The Deceitful One

Wednesday, 15th December 1580.

Inside a diner, two blocks west of the farmer's market, Bryan was sitting by the window and looking at the people going about their day outside in the snowfall.

The snowfall drizzled from high above and continued to fall, creating a cotton-like blanket that enveloped the entire city in white.

Today was especially cold. Bryan saw as people struggled to keep warm outside. A few burn barrels could also be seen on the footpaths as tramps and other beggars huddled around them.

However, inside the diner it was warm. It wasn't as inviting as the cafe he usually visited on Laurent Avenue but it did the job to keep the cold away, at the very least.

A warm cup of coffee lay on the table in front of Bryan. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee tickled his nose as he grabbed the mug handle and took a sip.

With each sip of the coffee, the warmth spread throughout his body, chasing away the cold. After taking a few sips, Bryan smacked his lips and placed the mug back on the table.

He nodded his head in approval as he thought, 'Mmh, the coffee here is surprisingly good.'

The reason why Bryan was waiting at the diner this early in the morning was that he had to meet up with Jamie.

He had been meeting up with Jamie every couple of days here at this diner. The latter would come here and give his findings to Bryan.

Bryan continued to drink his coffee and look at the landscape outside. The steam cars along with the horse-drawn carriages rode along the cobbled streets.

The three to four-storied buildings and grand houses displayed elegance and sophisticated architecture beautifully.

Ever since the advent of the industrial age, the architecture and infrastructure of the various cities had also advanced greatly.

It was surprising how Bryan never took the time out to appreciate the ingenuity and creativity of the craftsmen and architects who build such marvelous buildings and houses.

He then shook his head and sighed, 'Back then I was too busy saving up money to eat and survive. How could I have had the luxury for all this?'

After all, Bryan—for most of his life—lived in the dark underbelly of Damascus. Beneath the grandeur visible on the surface, there were the poor working-class people struggling with their daily lives.

The area in and around the slums had buildings or living units that were always cramped and crowded. The families there had to be packed up into small apartments and rooms.

As Bryan continued to ponder about the two sides of Damascus, Jamie at some point had entered the diner. He looked around trying to find Bryan.

His gaze finally landed upon a young handsome man wearing a black three-piece suit and a gray overcoat looking outside the window, deep in thought.

Jamie's eyes lit up as he smiled brightly. He then proceeded to walk toward Bryan but was abruptly stopped by a work staff.

"What do you want, kid? We don't serve free food here." The staff spoke impolitely as he look at the ragged clothes that Jamie was wearing.

"You! I'm not here for free food. I've come to meet someone." Jamie replied angrily, the smile on his face instantly vanishing.

He had always hated people who looked down on him just because of the clothes he was wearing or how he looked.

The staff snorted in disdain, "This is a well-respected diner. Who are you trying to fool?"

Jamie was about to snap back but right at that moment, Bryan's calm voice was heard from behind the staff, "He's with me."

The staff turned around and looked at Bryan who was standing right behind him with a smile on his face.

He then looked at the expensive-looking clothes Bryan was wearing and his attitude did a 180 turn as he replied with a fawning attitude, "Of course, sir. I was just going to let the kid in."

"You liar-" Jamie was about to berate the staff but was cut off by Bryan.

"Come with me, Jamie." Bryan then turned around and walked to his table.

Meanwhile, Jamie glared at the staff and harrumphed as he followed after Bryan.

He then approached the table by the window and sat across from Bryan. He crossed his arms and started to pout in dissatisfaction.

Bryan found Jamie's actions quite amusing, "Don't bother with what the staff said to you. You shouldn't let other people's words affect you so easily."

"But words cut deeper than blades. It hurts every time someone mocks me based on my appearance.

They don't know what I've been through, yet they don't think twice before making fun of me." Jamie turned his head and looked out the window in a sullen mood.

Bryan's heart ached after listening to Jamie's words. At one point in life, when he was younger, he too thought the same.

He smiled faintly and encouraged, "Jamie, always remember this. You might not have control over the things that are happening to you.

But what you do have control over, is how you react to them. This is one of the things I've learned throughout the time that I lived in the slums."

Jamie turned back around and looked Bryan in the eyes. He carefully pondered over the words that the latter spoke.

'Control how you react to them…' He thought in his heart.

With a determined expression, he nodded his head, "I will do my best, Boss."

Bryan smiled and then signaled for staff to come to take their order. The staff who had earlier stopped Jamie saw this and made his way to the table.

However, Bryan narrowed his eyes and glared at him. The staff subconsciously stopped in his tracks as he began to sweat profusely.

He felt from the bottom of his heart that if he took another step closer, something bad would definitely happen to him.

Just looking at Bryan's eyes gave him a chill that ran up his spine. He immediately turned around and fled to the kitchen as if he had seen a ghost in broad daylight. This caused the other customers to look at him strangely.

Another staff approached Bryan's table and smiled apologetically, "Sorry about that, sir. He's feeling a bit sick today. May I take your order instead?"