It takes year to build trust

The following day, Lucas leaned back in his leather chair, his fingers steepled in thought as Mark entered his office. The tension in the room was palpable as Mark gave a curt nod.

"Renato's here," Mark announced, his tone neutral but his eyes sharp.

Lucas gave a small nod. "Send him in."

Mark hesitated for a moment, then left to escort Renato into the office. When Renato appeared, he was as polished as ever, his suit impeccable, his demeanor calm and collected. The man oozed charm, but Lucas knew better than to trust the surface.

"Lucas," Renato greeted, extending a hand with a practiced smile. "Always a pleasure."

Lucas stood, shaking his hand briefly before motioning for him to take a seat. "Renato. Let's get straight to it. I assume you have updates for me?"

Renato chuckled, leaning back into the chair with an air of ease. He looked at his business partner cum his friend for a while before answering, "Ah, always so efficient. I admire that about you, Lucas. But yes, I do have some updates regarding our mutual interests."

Lucas allowed himself a small smile, though his eyes remained sharp. "Good. Let's hear them."

Renato launched into a summary of the progress on their current deal.....a partnership involving the shipment of certain luxury goods to Eastern Europe.

His words were smooth, practiced, and laced with just the right amount of confidence to make him appear credible. But Lucas had already heard whispers about cracks in the foundation, not to mention the… complications Renato had created in his personal dealings.

"I trust everything has been going smoothly on your end?" Renato asked casually, his tone betraying none of the chaos Lucas knew simmered beneath the surface.

Lucas tilted his head, his expression thoughtful. "Smooth is a relative term, Renato. But yes, things are moving along as they should. Of course, I like to keep a close eye on every detail." He let the words hang in the air for a moment, watching as Renato's smile stiffened ever so slightly.

Renato laughed lightly. "That's what makes you so successful, Lucas. Always the perfectionist. But you know, sometimes it's better to trust the process."

"Trust," Lucas repeated, the word heavy with implication. "A valuable commodity. It takes years to build and seconds to destroy. Wouldn't you agree?"

Renato shifted slightly in his seat, his composure faltering for the briefest of moments. "Of course. Trust is the foundation of everything we do."

Lucas's smile was polite, but his gaze was piercing. "Good. Then you'll understand why I'm keen on ensuring that there are no… distractions. Personal or otherwise."

The words were subtle, but the underlying message was clear. Renato's posture stiffened imperceptibly, though he quickly masked it with a chuckle. "Distractions? Come now, Lucas. You know me better than that."

Lucas leaned forward slightly, his tone calm but carrying a quiet authority. "Do I? Because I've learned that people can be full of surprises. Even those I've worked with for years."

Renato's jaw tightened, and for a moment, the polished veneer cracked. But he recovered quickly, flashing a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "I assure you, Lucas, my focus is entirely on our business, like it always was. Nothing more, nothing less."

"Good to hear," Lucas said, leaning back into his chair. "Because I'd hate for anything to jeopardize what we've built. It's not easy to clean up someone else's mess."

The words landed like a hammer, though Lucas's tone remained light. Renato's expression tightened, but he maintained his composure.

"I appreciate your concern," Renato said smoothly, though his voice carried a slight edge. "But I assure you, I'm fully capable of managing my affairs."

"Affairs," Lucas echoed, his lips curling into a faint smirk. "An interesting choice of words, my friend."

Renato's eyes narrowed, and for a moment, the tension in the room was almost tangible. But then he laughed, shaking his head as if amused. "You've always had a way with words, Lucas. Perhaps you should consider a career in politics."

Lucas's smile didn't waver. "And perhaps you should consider a career in discretion."

Renato's expression darkened, but he quickly masked it with another laugh. "Touché, my friend. But let's not lose sight of what's important. Our deal is progressing as planned, and I assure you, there's nothing to worry about."

"I hope not," Lucas said, his tone carrying a note of finality. "Because I don't tolerate loose ends, Renato. You know that."

Renato nodded, his expression neutral but his eyes wary. "Of course. Everything is under control."

Lucas stood, signaling the end of the meeting. "Good. Then I trust we won't have to revisit this conversation."

"Absolutely," Renato said, rising to his feet and extending a hand. "As always, it's a pleasure doing business with you, Lucas."

Lucas shook his hand briefly, his expression unreadable. "Likewise."

As Renato left the office, Lucas sat back down, his mind already working through the next steps. Mark entered the room shortly after, his face grim.

"Well?" Lucas asked.

Mark shook his head. "He's good at covering his tracks, but not good enough. The Russian contacts are starting to ask questions. We need to tread carefully."

Lucas nodded, his expression thoughtful. "We will. I don't know what's gotten into him. He is so keen to risk his own life for a married woman. But let's make one thing clear....if Renato slips, we're not the ones who will fall with him. Make sure of that. "

Mark nodded, understanding the unspoken directive. "I'll get on it."

As Mark left the office, Lucas leaned back in his chair, his mind racing. Renato was a problem, but he was also a valuable asset.

The key would be managing the situation without tipping the balance....at least not yet. For now, the game continued, and Lucas was determined to stay two steps ahead.

He was deeply engrossed in thinking about his future plan but then a text message popped up on his phone, breaking his chain of thought. It's from Bella.

"At what time will we leave for your parent's house?" He read the message and just gave a simple reply. "At 7 tonight. I will pick you up."

"Alright." The conversation stopped after that, making him go back to his thoughts about the chaos, that is waiting for him.