FNIA: Soul

Loyalty Is a Rare Thing Indeed

All attention was on the entrance. It was amazing the effect a single text could have on everyone when the night came to an end. For Mike, this would be the point where a huge wave of fatigue would hit him, truly marking the end of his shift. There was a comfort to it, knowing that he could soon rest.

However, he felt something else as he opened the door. He was sure something sudden related to his job was going to jump him again.

"-$5 million?" Those were the first words Mike heard when he walked out of the establishment.

He didn't know how long this conversation had been going on, but Charlie was clearly exasperated from it. "No, Dan."

"$7 million," the man referred to as Dan raised seven fingers as he made his offer. When Mike caught a glimpse at what appeared to be a blueish custom Armani suit, he knew that the man could likely pay the asking price.

But Charlie shook her head and groaned. "Stop raising the figures, Dan. You know they're not for sell."

"But the old man doesn't make much use of them anymore. Why not let a someone who sees their value take them off your hands?" Dan then looked over his shoulder. "Isn't that right, Lime?"

Standing behind Dan was a young woman wearing an equally expensive suit. A soft breeze passed by, almost as if the wind itself wanted to point out her medium-length, light chestnut hair.

"That's what you said." She didn't bother looking up from her tablet as she answered. She was so dis-interested that it could make a person laugh.

"Can you really argue with my best analyst, Charlie?"

"I don't have to argue, I just have to say four words: They're. Not. For. Sell." Charlie had four fingers raised once she was done, clearly mocking Dan.

"...$10."

"Please leave."

"Fine..."

As Dan turned to leave, he finally caught notice of Mike. His gaze was focused solely on his badge before planting his hand on Lime's shoulder.

"But you should know that I don't give up that easily, Charlie. You'll cave in one day. I know it."

Following his declaration, Lime finally looked up from her tablet. Here eyes were drawn to Mike and she silently gazed upon him as if attempting to understand the core of his being.

"Let's go, Lime."

With that, the two stepped into a lengthy limousine and left.

The moment the vehicle was out of sight, Charlie let out a tired sigh.

"You didn't have to come out here, Mike. I'm used to handling Dan," she assured him.

"I just wanted to be sure. You wanted me to 'make sure everything was in place' rather hastily."

"That's because Dan sometimes invites himself in without permission..."

It was then that Charlie motioned Mike to follow her inside. The moment they were in, she locked it back behind them just to be safe.

"If you don't mind me asking, who is this Dan person?"

Charlie simply raised her right index finger and in seconds, a vent cover hit the floor behind her. Spring-Bonnie hopped down from the opening, ready to express her annoyance.

"He's a super annoying slimeball that makes me feel like literal garbage," she fumed.

"You're referring to how his pitch includes usage?"