THE WATCH

James Carter stood quietly inside one of the most exclusive watch boutiques in the city.

Everything inside the store was designed to make people feel important.

Polished marble floors.

Glass display cases.

Soft golden lights reflecting off watches worth more than most cars.

James, however, looked completely out of place.

At least, that was what Richard thought.

James wore a plain gray hoodie, faded jeans, and simple white sneakers. No designer labels. No expensive accessories. No security team.

He stood in front of a glass display, studying an elegant watch.

A rare piece.

One of only a few ever made.

James leaned slightly closer.

Then suddenly—

Richard grabbed his wrist.

RICHARD:
"Don't touch that."

The entire boutique became quiet.

James slowly looked down at Richard's hand.

Then he looked into his eyes.

He remained calm.

JAMES:
"I'm just looking."

Richard tightened his grip.

RICHARD:
"People like you don't just walk in here and start touching things."

Several shoppers turned to watch.

A woman near the entrance whispered to her husband.

James heard it.

But he said nothing.

Richard pointed toward the mall exit.

RICHARD:
"Leave. Now."

James slowly removed his hand from Richard's grip.

Then he placed both hands in his pockets.

For a moment, he simply looked around the boutique.

At the customers.

At the employees.

At the security cameras.

Then his phone rang.

James looked at the screen and answered.

JAMES:
"I'm here."

He listened silently.

His calm expression slowly changed.

JAMES:
"What do you mean?"

Richard smirked.

RICHARD:
"Calling someone to come rescue you?"

James ignored him.

He listened for another moment.

Then his eyes moved toward the boutique entrance.

The sound of hurried footsteps echoed across the marble floor.

JAMES:
"Don't tell anyone else yet."

He ended the call.

A second later—

The boutique doors swung open.

Two executives in expensive suits rushed inside.

They stopped the moment they saw Richard standing beside James.

One of them stared in disbelief.

EXECUTIVE:
"Mr. Carter...?"

Richard's expression immediately changed.

He slowly stepped back.

The executive hurried toward James.

But before saying anything else, he leaned close and whispered something into James's ear.

James froze.

For the first time that day, his calm expression disappeared.

Richard watched nervously.

RICHARD:
"What happened?"

James didn't answer.

The second executive looked toward the luxury watch display.

Then back at James.

EXECUTIVE:
"We found it."

James slowly turned toward him.

JAMES:
"Are you sure?"

The executive nodded.

EXECUTIVE:
"Yes. The original Carter timepiece."

Richard looked confused.

RICHARD:
"Carter timepiece?"

James walked toward the display case.

The store manager rushed forward.

MANAGER:
"Sir, please—"

James raised one hand.

The manager stopped.

One of the executives carefully opened the glass case.