The Gamble

"My love, did you enjoy tonight?"

As soon as they stepped into the elevator, Simon pulled Meg close, acting completely absorbed in their intimate moment.

The two shamelessly ignored Chuck, who was desperately trying to get their attention through frantic eye movements.

"I had a wonderful time," Meg whispered before leaning in to kiss him passionately.

Watching them, Chuck looked like he was about to break down.

With two burly men standing on either side of him, he didn't dare call out Simon's name—dragging him into this mess would be too cruel.

The elevator arrived at the twelfth floor.

As the doors slid open, Simon carried Meg in his arms, swiped a key card, and entered one of the rooms.

The four captors, initially alert, relaxed upon seeing this.

Simon didn't immediately shut the door.

Instead, while still kissing Meg, he peered through the door gap and watched as Chuck was dragged into room 1206—right next door.

Once he was sure, he casually closed the door.

Letting go of a breathless Meg, Simon quickly took her phone and dialed Sarah.

"Meg, I'm really busy right now. If this isn't important—"

"Sarah, it's me! Chuck's been kidnapped—he needs your help!" Simon cut her off.

"Where is he?" Sarah's voice instantly turned serious.

"Hotel, twelfth floor, room 1206. I'm next door in 1208. Hurry, I think I just heard Chuck screaming."

"Got it!"

Hanging up, Simon hesitated.

If he waited, Chuck would be fine once Sarah and Casey arrived.

But… he didn't like waiting.

"I'm going over to the balcony to check things out," he told Meg.

"No! That's too dangerous, Simon!" Meg protested.

Simon gently reassured her. "I'm just looking. If it's too risky, I'll back off immediately."

Meg clenched her fists. "Simon... Fine. Just please be careful."

She knew that deep down, Simon was a thrill-seeker. Stopping him was nearly impossible.

With Meg reluctantly agreeing, Simon removed his suit jacket and stepped onto the balcony.

Two meters separated his balcony from the next.

Not too far. If he stepped onto the ledge and jumped, he could make it.

Climbing over the railing, Simon gripped the edge tightly and used the wall's protrusions as footholds.

With a powerful push, he leaped forward, grabbing onto the next balcony's railing.

Pulling himself up, Simon flattened against the wall, listening carefully.

But instead of sounds of interrogation, he heard Chuck talking about computer repairs.

What the hell?

Even the captors sounded impatient.

"Enough! I believe you're just a computer guy."

Chuck sighed in relief.

But then, a cold female voice followed.

"Unfortunately, since you saw too much, I have to kill you."

"What?!" Chuck's voice was panicked. "I swear, I won't tell anyone!"

"No exceptions," she replied calmly. "It'll be quick."

Hearing this, Simon immediately searched for something to use as a weapon.

But aside from a few potted plants, the balcony was empty.

Left with no choice, Simon grabbed a flower pot, ready to throw it into the room to cause a distraction.

Before he could act, however, a commotion erupted inside.

Gunshots rang out.

Through the open balcony doors, Simon saw a woman in an evening gown sprint past him—she vaulted over the railing, dropping to the floor below.

Then, one of the thugs followed her.

Simon was still processing what had just happened when a third man approached the balcony.

Without hesitation, Simon smashed the flower pot over his head.

The thug collapsed.

At that moment, Sarah and Casey burst into the room, guns raised.

"Freeze! Hands up!"

Simon, still crouched near the fallen thug, slowly raised his hands.

"Ahhh!"

Having been halfway through getting untied, Chuck fell flat on his face, groaning in pain.

"Simon?! What are you doing here?" Sarah asked, surprised.

Simon shrugged.

"I was waiting for you, but you took too long. So I climbed over to check on Chuck. When I saw they were about to kill him, I decided to step in."

He nudged the unconscious thug with his foot.

"This guy's down. The other two escaped downstairs."

Chuck, still sprawled on the floor, groaned. "Guys… maybe help me first?"

Seeing the danger had passed, Sarah and Casey lowered their guns.

After untangling Chuck, Sarah turned to Simon.

"Thanks, Simon."

"No problem! But seriously, next time, tell me beforehand if you guys have a mission. That way, I can prepare properly—or at least bring some weapons."

His tone was half-joking.

After all, this was not the first time he'd gotten dragged into Chuck's spy nonsense.

Chuck, however, was not amused. "This isn't funny, Simon!"

Simon grinned.

"Am I free to go now, or do you need another statement?"

Sarah and Casey exchanged glances before Sarah nodded.

"You can go. But remember—keep this to yourself."

Simon sighed dramatically.

"Yeah, yeah. I get it. If I talk, I disappear into a windowless room. Don't worry—I like my freedom."

After saying his goodbyes, Simon left the scene.

Tonight's plans were completely ruined—so instead of sticking around, Simon took Meg home.

—---

The Next Day

Simon slept in until noon, then headed to Buy More for his shift.

As soon as he stepped into the store, however, he noticed something strange.

Two large men were wandering near the entrance, scanning the aisles as if searching for someone.

This wouldn't be too suspicious—except Simon recognized one of them.

One of the thugs from last night.

His expression darkened.

Without hesitation, Simon dialed Chuck's number.

"Chuck, where are you right now?"

"Busy, buddy. Can I call you back?" Chuck's voice was low, as if he was hiding.

Simon narrowed his eyes.

"Chuck, listen to me. I think those guys from last night are in the store."