1. Lowdown Bar.

“I regret that I was not there with you,” Gerald says after we track him down at the banquet, conversing with a group of executives from a company located in Wisconsin. He had been accosted by them to engage in conversation as they were old friends, so he could not follow us when we met Carlton Collins. I felt bad when the fond expression on his face morphed into a frown as soon as we mentioned who we met just minutes ago, “I trust that he was polite with you?”

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“Oh, yes, he was,” Coraline provides, “he was apologetic as well for crashing into Jace. But the fact remains, he is Aiden’s father, isn’t he?”

Gerald shoots her a look of surprise, “did you not recognize him?”

Coraline blushes again, “we were never introduced to one another.”

Gerald nods in understanding and doesn’t ask further questions. I feel grateful for his wisdom.

“I have to admit, I haven’t seen him around for a while, not since the allegations against his son came out,” Gerald states. “If I had a guess, I would say Carlton was embarrassed about his son’s conduct. And furious. Somewhere in between.”

“How long have you known him?” I ask, curious.

Gerald’s lips tighten, and some sort of an expression that I can’t place flashes through his face.

“Long enough,” he utters, and shakes his head, “well, no harm was done, so there’s no need to worry about it further. As long as he steers clear of us, we will avoid him in return. Don’t think he’ll seek us out on purpose.”

had predicted, Carlton Collins does not seek us

be my life for the forcible future. I feel too restless and too nervous. This has got nothing to do with meeting Carlton, I’ve been feeling jittery for a while now. I wonder if it has got something to do with the shootings. Briefly, I wonder if any more of those had taken place back home. I

soon as I start to make my way

you there?” Coraline’s voice comes.

going to

Sorry, then. I’ll wait until you’re done!” Footsteps clatter away and I assume that she returns to her room. I continue to

soaking session, I feel like a new man. After getting dressed in some

you going to settle in

plan, yes,” I reply, “why did you want

bar. There’s a cool one here at the hotel, but I really want to get out of here. Besides, we’re

of a bar,

reminiscent of a puppy, and pouts. I narrow my eyes at her, she knows exactly what she is doing. Dammit, that expression is too hard to say no to. “The incident this afternoon shook

can cunt on.”

“Coraline…”

me. I just need to let go of the steam and,” she lowers her voice, “I haven’t been able to do that in Clandestine

fine. Let’s go. But I’m not drinking!”

her face. “You’re the best,

Bar’. The city of New York is as busy as ever, and I’m absolutely floored by the noise and flurry of activity here. So many people milling around, going on with their lives, each so unique yet so uniform in their energy.

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