Chapter 1: Don’t Touch That
“Don’t touch that.””
Jordan’s hand came between Marcus and the newest car in the showroom before Marcus’s fingers could close around the chrome door handle.
The movement was fast enough to make several people turn.
Marcus stopped.
He looked at Jordan’s hand.
Then at Jordan.
Then at the car.
The vehicle sat beneath the showroom lights like it belonged in a magazine—black metallic paint, flawless curves, cream leather visible through the glass, the kind of machine that made people lower their voices when they stood near it.
Marcus didn’t move.
Jordan, a Black American man in his early thirties wearing a fitted gray suit, straightened his jacket and gave Marcus a thin smile.
“I said don’t touch that,” Jordan repeated.
Marcus slowly lowered his hand.
Across the polished marble floor, Vanessa watched from beside the reception desk.
She was the showroom manager, dressed in an elegant black suit, her posture perfectly straight. She had been watching the exchange with an amused expression, one eyebrow slightly raised.
A couple near another premium car glanced over.
Two showroom employees exchanged looks.
One of them quietly laughed.
Marcus heard it.
He didn't react.
He simply studied the car again.
Jordan stepped closer.
“Those vehicles aren't display toys,” he said.
“They're for qualified customers.””
Marcus looked at him.
“I wanted to ask about this model.””
His voice was calm.
Almost too calm.
Jordan gave a short laugh.
“About the model?””
Marcus nodded.
Vanessa finally walked toward them, her heels clicking sharply against the marble.
“Jordan,” she said, without taking her eyes off Marcus, “it's fine.””
Jordan stepped aside.
Vanessa stopped several feet away from Marcus.
Her smile was polished.
Professional.
But there was something dismissive underneath it.
“This showroom is for serious buyers,” Vanessa said.
Marcus glanced around.
Bright glass walls.
Perfectly arranged vehicles.
Reception desk.
Black leather chairs.
Employees in tailored clothing.
Customers holding brochures and coffee cups.
Then he looked back at her.
“I understand.””
Vanessa folded her arms.
“Do you?””
Marcus nodded.
“Yes.””
One of the staff members behind Vanessa covered a smile.
Another whispered something to a coworker.
Marcus heard that too.
He didn't look at them.
Vanessa tilted her head.
“If you're looking for general information, our website has everything.””
“I wanted to ask someone directly.””
“You've done that.””
Marcus looked at the car again.
“What does this one cost?””
Jordan laughed under his breath.
Vanessa's smile widened.
“That depends on the configuration.””
“I see.””
“And financing,” she added, “is handled after an application.””
Marcus nodded.
“Okay.””
Jordan looked at Marcus's faded jeans, plain dark work shirt, and worn boots.
His eyes traveled down and back up.
“You sure you're in the right showroom?””
The room went quiet for half a second.
Marcus looked at him.
“Yes.””
Jordan shrugged.
“Just checking.””
Vanessa turned toward the reception desk.
“Jordan, please help the other customers.””
Jordan smiled.
“Absolutely.””
He walked away, but not before glancing back at Marcus.
Marcus remained beside the car.
He wasn't angry.
He wasn't embarrassed.
He looked almost detached, as though he were watching a scene that had nothing to do with him.
Vanessa noticed.
Her smile faded slightly.
“Sir,” she said, “is there something else?””
Marcus looked at her.
“Yes.””
“What?””
He reached into his pocket.
For one moment, Vanessa seemed to expect a wallet.
Instead, Marcus walked past her.
Not toward the cars.
Toward the reception desk.
His boots made soft, deliberate sounds against the marble.
The laughter behind him stopped.
Marcus reached the counter.
He placed something on it.
An old black key fob.
It was scratched around the edges.
The plastic looked worn from years of use.
Vanessa stared at it.
Jordan stopped walking.
Marcus rested one hand beside the key fob.
Then he looked directly at Vanessa.
“Could you call the owner?””
Vanessa blinked.
Her expression changed.
Only slightly.
But Marcus noticed.
She looked down at the key fob again.
Then back at him.
“And why would I do that?””
Marcus said nothing.
The showroom suddenly felt much quieter.
Vanessa kept staring at the worn black object.
Marcus calmly picked it up.
And pressed a tiny button hidden along its side.
A small red light began blinking.
Vanessa's smile disappeared.
Completely.
Marcus looked around at the silent staff.
May you like
“Interesting.””
And then Vanessa's phone began to vibrate.
