Adrian didn't sleep much that night. Not because of noise or anything. Just thoughts. His room was dead quiet, but his mind kept running like a mad engine. Lara's words from earlier echoed over and over.
"They're not who they say they are."
He didn't even fully understand what she meant, but the way she looked at him, serious, like she was scared, that stuck to him. It wasn't some office gossip or joke. It felt deep. And kinda dangerous.
He stared at the ceiling for a long time, hands behind his head. The fan turned slowly above him. Tick tick tick.
What was she trying to tell him? And why him? She barely knew him. Or did she know more than he thought?
By morning, Adrian looked like someone that lost a fight with a pillow. His eyes were tired, shirt wrinkled, and he even forgot to zip up his backpack. He left the house in a rush, skipping breakfast.
When he got to the office, everything looked normal. People were talking, printing papers, pressing keyboards like they always did. Lara wasn't at her desk.
He went straight to his floor and tried to act normal too. Just plug in and zone out. That was the plan. But around 10am, he got a message on his screen:
"Can we talk? Rooftop. L"
His heart jumped. The rooftop wasn't a normal meeting spot. Most people didn't even go up there. But he didn't waste time thinking, just grabbed his phone and took the stairs two steps at a time.
Lara was already there, standing close to the edge, phone in one hand, other arm folded. When she saw him, she gave a weak smile.
"You came," she said, voice low.
"Yeah... You okay?"
She looked around before answering. "I found something. I wasn't supposed to. But I did."
Adrian waited. She was shaking slightly, like she was cold but the sun was up strong.
"I was looking for some budget reports for Mr. Tayo. But the folder had something else. Files. About off shore accounts. And not like small money. Millions. All hidden."
Adrian blinked. "Are you sure it's not just private investment stuff?"
"No. There were names. Deals. Some of the people listed, I searched them up, they're not clean people. Some are on watchlists. I think this company's just a mask."
A long silence sat between them. Adrian didn't know what to say. This was bigger than both of them.
"Why are you telling me all this?" he asked finally.
She hesitated. "Because you're quiet. You don't talk much, but you notice things. And you're not one of them. I checked."
"You... checked me?"
"I had to. Before telling you this. I can't trust just anybody. They could be watching."
Adrian swallowed hard. The city sounds below felt far away now. Like they were on a different planet.
"What do you want me to do?"
"I need help getting those files out. Safely. I tried using the office system but I think they're watching me now. My laptop's been acting weird. My phone too."
Adrian looked at her. She wasn't joking. She was serious, scared, and for some crazy reason, she thought he could help.
"I'm not a hacker or anything," he said. "I just fix server bugs."
"That's enough. You're smarter than you act."
He scratched his head, nervous. "This sounds really bad, Lara."
"It is."
She took a step closer, eyes locking with his. "I don't know what'll happen. But I can't just shut up and pretend I didn't see what I saw. Can you help me?"
Adrian looked at her, really looked this time. She was shaking, but strong. Brave, even. He didn't feel brave. He felt like running, honestly. But something about the way she looked at him made him say the words before his brain could stop him.
"Okay. I'll help."
Her lips trembled slightly, then curved into a grateful smile. "Thank you, Adrian."
In that moment, something shifted. The city was
n't just noise and cars anymore. It had secrets. And now, so did they.