Jake
I leaned back in the sofa, thinking about so many things at once as I waited for Kurt. He was in a meeting according to his assistant and I had the choice to come back since the meeting just started but I couldn't leave. I just had to wait till I see him and sort things out.
I wanted out of our deal. I'd been too desperate for a solution when I asked Kurt for help and I wasn't even thinking straight before I agreed to his terms. I was desperate and just wanted a way out badly. At the time, it didn't matter if it was against my principles or not.
And then, Kurt never said anything about the other side of the deal. Heck, I didn't ask either, it wasn't as if I trusted him that much, far from it. I just didn't expect him to be neck deep into such shady deals.
About an hour later, the door opened and Kurt appeared, his smile went off a bit when he saw me. He already knew what I was there for. I had given him a sneak preview over the phone and he was against it. That was why I had to come see him at the office.
I leaned forward in my chair, watching his face carefully. This wasn't a conversation I ever imagined having with him, but here we were. I'd seen enough already to know that the partners we were dealing with had crossed lines I couldn't ignore. It was time to get out, and I had to make him see that.
"Kurt, listen," I said, trying to keep my voice calm when he wouldn't reason with me. "I'm done with this. Whatever they're doing, it's not for us. I want out."
He let out a short laugh, crossing his arms. "Out? You think you can just walk away, Jake?" He added sharply while I clenched my jaw, not liking the smugness in his tone. "I didn't sign up for this level of risk. They're operating way off the books, and you know it." I quickly cut in too.
"Oh, I know it, alright." He leaned in, his voice dropping low.
"But you're in it now, Jake. How do you think they would take it when they find out that you're trying to betray them after knowing everything about their secrets and dealings. They won't take it lightly with you, Jake. I'm begging you for your own good, you need to quit this. You can't get out. You're in and in for good." He slammed at me but I already made up my mind before coming. I wasn't going to leave unless I get what I came for.
"There's nothing you can say to me, Kurt. I'm leaving and that's it. I've had enough of your shady dealings, I worked hard to build my reputation and I'm not just going to sit by and watch you ruin it." I said firmly while he curved his brows into a frown.
"Watch me ruin it? Have you forgotten the day you crawled into in here and was begging like your life depended on it? Remember how happy and eager you were when I told you about this opportunity? You couldn't wait for it to pull through. You've been enjoying this for months and you never thought it was a shady deal all through those months only for you to show up now that you've gained more than enough."
"That's not possible. I won't allow it. And if you try to back out, I'll make sure every single one of our business partners finds out what you've been up to." He let out firmly while I stared at him, a chill running down my spine. "Are you threatening me?" I quizzed while he shrugged.
"I'm just making things clear," he said, a smirk on his face that I wanted to knock off right then. "You walk away, and I'll blow this whole thing up. Your reputation, your company, it'll be done. I'm only reminding you of the terms and if you think they're threats, then do you." He let out.
I sat back, fury rising in my chest. Kurt was supposed to be my partner, my friend. But the look in his eyes was anything but friendly. It was then I realized that he wasn't just going to let me leave; he'd do whatever he had to in order to keep me locked into this mess.
"Fine, Kurt," I said, my voice as cold as I could make it. "But don't expect me to sit around and play nice forever."
I left his office fuming, my mind spinning. I couldn't believe he'd gone this far. That night, I paced around my room, running through my options. I wasn't going to let Kurt back me into a corner, but every angle I considered led to the same outcome: the only way out was up. I needed to go over Kurt's head, straight to the superiors he was so afraid of. They might not even be as hard and dangerous as he was painting them. I'd meet with them, and make them see reasons why I need to leave.
The next morning, I didn't hesitate. I got to the office and after calling some contacts, I was able to set up a meeting with the higher-ups. My stomach churned the entire drive over, if they were anything like Kurt had told me which I hope is not true, any little mistake could result in my death. But I knew this was my only shot.
When I walked into the room, they were all seated, watching me closely. I forced myself to stay calm as I took my seat, glancing around at the men whose influence I'd only heard whispers of before.
One of them, a sharp-eyed man with a calm intensity, spoke first. "So, Jake Robbins. What's the issue?" He asked and his tone was almost roaring. I'd always thought of myself as a fearless person but seeing the fierce and dangerous look on their faces, I realized I was as soft as they come.
I took a deep breath. "I came here to clarify a few things… about Kurt and our arrangement."
There was a flicker of interest in the man's eyes. "Go on."
I explained, laying out the details as carefully as I could, making sure I didn't leave out any part. How I was in a deep sh*t and needed a way out desperately or I would lose the project and millions of investors' money. I ran to Kurt who told me about some deals, I was truly desperate but then. Kurt had pressured me into taking the deals, and now that I wanted out, the lengths he'd gone to keep me from backing out.
I stopped when they started exchanging glances and putting heads together.
Were they contemplating my murder? - I thought to myself.
They asked me some deep questions which I answered honestly. The first one who talked to me then threw a punch into the table beside him, smashing the glass surface at a go.
I shook but maintained my composure. I mustn't show fear. After some, the one beside him who seemed like the boss revealed that Kurt hadn't been entirely honest with them about the finances. I watched their faces closely, gauging their reactions, but they gave nothing away.
When he finished, they exchanged glances before the man with the intense eyes looked back at me.
"You're telling me that Kurt has been… misappropriating funds?" I managed to reply.
He nodded. "Yes. And that's the real reason he doesn't want you out. If you leave, we would find out about the money he's been skimming."
There was a heavy silence after that, broken only by the quiet murmurs among them. Finally, the lead man nodded. "Thank you for bringing this to our attention, Mr. Robbins. As for your involvement, we'll allow you to step out, provided you cover the losses and don't interfere further. And you're not to mention any of this to anyone else. You won't live to see the next day if you do."
Relief washed over me, but I kept my expression steady. "That's… acceptable. Thank you."
The man nodded again. "We'll take care of Kurt. I don't think you'll be hearing from him again."
Their tone made it clear that "taking care" of Kurt meant something very different in their world. Part of me knew he deserved it, but when I left the meeting, I felt a pang of guilt anyway. Kurt had been my partner once, someone I'd trusted. And though he'd betrayed me, it was hard to shake that connection.
Weeks passed, and my life settled back into a semblance of normalcy. But the memory of that last conversation with Kurt lingered, haunting me. Eventually, I tried reaching out, hoping to offer some sort of compensation, maybe just to clear my conscience.
But he was nowhere to be found. His phone was disconnected, his email inactive. I asked around, but it was as if he'd disappeared completely. And somehow, I knew I'd never see him again…