Alex glanced at him, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. "You're stepping back?"
"Not stepping back," Jack corrected, his tone more like an elder brother handing down wisdom. "But you're in the driver's seat now. You've got to handle the platform's development, keep the partners in line, and push this vision forward. I'll be around if you need advice, but you've got to lead this."
Alex nodded, the gravity of Jack's words settling over him. Makes sense. He's trusting me with this, but it's still a lot to shoulder.
Jack smirked, the look carrying a touch of mischief. "Besides, I've got my own battles to prep for. You know how much the Vegas invasion needs to go off without a hitch."
Alex gave him a knowing glance. "Vegas. Right. Still feels like we're juggling knives with that one."
Jack laughed, a warm sound that took the edge off the tension. "Yeah, but we've juggled worse, haven't we? We'll make it work." He paused, then added, "Oh, and there's something else. Master Kenjiro asked me to help Maya out in Prague. Sounds like she's hitting some snags."
Alex's expression tightened slightly, memories of Prague and Maya flashing in his mind. Maya doesn't ask for help unless things are really complicated.
Jack must've noticed Alex's reaction because his tone shifted, becoming more encouraging. "Hey, she'll be fine. You know Maya. But Kenjiro thinks she could use a little extra support. Might be worth checking in with her when you've got a moment."
Alex nodded, his thoughts already turning to the tangled web of Prague.
"And speaking of Kenjiro," Jack said, his voice taking on a firm but caring edge, "you need to call him today. He's waiting to hear from you."
"Why now?" Alex asked, though he knew better than to expect a simple answer.
Jack stopped walking and turned to face Alex fully. His gaze was steady, like an older sibling laying down the truth. "Because today was step one. You've proved yourself here, but Kenjiro's got bigger plans for you, and trust me, you'll want to be aligned with him. This is about more than just ByteMark or the firm. It's about your future, Alex. You're ready, but don't make him wait. Call him."
Jack gave Alex's shoulder a reassuring squeeze before continuing down the hall, his stride confident but relaxed. Alex stood there for a moment, letting the weight of Jack's words settle over him.
Drawing in a steadying breath, Alex pulled out his new aPhone. One challenge at a time. For now, it was time to face the man who seemed to hold the threads of his destiny.
—--
As the echo of Jack's footsteps faded down the corridor, Alex dialed Master Kenjiro's number on his aPhone. The sleek screen shimmered as it displayed the call interface, the familiar name glowing at the top.
No turning back now.
The call connected almost immediately, and Kenjiro's calm, measured voice greeted him. "Alex. I was beginning to wonder if you'd forgotten me."
"Never," Alex replied, his tone respectful but warm. "Just needed to get through the meeting before reaching out."
Kenjiro let out a soft chuckle. "Jack updated me. It seems you handled yourself well."
Alex pushed open the glass door to the office floor and began making his way toward his cubicle. Colleagues nodded in acknowledgment as he passed, their curiosity evident but unspoken. Alex gave polite nods back, keeping his focus on the conversation.
"It went as planned," Alex said. "The partners are intrigued, but there's a lot to do to make the platform a reality."
"There always is," Kenjiro replied. "But you've already taken the most critical step—earning their trust. From here, it's about execution. Do you feel prepared?"
Alex hesitated for a beat, then answered honestly. "I do, but I know this is just the beginning. Jack said you wanted me to check in."
Reaching his cubicle, Alex sat down, his posture relaxing slightly. His hand hovered over his keyboard, absently tapping the edge.
"I did," Kenjiro said, his voice growing serious. "There are developments you need to be aware of. Maya's situation in Prague is more complicated than anticipated. 'The Bishop' left behind a network that's proving resilient. She'll need strategic guidance, and frankly, you're one of the few who can provide it."
Alex frowned, leaning back in his chair. "Strategic guidance? Maya's more than capable of handling herself. If she's reaching out, it must be bad."
"It is," Kenjiro admitted. "But you've worked with her before. She respects you, and that respect will go a long way in navigating this mess. Jack can only do so much from his end, so consider it your responsibility to assist her."
Alex nodded to himself, the memories of Prague still vivid. "I'll reach out to her today."
"Good," Kenjiro said, his tone softening slightly. "But don't lose sight of your work here. The Vegas operation looms large, and your platform is critical to the broader strategy."
Alex straightened, his resolve hardening. "I understand. I won't let you down."
"I never thought you would," Kenjiro replied. "One more thing, Alex—be wary of distractions. You're at the center of multiple fronts now, and each demands your full attention. Choose your moves carefully."
The line clicked off before Alex could respond, leaving him staring at his aPhone. He leaned back in his chair, his thoughts racing. Kenjiro seems so sure I can help Maya more than Jack. But how? Jack's the one with the experience, the connections, and the reputation. What do I have?
He stared at the sleek surface of his desk, his fingers tapping absentmindedly against the edge. Sure, I know Maya from Prague. I've worked with her before. But this is Maya we're talking about—sharp, resourceful, and way more seasoned than I am. If she's stuck, what can I possibly offer that she can't handle herself?
His gaze shifted to the faint glow of his aPhone, the memory of Kenjiro's calm confidence replaying in his mind. It's not just about what I can do—it's about seeing angles others might miss. That's probably what Kenjiro is betting on. Still, guiding Maya through 'The Bishop's' mess? That feels like walking into a minefield.
Alex sat up, rubbing the back of his neck as another thought struck him. And then there's Vegas. How does my platform fit into that? A market forecasting tool, a financial app—it doesn't exactly scream 'game-changer for covert operations.'
But the more he thought about it, the clearer it became. Kenjiro didn't make idle suggestions. If he believed the platform was critical to the Vegas plan, there had to be a connection. Data. Money. Influence. The app could be more than just a tool for investors—it could track trends, predict disruptions, and even manipulate financial flows if needed. That's probably what he sees.
Alex's brow furrowed as a new wave of doubt crept in. But is it ready for that? The algorithms can't be built for that kind of precision, at least not yet. And if we push too hard, too soon, we could expose the whole operation.
He let out a long breath, forcing himself to refocus. Kenjiro has faith in me. Jack does too, even if he doesn't show it in the same way. They see something I don't—or maybe just something I can't yet. For now, I just need to take the next step.