Working fast, he started moving his things to the new place right away. His computer came first.
One bedroom became his office. Orders placed online sped up the setup process.
A long mahogany table and extra monitors showed up first, followed by a $10,000 PC.
More boxes arrived, stacking higher with every order.
A technician also came to install everything, mounting multiple 32-inch monitors on the walls.
'I won't cheap on my office.'
Tracking stocks, crypto, and the latest news all at once required the right setup. This was only the beginning of his investment spree.
Effie, meanwhile, went home to pack light.
Just like that, the afternoon slipped away.
As the sun dipped lower, he sat in his new office, eyes fixed on his investment portfolio.
One screen showed his private notes—events he still recalled that could help him win money on sports bets, crypto, and stocks.
After double-checking his portfolio, he stretched his legs and headed to the dining room.
Effie was already there, waiting. She didn't cook—she just ordered takeout from the restaurant downstairs because she was busy moving all her belongings.
He slid into the chair across from her. They ate slowly, sharing stories about their day
Her smile was brighter than before, clearly enjoying this moment.
They took their time eating before moving to the balcony to share a glass of wine and watch the city lights flicker below.
It was hard to believe that just yesterday they were in a police station, being interrogated.
Now, they were in a comfortable place, quietly enjoying the view.
"Let's head to bed early. Got a lot to handle tomorrow," he said, standing up and stretching.
They went into the bedroom and lay down together. With the lights dimmed, they pulled the covers over and started cuddling.
Her fingers brushed his arm as she whispered, "Kiss me," lips parting just enough to tempt.
Terrence smiled softly and leaned closer, giving her what she wanted the most; him.
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Early that morning, he got ready for a meeting. Saul texted him to meet at a pancake house, so he got an Uber and headed over.
It made him want to get his license more as soon as possible and buy his own car.
After a few minutes, he reached a less prominent part of the city.
People in flashy, colored clothing loitered around. He stayed alert, ready in case someone tried to mug him.
Saul was already there, sitting by the window with a half-empty cup of coffee.
His hair was combed back, but not cleanly—some strands clung to his forehead like they gave up halfway.
Deep lines cut across his face, especially around his eyes and mouth, the kind that come from years of faking smiles.
His cheap brown suit didn't fit quite right, a little loose at the shoulders, a little tight at the waist. A bit of stubble clung to his jaw, like he either forgot to shave or didn't care.
Saul looked up from his cup, then blinked twice when Terrence slid into the booth across from him.
"You're my client?" he asked, squinting like the name didn't match the face. "Damn. I was expecting some old guy with a beer gut and a receding hairline, not—this."
Terrence raised an eyebrow. "Sorry to disappoint."
The attorney chuckled and waved for the waiter. "No, no. This is good. Just unexpected. You're what—twenty?"
"Eighteen,"
"Figures." Saul leaned back, arms stretching along the booth. "Kids these days... got a laptop, some balls, and suddenly you're making more money than most guys twice your age. What is it? Crypto? Trading? Online drop shipping? Only fans? Something illegal?"
"Nothing too much," Terrence said flatly.
That made Saul grin. "Spoken like a real entrepreneur. Alright, kid. Let's get to it. You said you needed a guy who knows how to make things... bend the rules a bit?"
"I need someone to deal with the paperwork and taxes. To make things look legit."
Saul took a long sip of his coffee, then set it down with a soft clink. "You've got the right guy. Question is—how dirty are you planning to play?"
Terrence met his eyes without flinching. "Mostly crypto. I can keep it off the radar for now using the blockchain, but once I start buying high-end property, it'll show up eventually."
Saul nodded slowly. "Smart. A legit front always helps by making the paper trail easier to manage. Just remember, the IRS only comes knocking when they think you're sloppy. Watch the timing and have a story for everything."
Terrence nodded. "That's why I need to lay the groundwork now. I just need to make sure they don't come after me this year."
Saul raised an eyebrow. "Just this year? Why?"
"That's a trade secret. For now, that's all I can say."
"Alright, mystery boy," he said, swirling the last of his coffee. "But just so we're clear—if you're planning something risky, you better have a clean way out."
Calmly, he replied, "Exit plan's ready. It will erase everything."
Technically, it was the apocalypse—but no need to mention that. Let paperwork man handle his job. No point bringing the end of the world to breakfast.
Saul chuckled. "You sound like a guy on a timer."
"I am…" he paused, then corrected himself. "No, we all are."