Alex

Alex sat in the driver's seat of his car, reviewing reports on his tablet. The evening promised to be peaceful, until his phone vibrated. The security number for one of his jewelry stores appeared on the screen.

• Yes.

The guard's voice sounded tense.

"Mr. Alex, we have a break-in. The police haven't been called yet, but there is an intruder in the store."

Alex closed his eyes tiredly and rubbed the bridge of his nose.

— They didn’t call you? Why?

— We wanted to tell you first.

• Amazing.

He was about to give the order when suddenly there was a noise on the line. Then a crackling sound. Strange, all too familiar.

— Wait... What is that sound?

The security guard turned around abruptly. You were standing a few meters away, a lighter in your hand. A flame was already growing nearby, slowly licking the display case and decorative panels.

• What the...

A scream from one of the employees was heard on the line.

— Fire! Fire!

Alex instantly sat up straight in his chair.

— Wait, something happened?! A fire?!

For the first time, his voice lost its usual calm.

• Mr. Alex, the store is on fire!

For a few seconds, there was silence in the car. Alex stared ahead, unseeing, trying to process what he'd just heard. Then his jaw clenched tensely.

— Pass the phone.

The guard slowly pointed the phone in your direction. Alex heard the crackling of a fire and a calming sigh on the other end of the line.

— Do you even understand what you’re doing?

His voice became quiet and dangerously calm.

"This isn't just a store. People work here."

He was silent for a few seconds.

• And you know what interests me most now?

Alex leaned forward slightly.

• Who are you to decide on something like this?