After a few hours of solving issues at Star Corp, Aiden decided to activate the driver app again. Maybe meeting new people or just listening to random conversations would help him clear his head.
The first call came from a busy neighborhood. Upon arriving, he noticed a young woman with blonde hair, wearing casual clothes and carrying a few shopping bags. She got into the car with a warm smile.
"Good evening! You're Aiden, right?"
"Exactly. Where are we going?"
"I'm heading to "The Spot" bar. I need to meet some friends."
Aiden started driving, keeping the mood light.
"Shopping day? Sounds like it was productive."
"Very much! I need something to impress today." She laughed, stretching out in the seat. "Oh, sorry, my name is Lysa."
"Nice to meet you."
"So, Aiden? Have you been working as a driver for long?"
"Only when I have time. I like to hear stories from different people."
"Interesting... you're a philosopher driver!" Melissa joked, and they both laughed.
The ride went smoothly, with her talking about her week and how she needed a break to have fun. She was spontaneous and funny, the kind of person who could turn a small conversation into something captivating.
As they approached the bar, she looked at Aiden curiously.
"What about you? Wouldn't you like to come in and have a drink? It's still early."
Aiden raised an eyebrow, surprised by the invitation.
"I don't want to interrupt your evening."
"Interrupt it? I doubt it! I'm sure you'll have fun. How about it?"
Aiden considered for a moment. He had no immediate commitments, and a break to relax didn't seem like a bad idea.
"Why not? Let's go."
The bar was crowded and lively, with loud music and groups of people chatting between laughs and raised glasses. Lysa led him to a table where her friends were already gathered. They all looked at Aiden curiously, whispering among themselves.
"Girls, this is Aiden. My driver and companion for the night!" Lysa introduced, amused.
Aiden smiled politely, sitting down while one of her friends teased:
"Driver? I think he's more than that, huh?"
Everyone laughed, and Aiden just shook his head, amused. As the hours passed, he got involved in the conversation, surprising himself with how relaxed he was. They talked about work, travels and funny situations from everyday life.
Lysa ordered another round of drinks and looked at Aiden with a smile.
"You're different from the drivers I usually get. Seriously."
"Different how?"
"Usually they just drive and stay quiet. You seem like... someone who has more stories than he wants to tell."
Aiden chuckled softly.
"Maybe that's true. I like hearing stories, but I don't always tell mine."
She stared at him for a second longer, as if trying to figure him out.
"A man of mysteries. I like that."
The atmosphere became more relaxed as the night went on. Some people at the bar started dancing, others shouted for specific songs. Lysa, a little more excited by the alcohol, pulled Aiden to the middle of the dance floor.
"Come on! I want to see if you dance as well as you drive."
"I doubt I'll impress, but okay."
They both laughed as they started moving to the rhythm of the music. It was a moment for Aiden, a moment where he could simply exist, away from the responsibilities, the threats and the shadows that followed him.
However, as he danced, he noticed a group of men at a table further back. They were watching him with unusual attention.
"Something's going on here..." Aiden thought, his eyes narrowing slightly.
Lysa realized he was distracted and pulled her face back, laughing.
"Hey, where are you? Still with me?"
Aiden smiled to reassure her, hiding the warning in his mind.
"Always."
Later, Aiden left the bar alone, the cool night air contrasting with the stifling heat and noise inside. He was still alert, his instincts sharp. The street was partially deserted, lit by streetlights and the headlights of the few cars that passed by.
His car was parked in a more secluded area, and as he approached, he heard hurried footsteps behind him. Aiden remained calm, pretending not to notice. When he was a few meters from his Lamborghini, three men appeared in front of him, blocking his path.
"You're that Aiden Baskerville guy, aren't you?" One of them asked, his tone defiant.
Aiden stopped, quickly analyzing the situation. The three men were of different heights, but they all had athletic bodies. The leader was in the center: short hair, a scruffy beard, and a scar on his chin. The other two looked like subordinates, waiting for orders, but their fierce gaze made it clear that they were ready to act.
"Who's asking?" Aiden answered calmly, crossing his arms.
"You know very well why we're here." The leader spat on the ground, taking a step forward.
Aiden raised an eyebrow.
"Do I? Then enlighten me, because honestly, I'm lost."
Before he could finish the sentence, the man on the right threw a punch in Aiden's direction. Surprised by the sudden aggression, Aiden managed to dodge it at the last second, leaning his body back.
"Ah, so that's it." He muttered, assuming a defensive stance.
The leader advanced, followed by the other two. The first blow came from above, but Aiden blocked it with his forearm, dodging to the side. Taking advantage of the opening, he twisted his body and landed a side kick to the stomach of the closest assailant, who staggered back with a grunt of pain.
The second man attempted a low kick, aiming for Aiden's leg. He jumped to avoid the blow and, upon landing, threw a punch straight at the attacker's face, breaking his nose with a dry crunch.
"Do you really think this is going to end well for you?" Aiden asked, his voice calm as he wiped the blood from a small cut on his lip.
The leader roared, advancing again with a heavy punch. This time, Aiden used his opponent's strength against him, dodging to the side and pulling the man's arm, spinning him around with force until he slammed his back against the hood of a parked car.
"You fight well, but it's not enough," the leader said, struggling to his feet.
The two remaining men attacked at the same time, trying to surround him. One threw a series of quick punches, while the other tried a high kick. Aiden moved like water, dodging with precision and counterattacking whenever he saw an opening.
He grabbed one of the men's arms and twisted it violently, forcing him to fall to his knees with a cry of pain. Without missing a beat, he spun his body and landed an elbow in the face of the other attacker, who fell to the ground spitting blood.
The leader took advantage of the moment to pull a knife from his pocket, advancing with the blade glinting in the dim streetlight. Aiden backed away, analyzing his enemy's movements. The leader launched a series of quick strikes, but Aiden remained calm, dodging with precision and waiting for the perfect opening.
As the leader lunged for a heavier strike, Aiden grabbed his arm with both hands, twisting his body and using the momentum to disarm him. The knife fell to the ground with a metallic sound, and Aiden kicked it away before landing a punch straight to the man's jaw, dropping him like a stone.
The first man, still on his knees, tried to get up, but Aiden knocked him down with a well-aimed kick to the chest, slamming him against a nearby wall. The impact was brutal, and the man lay still, only groaning softly.
"Do you think you can go around attacking people without consequences?" Aiden asked, looking at the three bloodied men around him.
Before he could say anything else, he heard sirens in the distance. He knew the police would be arriving soon, but that didn't worry him. He was more interested in understanding the reason for the attack.
Aiden scanned the attackers, assessing their condition. The leader was unconscious, the other two clearly incapacitated. He pulled out his phone, quickly typing a message.
"Three attackers. I need answers."
As he waited, Aiden wiped his bloody hands on his pants and sighed.
"There are always more shadows lurking..."