Bianca retired to her bedroom, leaving Roman alone in the room, his thoughts drifting back to a familiar figure from his past. He pulled out his phone and dialed a number, the digits etched in his memory forever. As the phone rang, Roman's mind wandered back to their last encounter, the laughter, the advice, and the unwavering support. A mix of emotions swirled inside him - excitement, nervousness, and a hint of nostalgia.
A deep, resonant voice answered, "Hello?"
Roman's face lit up with a warm smile, "Hey, it's me, Roman."
The voice on the other end exclaimed, "Roman!? You damn kid, you stopped calling me once you settled in, huh?" The tone was playful, but Roman detected a hint of concern beneath the surface.
Roman chuckled, feeling a sense of relief wash over him, "Yeah, it's me, Roman Vitali. No, no, nothing like that. Things just got busy, and I didn't want to disturb you." He paused, collecting his thoughts before continuing.
The voice on the other end laughed, "Oh, I'm joking, Roman! How's it going? Is your sister good? What about the construction job? How's that going?" The questions came rapid-fire, but Roman didn't mind. It felt good to reconnect with someone who genuinely cared.
Roman began to explain, "Bianca is fine, and as for the latter—" But the other person cut him off, their enthusiasm and interest in Roman's life evident in every word.
"What, are they giving you trouble? Tell me who it is, and I'm sure a lawsuit will work just fine." The voice was firm, protective, and Roman felt a surge of gratitude.
Roman clarified, "No, no, I quit. Well, they fired me, but it's no big deal. I'm already set up now. In fact, I called you due to a related matter. I need a lawyer to draft a contract for me." Roman's voice was calm, but inside, he was nervous. He hoped his friend would understand.
The call went silent for a moment before the voice responded, "Wait, what? You're confusing me now. How about we meet tomorrow, and you can tell me about it?" The tone was gentle, encouraging, and Roman felt a sense of relief.
Roman hesitated, "Don't you have work tomorrow? I'm sure the firm is busy, right?" He didn't want to impose, but the other person reassured him.
"No, I'm the boss here, so I can do whatever I want. So, how about tomorrow? What time do you think you can come?" The voice was confident, and Roman felt a sense of admiration for his friend's success.
Roman suggested, "How about close to evening? Then we can catch up after discussing it." He was looking forward to it, and the voice on the other end agreed.
As they finalized the meeting, Roman hung up, feeling grateful, nostalgic, and a sense of hope for the future. He realized that some connections never fade away, and some people always have your back, no matter what. Roman smiled, feeling a sense of peace, knowing that he didn't have to face his future alone.
Roman's thoughts drifted back to a tumultuous time in his life, a time of loss and uncertainty. When his parents passed away, he was left alone, responsible for his 8-year-old sister, Bianca.
The government threatened to take her away, and Roman was determined to prevent that from happening. He was 17, and the thought of being separated from his sister was unbearable.
To make matters worse, their parents' debts loomed over them like a dark cloud. Greedy companies sought to claim everything, even their family home. It was a desperate time, and Roman felt the weight of the world on his shoulders.
That's when John Green, a middle-aged man and a friend of Roman's father, appeared like a guardian angel. A lawyer by profession, John helped them navigate the complex legal system and ensured Bianca could stay with Roman. He even assisted Roman in landing a construction job when his initial career choice didn't work out.
John's guidance and support were invaluable, and Roman was forever grateful. Though John was a busy man, he left them with his contact information, encouraging Roman to reach out if they ever needed help again. And now, years later, Roman was calling on John once more, seeking his expertise and guidance in a new venture.
As Roman sat there, lost in thought, he felt a sense of nostalgia wash over him. He remembered the struggles, the fears, and the uncertainties of his past. But he also remembered the kindness, the support, and the hope that John had brought into their lives.
Soon Roman put those thoughts in the back of his head as he thought about tomorrow; he had a lot to do. He needed to meet Alex, the guy Michael was connecting him with. He decided to clear his mind with a jog.
He looked around to check the coast, then willed his ring, and his clothes started changing to running ones. He poured some water and left the house, starting his run as he began to jog through the streets.
As Roman jogged, the cool evening air filled his lungs, and his mind began to clear. He focused on the rhythmic pounding of his feet on the pavement, letting go of the thoughts that had been weighing him down. The stress of the past few days started to melt away, replaced by a sense of freedom and exhilaration.
As he ran, Roman felt his senses come alive. He noticed the vibrant colors of the sunset, the sweet scent of blooming flowers, and the sound of birds chirping their evening songs. His feet carried him effortlessly through the familiar streets, his breathing steady and strong.
Roman's thoughts turned to the meeting with Alex, and he felt a surge of excitement and nervousness. He wondered what the future held, what opportunities awaited him, and what challenges he would face.
But for now, he pushed those thoughts aside and simply enjoyed the run, the feeling of his body moving in harmony with the world around him.
As he jogged, Roman felt a sense of gratitude for this moment of peace, for the chance to clear his mind and reconnect with himself. He knew that tomorrow would bring new challenges, but for now, he was content to simply be, to let the rhythm of his footsteps guide him through the present moment.
As he was jogging, a sleek sports car suddenly appeared, speeding down the street with a loud roar. The wind generated by its rapid passage rustled Roman's hair, and the sound of its engine reverberated through the air, reminiscent of some fictional beast. Roman paused and looked back over his shoulder, his eyes widening in admiration. "Damn, that's fast!" he exclaimed, watching as the car disappeared into the distance.
In this affluent neighborhood, expensive cars and reckless driving were commonplace, especially among the spoiled children of wealthy families. Roman was no stranger to this spectacle, but it still impressed him every time.
With a shake of his head, Roman refocused on his jog, his feet pounding the pavement once more. The brief interruption had barely broken his stride, and he continued on his way, lost in thought.