BETWEEN THE LINES

3: A DANGEROUS PREPOSITION

Ethan’s pulse pounded in his ears as he stared at the man standing in front of the convenience store counter.

Lucas Herrera.

His expensive suit and confident posture felt completely out of place here, surrounded by cheap snack racks and flickering fluorescent lights. Ethan swallowed hard, trying to steady his breathing. What the hell was he doing here?

“Told you we’d meet again,” Lucas said smoothly, his lips curving into something that wasn’t quite a smile.

Ethan felt every muscle in his body tense. Something about those words made his stomach twist. Why was this man suddenly appearing in his life like this?

“I—” Ethan started, but his throat felt dry. “Are you… following me?”

Lucas raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by the accusation. “If I were, I wouldn’t be so obvious about it.”

That answer didn’t make Ethan feel any better.

From behind him, his manager cleared her throat. “Is there a problem here, Ethan?”

Ethan tore his gaze away from Lucas and forced a tight-lipped smile. “No, ma’am. He’s just a customer.”

His manager hesitated, glancing at Lucas, then back at Ethan. The tension was obvious, but when Lucas casually pulled out his wallet, as if he truly were just here to buy something, she gave a small nod and walked away.

Ethan turned back to Lucas, lowering his voice. “Why are you here?”

Lucas tilted his head, as if considering whether or not he wanted to answer. “I have an offer for you.”

Ethan frowned. “An offer?”

Lucas took a step closer, resting one hand on the counter. “When does your shift end?”

Ethan bristled at the question. “Why do you care?”

Lucas exhaled through his nose, as if Ethan was testing his patience. “Because I’d rather discuss this somewhere that isn’t in front of a rack of instant noodles.”

Ethan’s fingers curled slightly against the counter. Every instinct in his body told him that getting involved with this man was a bad idea. But there was also a part of him that was… curious.

“…I’m off in an hour,” Ethan muttered. “Not that it matters. I have another job after this.”

Lucas’s gaze flickered slightly, as if something about that statement intrigued him. “Cancel it.”

Ethan let out a dry laugh. “Cancel it? You do realize I don’t have the luxury of skipping work, right?”

Lucas studied him for a moment, then slid something across the counter.

Ethan glanced down. A wad of cash. Again.

His stomach churned. He didn’t need to count it to know it was more than what he made in a week—probably more than what he made in a month.

“I don’t need your money,” Ethan said through clenched teeth, pushing it back toward him.

Lucas didn’t look surprised by the rejection, but he also didn’t take the cash back. Instead, he slid it closer again. “This isn’t charity.”

Ethan narrowed his eyes. “Then what is it?”

Lucas’s gaze darkened slightly. “Payment. For your time.”

Something about the way he said it sent a chill down Ethan’s spine. But before he could argue further, Lucas straightened. “One hour. I’ll be waiting outside.”

And with that, he turned and walked away, leaving the cash on the counter.

Ethan stared at it, heart pounding.

What the hell had he just gotten himself into?

---

An Hour Later

Ethan stepped outside, feeling the weight of exhaustion dragging down his limbs. His entire shift had been spent thinking about Lucas Herrera.

And now, the man was leaning casually against a sleek black car, waiting for him.

Ethan approached cautiously. “I didn’t say I’d come with you.”

Lucas smirked. “And yet, here you are.”

Ethan clenched his jaw but didn’t deny it.

Lucas gestured toward the car. “Get in.”

Ethan hesitated. Every rational part of his brain screamed at him not to do this. This man was trouble.

But he also knew that whatever Lucas wanted to say, it wouldn’t happen unless he played along.

With a deep breath, Ethan opened the door and slid inside.

Lucas followed suit, and the car pulled away from the curb.

The silence stretched between them for several minutes. Ethan stared out the window, watching the city blur past, before finally turning to Lucas. “Alright. We’re here. Now talk.”

Lucas didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he reached into his coat pocket and pulled out something small, placing it on the center console.

A business card.

Ethan frowned as he picked it up.

Lucas Herrera. CEO of Herrera International.

Ethan’s throat tightened. He knew that name. Everyone in the city did. Herrera International was one of the most powerful companies in the country.

“…You own Herrera International?” Ethan asked slowly.

Lucas’s lips twitched. “Very observant.”

Ethan ignored the sarcasm. His fingers tightened around the card. “Why are you telling me this?”

Lucas leaned back against the seat. “Because I need someone like you.”

Ethan’s chest tightened. “…Like me?”

Lucas nodded. “You’re resourceful. You don’t back down from a fight. And despite your situation, you haven’t lost your pride.”

Ethan scoffed. “That’s a nice way of saying I’m a broke i***t who gets himself into trouble.”

Lucas chuckled, the sound low and smooth. “Perhaps.”

Ethan ran a hand through his hair, trying to process everything. “So what exactly are you offering?”

Lucas’s gaze darkened slightly. “A job.”

Ethan blinked. “A job?”

Lucas nodded. “Come work for me.”

Ethan let out a breathless laugh. “You’re joking.”

Lucas didn’t smile. “I don’t joke.”

Ethan’s amusement faded. He was serious.

“…You want to hire me? To do what?”

Lucas’s lips curled slightly. “That depends. What are you willing to do?”

Ethan felt his pulse quicken. Something about the way he said that sent another shiver down his spine.

“What’s the catch?” Ethan asked cautiously.

Lucas’s expression didn’t change. “You’ll find out soon enough.”

Ethan swallowed hard.

Every instinct told him to walk away.

But then he thought about his life—about the endless cycle of exhaustion, about the debt, about how no matter how hard he worked, he never got ahead.

This was a chance. An opportunity to change everything.

Slowly, he met Lucas’s gaze. “…Fine. I’ll listen.”

Lucas’s smile widened slightly, but his eyes remained unreadable.

“Good.”

Ethan exhaled slowly.

Something told him there was no turning back now.