The man watched as Cindy drove away, the sound of her car engine fading into the distance. His expression, which had been surprisingly warm and inviting during their meeting, gradually hardened. His eyes darkened, the hint of a smile slipping from his lips. He remained in place for a moment, staring down the road where Cindy had disappeared, lost in thought. His fingers toyed with the phone in his hand, spinning it between his fingers like it was a small object of no consequence.
As he stood there, a change came over him, a subtle shift that made the air around him feel heavier. He no longer appeared approachable or charming. Instead, there was something cold and unyielding about him, like a predator waiting to strike. His eyes, now steely, narrowed as he dialed a number on his phone. The seconds ticked by as the call connected, and he lifted the phone to his ear.
