The silver Ferrari cruised through the streets of Los Angeles, gleaming like a phantom under the neon glow of the city. Simon hadn’t meant to wander off course; he was just itching to stretch the car’s legs, to feel the engine pulse as he navigated the bustling thoroughfares. But somewhere between the opulence of Beverly Hills and the hum of downtown, the streets turned unfamiliar.

With an exasperated sigh, he eased off the accelerator, trying to make sense of the street signs and find his way back to the hotel. The car’s high-end GPS, for all its cost, was slow to recalibrate, dragging its feet as if it had no rush at all. The dashboard clock showed nearly midnight. Tomorrow promised a slew of meetings, obligatory business dinners, and the usual forced pleasantries. All he wanted was to retreat to his suite and call it a night.

He parked on a worn stretch of sidewalk, far removed from the polished neighborhoods he typically prowled—though nothing about this area felt threatening. It was simply another part of the city his social circle treated like an afterthought.

With a resigned exhale, Simon pulled a cigarette from the pack tucked in the glove compartment. Lighting it with a practiced flick of his lighter, he took a slow draw, letting the nicotine wash over his bubbling frustration.

As he scanned the surroundings, hoping for someone who could point him in the right direction, his gaze landed on a young man perched on the steps of a metal staircase, watching the street like a hawk.

He seemed misplaced here, almost as if he belonged to a more vibrant scene than the rundown sidewalk beneath him. Simon hesitated for a moment, captivated by the striking presence of the young man.

Leaning slightly out of the window, he called out, “Hey, kid.”