AN: This is the start of The Rookie Arc.
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[Downtown Bar – Late Night]
The music thumped low, a bassline that made the glasses hum on the bar. Neon spilled across Alex and Angelina's table, painting her cheekbones in blue and violet as she swirled her drink.
"So," Alex said, leaning back with his glass. "I've been sketching plans for a house. Something private, quiet. Space for everyone to breathe."
Angelina arched a brow. "Everyone? You mean me, the girls, and whoever else you charm into the picture?"
"Exactly. A place for us all," he replied, smiling faintly. "No paparazzi or stress. Just... home."
She laughed, light and mischievous. "That actually sounds exciting. But what if we all make a house rule? Like, say... inside, clothing is optional. Or forbidden." She sipped her cocktail, her eyes glinting. "What would you do then?"
He tilted his glass, considering. "Probably stock up on wine. And brace myself for a lot of sex. Oh, and you'd probably see me walking around with Mr. Johnson, standing 24/7."
Angelina nearly spit her drink, then grinned. "Oh, really? Confident answer."
"Realistic answer," Alex said smoothly. "You think I could survive under the same roof with you walking around naked and nothing happening? Not a chance."
"What are you gonna do if you see me butt up, bending down to fill the washing machine with our cum soaked bedsheets?" She whispered, leaning forward.
"You dirty girl... I'd probably grab your waist and fuck you, right there," He said with a deadpan look.
"While cooking in an apron?" She smirked.
"I'd eat you up from behind," He replied, raising his glass a bit.
"Max lying on her tummy on the couch?"
"I'll fuck her from behind and you'll watch while rubbing one off."
'Umm... So fucking hot!' Her laugh turned softer this time, almost intimate. "You'd burn out in a week."
"Wanna bet?" he murmured, and caught the flicker in her eyes when she glanced away for half a second.
She drummed her fingers against the rim of her glass. "You do realize what you're suggesting. A house like that... with women like us... it's not just wine and sunshine. It's chaos. You'd be referee as much as lover."
"I like chaos," Alex said. "Keeps life from being boring. And as for referee, well... I have my ways of keeping people in line."
Angelina smirked. "Oh, I bet you do. Probably think you can kiss your way out of an argument."
He leaned closer, lowering his voice just enough for her to feel it in her chest. "Hasn't failed me yet."
Her pulse quickened, though she disguised it with another sip. "Dangerous man. No wonder so many girls fell for you."
That name hanging between them tightened something in the air, but Alex didn't flinch. He just smiled, faint but certain. "Maybe. Or maybe they just saw the same thing you do right now."
Angelina felt the heat rise in her face before she could stop it. She looked down, tracing the condensation on her glass. "You got that thing I can't just put my finger on... It's like, I can't say no to you, no matter what and whenever I'm with you... I... It's like I couldn't help but fall in love with you over and over again. Does that make sense? Is this weird?"
Alex's smile softened, the kind that wasn't practiced for red carpets. He tilted his glass toward her. "Weird? No. Dangerous, maybe. But I'll take dangerous over dull any night."
Angelina chuckled, shaking her head. "You make it sound like loving you is an extreme sport."
"Maybe it is," he said. "Helmet optional. Heart not included."
She laughed louder this time, the sound curling into the music. "God, you're insufferable. And the worst part? You know you're charming."
"Correction," Alex leaned closer, elbows on the table. "I know I'm charming to you. To everyone else, I'm just another guy with bad hair days."
Her lips curved despite her attempt to hide it. "I've seen you after a 16-hour shoot, covered in dust, and still somehow managing to look like a Calvin Klein ad. Don't give me that."
"Dust is very flattering on me," he deadpanned, then clinked his glass against hers. "Adds character."
Angelina rolled her eyes, sipping. Her pulse betrayed her, racing every time his gaze lingered a second too long. "You're lucky I'm not easily impressed."
"Oh, I know." He sat back, studying her like she was the only person in the room. "If you were, you wouldn't be here with me right now. You'd be bored already."
She held his stare, daring him. "And you think I'm not?"
"No," he said simply. "Because when you're bored, your foot taps. Hasn't moved all night."
Her throat tightened. Damn him for noticing. She forced a smirk. "So you've been staring at my feet under the table?"
"Only after I finished staring at your eyes," he said, straight-faced.
Angelina burst out laughing, nearly spilling her drink. "That line should not have worked. But somehow it did."
"It worked because it's true."
She shook her head, cheeks warm. "You really are impossible."
Alex grinned. "And you really don't want me to stop."
Her silence said more than words. She swirled the ice in her glass, buying time. God help her, he was right.
Finally, she accepted her fate. "God, no. Never stop. I love the way you are. Never change, Mr. Wilson."
"I'd do my best, Miss Jolie," Alex said with a low bow.
---
[20 minutes later]
The night air was cooler than the bar, brushing against their cheeks as they walked. The city's neon softened into shadows on the quieter street. Alex tugged his hoodie a little lower, but his arm stayed linked with Angelina's. Their steps fell into rhythm, unhurried.
"Feels nice," she murmured.
He glanced sideways. "What? Walking? Or pretending we're teenagers sneaking out after curfew?"
Her lips twitched. "Both. Though I don't remember my teenage nights involving bodyguards in secret agent cosplay."
A laugh slipped out of him. "They're very committed to blending in. That one's probably pretending he's texting his girlfriend right now."
She peeked back, then stifled a giggle. "He's typing like he's sending the Declaration of Independence."
They kept moving, the silence between them more comfortable than the music had been inside the bar. Alex let the quiet settle before speaking again.
"You realize," he said softly, "if the world saw us right now, walking like this, they'd lose their minds."
Angelina tilted her head toward him. "Let them. It's our night, not theirs."
Something warm stirred in his chest. He squeezed her hand gently, not trusting words for a moment.
Then, the sharp crack of gunfire split the night. One shot, then two more, muffled but close.
Angelina froze, heart slamming. "Did you hear—"
"Yeah." Alex had already scanned the alley where the sound came from. His survival senses were at maximum. His bodyguards tensed at a distance, one lifting a hand discreetly toward his earpiece.
Her pulse raced, but she forced a shaky laugh. "Tell me this is just some movie scene leaking into real life."
Alex pulled her a step closer, his voice low but calm. "If it is, I promise it's not one of mine. My scripts have better dialogue."
She exhaled, torn between fear and the ridiculous urge to smile. "Only you could make jokes with bullets flying."
"Hey, it's a coping mechanism." His eyes flicked back to hers. "Besides, if anyone tries to hurt you, they'll regret it. I bite."
Angelina snorted. "Oh, please. You'd charm them into putting the gun down."
"Or you'd glare and they'd drop it out of pure intimidation."
"Maybe." She allowed herself a grin, even as adrenaline kept her sharp. "But if they don't, we're both screwed."
Alex's SUV stopped beside them. And with that, a new quest popped up before his eyes. It's been months since he got a quest. Then came the sound of more gunshots.
***
[Scenario: The Rookie]
New Quest: Lucy Chen, Tim Bradford and John Nolan are in danger. Save them.
Lucy: Stomach Shot> Injury critical. 23% survival chance.
Tim: Shoulder wound> 90% survival chance.
John: No injuries.
***
'Shit!' Alex cursed. 'Wtf is this timing?'
Alex opened the SUV's door. "Well, you'd better get in."
As soon as Angelina got inside, he closed the door to her surprise. The bodyguards swarmed in, surrounding him. There were like six of them around him and twenty surrounding the area.
"Six of you, escort her to the penthouse. The rest... Follow me," He ordered.
"Alex? What are you doing? This isn't a movie. Get back in here," Angelina said with a worried expression.
"Hey, I know you are confused and worried. But don't. Just wait for me at the penthouse. I'll be fine. There could be someone in trouble and I've got like twenty armed ex-army guys with me. I just don't want to turn back and feel guilty later on, knowing I could have lent a hand but I didn't. So, as you always have, trust me and wait," Alex said with a reassuring smile.
"Shit! Arggg! You... You can just send them, no?"
"Yes, but it's hard to explain. Just trust me, please?"
Angelina sighed. "If you die, I'll kill you." She then looked up at the guards. "And you lots. If something happens to him, I'll tell Rachel to shoot your asses."
"Go," Alex told the driver.
'Haaa... Hero scenario doesn't work that good in real life. And this fucking system is probably trolling me for badmouthing it that day for scamming me with Infinite Money clickbait. Alright. Time for some action. It's been ages since I've felt such a rush. Maybe I should start hitting some underground fights. Maybe official MMA?' He thought, but quickly shook it off. He got people to save.
"Alright, what the hell are you lots waiting for? You already got the location, right? Go and help," Alex ordered.
"But we are advised to guard you. We can't leave our post," One of the guards said.
"Fuck! Whatever," He followed his survival instinct and ran toward the danger zone.
...
[Alley]
The police car was parked on the side street, lights still flashing weakly against the brick. No civilians in sight; they'd bolted the second the shooting started. The alley itself was chaos: gun smoke, shouts, and the sharp echo of shots bouncing between the walls.
Alex took a deep breath, his whole body locking into focus. He pushed his adaptability, speed, survival instincts to the max. His pulse slowed even as the world sped up. He turned to the nearest guard.
"Gun," Alex said simply.
The man hesitated for half a second, then handed over a Glock.
"Thanks. Don't tell anyone and take care of the CCTVs around this place," Alex said, and before anyone could react, he was already sprinting into the alley.
'Five shooters. Let's make 5 head shots.'
He raised the gun and fired five times. Five headshots. Five shooters dropped instantly, bodies collapsing in eerie unison.
The silence after was louder than the gunfire.
Behind a dumpster, John Nolan peeked up, eyes wide. "Holy—"
"Language. There's a girl here," Alex cut in, scanning the area. His tone was so casual it sounded like a dad scolding someone for swearing at the dinner table.
A few feet away, Tim Bradford was slumped against the wall, his shoulder bleeding. Lucy Chen lay sprawled beside him, pale and clutching her stomach.
Alex was already moving toward them. "Alright, hang tight."
Tim squinted at him. "Who the hell are you?"
"Guy who just saved your ass," Alex replied smoothly. He crouched beside Lucy, pressing his hand gently but firmly against her wound. "Hey, stay with me. You're tougher than this."
Lucy's lips trembled, her voice weak. "You're… Alex Wilson?"
"Glad you remember me," he said with a small smile. "I'd like to say, how are you doing? Nice to finally meet you. But that would be insensitive in this situation."
Her laugh came out as a shaky breath. "Haha! You are just as Chloe says... Argg! Nice shot by the way."
"Don't praise me too much," Alex said, leaning closer. "You'll make me blush, and I need to focus on stopping the bleeding."
Nolan was already fumbling for the radio. "Shots fired, multiple down. Officer needs immediate medical!"
Alex glanced up, his voice calm but commanding. "Tell them we need trauma kits, stat."
Tim groaned, still eyeing him like he was trying to solve a puzzle. "What kind of actor shoots like that?"
"The kind who doesn't miss," Alex deadpanned.
Even Lucy chuckled weakly. Her hand tightened around his wrist. "Don't let go."
He squeezed gently back. "Wasn't planning to. You're too cute to die on me."
Her cheeks flushed despite the blood loss. "Oh my god… you flirt even in triage."
Alex grinned faintly. "Hey, everyone needs a hobby." His eyes fell on the excessive bleeding. "Shit!"
"That bad?" She asked.
"Too much bleeding. Gotta stop it or she won't make it," Alex said with a worried expression as Lucy's stats dropped below 20%.
"There are multiple shootouts out there. The streets are blocked. The ambulance won't make it in time," Nolan said with a grim expression.
"Haaa... Fuck it! I'm gonna do something. It's a 50/50 chance. You wanna take it or wait for the medics?" Alex asked.
Lucy was already losing her consciousness at his point.
"Hey, hey, hey," Alex patted her cheek. "Stay with me. C'mon. Keep your eyes on my face."
Tim closed his eyes for a moment and said, "Do it. I'll take full responsibility."
"Make sure to keep my name and me out of this mess. I don't want my face on new or in police records, deal?" Alex looked at Tim.
"Deal." Tim nodded.
...
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