Want to bet on it? (John/Moriarty)

Jim shook his head convincingly, his eyes desperately looking for John's and pain expressed on his face.

"No. I mean, yes that was the plan but soon after I started to feel real things. My feelings are sincere." His voice was begging John to listen, to believe him. After all he now was telling the truth.

"John, I DO love you." he pleaded.

John's eyes widened at the words, finally Jim's protests were making it to his brain, but one part of him was telling him not to trust him, not to trust anyone at all. If Jim had fooled him once, he could do it again, and again, and again, John would end being just a pawn in a game.

"Then why didn't you tell me?" he asked, a soft tear moving down his face. "Why didn't you tell me there was a bet? Why did you wait for me to hear it from your wasted best friend?"

James felt dizzy, he felt guilt he felt stupid for even betting with sebastian at all. And he could just tell how much he hurt john by just looking at his face. He was crying, it broke james's heart completely.
"Because I wasn't going through with it. Sebastian /knew/ I wasn't! I didn't want things to end, not like this that's why. I just wanted to forget it happened, I made a mistake. I'm sorry." He was still pleading and he found himself stepping closer to john as hour spoke his words.

"I feel so stupid..." He whispered, turning around, his heart wanted to believe that this wasn't the end, that Jim was saying the truth now, that he loved him, but his pride was hurt, and his insecurities were flaring up, together with what his mother would always say about him.

"Tell the truth Jim, you would have never talked to me if it wasn't for the bet... to you I was just one of the losers," his eyes dark as he started walking towards the door, he needed to get out, he felt like he was suffocating.

James followed john and kept close by his side, he /needed/ him to believe his words.

"I would have never know how much I'd like you either. It might seem bad but it made me realize how much I love you." Come onnnnn just believe me, john needed to take it.

John grimaced at the words that were thrown at him, he didn't know what to think. His head was a mess, he couldn't think straight.
He turned around only once they were outside, his face red with anger. "Then why didn't you tell me? Then why didn't you confess you had a bet at the beginning if it really didn't matter any more?" he snapped, his eyes still hurt.

"If you really cared about me, you could have been honest with me!" he added, his voice still shaking.

James just wanted to slap some senses in to John. Why wouldn't he just understand that /this/ was the reason why he kept it a secret.

"Because I knew it would end up like this. You'd be all dramatic about something that didn't even mattered anymore." He replied.

"I did not want to hurt you unnecessary."

"John please."

"Just.. Please.. Believe me."

He kept begging John. His feelings and words at this moment were sincere. He'd never been more honest then this.

"No, it wouldn't have ended up like this!! It would have been you telling me something in intimacy, not Sebastian shouting it in front of the whole school!" he snapped, and ran his hands in his hair, frustrated.

"I trusted you! You made me feel like a fool!" he looked at the street poorly lit, he felt so lonely in this moment. "Maybe I would have been angry at first, but I would have understood if you had the decency of being honest with me!"

"I just need time... to think," he whimpered, his heart hurt so much, he didn't want to hear Jim's pleading words. He wanted to hug him, he wanted to kiss both their pain away, but he didn't know if things could be okay this easily.

James knew he'd shot all his chances to hell so he might as well started to accept the fact that things between John and him were over. He stopped begging and basically stopped talking. An obnoxious laugh escaped his lips, the pain and nerves made him do that, as well as licking his dry lips.

"I'll give you all the time you need." He said. If time was what John wanted, who was he to not give him that? He'd do whatever it took to set things right between them.

When Jim stopped arguing, John started feeling the pain, it was in his chest, it was in his leg, it was the realization that things could very well be over between them. And what would he do with himself if he couldn't be with Jim?

"I really... really... like you, Jim," he whispered, looking away again. "But I thought things would be easier..."

He brushed the tear that kept running down his cheek away. "I am sorry," he whispered, turning around, he needed to go home, he needed to be alone.


((God, this is killing me ;_; why did I want them to break up again? ))

James couldn't move. He wanted to follow John and beg him, fall at his knees and plead for him to stay, but it was no use. His whole body blocked, his whole mind went numb. His heart broke into even more pieces when he noticed the little limb in John's leg. What had he done?

(( Hahaha. Because our characters are not allowed to feel happy longer than 5 posts. ))

(( XDDDD you are right! XDD but this is worse than we have ever done ;__; and break ups are against my nature of RPer >> should we skip ahead then? and work towards a new happiness for them? Because otherwise I swear John will go back and fuck Jim senseless there and now just because he can't live without him >>
I think the break up with John could be a good reason for Jim to start not caring for any one any more, you know, John becoming the only one he ever cared about >> I mean, it fits if in this one he is quite evil and dark, if you want him to, that is ^^
Do you think we should really have John actually be with Sherlock? Or should they just live together as usual? I can always play Sherlock jealous anyway... or they might have had sex a few times but decided not to be together so not to ruin the friendship...
And how do you think Jim and John should meet again?
God, I feel so guilty for this ;_; ))

((Hahah yes this is rather sad. xD Andddd euhhhrrmmm Let's go with the had sex, live together now thingy, seems okay to me. And about them meeting again perhaps just the same, like he's out after Sherlock and realize that is his John living with him now and in stead of kidnapping him to strap bombs to him like in the great game, he should kidnap him and have a proper talk or something I don't know.

and yes it indeed seems like a legit reason why he'd start what he did. ))

((Oh god yes, that sounds good~~ so we start from the hospital scene at St. Barts? I'll start writing that, if you want something else I can change it... I guess with Sherlock we can both move him? I enjoy jealous and possessive Sherlock, so I would go for that? Maybe a bit of a darker selfish more sexual Sherlock, so I don't feel guilty for having John go to Jim at the end XDD we can also insert some Sherlock/Jim flirting if you want ^^))


John had been wanting to call Jim for fifteen years now. He still had dreams about it at times. What did they say, unfinished business coming back to haunt you.

It still pained him to remember what happened the day after their big fight, how his family crumbled apart and how he had been dragged to live with his dad, away from his mother and sister, away from Jim.
It had been so quick, he hadn't even been able to visit one last time. Not even a goodbye.

He wrote a note, his apologies, an explanation of what had happened, the promise he would always remember, but he didn't even know whether Jim had received that at all.
He never got a reply, but again, John hadn't stayed in the same place for long enough.

John had hated being helpless back then, having to depend on his dad for everything, not being able to even visit the guy he still thought about every day.
So he had made himself independent, he grew up, even though it was too late to come back by then.

He had left for the military as soon as he could convince his dad to let him sign up, and he had left for war before he could even doubt himself.
He needed to forget, and violence, work, always made him forget.

He told himself he was helping out, especially when studying to be a doctor, but deep down he knew it was just an excuse. He needed the adrenaline.

And it was what was slowly killing him once he got back to London.
To have nothing but an injured shoulder.
It was nothing like his old town, but the tedium was just the same.

Sherlock was a kindred soul. He brought adrenaline with him. And companionship John had never felt before.
They were similar, outcasts, anti-social, and adrenaline freaks.
They were friends in a second.

Sex was just a collateral.
But it never got in between their friendship.

Sherlock always treated him the same way, and John kept on going on dates, still trying to convince himself he could be heterosexual if he wanted to.

Now that the shadow of Moriarty was looming over them, John was keen to think about the past.
He had asked around about Jim.
No one knew where he was.
Some said he was married in France, with a family and a splendid life surely John would have never been able to give him.

He hoped he was happy.
Even though he still missed him sometimes.

He never thought Moriarty could be Jim.
It was just a name, and Jim's family was a big one.

He also didn't expect to see him again.
Not in London.
Not in St. Barts hospital while he was working on a case with Sherlock.

He stepped back, as if scared, when he saw a familiar man enter the laboratory. It took him a while to recognize him, he had changed of course, but there was no way he wouldn't.
The same beautiful eyes he remembered, those he would still see in his dreams.

But could it really be...?

The man leaned towards Molly, flirted, in a way that felt familiar just the same.
John just stared.
And Sherlock was staring at John, noticing the reaction and finding it much more interesting than the newcomer.

15 years had gone by since that tragic night. The night that changed James completely. He still remembered it as if it were only yesterday. How it had started raining when John walked away, how he’d shut out everyone. The fight he and Sebastian had the day after lasted for weeks, but James decided it was no use in keeping that up. Seb was the only thing he’d still had, though it never felt the same. James caused serious trouble in his family and was send to university back in Ireland. Far away from his family. His heart so bitter, he’d only managed to make enemies or people serving him out of angst.

Even though he never returned to the place he’d grown up, he did managed to bring down his whole family empire. He decided, ever since the day John left, that nothing would ever get to him again. Slowly but certain his own network started to grow. People started to call him a criminal and would come to him for help. He’d loved the idea of power and control. Making people disappear, hurt, having their life in his hands. He loved the pain in their eyes, though it always remembered him of how he must have looked that one day. Begging, pleading for the only thing he had.

Whenever he doubted his own actions he’d get out an envelope containing only one small piece of paper. Words were scrabbled on them, clearly visible that the person who wrote them had very little time.

“Dear James,
I am so sorry about what happened at the ball that night. But I do hope by now you understand my reaction. I was torn apart and scared. Running was the only thing I could do at that moment.

However, things have gotten out of hand with my me and my mum and I’m now forced to go and live with dad. This means I’ll have to leave town. Unfortunately I’m not able to stop by for a proper goodbye, so we’ll have to do it this way. I’ll scrabble down the address on the back of this letter.

All I can say for now is I’m sorry, about everything.

Love,

John. “

Of course he had never answered it. He was devastated by it. His mind only telling him that if John really was sorry, he’d had 5 minutes to stop by his house and have a proper goodbye. He’d have called, he’d have wrote another letter. But nothing ever happened. James told himself the only reason John wrote that letter was to satisfy his own consciousness. Every time he read that letter, he knew the things he’d done were the right ones.

Now, 15 years later his network had spread out over the whole world. Every country had his own operating call. Though, James needed some distraction to keep his mind from thinking about one and the same person. he’d laid eyes on something new. Sherlock Holmes, a consulting detective. One so brilliant even James had to actually do an effort to keep up with him. Though, as he discovered more about this man he found something that ripped open all the scars of his past. Sherlock’s colleague AND flatmate was Doctor John Watson. John… His John. He could barely believe his ears when Molly Hooper spoke his name. How was this possible? After all these years? Once home James turned to Sebastian, his right hand and most valuable sniper and told him everything. Seb knew just how sensitive James was when it came down to John, so he almost immediately agreed when James told him he’d set up a plan to kill Sherlock. Killing Sherlock meant having John back for himself. John however needed to know he was back, so he’d “accidentally” show up at the lab, looking for Molly.

Today was the day, not only would he be reunited with John, it was also exact 15 years ago that John had turned his back to him. Perhaps the now so called army doctor wouldn’t even remember that, but James did, and the feeling he got from it made his whole chest hurt.

James stood in front of the door leading him into the lab. This was it. What if John didn’t remember him? John probably moved on with his live, he wouldn’t be interested in seeing him again. He felt doubt and insecurity which wasn’t an advantage seeing him position in the criminal world. He once more repeated the plan: Act gay, make Sherlock tell Molly he’s gay so she’d leave him, leave him number.. not for Sherlock, but for John. Make sure John sees and recognize you.

He inhaled deep and pushed open the door. His eyes shot straight on to John’s. God, did he missed this, did he miss being near to this person! He felt warmth filling him up, but he needed to focus. After all he couldn’t let Sherlock suspect him for being /the/ Moriarty. Not yet.

John eyes awkwardly confused shot back at him and for a moment he pulled on a familiar smile before stepping over to Sherlock. “So eh, you’re Sherlock? Molly told me all about you.” He said stuttering. His hand moved on to lean on the table but the bowl next to Sherlock fell off. This was perfect. “Ooops.” He said while blushing. He quickly went to pick it up and left his own number underneath it when he placed it back.

“I eh I better go. It was nice meeting you.” He spoke and his eyes once more drilled into John’s. Oh how he hoped this man would call. “Bye.” He said, almost whispering. As soon as he could he left the room. He was panting nervously once alone in the corridor. Their was no doubt, John did recognize him.

((Hey!!! I am so sorry for not replying any sooner. I had this sort of writers block and I really didn't feel like role playing at all. I don't know what was wrong for me. But I'm back now and I hope this reply was worth the wait. I am soooo sorry!!! ))

((mvhdhdjg I was so worried you were dead or something T_T don't worry about taking a bit of time off at times, it's all good :)especially since we have so much going on, it might be stressing to have to reply to everything ^^ it's good to have you back though by the way, are you going to help me a bit with Sherlock in this scene? I actually like the idea of John calling Jim before the kidnapping, but Sherlock will interfere, I reckon >>))

John's eyes were glued to Jim's face, trying to look for anything that would confirm this person was indeed his first love and not the douche he was acting out to be. He wanted to say something, to catch his attention, to show he had recognized him, but he didn't trust his voice not to shake, and Sherlock's stare was making him feel even more on edge.

At some point during the conversation he wasn't taking part in, he realized Jim wasn't looking at him at all, but at Sherlock, and he felt his heart drop to his feet.
Jim didn't recognize him? He looked at his hands as they rested on the counter, it had been so long, they both had a new life, and John was old now... and even if he did recognize him, what was he to say? Ah, you are the guy who left me without a goodbye 15 years ago? Good to see you again, no, it didn't make any sense, they were nothing to each other now, and whatever happened it wasn't like they could jump back to where they left off ages ago.
John was surprised he even thought that, it was preposterous, they didn't know each other any more!

But when he saw Jim walk out, his leg twitched, he wished he could run after him, talk to him, but Sherlock's hand had reached out, grabbing his wrist and pulling him out of his thoughts.

"Gay," he exclaimed, acting as if he was going on with the experiment even though his long fingers were still keeping John in place.

Molly protested, but the logic of his deduction spilled out of Sherlock's lips confident and to the point.

"If you don't trust me, you can ask John," he said eventually, and the doctor's cheeks burned red. Sherlock knew he had slept with Jim, but how? Just by reading his reactions?

Molly looked at him, she was about to question that, but Sherlock was showing her a piece of paper. "If that wasn't enough, he left me his number," he exclaimed, and John froze, his eyes on the piece of paper.

Jim had really tried to flirt with Sherlock?

He wanted that number, he wanted to call Jim, but Sherlock was already putting it in his pocket and John frowned at himself, he couldn't possibly call Jim after 15 years.

James headed back to his apartment, his phone in a tight grip of his hands all of the time. He was hoping John would get hold of his number as soon as possible. Though, if it were Sherlock who'd call or text, he wouldn't be disappointed either.

Once he arrived home he fell back in to his desk chair, he felt weak. 2 hours passed and still no phone call from either of them. Molly wasn't answering her phone either, so Jim assumed she was taking Sherlock's words as true. At least one of his plans were working.

He'd give things 3 days. If he doesn't hear from either of them he'd just plan something different. Or perhaps visit both of them in their flat. 221B Baker St. , not even that far from where he was at this moment. THough, he could still not have Sherlock suspecting him.

James rested his head in his hands and sighed deep. How could he still /feel/ things for this man? After 15 miserable years?

((Ooooh. I really feel guilty now. I'm so sorry, I should have send you a message explaining. I just didn't felt well the couple past day, been a bit down you know, not really felt like doing anything. But It's all good now and I'm happy to be back. <3

As for Sherlock; you want to move him around like we did with Sebastian as well? It seems like the best thing to do, really. How do you want him to react? Jealous? Suspicious? And do you want John and Jim to meet up/have a talk/do anything before something like the great game starts? Because it's rather hard picturing how the great game will go, unlessss I turn it around and take Sherlock hostage somehow to get to John. :p ))

When Molly left, Sherlock did not try to hide the gaze he turned towards John any more, his eyes were freezing, but intense.
"How long ago?" he asked, as if he knew everything already.

"How-?"

The detective rolled his eyes at that: "I don't need to be a genius to read such a reaction, you looked like you saw a ghost, and then you were..." his eyes moved lower on the doctor's body. "...excited."

John blushed furiously. "I was not!"

"Of course not, but... you are clearly attracted to him," he said dryly, as if these mere feelings were disgusting to him.

John didn't try to deny that, and Sherlock's gaze turned somehow heated.
"Well? Who is he?"

The doctor sighed, and looked to the door. "It was back in secondary school..."

"Ah!" he exclaimed, and somehow it seemed to be enough for him to understand much more. "It's a dead relationship, John, why would you want his number?"

John stepped back, his heart beating faster in his chest. "I don't, I didn't say-" he protested, but it felt like a lie.

"You are an atrocious liar," he said, taking out his mobile and the piece of paper with Jim's number. "But it's useless either way, he left it for me, he wants to sleep with me, John, not you," he commented coldly, watching as his words made John cringe.

John says hi. -SH
He wrote, and with a smirk, he sent the text to Jim's number.




(( I understand, it happens to me too ^^ but I am a bit paranoid, so I have to admit I was a bit worried ^^
It'd be good to both move Sherlock like we did with Seb yes ^^ The way I was seeing Sherlock was... possessive and jealous, and very selfish, he had sex with John regularly, even though John didn't realize it was regular, and he liked it, but he doesn't know relationships, nor he cared for them, so he never suggested they be together, but when he realizes John could fall for someone and leave, he gets possessive and jealous... we can have him be a bit cold and cruel as well if you want, like, very sociopathic, so no proper love for John, but like he thinks John is his to use so Jim should piss off XD But it's okay if you want something different ^^ I just figured possessive Sherlock would create more drama...
I would like for John and Jim to have a talk on the phone maybe? For the Great Game you suggested before that Jim would kidnap John so to have a talk and meet face to face, it could be a good way to give John an ultimatum, or to seduce him, or not XD, doing the other way around sounds good too, though John might have a heart attack for it XDD We don't have to follow the TV show however, so we can say they weren't investigating Carl's case yet, and you can have Jim play the good guy for a while if you want, maybe the great game plot gets triggered because John tells Jim about him and Sherlock's sexual escapades, and he goes crazy with jealousy, or because Sherlock tells him, or because he deduces it by seeing them together... but yeah, the outcome would be him getting very angry with Sherlock and wanting to kill him right away))

James ruffled his own hair. Of course they weren't straight away calling him. How could he even expect that? What if John never even gets hold of his number? Every situation looped inside his head until he jumped up. He was so lost in thoughts and get snapped back by the buzz of his own phone. Could it be?

He couldn't help but smirk as he opened up the text message. Sherlock knew about them. Either John told him or he deduced it from his reaction. Either way, he knew. James thumbs were already moving over his own phone quickly.

Tell him I said hi back. How is he?
JM

Sherlock needed to know that number was NOT addressed to him in the first place. It however added nicely to the list but he needed to certain the detective was not going to think Jim needed him.

(( Aaaah. right so, we move Sherlock along together. (Which I will start doing in my next reply.) Anddd yes the idea of possessive and not wanting to share his "belonging" seems okay to me. We can have John and Jim talk on the phone yes, and perhaps things doesn't go the way Jim hoped and he goes to kidnap John than to have a talk. Seems like a nice plot. I forget I said about kidnapping him haha. But we can still turn things around later in the plot since we indeed do not have to follow the series. The idea of killing Sherlock seems legit I mean, Jim is one big walking piece of jealousy really. Especially when it comes down to John in this one. So okay. Plot is perfect and I'm looking forward to it. ))

John had a lot of things in his mind, and he had no idea Sherlock had texted Jim, so when the phone beeped again, he paid no attention to it.
He just followed the other man outside the hospital and to the nearest cab.
He felt so stupid, as he rested his forehead on the window pane, all he could think about was Jim now.

Sherlock turned livid as he read that message.
The detective hadn't expected this.
John's insecurities had fooled him into believing Jim was not interested.
But not only Jim had recognized him, Jim was now asking him about John.

It was preposterous, Sherlock wouldn't allow that.

He's perfectly fine without you. He hardly remembers you. -SH

He wrote quickly, not realizing just how jealous he was being yet.

"He says hi," he then told John, making him start.

"What?"

"I am texting him..."

John was confused: "What? Why? You aren't-"

"Why not? He looked interesting enough," he teased him.

The doctor's face flushed red, but it was anger mixing with shame now, his lips pursing in a thin line.

"Not good?" asked Sherlock surprised.

"Not good," John agreed, trying not to look as offended as he felt.

"I don't understand why you should still think about the past... he is not who you knew... as I said, it's a dead relationship," the detective started to talk, his voice distant. "I am rather sure he wouldn't be interested now."

John scoffed: "I know that," he protested, trying to hide his hurt.

(( <3 walking piece of jealousy XDDDD Er... I think I might have written too much XDD I just go on and on with those two XDD))

James impatiently stared at his own phone. If Sherlock was really interested in this he’d answer within half a minute. And so it happened. His phone wasn’t even done buzzing or he’d already opened up the new message. His hand gripped tighter around his phone with every word he read.

“Perfectly fine without you?” He spoke to himself. “Hardly remembers?” Now he huffed.

This was not what he expected nor what he wanted to read as a reply. But was it true? Or was Sherlock just triggering his senses? Either way he was not going to let Sherlock ruin his plans.

Doubtful. Pass him my number, will you?
JM

Perhaps Sherlock was telling the truth and Jim’s mind was just not taking it as an answer. But how could John forget what once was? How could he forget all the things happened? Jim shook his head. If so, I’ll make damn sure he remembers, he thought.

--

Back in the cab Sherlock’s phone beeped the familiar tone again. This time he noticed John was interesting in what the text message said. Sherlock however wasn’t happy with the reply.

Why would he give Jim’s number to John? Oh… Of course. Jim didn’t left that number for him, he left it so John would contact him again. Clever, awfully clever. Sherlock’s mind was on full speed. However, he was not going to give John the number.

“He asked how I was.” Sherlock lied to John who nearly crawled up on his lap to see what they were texting about.

“Of course, I will do so. –SH” He tapped back to Jim and couldn’t help but smile a bit at how evil he was at this moment.

If Jim believed Sherlock had given John his number but never contacted him, perhaps the ex lover would give up and disappear as fast as he appeared a few moments ago.

--

At the office Jim’s heart jumped up and down his chest when he was reading the new reply. At this moment he was too happy to even consider Sherlock could possibly be lying about this.

“Thanks.
-JM”

And now all he could do was wait for John to text or call him. And how he hated waiting…

John couldn't help the disappointment showing on his face when Sherlock told him about Jim's messages. As much as he was telling himself Jim was not the same boy who had loved him long ago, he couldn't help his hopes from flaring up.
He had no idea he could want something so much.
Maybe he just wanted confirmation that what they had back then had not been a passing fancy.

He would give anything now, just to be able to have that number.

He laid back on his seat, his eyes unfocused, fixed on the past, and on what had just happened.
"Why do you think he was with Molly?" he asked, curiously.

Sherlock's eyebrow rose, he didn't really care that much, but he didn't want John to dwell on that person too long.
"He's clearly a player. Same reason he gave me the number," he said coldly, successfully silencing John, who retreated to his thoughts again.


((I think John can steal Sherlock's phone at some point, and call Jim then? If okay, I will have him do that as soon as they get home and Sherlock's get distracted... or Jim can call Sherlock's phone demanding to speak with John XD))

For the next few minutes James got excited. He'd expected John to text or call as soon as he got hold of his number. But nothing happened. Even Sherlock wasn't texting back.
Something was wrong. Or James just wanted to believe something was wrong because still, he would not take "not interested anymore." as an answer. After all, he'd waited 15 years for this to happen.

(( Yes. It would be good if John somehow got hold of the number and secretly call Jim. And Jim would be all like "oh so Sherlock gave you my number as I asked him to do." And OOH drama again. LOL ))

It was only until later that night that Sherlock actually forgot the whole thing. It wasn't that he actually forgot, he just thought something else was more important at the moment, and checking John swinging moods was not an option.

John had been waiting.
He wasn't good at doing things sneakily, but he knew Sherlock very well, and he could use it to his advantage.
So when Sherlock was using his laptop to research something no one other than him were interested in, John pushed a few buttons on his phone of the table and found Jim's number.

He copied it on a piece of paper and then stuck it in his pocket.
A few minutes later he was running to the corner shop with the excuse of milk.
Sherlock always needed milk for some reason, so he didn't complain.

The detective would have probably noticed his strange behavior, but the truth was that he wasn't that interested.

John looked at his watch, it was already two o'clock in the morning, the chance Jim was still awake wasn't exactly high.

He took in a deep breath and wrote a text.
Are you awake?
He didn't sign it, he just wanted to know if he could call him, and he didn't want Jim to blow him off knowing it was just his old ex boyfriend John Watson.

James had moved to his bedroom after a few hours of staring at his phone. How could he even be this stupid, of course John wasn't going to call him. With a deep sigh he took of his shirt and trousers before falling on to the bed. He just laid there, staring, thinking.

The beep of his phone pulled him out of his thoughts but he forced his hopes to stay low. Hands reaching for his phone on the night table. Unknown number... It could be.. But at this time of night?

Yes.
JM

It could as well be someone who needed him for business though inside a feeling of hope had settled in his chest already.