Jerry was driving down the main road toward SM Megamall, the largest shopping center in town, where he knew he could find all the components Zark needed. The old Montero's engine hummed steadily as the city gradually came to life. The early morning sun cast a warm glow over the streets, and the traffic was light for now. Jerry took advantage of the lull, accelerating smoothly along C-5, preparing to merge onto the southbound lanes leading to Magallanes.
As they approached the merging point, Jerry glanced at Rommel, who sat quietly in the passenger seat, his gaze fixed out the window. "Hey, Thadz," he began, his tone casual but with a serious undertone, "what do you think about that offer from that mysterious rich guy a while back? The one who wanted us to join his group?"
Rommel turned his head slightly, his expression thoughtful. "Well, boss," he replied after a moment, "I'd say it's up to you. The fact that he even made the offer means he recognized our skills, right? He must see something valuable in what we do."
Jerry nodded, gripping the steering wheel as they finally merged onto EDSA. The flow of traffic started to pick up as they passed by Magallanes and made their way northbound, navigating past buses, taxis, and motorcycles jostling for position. "Yeah, you've got a point there," Jerry said. "But there's more to think about than just our skills. If we accept, we're putting ourselves at risk. Our expertise is in physical work, you know? We'd be out there in the field, while the others would be safe behind their screens, hacking from a distance."
Rommel looked back out the window, his eyes tracing the towering billboards that lined the stretch of EDSA. He remained silent, but Jerry could sense his unease. "I just don't think it's fair," Jerry continued, his voice growing firmer. "And I don't want to put you in danger for something like this. If anything were to happen to you…" He paused, taking a deep breath before adding, "your late parents would probably be furious with me if we met in the afterlife, and I had to explain that I let you get caught up in this kind of work."
A heavy silence fell over the car for a moment, broken only by the low rumble of the Montero's engine as they crawled through a bottleneck. Rommel finally turned back to Jerry, his expression a mix of contemplation and respect. "I understand where you're coming from, boss," he said softly. "I'm not in a rush to throw myself into danger, either. But still, it's hard to ignore that kind of opportunity. Who knows what doors it could open for us."
Jerry sighed as they stopped at a red light. He tapped his fingers on the steering wheel, thinking about the risks involved. "Opportunities come in many forms, Thadz," he replied, his tone reflective. "Not all of them are worth taking, especially if they come with this much risk. We've built a good thing here; no need to rush into something that could get us in over our heads."
Rommel didn't reply right away, choosing to look back out the window at the bustling activity outside. He could see the skyline of Ortigas growing closer as they approached the flyover leading toward Shaw Boulevard.
The familiar landmarks and buildings reminded him of the steady life he and Jerry had built together—one where they could make a decent living doing honest work. As much as the idea of joining a hacker group intrigued him, he knew Jerry was right about not leaping into danger recklessly.
Jerry patted Rommel's shoulder as the light turned green. "Don't worry," he said with a reassuring smile. "We'll keep doing what we do best. No need to jump into a situation that could change everything for the worse."
Rommel nodded quietly, appreciating Jerry's concern. Even though he didn't say it out loud, part of him was still curious about what it would be like to be part of something bigger and more thrilling. The thought lingered as they continued to drive along EDSA, passing through Mandaluyong, inching closer to their destination.
Eventually, the towering structure of SM Megamall came into view. The parking lot was already filling up with cars, the morning shoppers eager to start their day. Jerry navigated the Montero into the parking garage, finding a spot near the Cyberzone entrance.
"Alright," Jerry said, turning off the engine. "Let's get Zark's stuff first, then we'll head to the grocery section."
As they exited the car, Rommel glanced around the busy lot. "This place is massive," he commented as they walked toward the mall's entrance. "I haven't been here in a while. Hopefully, we won't get lost."
"Don't worry," Jerry chuckled. "I know my way around here. Let's grab those computer parts and get out as fast as we can."
They made their way up the escalator to the fourth floor, where Cyberzone was bustling with activity. They headed straight to a well-known computer store that specialized in gaming and high-end components. Jerry pulled out the list Zark had given him and handed it to the store clerk.
"Good morning, sir," the clerk greeted them. "How can I help you today?"
"We need these components," Jerry said, pointing at the items on the list. "We're looking for top-of-the-line brands."
The clerk's eyes widened slightly as he scanned the list. "You're building quite the setup here, sir," he remarked. "We have everything in stock, but it'll take a few minutes to gather it all."
"No problem," Jerry replied, his tone casual. "Take your time."
As the clerk went to collect the items, Jerry and Rommel wandered through the store, examining the various gaming peripherals and accessories. They noticed a young customer at the counter, arguing with another store clerk about the repair of a laptop.
"Look, I just want this thing fixed," the customer said, exasperated. "I paid you already, and I need it done by today!"
Rommel exchanged a knowing glance with Jerry. "Been there before," he said with a grin. "That's why I always double-check everything before telling a customer it's ready."
"Yep," Jerry agreed. "Always best to avoid those kinds of headaches."
Minutes later, the original clerk returned with a cart full of boxes, each containing one of the components from Zark's list. "Here you go, sirs," he said. "Would you like us to test any of the parts before you leave?"
"No, that won't be necessary," Jerry replied as he settled the bill. "We'll do all the testing ourselves."
With the components securely packed, they made their way to the supermarket on the lower level. The grocery section was just as busy as Cyberzone had been. Shoppers filled their carts with essentials as Jerry and Rommel grabbed a shopping cart and began picking out items on their list.
"Zark asked for some specific things," Jerry said as they moved down the aisles. "Energy drinks, lots of instant noodles, some fruits, and vegetables."
"And don't forget the snacks," Rommel added, tossing in a couple of bags of chips and cookies. "Can't forget those."
They continued shopping until the cart was full, finally making their way to the checkout. After loading the groceries into the Montero, they headed back onto EDSA for the return trip to Taguig. As they drove, Jerry's thoughts returned to their earlier conversation. He glanced at Rommel.
"You know, Thadz," he said, "it doesn't hurt to keep our options open. If we ever decide to take up that offer, we should at least be prepared."
Rommel nodded, appreciating Jerry's openness to the idea. "Yeah, boss. We'll be ready for whatever comes our way."