WHO AM I

THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM

Noah’s breath was shallow, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. He took a small step toward Renzo, his body tensing like a coiled spring. Lila could see the fire in his eyes, that need to protect her driving him to the edge. But Renzo didn’t flinch. He looked at Noah with a smug grin, as if the whole situation was amusing to him.

Zara’s gun glinted in the faint moonlight, but her fingers were relaxed on the trigger, almost taunting them. Lila’s mind raced, desperately trying to come up with a plan, something that could get them out of this nightmare.

“Okay, so what’s the deal?” Noah asked, his voice low but steady. “You’ve got us cornered. What do you want?”

Renzo raised an eyebrow, leaning casually against the warehouse wall. “Oh, it’s not about what I want, Noah. It’s about what you’re willing to give up.”

Lila’s heart pounded in her chest. “Give up what?”

Zara smiled, taking a step closer. “It’s simple, really. We have the power now, and you... well, you don’t.”

Noah’s jaw clenched tighter, but before he could respond, the air was pierced by the sound of someone clearing their throat. All heads turned toward the entrance, where Phillip casually strolled in, hands in his pockets, as if he hadn’t a care in the world.

“Am I late?” Phillip asked, his tone dripping with nonchalance.

Renzo’s smirk faltered for a split second. “Always the dramatic entrance, huh?”

Phillip ignored him and looked straight at Noah and Lila. “I told you to trust no one, didn’t I?”

“Some advice,” Noah muttered under his breath.

But Phillip’s arrival seemed to shift something in the air. Renzo’s playful arrogance dimmed just a little, and Zara’s eyes flickered with uncertainty. Phillip had always been an enigma—calculating, unreadable. He could easily be friend or foe depending on his mood, and no one knew what he was thinking at any given moment.

“Well, this is cozy,” Phillip said, eyeing Zara’s gun. “But let’s not be too hasty. I’m sure we can all leave here in one piece.”

Zara cocked an eyebrow. “And why would we do that?”

Phillip’s lips curled into a slow smile. “Because I know something you don’t.”

Renzo scoffed. “Oh please, spare us the theatrics. You’re bluffing.”

Phillip’s grin widened. “Am I?”

There was a beat of silence, heavy and thick. Then, in one swift motion, Phillip pulled out a sleek black phone from his jacket pocket and held it up. “See, here’s the thing. I have this little recording. You might recognize the voices on it. Might even be yours, Renzo, talking about a certain... illegal transaction.”

Renzo’s smirk dropped instantly. “You’re lying.”

Phillip shrugged, his expression calm. “Am I? Care to find out?”

Lila’s breath caught in her throat. Was Phillip actually on their side, or was this another twist in his game? She couldn’t tell, but right now, he seemed to be their only hope.

Zara, her face paling slightly, glanced at Renzo. “What is he talking about?”

Renzo didn’t answer, his eyes locked on Phillip with barely contained rage.

“Let’s make this simple,” Phillip continued, his voice almost too casual. “You two walk away now, and this little recording stays between us. No cops, no messy consequences.”

For a long, tense moment, no one moved. The weight of Phillip’s offer hung in the air, thick and suffocating. Renzo and Zara exchanged a look, their expressions unreadable.

Finally, Zara exhaled and lowered her gun. “Fine. But this isn’t over.”

Renzo, still glaring at Phillip, nodded reluctantly. “Yeah. We’ll be seeing you.”

With that, they turned and walked away, disappearing into the shadows of the docks. Phillip watched them go, a satisfied smirk tugging at his lips.

Lila let out a shaky breath, her legs feeling weak. “What just happened?”

Phillip turned to her, pocketing his phone. “I just saved your lives. You’re welcome.”

Noah frowned, crossing his arms. “And what do you get out of this?”

Phillip grinned. “Oh, I’ll let you figure that out.”