Chapter 8

Alex looked up as I stepped inside the room, surprise in his eyes. "Morning," he said, his voice gruff from a lack of sleep. "I didn't expect anyone to be up this early."

"Couldn't sleep," I replied, stepping further into the room. "Mac had other plans."

Alex's eyes narrowed slightly. "Mac is your...mouse, correct?"

"Yeah," I said, smiling at the memory of my little roommate. "He's got quite the personality for a rodent."

Alex grunted, his eyes returning to the paperwork. "I suppose everyone needs a bit of companionship," he mumbled, his voice thick with weariness.

Stepping closer, I could see the lines of tension etched into his face. "Rough night?" I asked, leaning against the doorframe.

Alex sighed heavily, rubbing his eyes with the heels of his palms. "You could say that," he said, his words laced with a hint of sarcasm. "More like a rough two years."

I stepped closer, the scent of stale cigar smoke and whiskey clinging to the air around him. The room was a stark contrast to the m