Chapter 2 Unexpected guest

The fire crackled softly as the group huddled around it, sharing stories of their day. Tony, a wiry man in his fifties, was in the middle of an exaggerated tale about a close encounter with a stray dog when Nathaniel-or Nate, as they knew him-felt a strange sense of unease.

He glanced over his shoulder, scanning the alley and surrounding streets for anything unusual. It was quiet, like always. The shadows stretched across the cracked pavement, and the only sound was the distant hum of the city. Still, something didn't feel right.

"Yo, Nate, you listening?" Tony asked, nudging him with an elbow.

Nathaniel forced a smile. "Yeah, sorry, just zoned out for a second."

"Man, you always zoning out," Tony chuckled, returning to his story.

Nathaniel's eyes flickered back toward the alley entrance, and that's when he saw it-someone standing just outside the ring of light cast by the fire. The figure was cloaked in the shadows, their face hidden beneath a dark hood, but Nathaniel could feel the stranger's gaze fixed on him.

The group hadn't noticed the newcomer yet. Tony was still talking, and the others were laughing along, unaware of the sudden tension creeping into the air. Nathaniel stood up, his muscles tensing, ready for anything.

"Who's that?" he asked, his voice low but firm.

The laughter stopped abruptly, and all eyes turned toward the alley entrance. The figure took a step forward, slowly revealing themselves. It was a woman-tall and slender, with sharp features and piercing green eyes that seemed to glow in the firelight. Her dark clothing was a stark contrast to the worn, shabby attire of those around the fire.

"Nate?" Tony muttered, confused. "You know her?"

Nathaniel shook his head. He had no idea who this woman was, but the way she looked at him sent a chill down his spine. She didn't belong here.

The woman stepped closer, her eyes never leaving Nathaniel. "Nathaniel Cole," she said, her voice soft but commanding.

The group went silent, and Nathaniel felt his heart skip a beat. His secret-his carefully crafted disguise-was unraveling in an instant.

"I think you have the wrong person," Nathaniel replied, trying to sound casual, though his pulse raced. "My name's Nate."

The woman smirked, a cold, knowing smile. "You may go by Nate here, but we both know who you really are. Nathaniel Cole, heir to S.A.T.F.A.R."

At that, Tony and the others exchanged bewildered glances. "What's she talking about, man?" Tony asked, his voice laced with confusion. "You some kind of big shot or something?"

Nathaniel's mind raced. How did this woman know his real identity? He had taken great care to keep his two lives separate. No one from the streets had ever suspected that the quiet, unassuming Nate was actually the billionaire heir to one of the world's most powerful technology companies.

"I'm not here to expose you," the woman continued, her voice lowering so that only Nathaniel could hear. "But we need to talk. Alone."

Nathaniel clenched his jaw. He didn't like being backed into a corner, especially not in front of the people he trusted. "What do you want?" he asked, his tone hardening.

"I'll explain everything," she said, her green eyes flickering in the firelight. "But not here."

Nathaniel glanced at Tony, whose brow was furrowed in suspicion. The others were staring at him now, waiting for an explanation. This was exactly what Nathaniel had feared-his two worlds colliding in a way that left him exposed.

"Nate, you don't have to go with her, man," Tony said, standing up. "If she's trouble, we'll deal with it."

The loyalty in Tony's voice warmed Nathaniel's heart, but he knew this situation was more dangerous than Tony could understand. Whoever this woman was, she wasn't just some stranger. She knew things she shouldn't, and that made her a threat.

Nathaniel turned back to the woman. "Alright," he said quietly. "We'll talk. But if you pull anything, I won't hesitate to stop you."

The woman's smirk faded slightly, replaced with a look of resolve. "I don't doubt it."

Nathaniel nodded to Tony and the others. "I'll be back soon," he promised, though he could see the uncertainty in their eyes. He didn't offer any further explanation. How could he?

As Nathaniel followed the woman down the alley, his mind raced with questions. Who was she? How did she know him? And what could she possibly want with someone who spent his nights in the company of the homeless, while his days were filled with corporate meetings and billion-dollar decisions?

They walked in silence for several blocks, the city lights reflecting off the wet pavement. The air was crisp, and Nathaniel's breath fogged in the cool night. He stayed a step behind the woman, his senses on high alert.

Finally, she stopped in a narrow alley between two abandoned buildings. She turned to face him, her expression now serious, all traces of her earlier smirk gone.

"My name is Zara," she said, her voice steady. "I work for a group of people who've been watching you for a while."

"Watching me?" Nathaniel's eyes narrowed. "Why? What do you want?"

Zara hesitated for a moment, then spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. "You have something we need, Nathaniel. Something only you can give us. S.A.T.F.A.R. is more than just a tech company. You know that, don't you?"

Nathaniel's stomach twisted at her words. He had always suspected that there was more to his family's company than met the eye, but his father had been tight-lipped about the deeper workings of S.A.T.F.A.R. He had only hinted at secret projects, things that Nathaniel had been deliberately kept out of.

"What are you talking about?" Nathaniel asked, his voice tense.

Zara stepped closer, her green eyes locking onto his. "There's a hidden side to S.A.T.F.A.R., one that your father has been keeping from you. But now, it's time you learned the truth."

Nathaniel stared at her, the weight of her words sinking in. His entire life, he had felt like an outsider, even in his own family. And now, it seemed, the secrets were finally beginning to unravel.

But what kind of truth was waiting for him? And why did it feel like his life was about to change forever?