Truth unveiled

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"Hey, J," Aleksey greeted as we stepped into the bar, the air thick with the scent of coffee and the low hum of conversation.

"Hey, you two. You look oddly... closer than the last time I saw you," Jason observed, his gaze flicking between Aleksey and me, our fingers intertwined. "What can I get you?"

"Well, be a bit gentle this time, Jason. I remember that redheaded whirlwind you served me the first time I was here." The memory bubbled up unexpectedly, a strange nostalgia mingled with embarrassment.

"Oh, shit. In my defense, you gave me carte blanche, and that's what the ladies drink on a Saturday night," he replied, a hint of sheepishness coloring his cheeks. "Also, it's my favorite drink."

"Just coffee for me, please," Aleksey said, settling onto a bar stool, his demeanor shifting to something more introspective. "Same for me, J," I added, sliding next to him.

"So I couldn't make it last night–something came up–but did you talk about anything?" Jason asked, glancing between us. Aleksey lowered his gaze, the weight of unspoken thoughts hanging heavy in the air.

"We agreed that Aleksey will tell me everything eventually. We're just taking it slow; it's overwhelming," I explained, hoping to bridge the silence.

"Jason's a big part of everything, so we both should do the talking," Aleksey said, finally meeting Jason's eyes.

"What, you want to do it now?" Jason asked, clearly bewildered.

"I'm not really sure when's best to say any of this, man. It's fucked up, and I don't know where to start. Is now the right time? Probably not. She might not believe a word I say or laugh in my face, or she might get scared and leave," Aleksey said, his focus drifting, seemingly lost in his own thoughts.

"Can you not talk like I'm not sitting right here? I want to know everything. I don't care how fucked up it is. I need to know the truth," I interjected, my frustration bubbling over.

Jason shot a glance at Aleksey, who blinked slowly, a silent cue exchanged between them, reminiscent of last night when Aleksey had hesitated to open up. Jason took a deep breath, steeling himself as he turned toward the coffee shop's patrons.

"Excuse me, everyone," Jason announced, his voice cutting through the chatter. "I'm really sorry for the inconvenience, but we need to close the shop for the day. We have some urgent matters to attend to, and it's best if everyone goes home."

Surprised murmurs rippled through the customers, their expressions shifting from curiosity to concern.

"I apologize for the short notice," he continued, his tone smooth yet firm. "We appreciate your understanding and cooperation. Please make sure to take all your belongings with you."

With a practiced smile, he watched as the customers gathered their things and made their way to the exit. He lingered at the door, thanking the last of them as they filed out.

"Alright, looks like we're all set," Jason said, a mix of relief and determination threading through his voice. He retrieved the keys from behind the counter, walking over to lock the door.

The soft click echoed in the empty shop, amplifying the gravity of the moment. "That should do it," he said, turning back to us. "Now we have all the privacy we need. Let's get down to it."

Aleksey shifted in his seat, his expression growing serious. "Is there any question you want to ask us?"

The question that had lingered in the shadows of my mind finally slipped free. "Who the hell are you?" The words hung in the air, taut with anticipation, echoing the urgency of the truth I so desperately sought.

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