Once out of the train, I headed for Karim’s luxury penthouse. Exiting the elevator, I saw Karim, who was busy with a phone call.

“Tell him I don't care. Tell him that Karim Hakim is speaking.” Karim waved his hand to me, signaling that he'd be a few minutes.

“No, you tell him that. That name does mean something in this city!”

Karim started to receive another call.

“One second. Excuse me. Hello? Hello, who is this? Papa! How are you, Papa? Don't worry about how much it costs. Consider it a gift. No, no, you didn’t pay for it; I did. Well, technically, I didn't, and you didn't. Papa, it’s complicated. I miss you, papa. I do. Yes, I'm close to finalizing the deal; you're going to be so proud of me. Well, fifteen million is a little bit too much to spend in a month, but it was worth it. Huh? No, no, no, papa, those are not prostitutes! They are the top-range models! Papa? Hello? Papa?”

Karim laughed before turning around, “How’s it going, man?”

“What’s going on trouble with you, father?”

“He’s a very considerate man. He does not understand how hard I'm working.” Karim walked to his gaming console and started playing it. “He thinks my life is full of partying, drugs, and sex.”

I asked him to repeat himself as the noise coming from the speakers linked to the console was deafening. I could hear the sound of car engines and robotic techno music, then Karim talking about his father.

“Could you maybe lower the volume!?” I yelled out.

Karim finally turned off the console and reaped what he said; only this time I could hear what he was saying.

“I’ll work my fingers to the bone. Take last week, for example. I was busy test-driving new sexy cars; I was so exhausted I went to the purple lounge to relax. You ever been?”

“No.”

Karim chuckled, “Oh-ho-ho. You'll love some of the best drinks and the women. Oh, the women, I tell you, those women are simply wonderful.”

I could paint a clear enough picture in my mind of what the purple room was just by Karim’s description alone.

“I'm a workaholic. A workaholic brother. Now I need to visit Mazzin and his brother for a business meeting. I mean, I love those guys, but god, it's exhausting.”

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“How’s that?” I asked.

“These guys never stop going on about their money." Oh, look at the money here, the money there. "You know what they are, Max? Oh, what's the word I'm looking for there?... Tacky! I mean, I love those guys, but coming on.”

“Okay, well, guess I'll see you later then.”

Karim stopped me from leaving.

“Oh no, no, no, no. You're coming with me, baby. You need to act like we are friends. Shit, we are friends! Make out shit’s going down. Going down, brother. Come on, let’s bounce.”

We started walking to the elevator before Karim stopped again.

“When I say let's bounce, I don't mean literally bouncing around.”

“I know what it means.”

“It's a term from the street meaning you need to walk; it’s similar to roll. You know, let’s roll.”

We started walking again while talking about the street meaning of walking. As we stepped outside, a sleek and luxurious car awaited us.

"Normally we would be taking the aircraft, but it's in the shop for repairs, I was busy with. In fact, let's not talk about it." Karim explained.

Our journey took us to the outskirts of North Oak in Westbrook, and as we arrived, my attention was immediately captured by the imposing gated walls surrounding the villa. The security measures were evident, with cameras and menacing machine gun turrets mounted on top.

Karim confidently approached the gate and entered a combination on the keypad, which led to the doors opening to reveal a stunning villa that I could only have dreamt of living in.

Crossing the threshold, I noticed meticulously manicured grass on the right, with vibrant flowers adorning the edges. At the same time, on the left, a vast swimming pool offered breathtaking views of Night City.

"Look at this! Like I say, Max, they have no taste!" Karim exclaimed.

With a knock on the front door, we were greeted by Mazzin, and the two embraced warmly. Inside, the luxury continued to astound me. Mazzin proudly displayed a golden coat hanger, a mere glimpse of the blatant displays of wealth that surrounded us.

The walls were covered with pictures of Mazzin posing with stacks of money in ornate golden frames, and exotic animal fur served as luxurious carpets. Golden cups and cup holders, a colossal TV in the living room, and a pristine white leather sofa completed the lavish scene inside the villa where we were invited to sit.

“So how are you, Karim? We haven't spoken in a few weeks, not since the party we had here where you famously.”

“Let's not continue with that!” Karim yelled, interrupting Mazzin.

Mazzin turned his attention to me, “Okay... Who’s your friend?”

“This is my business associate, Mister, um, mister.”

I quietly whispered to Karim my last name, Carver.

“Butcher!”

I was confused about how he managed to mess up my last name.

"Nice, how much money do you make, Mister Butcher?” Mazzin asked.

“I make around twenty-eight million an hour.”

Both were stunned. “REALLY?” they said at the same time.

“No, you idiots. I'm a merc. A Knight Rider to be more specific.”

Mazzin was confused about what a merc was. I explained that I basically do gigs for people, and in return they pay me. I felt it would be best if I left out all of the violence stuff.

Mazzin turned his attention to the main reason why Karim and I were here: “So I won't lie to you, Karim, but your plans in Pacifica are not only a waste of money but also silly. Do you really think that will impress your father?”

Karim started to agitate, “Keep my father's name out of your fucking mouth. I’ll have you know that my father will be arriving in the city in a few days, and once he arrives, he’ll be so impressed with what I've done.”