— Hi, son. Was there a reason for being late?
— Yes, Dad. I spent more time than I expected studying for the final exams.
— Well, you had a good reason, and business is slow today, so don't worry.
— How's the stock of watches to repair? — Daniel asked.
— Only two more. Both just need polishing, so it'll be quick. — Oscar replied.
— Did Mom go to the bank to renew her account? Did she tell you?
— Huh? She didn't go to the bank… she went to the hospital.
— What? — Daniel asked, caught off guard.
Daniel was slightly shocked. His mother… lying? That wasn't like her, especially in a family that had always been honest with people. The Roberts prided themselves on transparency. So it was unusual for her to lie to him.
"Did something happen? Or is she hiding something?" — Daniel thought, hand on his chin, growing worried.
— Hiiic!
Oscar let out a groan, glancing at his son with a grimace, realizing he had said too much.
Daniel snapped out of his thoughts as he heard the sound. He said nothing at first, just watched his father, who wore an expression of horror while murmuring softly but audibly:
— I'm dead… — Oscar muttered.
His father always kept his composure, no matter the situation. The only thing that could truly scare him was… Mom. Daniel realized.
His mother was terrifying when angry. He and Oscar had made a pact never to go against her.
— Old man, you told me something you shouldn't have, didn't you? Because the only thing that can make you look like that is… Mom.
— Hicc… — Oscar groaned again.
— Listen, s-s-son — his father stammered. — Since there are hardly any customers today, you can take the day off. — He spoke, trembling like a kitten cornered by a lion.
— Don't dodge the subject, Dad! — Daniel replied firmly. — Why did Mom go to the hospital?
Oscar sighed deeply, accepting his fate and cursing his loose tongue.
He knew how Daniel was: once he got a grip on a matter, he wouldn't let go until satisfied.
— She's pregnant… — murmured Oscar, very softly, lowering his head while imagining his wife tearing him apart.
— What? — Daniel crossed his arms, eyebrow raised in shock.
He heard what his father said, but the shock was so great he asked again, just to be sure.
— She's pregnant, son. You're going to have a little brother… or sister. She went for some tests to see how the baby is developing. — Oscar explained, now with a slight smile.
It was clear he was very happy about the arrival of another family member.
Daniel froze. He hadn't expected this — not that he wasn't happy, but he was caught off guard.
For a few seconds, his face passed through multiple expressions: astonishment, surprise, excitement, happiness, and finally, relief that his mother was okay.
— Mom wanted to surprise you tonight, at dinner… but now she's going to tear me to pieces — Oscar said, chuckling weakly, eyes vacant. — She'll skin me alive.
— Hahaha, you're right… she'll kill you — Daniel laughed, teasing his father.
— So I'm going to have a brother… or a sister — he said, looking out at the street, smiling.
He was genuinely happy. He had always thought he would be an only child. Sometimes, he felt lonely when not with his parents — now he would have someone to care for, someone to keep him company.
— I am truly blessed in this life — he murmured as a cold breeze brushed his face.
Oscar left his son alone and returned to work in the back, letting him process the news.
After a while, the shop door creaked open, pulling Daniel from his thoughts.
A customer, he thought, glancing at the entrance.
He quickly assumed his usual serious expression, with cold, sharp eyes.
This man was new here. Daniel had never seen him before.
The man was older, around fifty. He wore a black suit and leaned on a cane, looking around the shop with an air of arrogance and indifference.
— Good afternoon, sir. How may I help you? — Daniel asked, firm but respectful.
— Good afternoon, young man. I bought this wristwatch about two months ago, but look… it's already broken. — The man raised his voice, clearly upset.
Daniel crossed his arms, one eyebrow raised, as if the situation was obvious.
— You're lying, old man — he said coldly.
— What did you say, brat? How dare you sp—
— Stop with the theatrics, old man. It's obvious what you're up to. — Daniel interrupted, dry and irritated. — Want me to tell you a little secret?
— What? — the man asked.
— I know exactly who comes and goes from this shop all year long. — Daniel stated, pointing at the door with a faint mocking smile.
The man looked at him as if he were insane.
Daniel sighed. — Listen, old man. You know how our clientele works? Almost always the same customers come for maintenance, repairs, or to upgrade to newer models. We're not a wholesale shop selling watches to anyone who walks in.
We have loyal clients, many of them for years. We know each one. And new clients? We register them all, so we never forget anyone. Our clients — and this shop — are very important to my family.
Daniel tilted his head, smiling coldly. — And guess what, old man? I've never seen you in my life. My memory is excellent. — He tapped his temple.
The man raised an eyebrow, surprised.
— Want me to tell you exactly what's happening here? — Daniel didn't wait for a reply. — You bought this watch from one of our clients, probably already broken, and came here trying to cheat us. Thought you'd walk away with a free watch, huh?
The man paled, and Daniel laughed at his expression.
— What's the matter, scammer? Cat got your tongue? — he mocked.
The man replied coldly: — You know, kid… sometimes in life, it's better to pretend you didn't see anything.
— Huh? — Daniel narrowed his eyes.
— Pretend ignorance, for your own good. Being frank isn't always good. It can get you into trouble. That's the negative side of frankness.
Daniel didn't even have time to process. The man had already drawn a silenced pistol from his coat.
Time seemed to slow. Daniel saw the barrel pointing at him, the finger on the trigger — and all he could think was:
Shit… I'm screwed.
Piuuuuu…
The muffled sound of the silencer echoed as Daniel collapsed to the floor.
— Boy… in your next life, don't try to act clever with others. — the man murmured before leaving the shop.
A black car screeched to the front. The old man got in, and the vehicle sped off around the corner.
Daniel, sprawled on the floor, heard nothing. Only the faint sound of his own blood, as he coughed and moaned weakly in pain.
— Damn, you old bastard.