Breaking the Beast - Volatile Times Book 1

Respite 1 - Phantom

~~~

Bhushan wasn't quite sure what compelled him to agree to a coffee... no date wasn't the right word for it. He wasn't quite sure what the English word for an informal meeting would be as it was only his second language. But whatever it is, it's what he agreed to. He guessed it was his desire to learn what made the Beast tick. The fresh smell of coffee beans and pastries filled his nose as he entered the small shop.

"Hey, Lony!"

"Eyup Jimmy! You want your usual?"

"You bet!" Grabbing his hand, Jimmy pulled him over to the counter.

"Who's this guy?"

"Lony, this is Bhushan, an international business partner of mine."

"Ooh how professional! Really getting into the big leagues now huh?"

"Of course. My videos are getting more expensive so I'm looking into overseas investors to help fund the set design portion." Bhushan was impressed with how easily Jimmy could bullshit on the fly. He didn't really seem like the type to.

"Very well. If you screw him over, you'll feel the wrath of almost every citizen in Greenville and Winterville North Carolina." She told him with a smile. Her attempts to be intimidating were mediocre, to say the least. "Anyways, what can I get you?"

"Uh, just an iced coffee please."

"Oh come on, get something to eat. Savory or sweet?" Jimmy asked.

"Savory I guess?"

"Get him my savory usual. Special cream cheese."

"Alright, which one of you will be paying?"

"I will." They both stated in unison before meeting each other's gaze.

"Bhushan, lesson number one about Jimmy. If he insists on paying, he's paying. You can almost never get him out of it." Lony explained, almost exasperated.

"Jimmy I'll just pay for my own food-"

"Nope! You saved my ass earlier today, let me repay you." Lony shook her head as she took Jimmy's credit card.

"I swear, your selflessness will be the death of you MrBeast."

"Imagine the headlines! Top YouTuber MrBeast dies due to being too nice! It'll rock social media! There is no better way to grab the masses~!"

"Geez, you think about anything else?" Their banter continued as Lony made their orders and Bhushan couldn't help but feel a tad confused. Why would Jimmy be friends with her? There is really no benefit to knowing this lady. Unless he's actively seeking coffee deals, he doesn't understand why this connection is valuable. Once their orders were packed up, they went outside to a table. The streets weren't all that bustling, the occasional person heading down the sidewalk and a few cars zipping by. Still, though, a question lingered in his mind.

"How do you do this?"

"Do what?" Jimmy unpacked the bag with a Colombian pour-over coffee and a slice of cinnamon crumb cake.

"Sit outside like this!"

"...Like I put my ass on the chair and my feet on the ground?"

"No, I mean like feeling safe doing that. You're in the middle of the public eye! No bodyguards, barely any witnesses. And since you are a person of interest..."

"Bhushan, this is my home. I don't think anyone would kidnap me here. I got kidnapped at a sketchy Walmart in the dead of night, not at my local mom and pop coffee shop in the afternoon. Most parts of Greenville are very safe. This town has been my home for years, I have good judgment. Besides, did you ever grow up in a small town? Did you become part of a community like I did?"