The Clock on the Wall

He kept his posture straight, hands resting on his knees, as he glanced at the wall clock again.

It’s 5:25. I’ve been sitting in this room for twenty minutes. What are they doing out there?

The door opened at last, and Rina walked in with a folder in one hand and her phone in the other.

She looks distracted… like she’s balancing three problems in her head at once.

“I’m really sorry Mr. Mercer, for keeping you waiting this long,” Rina said. “My phone’s about to die and I was hunting for a charger.” She set the folder on her desk. “Would you like some coffee or tea? I’m a tea person myself. Afternoon tea with milk is a must.”

John shook his head. “I only drink tea in the mornings. The rest of the day, water is fine.”

“Okay…” Rina replied. She pressed a button on her desk phone. “Could you bring a bottle of water to my office, please?”

*****

While Rina was talking to John, Aria was already at the club—laughing, dancing, enjoying herself with her friends. Her face was covered by the hood of her gray sweatshirt, hiding her identity from the crowd.

Outside the club, two men stepped out and approached the black SUV parked across the street. One leaned toward the driver's window as it rolled down.

“She’s in there, same hoodie you told us,” he said. “Laughing and dancing.”

The driver listened silently.

“The security inside is too heavy for us to move now,” the other man continued. “Too many cameras. Too many guards. We wait until she steps out. Then we grab her and get her in the car.”

The driver didn’t answer. He simply rolled the window back up.

*****

Rina set her phone down and opened the folder. “Let’s see who my father hired for my little sister… the star of the family.”

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A.E.G.I.S. PROTECTION GROUP

Executive Protection Division

Client-Accessible Personnel Summary

OPERATIVE FILE: MERCER, JOHN A.

Call Sign: “Shepherd”

Clearance Level: INTERNAL – CLIENT RELEASE (LEVEL II)

File No.: AGX-4726

Age: 33

Height: 188 cm (6’2’’)

Weight: 85 kg (187 lbs)

Hair: Black

Eyes: Dark brown

Blood Type: B+

SERVICE RECORD

Branch: U.S. Army – 75th Ranger Regiment

Service Dates: 2003–2016

Highest Rank Held: Staff Sergeant (E-6)

SKILL SET

Advanced defensive tactics (boxing/wrestling background)

Close-quarters combat

High-threat escort protocols

Protective intelligence & risk analysis

Emergency medical (TCCC Level II)

Residential & travel security planning

BACKGROUND SUMMARY

Physically fit; cleared for high-risk protective duties

Prior combat injuries: minor, fully healed

Mental health clearance: PASS (Full psychological file remains CLASSIFIED)

No criminal record.

No civil complaints.

No excessive-force findings during private employment.

PERSONAL NOTES (DIRECTOR’S ENDORSEMENT)

“Mercer is reliable, quiet, and precise. He excels in dynamic environments and consistently places client safety above self-interest. Recommended for Tier-One executive protection assignments.”

Director James. J. Price

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“Wow… you were in the army?” Rina asked, looking up from the file. “Did you get the scar on the right side of your face—around your eye—from that?”

“Yes,” John answered simply.

“What other clients have you had before this?” Rina flipped another page.

“I’ve had multiple clients. Billionaires, actors, CEOs… all sorts.”

“Oh? Billionaires and actors?” She leaned forward slightly. “Can you tell me any of their names or…?”

“I can’t reveal my previous clients’ identities, Ms. Kingsley.”

She smiled. “It's Miss, but when we know each other a little more, you can call me Rina, John.”

*****

“Alright, girls, it was super fun hanging out with you,” Aria said as she hugged her friends. “Same time next week?”

“For sure, bestie.”

“Can’t wait to see what you wear in Met Gaia.”

“Take care.”

Her friends left the club in a cluster of laughter. Aria pushed her hood forward and stepped outside only to freeze.

Five men were standing by the curb, near an SUV, their eyes locking on her. The moment her gaze met theirs, they moved.

Her stomach dropped. She immediately turned back and walked inside the club again, heading straight to the restroom.

Were those guys looking at me? Am I overthinking this? Calm down, Ari… It’s nothing. You’re just imagining things.

But her hands were trembling.

Shit… I can’t calm down and call Rina.

She dug through her bag and pulled out her phone and tapping her sister's name.

Why is Rina’s phone off? Damn it… What do I do? If I show my face here people will freak out. Think, Ari, think…

Her chest tightened. Her breathing grew uneven. She began pacing back and forth in a narrow corner near the back wall of the club, chewing at her lip, one hand gripping her phone like a lifeline.

Okay… call Ryo.

She pressed his name and held the phone to her ear with a shaking hand.

“H-Hey, Ryo… don’t get mad. I’m at Venus Club by myself and—” His shouting cut through the speaker. “Stop yelling at me and listen!” Aria hissed, voice cracking. “I know I shouldn’t have come alone but—just listen!”

She ran her hand through her hair, pacing faster now, feet tapping rapidly on the tiled floor.

“What should I do now? I’m scared and there are people out there who are waiting for me! How do I know? I don’t know—I just feel it in my gut, okay?” She squeezed her eyes shut, pressing her palm against her forehead as she listened. “Are you going to help me or not?”

“Okay… yes, the club has a back door to the alley. Okay… okay, I’ll leave through there.”

She tried to hang up, but her hand shook so badly the phone almost slipped.

“It’s alright, girl… you’re fine,” she whispered to herself, breathing shallowly. “It’s going to be okay… it’s going to be okay…” Her palm stayed pressed against her forehead, fingers digging into her scalp as she tried to steady herself.

*****

Rina twirled a pen between her fingers, avoiding his eyes. “With all these credentials… your time must be expensive?”

“Three thousand dollars a week,” John replied, glancing at the clock on the wall.

It’s 5:55. What is this pointless talk? Is she just killing time? She keeps fidgeting. Why is she stressed?

“I have a set of documents that you and your sister need to sign,” John said, placing the papers on her desk. “Could you call her in?”

“Papers…?” Rina blinked, then forced a smile. “Sure. Let me read them first and I’ll sign.”

“Both of you.” John pressed. “Call your sister here, or do you need me to go get her?”

“Uh…” She tapped her phone awake—only for the screen to stay black. “It’s off. Battery died. Do you have a charger or a power bank or something?” Her face was noticeably paler now.

John’s voice flattened. “Where is your sister?”

Rina froze.

“You kept me here for twenty minutes then, you asked pointless questions for another thirty. And your sister, who was in your office when I arrived, hasn’t shown up once. So she’s either still here, or she’s not here at all, and you’re deliberately keeping me busy.” He leaned forward slightly. “I’ll ask one more time, where is Aria?”

Rina broke. She covered her face with both hands, shoulders shaking. “She… she went to Venus Club to hang out with her friends. I told her not to go, but—”

John didn’t let her finish. He was already out the door, moving with a fast pace toward the elevators, phone already in his hand.

“What do you need, Mercer?” Mei answered the second the call connected.

“I need you to track Aria’s phone and give me the location of Venus Club from their main office.”

“I’ll call you back,” Mei said. The elevator doors opened and John stepped inside, tapping his foot as it descended. The moment he hit the lobby; he broke into a fast stride. His phone rang just as he pushed through the glass doors.

“The club is a few blocks away,” Mei said. “Run four blocks east, then turn left. I’m trying to get a lock on her phone while you get there.”

John didn’t waste a second and sprinted down the street.