As I worked at the construction site, the sun beating down on me, I was suddenly interrupted by Alex's friendly voice.
"Hey, Jackson! How's it going?" he asked, a big smile on his face.
I wiped the sweat from my brow, taking a moment to respond. "It's going well, Alex. Just trying to get some work done."
Alex nodded, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. "I'm glad to hear that. But I wanted to ask you something. How did you enjoy dinner at my place last night?"
I smiled, feeling a sense of nostalgia. "I had a great time, Alex. Your wife, Maria, is an amazing cook. That lasagna was incredible."
Alex beamed with pride. "Thanks, Jackson. Maria loves cooking for guests. And the kids were thrilled to have you over. They've been talking about it nonstop since last night."
I chuckled, feeling a sense of warmth. "I had a great time with them too. They're such great kids. And your house is always so welcoming."
Alex nodded, his eyes sparkling with warmth. "Thanks, Jackson. We love having you over. You're like part of the family."
I felt a sense of gratitude towards Alex and his family. They had taken me in and made me feel like one of their own. And I knew that I could always count on them to be there for me.
"Thanks, Alex. That means a lot to me," I said, my voice filled with emotion.
Alex smiled, his eyes sparkling with warmth. "Anytime, Jackson. That's what friends are for. Now, get back to work. We've got a lot to do today."
As Alex walked away, I couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for him. He was a good man, a kind man. And I knew that I could always count on him to be there for me.
As the day wore on, I found myself glancing over at Alex, wondering what he was thinking. Was he still smiling about last night's dinner? Or was he just happy to have me back at work?
I didn't have the answers, but I knew one thing for sure. I was grateful for Alex's friendship, and I would do anything to protect it.
As the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the construction site, Alex came over to me once again.
"Hey, Jackson. I'm glad we got a lot done today. You're a hard worker."
I smiled, feeling a sense of pride. "Thanks, Alex. I try my best."
Alex nodded, his eyes sparkling with warmth. "I know you do. And I appreciate it. Now, let's get out of here. I'm starving."
I laughed, feeling a sense of relief. "Me too, Alex. Me too."
As we packed up our tools and headed off the site, I couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude towards Alex. He was a good friend, a true friend. And I knew that I could always count on him to be there for me.
"Hey, Alex?" I said, as we walked off the site.
"Yeah?" he replied, looking over at me.
"Thanks again for dinner last night. I had a great time."
Alex smiled, his eyes sparkling with warmth. "Anytime, Jackson. You're always welcome at our house."
As I walked out of the shop, my arms laden with bags of groceries and personal items, I couldn't help but feel a sense of normalcy wash over me. It was a feeling I hadn't experienced in a while, not since Victor Martinez's men had started watching me. The warm sun on my skin and the gentle breeze in my hair were a welcome respite from the tension that had been building up inside me.
But as I stepped out onto the sidewalk, my eyes scanned the surrounding area, and my heart skipped a beat. There, standing outside the shop, were two figures I recognized all too well. They were Liam's men, the same ones who had been watching me for days. They were tall, imposing figures, with stern expressions and an air of confidence that was unnerving.
My heartbeat increased as I felt a sense of unease wash over me. I knew they were here for me, and I knew I couldn't avoid them. I tried to take a deep breath and calm myself down, but my mind was racing with worst-case scenarios.
I took a moment to compose myself, smoothing out my clothes and adjusting my bags. I didn't want to appear flustered or intimidated, not in front of Liam's men. I took a deep breath and stepped out to join them, trying to appear calm and collected.
As I approached, they turned to face me, their expressions neutral. They were dressed in black, with sunglasses perched on their foreheads, giving them an air of mystery and menace.
"Jackson," one of them said, his voice firm but polite. "Liam wants to see you."
I swallowed hard, trying to process what was happening. "What does he want?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
The other man stepped forward, a small cellphone in his hand. "Liam has decided to extend the time he gave you to 48 hours," he said, his eyes locked on mine. "By tomorrow, he'll come to get your answers."
I felt a wave of relief wash over me, followed quickly by a sense of dread. 48 hours was a small reprieve, but it was better than nothing. I knew I had to use this time wisely, to come up with a plan to get out of this situation.
"What answers?" I asked, trying to stall for time.
The first man smiled, a cold, calculating smile. "You know what answers, Jackson. Liam wants to know if you're going to work for him or not. And if not, he wants to know why."
I took a deep breath, trying to think of a response. But before I could say anything, the second man handed me the cellphone.
"This is for you," he said, his voice firm. "Liam will be in touch soon. You can expect a call from him tomorrow."
I took the cellphone, feeling a sense of trepidation. I knew that Liam's call would be the beginning of the end, one way or another. I looked down at the phone, feeling a sense of unease. What would Liam say to me? Would he be angry, or would he be calm and collected?
The two men turned to leave, and I watched them go, feeling a sense of unease wash over me. I knew I had 48 hours to make a decision, but I also knew that Liam's men would be watching me every step of the way.
As I stood there, the cellphone clutched in my hand, I couldn't help but wonder what the future held. Would I be able to come up with a plan to get out of this situation, or would I be forced to make a choice that would change my life forever?
I took a deep breath and turned to walk away, the cellphone still clutched in my hand. I knew I had a long night ahead of me, and I needed to think fast if I was going to come out on top.
As I walked, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being watched. I glanced over my shoulder, but saw nothing out of the ordinary. Still, the feeling persisted.
I quickened my pace, my heart pounding in my chest. I knew I had to get out of there, and fast. I didn't know what Liam's men had planned for me, but I knew I didn't want to find out.
I finally reached the safety of my halfway house, locking the door behind me and leaning against it to catch my breath. I knew I had 48 hours to make a decision, but I also knew that time was running out.
I looked down at the cellphone in my hand, feeling a sense of trepidation. What would Liam's call bring? Would it be a chance for me to negotiate, or would it be a demand for an answer?
I didn't know, but I knew one thing for sure. I had to be ready. I had to think fast, and come up with a plan to get out of this situation.