Sometime before his lover was engaging in maintaining the reputation of her establishment, Adrian was halfway across two ensuring the vitality of his own business endeavors. The sun had set long ago over the city, but the alley out of which he conducted his business often never saw the light of day due to the commanding presence of the buildings on either side. Adrian had moved his trade into the hole-in-the-wall establishment less than a year ago, but it was already hopping with trades coming in and out of his door at a rate he could hardly keep track of.

[b]"Adrian - look, Adrian, it really doesn't have to come to this."[/b] Far within the building at the end of the alley, one of Adrian's former associates found himself seated across from Adrian himself. He could feel his stomach knotting and couldn't help but wonder if that was Adrian's doing or his own nerves betraying him.

[color=#9E3333]"But it does though, doesn't it?"[/color] Adrian rose from his seat and braced his hands on the desk. His head swam for a moment, and he remembered all too late that he was still getting over a very similar scenario from the evening before. [color=#9E3333]"It's really nothing personal, Jim. I just have to make a statement, you know?"[/color] Jim gave a soft gasp, seemingly in response to Adrian's remark, but in reality, he swore he could feel the blood rushing from his head. He was breathing heavier now, but the light was fading. And before he knew it, he had toppled off of the chair to land on the floor.

Jim came to in a sudden gasp for air. He tossed on to his back, only to find Adrian standing just above him. [color=#9E3333]"Take that back to your boss. Don't let me catch you here again - might have to leave you there a bit too long next time."[/color] As Jim scrambled to leave, Adrian followed after slowly. His hand caught the door behind the frightened man. His hand clenched around the door as he steadied himself again the wave of exhaustion.

[color=#9E3333]"I'm heading out,"[/color] he half-barked, half-mumbled to the man who stood, armed, outside of the office. [color=#9E3333]"Call me if you need me - I don't want you coming inside."[/color] When things went south, he often found himself paying a quick visit to Irene, his lover. She surely would take issue with him and his men all entering at once, armed to the teeth. No, they would stay in the car while he stopped by, grabbed a drink.

The car was pulled around for him by the time he gathered his jacket and belongings. He was dressed in a well-fitted suit, a prized possession of his that he had purchased soon after his business had taken off. Now, he oversaw the trade of more drugs than he could have even fathomed all of those years ago when he first started selling and running with his friends.

The ride was a quick one, and in all honesty, he might have been able to walk, but he was drained and anxious beyond belief and couldn't bear to walk the streets at this time. Adrian shut the door behind him, leaving the driver to find more legal parking. It would be ironic if he, after all of his doings, found himself at the butt end of a traffic violation.

It made him smile to see how active Cat's Cradle was. The project had been Irene's baby, and he loved to watch how she lit up each time she had a new idea for it. Adrian unlocked his phone and pounded out a quick message to her.

[color=#9E3333][i]DO you have a moment? I thought I would stop by. I'm the handsome one at the bar.[/i][/color]

As he typed, he made his way to the bar, nearly barreling into a passing worker. He reached out to steady her, and he held his grip on her upper arms for a bit longer as he took her attire in. Irene had certainly...outdone herself in the design. The bells were a unique touch as well, one he found equally alluring and humorous given her inclination towards anything cat-related.

But, knowing Irene would likely be out soon, he let his hands fall. [color=#9E3333]"My apologies, miss,"[/color] he said, offering a quick smile before he passed her. Adrian slid into a seat at the bar and let his phone rest on the bar top so that he might see when Irene messaged him back - [i]if[/i] she did for that matter.

[color=#9E3333]"Could I get a Manhattan?"[/color] he asked, looking for the closest bartender to take his order.