The Hacker

"Thank you for trusting me," (9)

Micah straightened his suit jacket for the fifth time since waiting for his father to arrive. His father.

The words left a bitter taste in his mouth. In life, there were just some things that could not be fixed and people should move on from it but he knew Brynne wouldn't rest until he had closure. He couldn't blame her though, she's had a great relationship with her father all her life and it was important to her that they try to resolve their own parental issues.

—still, it was hard for him to think about his parents. The emotional damage that was inflicted was enough to make him stay away for more than ten years.

The waitress stopped by for the third time to ask him if he needed anything. He quickly glanced his watch and realized that his father was almost an hour late.

"Fucking great," he murmured before paying for his coffee and standing to leave.

Just as he was leaving the lounge area of the hotel, he saw the devil himself walking towards him with a young man beside him. Jared still looked the same to him... the only difference was the now-salt-and-pepper hair and the slightly-sagging skin around his neck.

"Look at my son," Jared grinned as he came closer. "Time has been good to you my boy,"

Micah remained stone-faced as the young man extended his hand out to him. "It's great to finally meet you. I'm Jordan,"

Skeptical, Micah looked between the two before gingerly shaking his hand. Was it him or did they sort of look alike? He wasn't sure...

"Shall we eat?" Jared gestured towards the lounge. "I have a table reserved,"

Micah rolled his eyes. Of course he reserved a table. Anything to one-up himself over Micah.

"I can't stay long so please let's get to the point," Micah made sure to say as they approached the table for the three of them.

"What's the rush?" Jared asked.

"I have a company to run,"

"Actually, isn't your company under the control of the FBI?" Jordan asked as they sat. "That must be bad for business,"

Micah slightly scowled at him. He saw right through this guy and not a second later. He was a kiss ass— Jared's little messenger and investigator.

"The FBI is only interested in one department of my firm. Don't get it twisted,"

"Tell me about your firm. I've heard great things and I'm so proud of you, son," Jared placed his elbows on the table and rested his chin in his hands.

What the fuck was going on? Micah thought to himself. Was this some sort of set up?

"I'm sure you know all about it already. You're a resourceful man,"

"I see that's a touchy subject, tell me about Brynne instead. She's absolutely lovely," Jared said.

"Can we get to the point? I have meetings to attend."

"Look, Micah. I know this seems like a waste of time but I'm trying my best here. I've been reaching out to you for years now and you've ignored me. Why?"

"Why?" Micah scowled. "Do you have amnesia? Or do choose not to remember?"

"Son—"

"No, I'm not your son. What you did to me... how you treated me after my mother left— I didn't deserve any of that. I was a child in need of the only parent I had left,"

Jared sighed before leaning back in his chair. "I want to explain everything to you if you'd allow me. I am not the same man I was all those years ago. I've been through a lot since then and I've been battling this cancer for a while now but it's more aggressive than I thought. Please Micah. Give me a chance,"