Ethan Cole - The Unlimited System

Jessica sipped her latte and tightened her fingers around the warm mug, her eyes fixed on Jordan. They sat across from each other in a quiet, wood-toned cafe tucked in a corner near Crescent Ridge.

The low hum of conversations blended with the gentle clatter of cups and the occasional hiss from the barista's coffee machine. The place smelled like roasted beans and cinnamon—a comforting scent, but it did little to ease her thoughts.

"How are you able to stay this calm, Jordan?" Her voice came out sharper than she intended.

She set her mug down a bit harder than necessary. Her gaze lingered on him, studying his posture, his face. He looked far too relaxed given everything that had happened—Lucien, Nova Tech, the danger surrounding Ethan, and now her sudden plunge into this world of secrets and chaos.

Jordan leaned back in his seat, then chuckled.

"Calm? You clearly don't know me well enough," he said with a grin. "I'm trembling inside."

His tone was light, but Jessica wasn't convinced. Neither was he, really.

In truth, joining Nova Tech had flipped his world upside down. But not in a bad way. For Jordan, this wasn't just some wild tech startup—it was a chance. A gateway. To real power. To finding out how the world really worked.

His recent spar with Mark had proven one thing: he wasn't ready. Not by a long shot. Mark moved like a ghost and struck like a weaponized storm. Jordan had thought he was strong, but that encounter made him realize how far behind he truly was.

And Ethan…

That was a whole different mystery. Jordan had known the guy since their school days. Ethan used to be quiet, careful, never one to stand out too much. Now, he moved with purpose. His aim was perfect. His body had changed, and so had his presence. Stronger. Sharper. Like someone who'd skipped ten years of progress overnight.

It didn't add up. And Jordan wasn't dumb enough to think it was all protein shakes and self-help podcasts.

"Jordan?"

Jessica's voice cut through his thoughts. He blinked and looked up to see her staring at him, one brow slightly raised.

"Sorry," he muttered, flashing a sheepish smile.

He gave the table a few soft taps with his fingertip, then looked her in the eye. "Back to your question… Can I ask you one too?"

Jessica sighed. "Sure."

He leaned in slightly, voice calm now. "Freaking out, does it help?"

She didn't answer right away. Her jaw tightened.

"You make it sound like this is just another day for you," she said, her tone laced with frustration.

"I'm scared too, Jess," Jordan said quietly. "We all are. But the difference is, I've decided not to let that stop me from moving."

Jessica leaned back, her arms crossed loosely. "You make it sound so easy."

Jordan shrugged. "Starting from today, I need to think of everything that. I mean, everything is a mess, but isn't that just how life is now? Besides…"

"Look over there." He turned his head towards the cafe patio's edge, where Ezra stood with his arms crossed and looked around. "We've got Ezra and Yamal playing bodyguards. If anything happens, we're covered."

Jessica looked where Jordan was staring and saw Yamal leaning against a nearby lamp post. He seemed relaxed, but she could feel something was threatening about him.

"Jordan, that's not the point," she said, letting out a sharp breath.

"It's not just about being safe physically. It's…" She paused and fidgeted with the edge of a napkin.

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Jordan's playful grin faded slightly. He straightened in his chair, bringing it back onto all four legs.

"It's what?" he asked gently.

Jessica hesitated, her gaze dropping to her cup. "It's about everything else. Ethan. You. Nova Tech. My family. It's like… like I'm dragging everyone into my problems."

Jordan let out a soft laugh, shaking his head. "Jessica, trust me on this, Ethan didn't need you to start attracting trouble. The guy's practically had become a magnet for it. If anything, you're the least of his worries."

Jessica shot him a look, her brows furrowing. "That's not funny."

"Who said it was funny?" Jordan said, raising his hands in mock surrender. "But seriously, Ethan doesn't see it that way. None of us do."

He took a deep breath before adding, "Believe me. You're never a burden."

Jessica's expression softened at Jordan's remark. Still, her worry could be seen on her face. "I'm sorry," she muttered.

"I feel like I'm attracting the trouble now. Trust me, I never want anyone else to get hurt or be dragged into trouble because of me."

Jordan leaned forward, his mind racing as he tried to construct the best possible sentence to comfort Jessica. "Listen, Jessica. This whole thing? It was not even your fault."

"Let's see it like this. The gunshot? That Lucien guy was crazy. Donald the loan shark? Well, it was your father, but it wasn't you. So stop beating yourself up about it," he continued.

Jessica nodded slowly, her shoulders relaxing just a fraction. "Thanks, Jordan."

"Anytime," he said with a wink, picking up his cup. "Now, if you're done worrying, maybe we can actually enjoy this coffee."

Jessica chuckled softly, the tension between them easing as the conversation shifted to lighter topics.

Meanwhile, not too far away, Ezra smirked and nudged Yamal lightly with his elbow.

"Well, it seems like our new boss might miss his chance," he said in a low voice. "That Jordan brat is way too good with words. And he's got the looks, too."

"You should take notes, Ezra. That kid's got more charm than you've ever managed to muster." Yamal chuckled, his deep laughter rumbling quietly as he glanced toward the cafe. "Maybe he could teach you a thing or two. I've heard you've got the saddest love stories, or do you even have any?"

Ezra rolled his eyes but couldn't suppress a faint grin. "Love stories? Please. I've experienced enough heartbreak to fill three lifetimes. If I haven't shared anything with you, it's because that's for the best."

Yamal raised an eyebrow, his amusement growing. "So, no stories. Just heartbreak. Figures."

Ezra shook his head, his expression sobering slightly as his gaze drifted back to the café. "Still, I don't think Ethan's helping Jessica because he's got feelings for her."

Yamal was confused as he asked, "What do you mean?"

"A guy like him, with everything he's juggling like wealth, power, and all these new responsibilities? He's too overwhelmed to think about things like that. Love's probably the last thing on his mind," Ezra replied.

Yamal tilted his head, considering Ezra's words. "Makes sense. He's new to all this. Barely has time to breathe, let alone deal with the emotional minefield of relationships."

Ezra nodded, a thoughtful look crossing his face. "And with the dangers we're dealing with, the LaRues, Donald's mess, and everything else, who has time to even think about romance? Survival comes first."

Yamal smiled as he leaned against the lamppost. "That's true. But sometimes, unexpected moments can affect you the most. A guy like Ethan might not notice, but life has a way of surprising you."

Ezra looked at the cafe. He narrowed his sharp eyes as he checked the area around him.

"You think Ethan's learned about the Ascendant stuff yet?" he asked casually, his voice low.

Yamal, who had been gazing toward the distant horizon, tilted his head slightly before replying.

"I'd wager Mark and Maya have already told him," he said thoughtfully.

He then added, "Maybe even started teaching him. He has great potential. But, to protect everything he has, his family, friends, and company, he needs more than power to keep it safe."

"Makes sense." Ezra nodded, his expression contemplative. "But, a guy like Ethan? He doesn't strike me as someone who's content to rely on others forever. He'll want to stand on his own."

Yamal's gaze remained steady on the skyline, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "He's lucky to have Mark and Maya as his tutors. They're the best there is."

Ezra chuckled softly, his usual smirk returning. "Yeah, they're not exactly gentle, though. Maya especially. She's as tough as they come."

"Which is why they're perfect for him," Yamal said, his tone carrying a hint of nostalgia. "They'll push him harder than he thinks he can handle. But that's how you grow. I've seen it before."

Ezra raised an eyebrow as he noticed a slight change in Yamal's tone.

"Don't tell me you're thinking about that time?" he asked, his smirk turning into a real smile.

Yamal let out a low chuckle, nodding slightly. "Yeah. Back when we were green and thought we knew everything. Mark and Maya straightened us out, didn't they?"

Ezra laughed quietly, shaking his head. "Straightened us out? More like breaking us down and rebuilding us from scratch. They didn't hold back."

Yamal turned to look at Ezra, his expression warm with shared memory. "And we're better for it. Ethan will be, too."

Ezra leaned back against the lamppost with his arms crossed. He looked again at the cafe. "Yeah, he will. If he can survive the training, he'll be unstoppable."

Yamal grinned. "If he can't handle them, he won't be able to face the world he is entering."

The two fell into a comfortable silence. They continued to watch Jordan and Jessica. That was their duty for the time being.

Both Ezra and Yamal believed that this was just the calm before the storm.