Wright, who was sitting across from me at the table, was chatting with the waiter about the head chef of the restaurant. Apparently, the chef was a Michelin-starred professional whom Wright knew well. It seemed to me that he was a regular guest at this restaurant.
"I assume you’d like your usual order, Mr. Wright?" the waiter asked.
"You know me too well. Chef Leclerk’s Filet Mignon is, after all, my favorite dish," Wright replied with a polite smile.
"And what may I get for you today, Mr. Coleman?" the waiter turned to me.
"This is my first time here, so I think I’ll trust Mr. Wright’s judgment and order the same," I answered. From the corner of my eye, I noticed that my choice seemed to please Wright. I knew this wasn’t just a simple dinner. I had to seize every opportunity to get closer to him.
"Excellent choice. I’ll be back shortly with your meals. If you need anything else, just give me a signal," the waiter said as he walked away.
"Now that we’re alone, I can properly greet you. As you know, my name is Sam Wright, and I’m glad you accepted my invitation. So, you’re Blaze, the person I’ve heard so much about," Wright said, turning his attention to me.
"Yes, sir. It’s an honor to meet someone like you," I replied politely.
"A few days ago, AJ told me one of his best fighters was taken down by a newcomer. When he mentioned that the newcomer was only 18 years old, it caught my interest. And now, just a few days later, you’ve not only saved AJ from prison and uncovered a traitor but also practically ensured my election victory. For that, I wanted to thank you personally."
"You don’t need to thank me, sir. I did it because AJ and the guys at the club welcomed an outsider like me without hesitation. I couldn’t let them walk into a trap."
"You don’t have to be so modest. What you did isn’t something just anyone would do, and you deserve to be properly rewarded for it."
"Thank you very much, sir."
"I know you wanted to work for AJ to save up money for your education. If you want, you can choose a university in England, and I’ll not only cover the fees but also ensure you get accepted. However, I have a second proposal if you’re interested."
"Your first offer is very generous, Mr. Wright, but I’d be lying if I said you haven’t piqued my interest. What’s your second proposal?" I asked while thinking about what kind of suggestion he would make.
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"You see, Blaze, the more you own, the more people want to take from you. And it’s not just you they target—they go after those you love. That’s why I invest so much in security for myself and my family. However, my daughter is starting her studies at the Imperial College of London this year. She’s insisted that my security team doesn’t follow her around campus. That leaves me in a difficult position because I’d constantly worry about her safety. You understand, don’t you?" Wright asked.
I had already noticed on my way to the table that at least four people weren’t regular restaurant patrons. They weren’t talking and were subtly watching me. They were clearly a part of Wright’s security.
I was certain since I recognized one of the men from my previous observations, which proved Wright was indeed cautious when it came to his safety.
I made sure not to show that I felt observed and replied, "Of course, sir. You’re a very caring father."
"I knew you’d get it. My second offer for you is to join my daughter at the Imperial College of London to study business and to protect her during the absence of my security personnel," Wright said.
Did I hear that right? Wright wanted me to play bodyguard for his daughter? This completely caught me off guard and left me speechless for a moment. Wright noticed my hesitation.
"I know exactly what you’re thinking. You’re not a professional bodyguard, but your combat skills, quick thinking, and reliability make you stand out. On top of that, you’re the same age as my daughter, which makes you the perfect choice to protect her without raising suspicion. She must never know she’s being watched, especially not at university.
The main reason I invited you here today was to assess you and decide if I could trust you with something this important. I believe you’re the right person for the job. Of course, your efforts won’t go unrewarded. You’ll be compensated generously, and when you finish your degree, I’ll ensure you have a position in one of my companies. So, Blaze—do you think you’re up to the task?"
This was the opportunity I had been waiting for. How could I ever turn down such an offer? If I played my cards right and befriended Wright’s daughter, I could learn more about Trident faster than I ever expected.
"I must admit your offer took me by surprise at first, but I’m honored that a man like you has so much trust in me. This offer is more than I ever hoped for when I decided to come to England on my own. I hope I can meet your expectations and gratefully accept your offer," I replied.
"Excellent. You and my daughter will begin your studies in three months. Until then, you’ll start working at Blackstone Protection on Monday. That’s the firm responsible for my family’s security. While I trust your abilities, you should use the time to gain as much practical experience as possible," Wright said.
"Yes, sir. I’ll do my best not to disappoint you," I answered.
Just then, the waiter returned to our table and served the first course. As we ate, Wright shared stories about how he was also an orphan but managed to make it to the top. He told me more about his family and the many travels he had undertaken.
The way he conversed was exactly what one would expect from a politician—friendly and charming but also direct. He subtly made it clear that we were not equals, ensuring his authority was never undermined.
The food at the restaurant was so good that, for a moment, I almost forgot about the watchful eyes of Wright’s security team.
But I never forgot the real reason I was there. Not for one second.
Wright’s smile that night was often fake, but he wasn’t the only one at the table faking it.