He emphasized the latter, hoping to sweeten the deal.
"How good for just a lawyer?" Matt probed, unwilling to commit without all the facts.
"It will keep you afloat," Ryan said, trying to subtly discourage him from that option, "and the rest depends on how well you perform."
"I will have to decline," Matt said, his voice softer, but resolute. "I am planning to start my own agency, though I admit it might be troublesome for now, given the hurdles." He was surprisingly open about his ambitions.
"How about this?" Ryan countered immediately, unwilling to let this asset slip away. "You come to work for me, and we make a clause in the contract where you can start your own agency down the line, whenver you are ready but you will still work as a consultant for me. But this will only happen if you agree to be my sparring partner." He tried to entice Matt into working for him, seeing the potential.
"I can't be always available," Matt explained, his expression turning serious. "I have a little side job that takes up a significant amount of my time, often unpredictably."
"We can deal with that," Ryan said without backing down, his determination firm. "But you have to inform the company beforehand in case you can't make it to our sessions. Flexibility is key."
Matt considered this for a long moment, a subtle shift in his aura indicating internal deliberation. Then, a slight smile touched his lips. "Sure, you got a deal. Should I call you boss from now on?" he asked, realizing that Ryan wouldn't take no for an answer, and perhaps, not entirely minding the prospect.
"Nah, technically I'm a minor," Ryan dismissed with a wave of his hand, "so I'm not legally your boss yet."
"So who am I working for, then?" Matt inquired.
"My Grandfather is the legal authority," Ryan explained. "I'll give you his contact. Just tell him I gave you the number. I'll inform him beforehand, and we can discuss your official contract when he comes to New York in a few days."
"Sure." Matt nodded, the deal sealed.
"By the way," Ryan asked as they both got up to go their separate ways, "where did you learn to fight like that?"
"Why do you wanna know?" Matt asked, not immediately answering his question, a playful glint in his tone.
"Well, why do you think I'm paying better for you to be my sparring partner?" Ryan countered with his own question, a mischievous glint in his eye.
Matt's smile widened. "So if my pay is better because of that," he mused, extending his hand for a handshake, "how much will I be paid if I am a lawyer, a sparring partner, and someone who introduces you to my teacher?"
"Then you won't have to worry about money for anything," Ryan answered, meeting his handshake with a firm grip. "For we will be best buddies from now on." The promise hung in the air, weighty and full of unforeseen possibilities.
Ryan POV
After the unexpected meeting and surprising negotiation with Matt Murdock, I returned home at about 4 p.m. that evening, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows across the city streets. My mind replayed the encounter.
He was a nice guy, surprisingly direct and sharp, and certainly a skilled fighter, judging by how swiftly and almost silently he knocked out those two men.
The ease with which he handled the situation, even with his blindness, was truly remarkable.
Now that he was working for me, I couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation. I was eager to see what else he had to offer, beyond his legal acumen and fighting prowess.
And a meeting with the person who taught him—that would be an incredibly welcomed incident, indeed. I had a feeling this connection could lead to much more than just a new employee.
As I entered my house, the familiar scent of my mom's cooking instantly greeted me, but it was quickly overshadowed by the enthusiastic greeting of my new little sister.
Sasha, her eyes bright with unbridled joy, launched herself at me the moment she saw me. I returned her exuberance by lifting her up, spinning her around, and letting her giggles fill the entryway. She was now officially Sasha Gray Angelo, her new surname a testament to her adoption.
Before becoming part of our family, her surname had been Gray, as she'd described, a small detail that felt significant. Growing up, she'd been mostly taken care of by her older sister, a situation that hinted at a difficult past, as her parents had reportedly spent most of their time outside the house in socialite events.
My heart ached a little for the childhood she must have endured; I didn't think her family circumstances had been pleasant at all.
In the evening, the whole family gathered for dinner, the usual lively chatter somewhat subdued by the unspoken anticipation. After the meal, it was finally time for 'The Talk.'
I could feel the weight of their collective gaze, the seriousness in the air. I was about to be put on the grill, asked to spill the beans on my recent, mysterious disappearances and the veiled references to a future they didn't yet understand.
Taking a deep breath, I looked at my parents, their expressions stern but tinged with concern. I made eye contact with my grandmother, Shanti, across the table, who gave me a firm, encouraging nod.
Once Sasha had been safely whisked away to bed, I began telling them my story. Not just the recent events, but from the very beginning—the true beginning, starting from their deaths in the future, the world's collapse, and my desperate journey back.
I told them almost everything, things even Grandma hadn't known about previously, despite her own ancient connections.
I recounted my time living with Grandpa and Grandma after the initial jump, the rigorous, often painful training under Great-Grandma, my solitary journey to the mythical Kailash mountain, and my intensive, transformative time in the hidden city of Kunlun.
I didn't hold back, describing the ancient traditions, the demanding masters, and the overwhelming power I'd felt there sleeping inside the city as if it were alive.