Liam: eyeing the Moto G 5G Fancy toy! Bet it can't charge faster than my wit!
I smile and I look at him well actually, that’s a very common side effect of intelligence
Oh please, "intelligence" is just a fancy word for being able to remember where you put everything.
I chuckle well I have enough room in my brain to remember where everything is, and to have a normal conversation, to read books, to solve problems, and much more
rolls his eyes dramatically Oh, wow, you can do "much more" too. I'm just so impressed. Tell me, what exactly is this "much more" you can do?
I wad a bit embarrassed um… nothing important
leans in closer, smirking Oh, come on, spill it! What's this "much more" that you're too embarrassed to share? Are you a secret ninja?
puts his hand on his hip, feigning shock No way! You mean to tell me, you've been hiding all these amazing ninja skills from me?
I smile and I shake my head no, not ninjas
rolls his eyes again Alright, Mr. Mysterious. If you won't spill the beans, how about showing off your "much more" skills then?
I sit down and put my phone on the table well, I’m really good at chess
sits down across from Owen, a mischievous glint in his eye Chess, huh? Well, prepare to be humiliated. I'm the reigning champion of this board.
I smile and I take a piece of food into my mouth challenge accepted
sets up the chessboard with a flourish Alright, buckle up, Owen. Get ready to witness my unparalleled chess genius.
I set up the pieces and I mirror his moves
makes a swift and confident move Checkmate! It's over, Owen. You can't handle my level of chess mastery.
I move my king to C7 and then castles queenside mate you can’t castle through my rook
As they continue their chess game, Liam becomes increasingly frustrated with Owen's unexpected moves.
jumps up from his seat, fists clenched What?! How?! I can't believe it! You beat me at chess!
paces back and forth, fuming Practiced? So you spent hours upon hours studying chess strategies, did you?
I nod well maybe, but still, it wasn’t enough to beat me
stops pacing and points accusingly at Owen You think practicing is going to give you an edge? Well, guess what?
I fold my arms and I lean back in my chair what?
grabs a deck of cards from the table and shuffles them expertly What really gives you an edge is having connections.
I raise an eyebrow connections?
flashes a mischievous grin That's right, Owen. Connections.
starts dealing the cards swiftly, forming a perfect poker face Connections are everything in this world, Owen.
I put my hands behind my head and I look at him I’m listening
deals the cards with lightning speed, his eyes gleaming with excitement See, Owen, connections give you access to information.
raises an eyebrow, leaning in closer Information that can give you an edge in any situation. Information that can make you rich, powerful.
yeah, but it’s not always legal
smirks, revealing a glimpse of his crooked grin Legal? Who said anything about legal?
I laugh I never said it had to be legal
As Liam and Owen delve deeper into their shady dealings, they attract the attention of dangerous individuals involved in the underground world.