who's irritated." "Look, this look says you're not alright," Jack said as he raised his glass of wine, took a sip, and pointed at Stephen.

Stephen's motions came to a halt, and he lifted his eyes and peered at him. "It's unusual for you to go out like this," Jack mocked. “Look at how the button on your shirt isn't even fastened yet."

Stephen lowered his head, then undone the last two buttons on his shirt. He stopped, then yanked back, fell backwards, and kicked Jack.

"Would you mind telling me what you saw?"

Jack lit a cigarette and scorched his brows nearly entirely due to this stone. He quickly drew back, grinned, and added, " "You're not doing well at all. Tell me, is it for Andrea's sake or something else?"

Stephen remained silent. He grabbed the lighter and just turned it up and down. A remix song was playing on the dance floor at the moment.

His tinkering with lighters came to a halt as well, and he turned his head to glance around.

A woman in a seductive gown is dancing. Her luscious breasts swayed with each movement as the girl bowed and stood up. Then she bounced back, arching her waist in this direction, her eyes falling on Stephen's face.

The lights were dark, and his eyes were emotionless, yet he noticed the rose tattoo on the girl's shoulder. It appears to be extremely familiar.

Stephen shook his head, trying to recall facts about the tattoo from his recollection. But, for a little while, he was unable to recall anything. He drank another two glasses of wine.

At this point, someone entered the room wearing a cap and a black shirt, then removed the cap, revealing Brian's face. He sat behind Stephen, two tables to the left of their table, and ordered a drink before picking up the phone and leaning against the armrest to make a call.

Stephen indicated for Jack to keep silent as he gazed at him. They didn't say anything and simply drank while listening to Brian's table.

Brian slumped on the armrest, one side waiting for wine, the other for someone. The music gradually grew unbearable. Outside the door, there are always people. Brian abruptly raised his hand. Stephen lit a cigarette and gazed around, his eyes going chilly.

A man in a black T-shirt with an anchor tattoo on his left arm and a star tattoo on his right wrist, unkempt hair, and dark glasses approached Brian's desk and sat.

A glass of wine is given to the table. "You still haven't paid me in full," the man said hoarsely as he picked up the wine glass and took a sip.

"You have absolutely no patience." Brian grinned, reaching beneath the table with his left hand and taking out a silver-white suitcase. “Here it is, without a dime.”

The luggage was promptly opened, and within were carefully placed stacks of money. The man grinned and took up his glass of wine before turning to Brian and said, "You're extremely charming."

Brian also moved the wine glass closer to him.

Chak.

The wine glass was firmly placed on the table.

"What about the task I gave you?" Brian asked the other man again, monotonously.

"That man?" After the loss of his fiancée, he liked to hang out at an ancient house located in the suburbs," the man continues, pouring another glass of wine.

"Is it far away?" Brian inquired.

"It's around 20 kilometers. It was a very ancient mansion, which he had apparently only lately purchased. However, there is one really unusual thing."

"Is that strange?"

"Obviously, it's just an old mansion, and he's generally there at night, but he's well-guarded. They're armed with pistols, GPS devices, and cameras, and they're led by a lady named Ann."

"Who exactly is she?"

"One of his closest confidantes."

"Are we able to bribe her?"

"I'm not certain. Everything about her is a well guarded secret. At the police station, her profile is not completely advertised. I attempted to break into their system but was unsuccessful."

Another gulp of wine slipped down his throat, and the man went on,

"But... you don't know anything about Ann?"

Brian shook his head, grabbed for his glass of wine, sipped it, and gently replied,

"No. Andrea never brought up the subject of that woman. Mark, keep an eye on that mansion. I'm curious as to what Stephen is concealing there. Will it be a crucial document in the future?"

"Okay. So long as you pay on time." The man took up a stack of cash, held it up to his nose, smelt it, and smiled wickedly.

"There's no reason to be concerned. I can look after you for the rest of my life."

Brian aimed his index finger towards the man, his back slightly stoopid. They leaned in close together. Brian muttered,

"And please don't tell anyone that Andrea's death had anything to do with us."

"Sure."

The man stood up, fixed his spectacles, and picked up his suitcase after saying that. His right hand was crowded, with only the index and middle fingers touching his forehead in a farewell gesture. The corner of his lips curved slightly upward, toward the exit.

"And don't forget the woman named Ann," Brian urged as he followed.

The man pondered for a while, nodded, and then walked away. Brian took a drink of his wine while watching him. His expression was jubilant.

For a few seconds, they are silent.

Then Jack sends Stephen a message.

[Hey, what's the story between them?] Jack says. [What is Andrea's connection to Brian?]

Stephen's hand is holding a glass of wine, and despite reading Jack's message and peering into the area in front of him, he does not move. He took another drink of wine while clutching the wine glass hard.

[What are you going to do?] Jack

Stephen ponders for a moment before composing a text to respond to Jack.

[I have to return to the mansion immediately,] Stephen.

[I'll go with you.] Jack

[No need, you stay and pay.] Stephen

Stephen rose up and slipped into the crowd once the message was delivered and exits through the side entrance.