By morning the building had returned to silence.
The man from the basement was gone. So were the guards.
Only two men remained on the top floor.
Adrian stood near the window, suit jacket discarded, sleeves rolled up as if he had simply finished a long day at work. To the outside world, he was a respected businessman - the owner of "A & M Enterprises" one of the fastest growing companies in the city. To everyone who else mattered, he was the one who ruled the underground without ever raising his voice.
Behind him, Mark leaned against the counter, scrolling through his phone like he doesn't have blood in his shoes just a few hours ago. He had been there since the beginning. He is Adrian's right-hand man, his shield and the only person who speak to him without fear.
"You know, normal people sleep after a night like that", Mark said casually without looking up.
"Normal people don't have enemies lining up", Adrian replied without turning back.
Mark snorted, "Fair point".
Mark slipped his phone back into his pocket and glanced at Adrian's reflection in the glass.
"You are going to burn a hole through that window if you keep staring like that", he said.
Adrian reached for a cigarette instead, "Then it deserves it".
Mark sighed, "You are impossible before breakfast".
"I don't eat breakfast".
"That's not something you should be proud of", Mark muttered. "That's self-neglect".
Adrian lit the cigarette, took one slow drag, and exhaled. His face didn't change. It never did. Calm and controlled, like nothing ever touched him deeply enough to matter.
Mark watched him quietly for a second and asked quietly, "How long were you awake this time"?
"A few hours".
Mark tilted his head, "Try again".
Adrian didn't argue. That answer was enough.
"Stomach?" Mark asked.
Adrian nodded once, "Didn't settle."
"You drank on an empty stomach."
"I was busy."
"You always are." Mark pushed off the counter and walked closer, "That's not the same as as being okay".
Adrian glanced at him. "You are lecturing".
"I am doing what I have to". Mark replied. "There's a difference".
The cigarette burned lower, Adrian didn't reach for another immediately. Mark noticed but pretended not to.
"You know," Mark said lightly. " for someone so feared, you are remarkably bad at taking care of yourself."
Adrian huffed quietly, "You are still alive. I must be doing something right."
"Debatable". Mark smirked. "I've have aged ten years just babysitting you".
Adrian's lips almost curved into a light smile.
The moment softened.
Then Mark's tone shifted, just a notch, "You scared me last night".
Adrian stiffened, barely, "It was handled".
"That's not what I meant."
Silence stretched between them.
"I heard you pacing," Mark continued. "Three in the morning, you didn't even try to lie down."
Adrian looked away, "Sleep doesn't come easily."
"No," Mark said quietly, "It doesn't."
Another pause.
"You don't have to carry everything alone," Mark added.
"You never did."
Adrian crushed the cigarette out, slower this time. "I am not alone."
Mark smiled faintly.
They stood there, the city humming below them, two men who built an empire out of trust and unspoken rules.
After a moment, Mark clapped his hands once, "Alright, Enough staring into the abyss. You've got a board meeting in forty minutes."
"I know."
"And if you skip food again— "
"I'll regret it later." Adrian finished .
Mark rolled his eyes. "One day I am going to drag you to a doctor."
Adrian raised a brow, "You wouldn't dare."
Mark grinned, "Watch me."
Adrian reached for his jacket, "Get the car ready."
Mark headed for the door then stopped. "Addy!"
Adrian looked up.
"Try sleeping tonight," Mark said. "Even if it's just an hour."
Adrian didn't promise.
But he nodded.
And for Mark, that was enough.
He watched until the car disappeared into the morning traffic.
By the time Adrian reached his office, his expression was already back in place — controlled, unreadable, polished enough for boardrooms and cameras. The world would see the businessman. The papers would talk numbers, shares and power.
No one would ask how many nights he spent awake.
No one would notice the way his hands stilled when the city grew too quiet.
That part of him stayed locked away.
Atleast for now.
Because some things don't announce their arrival.
They wait.
And when they come, they change everything.