Feeling a sense of urgency, Surya hurried down the corridor in pursuit of the doctor, his heart pounding with apprehension.
Catching up with her, he wasted no time in voicing his query, the urgency of his mother's condition pressing upon him.
"Doctor, when will the operation be performed?" he asked, his words tinged with a mixture of anxiety and determination.
The doctor, ever composed, offered a reassuring response, her words carrying the weight of expertise and assurance.
"Tomorrow evening, and make sure to completely pay the bill before the commencement of the operation," she replied, her tone firm yet compassionate.
Surya nodded in acknowledgment.
"Okay, Doctor," he affirmed, gratitude mingling with his apprehension.
The doctor, sensing his inner turmoil, offered words of encouragement, a beacon of hope amidst the uncertainty that enveloped him.
"Don't worry, I will make sure that your mother will become fit after the operation, and you work hard, okay?" she reassured him, her words imbued with a sense of unwavering support.
Surya nodded, his gratitude palpable.
As he turned to leave, his phone rang once more, his sister's voice echoing through the receiver,
"Why did you hang up my call? Are you in the middle of something important?"
Surya realised that the call had been disconnected earlier. Hastily, he assured her, "Yes, I will call you later."
His sister's understanding response offered a glimmer of solace amid the chaos that surrounded him.
With caution gripping his every move, Surya sought refuge on the hospital's terrace, ensuring no prying ears could intercept his conversation.
With trembling fingers, he dialed the number he had seen in the enigmatic message, his heart pounding with anticipation as the phone rang.
Finally, a voice answered on the other end of the line, declaring, "Hello, this is Athene speaking. I hope you trust me now."
A shiver ran down Surya's spine as he registered the words. However, something felt off—the voice that greeted him was different, altered in a way that sent a chill of unease through him.
It was not the familiar tone he had come to expect, but a modified version created by some software that left him questioning the true intentions of the speaker.
"Yes, but what exactly do you mean by saying I have to become your face?" Surya questioned, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
The person on the other end of the line paused before responding, "I mean you will be known as Athene in the underworld."
A wave of doubt washed over Surya as he processed the implications of this unexpected proposition. "Why me?" he pressed, his curiosity outweighing his apprehension.
"What's the reason behind this, and why choose me?"
The person's reply was measured, hinting at a complexity beneath the surface. "The main reason is my desire to remain hidden from the world," came the response.
"You will assume my identity and handle all necessary business dealings requiring my presence. As for selecting you, there are several reasons, but perhaps most notably, you are a professional stuntman in action movies."
"I have observed your work meticulously, and I have concluded that you are the only individual suitable to be my face or body, whichever you prefer," the voice continued, its tone calculated yet persuasive.
"Once again, I assure you there's no need for fear. Your family's safety is paramount, and I guarantee no harm will come to them."
"However, there is one condition: absolute secrecy. This deal must remain strictly between us. If you dare to divulge our arrangement to anyone, even with your own family, the consequences will be dire."
"Your family will be the first one to suffer. I trust you comprehend the gravity of this stipulation."
"It's a proposition that promises mutual benefit," the voice persisted.
"Take your time to weigh the options, but bear in mind, the gesture of trust I've extended to you today was merely a token."
"Once you agree to our arrangement, your debts will be settled gradually. So, consider your decision carefully. You have two hours to think."
"After that, expect further instructions from me. Also remember one thing, once you accept, there's no turning back."
With those final words, the line went silent, leaving Surya to grapple with the weight of the decision before him, knowing that the path he chose would irrevocably alter the course of his life.
As Surya grappled with the weight of Athene's offer, his mind became a battleground of conflicting thoughts and emotions.
The years spent toiling as a stuntman in the movies had left him disillusioned, a mere puppet at the mercy of directors' commands.
Despite his dedication, recognition had remained elusive, leaving him feeling trapped in a cycle of unfulfilled promises.
Now, faced with the prospect of a life-altering decision, Surya found himself torn between the allure of financial relief and the ominous shadow cast by the underworld.
The assurance of his family's safety, even in the event of his demise, tugged at his heartstrings, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the uncertainty.
Yet, lingering beneath the surface was the ever-present specter of danger, a reminder that the path he was considering was fraught with peril.
How could he trust in assurances of protection from a faceless stranger, knowing all too well the treacherous nature of the world in which they operate?
The promise of liberation from his debts beckoned tantalizingly, a beacon of hope in an otherwise bleak landscape.
But alongside it loomed the specter of moral compromise, the knowledge that by accepting Athene's offer, he would be forever bound to a life of secrecy and deception.
As the minutes ticked by, Surya found himself at a crossroads, grappling with the weight of his decision.
Would he seize the opportunity for a fresh start, or would he heed the warning bells that rang in the recesses of his mind?
Only time would tell as he wrestled with the choice that lay before him, his future hanging in the balance.
.
.
Arjun recognized the opportunity presented by the deal with 'The Shadow Cartel', but he also understood the risks involved in directly involving himself.
To mitigate these risks, he decided to enlist with the help of AI in identifying suitable candidates who could act as his proxy in this venture.
His instructions to AI were clear: find individuals who not only had the necessary skills but also demonstrated reliability and trustworthiness.
AI began its search, meticulously analyzing potential candidates based on their backgrounds, skills, and past behaviors.
After a thorough evaluation, it presented Arjun with a list of candidates who met the criteria he specified.
Among them were individuals with diverse experiences, including those with prior involvement in the underworld.
Arjun carefully reviewed the candidates selected by AI, weighing their strengths and potential risks.
While the candidates with criminal records may have had experience navigating the underworld, their past actions cast doubt on their reliability.
On the other hand, Surya's background as a stuntman resonated with Arjun.
Despite the inherent dangers of his profession, Surya had displayed unwavering commitment and courage, driven by his desire to provide for his family.
His resilience in the face of adversity and his willingness to take risks marked him as a formidable candidate.
Arjun recognized the gravity of the decision before him. Entrusting someone with his identity in the perilous world of the underworld was not a choice to be made lightly.
However, Surya's potential, coupled with the assurance of AI's thorough vetting process, instilled a measure of confidence in Arjun's mind.
With a sense of resolve, Arjun made the decision to extend an offer to Surya, inviting him to become the face of his operations in the underworld.
Arjun wasn't confident that Surya would accept his offer, but he had some trust in AI's abilities. There might be a reason why AI chose him, and he was also the only native one among the three persons.
After the two hours given, Arjun sent the mentioned message to Surya, and within a minute, he received a reply in which Surya agreed to his request.
Arjun felt a surge of relief and satisfaction upon receiving Surya's acceptance of his offer. It seemed that fate had aligned in his favor, and the path forward was clearer than before.
However, Arjun remained cautious, mindful of the complexities and risks inherent in their arrangement.
He reached out to Surya using a voice modifier, concealing his true identity and intentions.
Arjun understood the importance of maintaining discretion and control over the information shared with Surya, recognizing that their collaboration was based on mutual benefit and necessity rather than friendship.
For Arjun, this endeavor was simply a transaction—a means to an end in his quest to navigate the treacherous currents of the underworld.
With Surya now on board, Arjun prepared to unveil the next phase of their operation, keeping a watchful eye on the horizon as they ventured into uncharted territory.