Edrick made his way through the busy evening streets, his mind turning over the details Oliver had shared with him earlier. A dinner invitation wasn’t unusual in his line of work, but when Oliver mentioned who he would be meeting tonight, Edrick had found himself... intrigued.
He wasn’t someone who often requested meetings, let alone dinners, and it had piqued Edrick’s curiosity enough to agree.
Edrick straightened his jacket, feeling the smooth fabric under his fingertips as he glanced up at the impressive building. The place screamed wealth and exclusivity, and its name showed it was for the elite. Edrick wasn’t particularly moved by it—he had been to countless places like this.
He stepped through the grand entrance and a well-dressed hostess greeted him with a polite smile. "Good evening, sir. Do you have a reservation?" she asked smoothly.
"Edrick," he replied, his voice calm. "I believe there’s a reservation under Edrick Pierce name."
The hostess gave a small nod as she glanced at her list, quickly finding the name. "Yes, of course, Mr. Pierce. Right this way, please."
She gestured for him to follow, and he did, he took in the fancy surroundings as they walked through the restaurant. The air was filled with gentle conversation, the clink of expensive cutlery on fine china, and the faint aroma of gourmet dishes being prepared in the open kitchen. Edrick hardly noticed any of it. His mind was already turning over the possibilities of why he would want to meet him.
The hostess led him further back, toward a section of the restaurant that was more private, secluded from the main dining area. When they arrived at the door to the VVIP room, she stopped and turned to him with a polite smile.
"Your party is inside, sir. Enjoy your evening," she said before excusing herself.
Edrick gave a quick nod, watching her leave before turning to the door. His hand rested on the handle for a moment, and he took a deep breath to steady himself. He wasn’t nervous, just... curious. With a subtle push, he entered the room.
The atmosphere in the VVIP room was quieter, more intimate. At the far end of the table sat a man, his back facing Edrick, the posture unmistakable. Even before Edrick moved closer, he knew who it was. He had a noticeable aura that was hard to miss.
Edrick’s shoes made a soft sound against the floor as he approached, his eyes narrowing slightly as he took in the scene. He sat with an air of ease, his body relaxed but still commanding. It was clear he had been waiting for Edrick’s arrival.
Edrick stopped a few steps from the table and cleared his throat. "Gerald," he greeted, his voice was smooth, but there was a hint of sharpness, born of curiosity rather than caution.
Gerald turned at the sound of his name, his eyes meeting Edrick’s with that same calculating expression he always wore. His sharp features softened slightly into a smile, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes.
"Edrick," Gerald greeted in return, his voice smooth, almost too casual. "Glad you could make it."
Edrick stepped forward, pulling out the chair opposite Gerald and settling into it. He leaned back, his posture relaxed but his gaze sharp. He could feel the tension hanging in the air between them, though neither of them seemed in any hurry to break the silence.
"I have to say, I wasn’t expecting a dinner invitation from you of all people," Edrick said, raising an eyebrow as he met Gerald’s gaze head-on. He kept his tone light, but it seemed like he was hinting at something.
As Edrick waited for Gerald to continue, his mind wandered briefly, trying to piece together the motives behind this meeting. Aside from their professional connections—both of them circling the same high-powered industry for years—he knew that Gerald was also a close friend of Mason. That fact alone intrigued him even more.
Gerald chuckled softly, though it was more of a dry sound than one of amusement. He leaned forward slightly, resting his forearms on the table, his fingers pressed together as he regarded Edrick with a thoughtful expression. "I like to keep people on their toes," he said with a faint smile. "Keeps things interesting."
Edrick didn’t respond immediately, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied Gerald’s face. There was something different about him tonight, something more serious than usual, but it wasn’t immediately clear what it was. Whatever had prompted this meeting, it wasn’t something trivial.
"So," Edrick began, leaning forward slightly as well, his hands resting on the edge of the table. "What’s this all about? This doesn’t exactly feel like a typical business meeting," he said it casually, but his voice carried a hint of suspicion.
Gerald’s smile faded just a little, though the sharp, calculating look in his eyes didn’t falter. He reached for the glass of wine in front of him, taking a slow sip before setting it down again. For a moment, he said nothing, his gaze drifting to the side as if considering how to respond.
Gerald raised an eyebrow, his lips curling slightly at the corner. "You’re sharp as always, Edrick," he replied, leaning back in his seat as well, one hand lazily resting on his wine glass. "No, this isn’t strictly business—at least, not in the usual sense."
Edrick’s brow furrowed slightly, his interest piqued even further. Gerald wasn’t the type to be vague, but whatever this was, it was obviously something that needed to be handled carefully. Edrick’s mind raced through the possibilities, but before he could speak again, Gerald continued.
"I have a proposition for you, Edrick," Gerald said, each word measured and deliberate.
Gerald leaned forward, his previously casual demeanor shifting into something far more serious. The smile had faded from his lips, replaced by a sharp, calculating look in his eyes. He lowered his voice, making the space between them feel more personal.
"And I’m confident you’re going to like it. A lot."