-What was really happening to John-
Few Days Ago...
John stepped off the plane into the thick, humid air of a foreign country. It wasn't the first time he'd been sent abroad on "business," but this time felt different. There was a tension in the air, something sinister that seemed to hang over him like a cloud. As he walked through the airport, his eyes darted to the unfamiliar faces moving past him.
He had barely slept on the flight. His mind had been racing with thoughts of Sarah and of the twisted web that Oliver had dragged him into. For weeks, he had been drowning in the manipulation, doing whatever was asked of him to keep Sarah safe,to keep her out of this mess. But now, as the realization of just how deep he was in began to settle, John couldn't shake the feeling that he was being set up for something worse.
As soon as he stepped through customs, a man in a black suit and dark sunglasses approached him. He had the cold, efficient look of someone who was used to being in control.
"You must be John," the man said, his voice flat and professional.
John nodded, trying to keep his expression neutral. "That's me."
The man said nothing further, simply motioning for John to follow him. Together, they walked through the airport, past the bustling crowds, until they reached a black sedan parked just outside. The windows were tinted, concealing whoever was waiting inside.
The man opened the door for John, and without hesitation, John stepped inside. As he slid into the backseat, his eyes quickly scanned the interior,and then landed on the figure sitting across from him.
The man was older, with graying hair slicked back, and a sharp, calculating gaze. He was dressed impeccably, wearing an expensive suit that seemed out of place in the dusty heat of the country. John recognized him immediately. He was one of the largest shareholders in Oliver's company, someone whose name carried significant weight.
"You must be John West," the man said, his voice low and smooth, but with an edge that made John's stomach twist. "I've heard a lot about you."
John nodded slowly, keeping his expression guarded. "And you are?"
The man smiled, though it didn't reach his eyes. "You can call me Victor. I'm sure Oliver has already briefed you on what's expected. Or do you need me to refresh your memory?"
John's stomach tightened. He hadn't been told exactly what this trip would entail, but he had a sinking feeling that whatever was about to happen, it wasn't going to be simple. He hadn't done this kind of work in years, but he knew enough to recognize when he was being thrown into something dangerous.
"I've been given the basics," John said carefully, his voice steady. "I'm here to do whatever needs to be done."
Victor's smile widened, a predatory gleam in his eyes. "Good. Because you're in deep now, West. There's no backing out."
John clenched his fists in his lap, his heart pounding in his chest. He knew he didn't have a choice,not with Oliver holding all the cards. But that didn't make this any easier.
Victor leaned forward slightly, his gaze sharp as he studied John's face. "You're familiar with the terms, yes?" he asked, his voice lowering. "Take them out, make it untraceable. No loose ends."
John's blood ran cold. He had heard those words before, back when he was younger, back when his life had been filled with dangerous deals and shady business. But it had been years since he'd done anything like this. Years since he'd promised himself he'd never go back to that life.
But now, here he was, sitting in the backseat of a car in a foreign country, being asked to do exactly what he had tried so hard to escape.
He forced himself to remain calm, to keep his voice steady. "And who's the target?"
Victor's smile thinned, his eyes gleaming with cold calculation. "There are several," he said, pulling out a folder and handing it to John. "Oliver has provided all the details. These individuals are… problematic for the company's future, let's say. Your job is to eliminate them quietly, efficiently, and without a trace."
John opened the folder, scanning the documents inside. His heart pounded as he saw the names, the photos, the addresses. These weren't just faceless targets,they were people, men and women with lives,but they were all up to no good.
He closed the folder, his hands shaking slightly as he handed it back to Victor. "And if I refuse?"
Victor chuckled, the sound low and menacing. "Refuse?" He shook his head slowly. "There's no refusing, John. You do this, or you don't go home. And neither does your wife."
The threat hung in the air, thick and suffocating. John clenched his jaw, his mind racing. He had been dragged into this mess for Sarah's sake, to protect her, but now it seemed like there was no way out. If he didn't follow through, they would both pay the price. But if he did… he would be crossing a line he had sworn never to cross again.
Victor leaned back, his gaze never leaving John's face. "I suggest you get started right away. The longer you wait, the more dangerous this becomes. For everyone involved."
John swallowed hard, his throat dry. He knew there was no way out of this,not without putting Sarah's life in jeopardy. But the thought of carrying out these orders, of going back to the life he had tried so hard to leave behind, made him sick.
Victor glanced at the driver, who started the car. "I'll be in touch," Victor said, his voice calm but laced with warning. "Don't make any mistakes, West."
The car pulled away from the airport, and John sat in silence, his mind swirling with a mixture of fear, guilt, and desperation. He had come to this country thinking it was just another job, another way to keep Oliver off his back. But now, he realized he was trapped in something much darker, something that could destroy everything he had left.
As the car drove through the unfamiliar streets, John stared out the window, his hands trembling slightly in his lap. He couldn't shake the feeling that his life was spiraling out of control,that no matter what he did, he was sinking deeper into a pit he might never escape.
And now, with these orders hanging over his head, the question that burned in his mind was simple.
Could he still save Sarah?