What If...? Rumlow Turned Against Hydra: Book One

15

Music mixed with the sounds of conversation, irregular clinking of expensive crystal glassware, the metallic scrapes of silverware on priceless plates covered in precious metals. It was no different than what any expensive restaurant would sound like, catering to the wealthy and powerful in any city. The restaurant in question, however, was more than simply expensive, it was the most expensive, exclusive restaurant in Madripoor. Occupying an entire floor in the tallest of the buildings in Hightown, with a sweeping view of the ocean, it was a place where either one was on the list and could come and go as they pleased, or they were invited by certain people as a guest. There was no waiting list, no way to book a reservation if one's name was not on the list. Achieving a place on the coveted list was what every wealthy and influential person who lived in or frequented Madripoor craved. It was a place to enjoy the finest food of a dozen different cuisines, with chefs whose talents were renowned taking turns in creating the menus. It was also a place to conduct business, create contacts with other wealthy people and increase the profits of their companies or individual endeavors.

Robert Drenim, the public face of the Winter Soldier's organization in Hightown, had a table to himself at all times. If he did not go to the restaurant his table remained empty. He did not always go to the restaurant, he had other ways of conducting business, but he enjoyed the place, the deceptively casual feel of meetings there, and the fact that he owned not only the restaurant but the entire building. Technically the organization owned everything of course, but his name was the one on the deed, for the purposes of public relations. A man born in Lowtown, the area physically lower in places than Hightown, where the poor, the desperate and the street gangs made their home. He was someone who had managed to use his natural abilities as a conman, sweet talking anyone and everyone first for money to leave Lowtown, then to establish himself in Hightown. The Winter Soldier recruited him when his previous Hightown representative had retired, giving Drenim a new place, where he found he was not really a conman any longer; he was a full-fledged businessman. He used his natural abilities: the charm, wit and seductive good looks to rub elbows with the rich and powerful, creating more and more avenues for the wealth and influence of the organization to grow beyond anyone's imagination.

The sunset that evening had been spectacular, through the restaurant's windows that faced the ocean. Drenim slowly ate a small appetizer plate as he watched the stunning reds, yellows and oranges of the waning sunlight fade into the cooler tones of blue, purple and eventually a dusky grey. Once the sun had set, his guest had arrived, a man in his late middle age, wearing an impeccably tailored tuxedo, his cufflinks alone worth more than most people in the city of Madripoor could make in a year, unless those people worked for the Winter Soldier. Drenim ordered a bottle of wine the man was known to favor, as both ordered a lavish meal, the soft lights inside contrasting with the deepening darkness outside the massive floor to ceiling windows.

"There are some interesting rumors, Robert," the man, Michael Wainwright, commented as he poured himself another glass of wine. He smiled appreciatively at the taste.

"There definitely are," Drenim responded with his best smile. "Should I pretend I don't know which ones are currently circulating and have you draw the information out of me?"

Wainwright laughed quietly. "Your talents are - as always - impressive. I have no interest in men in that way, as you know, and yet, you can tempt even me."
"Never know until you try everything, Michael. I refuse to deny myself any pleasure simply based on gender."

"My pleasures are different, and usually tied to how much money I can make. I've never regretted coming to the organization for a business deal, we have managed to make hundreds of millions of dollars with this partnership." He paused, smiling. "You accepted my invitation for a meeting here very quickly, almost as if you were expecting it. Or perhaps the Winter Soldier was?"