Chapter 29 - Rafael
Rafael is halfway through his usual synth bologna sandwich when Divya leans across the table.
“Did you hear they installed new sensors in the staff locker rooms?” she asks, gesturing with her fork at the red lights blinking above them.
Gavin shrugs. “Like the ones in our breakroom?” He lowers his voice and leans forward. “Annoying, but they caught Anthony stealing with them last year. Remember?”
Her eyes widen. “I forgot about him!” she whispers. Rafael’s fingers tighten around his fork. He hasn’t.
Anthony being escorted out of the building by VitaCorp enforcers is still burned into his memory.
He shouted about being set up the whole way out, but the rumors spread fast about sensory footage and undeniable proof.
His former manager mentioned something about him ending up on Nova City Island, a “retraining facility” for the mega corps.
“He was kind of weird,” she goes on. “I once saw him talking to a drone.” Her hand lifts to hide a grin. “What’s the point? No AI in those things.”
Gavin chokes on his drink, trying to laugh, spraying the liquid all over the table. As he scrambles for napkins, Divya jumps in to help clean up. Rafael instinctively scans the room, checking if anyone noticed.
Luckily, no one seems to. Around them, other staff members shovel down lunch at scattered tables, barely pausing between bites.
Waiter drones buzz between them, delivering trays and clearing empties.
Near the entrance, a pair of doctors stroll past with smiles, heading for their private lounge down the hall.
Behind them is a group of administrators in crisp yellow suits guiding a family from downtown toward the premium wing.
Movement across the table draws his focus back to Gavin tossing a used napkin into a passing cleaner drone. “Sorry, guys. You know how clumsy I am.”
“Hard to believe they let you be a physical therapist.” Divya snorts. “Good thing your patients have me, too.”
Gravin crosses his arms. “I’m not that bad. Come on.”
Their bickering pulls a smile from Rafael. Daily lunches with these two are his favorite part of the night shift.
When they all started here three years ago, Divya worked evenings, and Gavin had mornings. Six months later, both got moved to third shift without explanation. Neither complained once.
“So, Rafael…when’s Kane coming to town?” Divya asks with a grin. At her side, Gavin mirrors her. “About time you guys met up again, right?”
Heat floods Rafael’s face. He dodged this question when he first told them about Kane a few days ago. Since then, he hasn’t come up with a better lie or informed Kane that his friends know about him. He’d been hoping to wait until their next in-person date.
“Uh—” His wristlink vibrates, saving him. “Hold on a sec.”
Rafael glances at the device. An alert glows on the display in red.
[REPORT TO HUMAN RESOURCES, LEVEL 1, ROOM 18. STAT.]
His stomach drops. In three years at VitaCorp, he’s never been summoned by HR once.
Is it possible they know? About his time in Shreveport? The fake outreach program Coda planted in their systems? Or worse, did someone spot him with Kane? Does VitaCorp know about them?
Divya waves, catching his eye. “Rafael, what’s going on?”
“Yeah, you look like you’ve seen a ghost.” Gavin raises a brow.
Twisting his wrist, he shows them the message. “What do you think this means?”
“I don’t know,” Divya murmurs. “Maybe it’s a paperwork issue?” She shrugs.
Gavin tilts his head. “Could it be about that outreach program you did?”
Rafael’s pulse quickens. Even they’re thinking along the same lines. Though likely not for the same reason. “Yeah, probably,” he manages to sound casual, standing up. “I’ll catch up with you guys later.”
His friends call out for him, but their voices blur under blood rushing to his ears.
Weaving through the crowded cafeteria, Rafael’s heart pounds with every step. In the elevator, he shoves his shaking hands into his pockets. Two nurses he doesn’t recognize enter after him, chatting about inventory. Nothing they say registers, his pulse drowning everything out.
The ride to Level 1 seems to stretch forever, but after a few stops, he finally reaches the bottom floor.
Outside the doors, the small lobby is empty and quiet.
A receptionist in a white suit sits behind a front desk terminal, framed by a wall of scrolling VitaCorp ads. She greets him with a smile. “Rafael?”
His breath stutters. All he can manage is a nod.
“Right this way.” The receptionist waves behind her, and Rafael follows into a long hallway of bright lights and sealed doors.
At the end of the hall, they arrive at Room 18, where she motions toward the door and steps aside.
Dozens of worst-case scenarios had played in Rafael’s mind on the ride down, but the one waiting beyond the door is much worse.
Inside is a scene straight out of a V-link film.
A small, grey room with no windows and a single light overhead.
At the center is a metal table with two chairs.
One is empty, the other occupied by a man in a tailored yellow suit with the VitaCorp logo above the breast pocket.
He extends a hand, narrow eyes meeting his.
“Take a seat.” The order sends a shudder down Rafael’s spine.
He sits, fingers gripping his thigh.
The man—who Rafael can only assume is a VitaCorp executive—glances down at the holopad on the table. When he finally looks up, his tone is flat. “Do you know why you’re here?”
“No,” he says truthfully.
“I see.” The man steeples his fingers. “My name is Miles Sims. I’ll be asking you a few questions. Some may feel intrusive, but it’s important that you answer honestly. VitaCorp has a zero-tolerance policy for dishonesty.”
Rafael swallows. “Okay.”
Miles stares at him for a beat before asking, “Are you in a relationship?”
He blinks. “Oh—” The word escapes before he can stop it. His mouth clamps shut.
One wrong answer, and Rafael’s done. But delaying his response could draw more suspicion.
“Yes.” He wants to deny it, but his friends already know about Kane—or the Lux Systems version of Kane.
“His name?” Miles fires off.
He steadies his hand under the table, reminding himself they don’t suspect a thing.
Otherwise, Rafael wouldn’t be sitting here. Anthony faced worse for simply stealing. Besides, Lian and his friends bought his story. Maybe VitaCorp will too.
“Kane.” He keeps his tone neutral, praying Miles doesn’t ask for a last name.
“And how did you meet this Kane? How long have you two been seeing each other?”
“Um…” Sweat beads down his neck.
He’s lied a hundred times before. But this isn’t Lian asking if a boy can stay over or his mother prying about Maria’s weekend plans. This one could ruin him.
If only he had any other choice but to lie.
“Kane’s friend was injured,” he says. “He was dodging a low-flying HOV. I was heading home, saw it happen, and as a nurse, I reacted on instinct. I suggested they visit a VitaCorp clinic, but they were in a hurry. You see, Kane and his friend were visiting from Emerald Islands. On a work trip for Lux Systems. He came back a few times for business, and we started dating.”
Miles’s face remains impassive. He taps the pad, and a series of holo videos hover above.
First is Rafael laughing with Lian down their apartment hall. The second is him with Divya and Gavin entering the 4D theater.
Then the footage blurs to Rafael locked in a kiss with Kane outside his apartment door before slipping inside together.
His breath catches. The drones around the building, the sensors in the walls—they were supposed to keep them safe.
Not used against him.
“This is you and Kane, correct?” Miles points at the holo video.
This time, there’s no sense in lying. Rafael offers a silent nod.
Gaze never leaving his, Miles swipes across the holopad once more. The image shifts to an arrest photo of Kane in his usual Shreveport gear and armor.
Rafael’s pulse spikes. They know. Not just about him—they know Kane.
Yet, he’s here at work. No enforcers storming in. No alarms or cuffs. What are they waiting for?
Miles’s voice snaps him to the present. “Is this…” He gestures to the image of Kane. “The same man?”
A weight settles in his chest.
He could say no. Call him someone else.
But what if they already know? What if this is the test?
Everything could disappear in an instant.
“Yes,” he answers.
“This man doesn’t live in the Emerald Isles.” Miles’s tone stays flat. “He doesn’t work for Lux Systems either. In fact, no one named Kane works for Lux Systems anywhere in this country.” His eyebrow lifts, the first hint of emotion. “Are you aware of this, Rafael?”
This is Rafael’s chance to walk away unscathed. He could say he was misled and leave his world untouched.
His stomach curdles. He won’t sell Kane out. Not like that. Not after what they’ve shared, what he knows now.
VitaCorp doesn’t care either way. To them, Kane is a threat. And if Rafael wants to keep his career, his safe housing, the approval of his friends and family, he has to lie.
Guilt twisting in his stomach, he shakes his head.
Seconds stretch into what seems like an eternity while Miles stares.
Finally, he nods as if to himself. “Just as I thought.”
A small ease flickers through him, but the feeling’s hollow.
“As you can see,” Miles starts, “Kane O’Connor isn’t from the Emerald Islands, as he claims, but Shreveport.
His record includes multiple arrests—property damage, corporate trespassing, assault.
Though, interestingly, none led to convictions.
” He settles back in his chair. “More concerning is his position in the Lancers, a street gang known for criminal operations in the slums. Are you familiar?”
“No,” Rafael says, keeping up the act.
Miles hums. “We assumed not…While they avoid the brutality of Ulvepack or Natural Order’s cult-like behavior, they’ve been linked to serious crimes. Data breaches, property theft, HOV hijacking, black market dealings, corporate espionage. The list is extensive.”
His frown deepens. “However, what truly concerns us are the deaths connected to their territorial disputes. Most occurred under his uncle’s leadership, but Kane’s own involvement in recent…
incidents remains unclear. You can understand why we’re alarmed to find a VitaCorp employee involved with someone of his background. ”
Every part of Rafael longs to defend Kane, to explain why the crew does what they do.
Instead, he keeps quiet, watching Miles tap the holopad.
A collage of familiar faces shimmer to life. Wren, Echo, Viper, Coda, and others he vaguely recognizes. His fingers tighten on the chair, already anticipating the next question.
“Do you recognize any of these individuals?”
He shakes his head. Another lie.
“These are Kane’s inner circle—fellow members of the Lancers,” Miles continues.
“We’ve compiled extensive records of their activity, including criminal actions against this company.
” He pauses for a breath. “But if you’re truly unaware of Kane’s real identity, there’s no reason you should know them. Correct?”
“I don’t.” The words taste bitter on Rafael’s tongue. “I’m telling the truth.”
Miles’s stare holds steady.
The silence stretches.
When he finally speaks, Miles sounds unexpectedly calm. “Yes. Of course you are.” He shuts off the holopad with a tap.
Relief floods through Rafael. He survived the meeting. VitaCorp bought his story. Maybe he’ll leave this unscathed after all.
A chair scrapes against the floor. In front of him, Miles is on his feet, looming over.
“One last thing.” His tone sharpens. “You will sever all contact with Kane O’Connor. Effective immediately.” He adjusts his cuffs. “If we discover you haven’t, your employment will be the least of your concerns.”
Rafael’s mouth goes dry. “Yes, I understand.”
The walk back to the cafeteria doesn’t register. Neither does the rest of his shift.
He remembers smiling when someone joked about a gladiator match, nodding when a doctor made small talk, and even following Gavin and Divya to the nearest HOV stop. But everything feels distant.
Only that night, alone in his bedroom, does he finally crack.
Face buried in his pillow, Rafael lets the tears come. All his life, he’s looked for middle ground. Tried to keep his family together, keep everyone happy.
Except there’s no compromise here. No way to hold on to both Kane and the life he’s built in Midtown.
Hours later, he drags himself to his V-link station and straps on his headset.
Kane’s username is dark. Offline.
The sight still makes him smile.
He closes his eyes, and for a moment, they’re on that rooftop garden with Kane cradling the back of his head.
“You’re safe with me, always.”
He wants more time with Kane. So much more.
But Miles’s warning echoes.
“If we discover you haven’t, your employment will be the least of your concerns.”
His eyes snap open. He leans forward in his chair, running a hand through his hair.
What if he chose Kane? Could Rafael leave his job, his family, his life in Midtown, and disappear into the Outer Districts? What would everyone think?
Their reactions flash through his mind. Tears from his mother, a frown from his father, an outburst from Lian. Exactly what Rafael imagined when he considered quitting nursing for the Terra’s culinary program.
Same as before, it’s not worth the risk.
Rafael cares for Kane more than anyone else. Yet, he can’t let this relationship ruin everything he’s built. Not even for him.
With trembling fingers, Rafael drafts a V-link message to Kane.
[CAN WE MEET AT MIDTOWN PARK TOMORROW INSTEAD?]
His chest tightens as he reads the words back.
The moment he hits send, his body tightens in protest.
Rafael wants to be honest and tell Kane, but revealing VitaCorp’s threat could set off a chain reaction. Kane wouldn’t hesitate to confront them. Or worse, make him choose.
And he can’t afford that. Not with everything at stake.