The room hummed with tension, the heavy scent of cigar smoke clinging to the air as Rhys leaned back in his leather chair. The low murmur of voices from his subordinates made it difficult for Andy to catch every word, but the bits he did hear sent a chill down his spine.
"…the footage might already be in Donna's hands," one of the men reported, his voice laced with anxiety. Rhys clenched his fist against the armrest, the leather creaking under his grip.
"Two cars with dashcams, you said?" Rhys asked, his tone deceptively calm, though his narrowed eyes betrayed the storm brewing beneath.
"Yes, Padrino. Both were parked at angles that could've captured something from that night."
Rhys's jaw tightened, and his fingers began drumming against the desk in a sharp, rhythmic pattern. Andy knew this habit—it meant Rhys was calculating every possible angle, every potential threat.
"Inform me the second you know what's on those recordings," Rhys ordered, his voice steely.
"Yes, Padrino." The subordinate bowed and exited quickly, not daring to linger any longer.
Andy took a step forward, clearing his throat softly. "Padrino…"
Rhys turned his sharp gaze toward him, his expression unreadable but clearly dangerous. Andy straightened, summoning his courage.
"Donna has sent word."
The air in the room seemed to shift. Rhys immediately stood, his imposing figure radiating tension. "What does she want?"
Andy hesitated, knowing this wouldn't go over well. "She wants you to handle a deal. A very high-stakes one."
Rhys's brow furrowed. "Who's the client?"
Andy hesitated again, his voice dropping as he answered, "Viktor Azi."
The name hung in the air like a curse. Rhys's fingers froze mid-drum, and his eyes narrowed. "That name sounds familiar."
Andy nodded quickly. "He's tied to a rumored nanotech project. Revolutionary stuff—nanoparticles capable of delivering drugs with pinpoint precision. Hospitals and research facilities are practically foaming at the mouth to get their hands on it. Padrino, if we secure this deal, the Khaos family's power would grow exponentially. No other clans would dare challenge us."
Rhys didn't look convinced. He started pacing, the soles of his shoes tapping against the polished floor. "And yet, this feels wrong. Why me? Donna has plenty of other people she trusts more for something this important."
Andy's silence spoke volumes, confirming Rhys's suspicion. This wasn't just about the deal—this was a test. Donna was playing a game, and Rhys was her unwilling pawn.
"What do we know about Viktor?" Rhys asked, halting mid-stride.
"We've confirmed he's in the country, but he's elusive. Immigration records show his arrival, but he's kept out of sight. Only his aides are seen in public. He's definitely from a powerful clan, but we don't know which one yet."
Rhys rubbed his chin thoughtfully, his mind racing. "Find out everything. Who he is, where he's staying, what his angle is. If Donna's pushing this deal onto me, it's not because she trusts me. She's waiting for me to slip."
Andy bowed. "Yes, Padrino." He turned to leave, but Rhys's voice stopped him.
"And Andy," Rhys added, his voice low and dangerous, "keep this quiet. No leaks. If Viktor is playing a game, I need to know the rules before I make a move."
"Yes, Padrino," Andy repeated before hurrying out of the room.
As soon as Andy left, Rhys collapsed into his chair, running a hand through his dark hair. This wasn't just a business deal—it was a carefully set trap. Donna was forcing him into a corner, and Viktor Azi was the bait.
His mind drifted to Lia, his chest tightening. If Donna found out about her connection to Eddy's death, it wouldn't matter how innocent she was. The Khaos family didn't forgive or forget. And if this deal went south, everyone connected to him would pay the price.
Rhys stared out the window, his reflection merging with the city skyline. He didn't have a choice. To protect Lia, to shield her from Donna's wrath, he would have to face Viktor Azi head-on. But one thing was certain—this wasn't going to end cleanly.
The game had begun, and Rhys was walking straight into the lion's den.
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The cafeteria buzzed with its usual hum of chatter and clinking utensils, but Lia barely noticed. She stared at her plate, picking at her food without enthusiasm. Across from her, Ranye tilted his head, concern etched into his features.
"Lia, what's wrong?" he asked gently.
She didn't respond, her fork aimlessly pushing grains of rice around the plate.
"Are you not feeling well?" he pressed, leaning closer. Still no answer. Finally, after a moment, she looked up, her eyes distant and clouded with unease. The sight made Ranye's heart tighten with worry.
He pushed his plate aside, reached across the table, and took her hands in his. His voice dropped to a softer tone, trying to coax her to open up. "Tell me. What's going on?"
Lia sighed deeply, looking at her best friend. His genuine concern was evident, and she felt guilty for worrying him. "So many things have been happening lately," she started, her voice barely above a whisper. "And I can't shake this feeling... It's creeping me out."
"What is it?" he asked, his grip on her hands tightening slightly.
"I had a dream… no, it felt more like a memory," she said, her voice trembling. "And also, I was taken somewhere for an examination by Rhys's men, but I don't remember any of it. They said I slept through it. Me! In broad daylight."
Ranye's brow furrowed. He knew Lia's history all too well. She'd battled severe insomnia for years, unable to sleep properly even at night, let alone during the day. The idea of her "sleeping through" an exam didn't sit right with him, and from her expression, he knew it didn't sit right with her either.
"That… doesn't sound like you," he said cautiously, his mind already racing to connect the dots. "What about the dream?"
She shook her head, cutting him off. "It's not just the dream, Ranye. It's how real it felt. And then there's the fact that I actually don't remember the exam. I don't even remember falling asleep. What's worse is that I feel scared. Like something's wrong and I just can't figure it out."
Ranye studied her face carefully. "Was it the same kind of nightmare you used to have when we were kids?" he asked gently.
"No," she said after a pause, her voice cracking slightly. "This one was different. Someone was chasing me. They wanted to kill me."
Ranye felt a chill run down his spine. He remembered the nights Lia would wake up screaming as a child, haunted by nightmares of her parents ignoring her. Back then, those dreams were born of trauma and abandonment. But this? What was the reason? Why would she dream about getting killed? Lia doesn't watch crime, thriller or any kind of TV
"Lia, listen," he said firmly, giving her hands a reassuring squeeze. "Maybe—just maybe—you overexerted yourself due to the dream and fell asleep because your body needed the rest. It's strange, yeah, but it's not impossible."
She stared at him, trying to absorb his words. There was logic in what he was saying, but the gnawing anxiety in her chest wouldn't go away. Still, she nodded slowly, wanting to believe him.
When he noticed her finally take a bite of her food, Ranye sighed in relief. "See? It's probably nothing. Don't let it ruin your day," he said with a smile.
Lia managed a small grin. "You're probably right. Thanks, Ranye."
After their meal, they walked together toward their respective lecture halls.
"When do you finish today?" she asked.
"This is my last lecture," he replied. "You?"
"I've got three more," she said with a groan. "I'll be here late."
Ranye grinned. "Tough luck. You're going to miss out. Mom's boyfriend invited us to dinner tonight, so she's not opening the shop."
Lia laughed lightly, poking his arm. "Lucky you. Just don't forget to tell me all about it later, okay?"
"You got it," he said with a wink before jogging off to meet his classmates. Lia waved at him before turning toward her lecture hall.
As she walked, a group of classmates greeted her in passing. "Hi, Lia," one of them said with a forced smile.
She returned the gesture out of habit, but the undercurrent of judgment in their voices wasn't lost on her. She could feel their eyes lingering, hear the whispers they didn't bother hiding. It wasn't the first time, and it wouldn't be the last.
The "shameless" label they'd slapped on her didn't bother her anymore. She'd learned long ago not to care what people thought of her. As long as she wasn't hurting anyone, her life was hers to live. Still, the subtle sneers and sidelong glances never failed to remind her of how cruel people could be.
Just as she rounded the corner, a hand slipped around her waist, stopping her in her tracks. Lia stiffened immediately, her body tense. She could hear the hushed gasps from her classmates nearby, their steps slowing as they eagerly watched the scene unfold.
Lia's pulse quickened, but then a familiar scent hit her nose, and a slow smile spread across her lips. Turning her head, she met the mischievous eyes of Tobe.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, her voice laced with amusement.
The man standing before her was strikingly handsome, with a face that could charm anyone and a confident grin to match. His youthful, chiseled features were complemented by a muscular frame that he carried with ease.
"Wow," Tobe said dramatically, placing a hand over his heart. "No 'hello'? No 'I missed you'? Just straight to the interrogation?"
Lia laughed despite herself, the sound drawing even more attention from their nosy audience. She could practically feel the judgment radiating from them. After all, Tobe wasn't just any guy—he was the Tobe. The school's golden boy, nicknamed "Flirt God" for his relentless charm and devastating good looks. And here he was, openly flirting with her.
"Tobe," she said with mock sternness, raising an eyebrow. "Are you looking for trouble?"
"Always," he replied with a cheeky grin. "But only with you."
He leaned in closer, his warm breath tickling her ear as he whispered, "I've missed you. These last few weeks have been hell without you."
Lia rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. You've probably been busy 'missing me' while surrounded by half the girls on campus."
Tobe feigned a wounded look. "How could you say that? You know you're the only one who can keep up with me."
"Is that so?" she teased, narrowing her eyes at him.
Tobe's expression softened as he reached into his pocket, pulling out a gleaming gold keycard. He pressed it into her palm, his fingers lingering on hers. "I've booked us something special. Tonight. Just us."
Lia's breath hitched at the intensity in his gaze. The playful spark was still there, but beneath it was something deeper, something primal. She swallowed hard, her throat suddenly dry.
"I…" she began, but Tobe cut her off.
"Whatever you're imagining," he murmured, leaning in so their faces were inches apart, "it's going to be better. I promise."
Her lips curved into a knowing smile. "You're impossible."
"And you love it," he shot back, his grin widening.
Before she could retort, Tobe glanced over her shoulder, noticing their captivated audience. His grin turned devilish. "Since they're already watching, don't you think we should give them a real show?"
Lia rolled her eyes, but before she could protest, Tobe dipped his head and captured her lips in a searing kiss. Gasps rippled through the small crowd, and the sound of hurried whispers filled the air.
Tobe's hands cupped her face, his kiss both hungry and possessive. Lia was caught off guard but quickly melted into him, the heat between them undeniable. When he finally pulled back, his breathing was ragged, and his eyes burned with desire.
"I'll see you tonight," he whispered against her lips before stepping away, leaving her flushed and breathless.
Lia adjusted her bag and turned toward her class, ignoring the stunned stares of her classmates. She smirked to herself, knowing full well the rumor mill would be buzzing for days. Let them talk, she thought. They'd never understand, and she didn't care to explain.
***********************************************************
"Jasmine, my darling!"
Rose stretched her arms wide, beckoning the younger woman into a warm embrace.
"Gammy!" Jasmine exclaimed, practically launching herself into the older woman's arms.
"Oh, my dear, it's been so long since I've seen you! And look at you! All skin and bones!" Rose's tone was playful, but there was a tinge of genuine concern. "Is that stinky grandson of mine not feeding you properly?"
Jasmine let out a soft laugh, shaking her head.
"No, Gammy. Rhys is… doing fine."
Rose raised an eyebrow, not convinced. She cupped Jasmine's cheek gently, her wise eyes narrowing. "Jaz, I know you're a quiet girl, always keeping things bottled up. But you mustn't do that, my sweet child. Speak up if something's troubling you, and I'll march straight over to that grandson of mine and give him a good talking-to!"
"It's not Rhys, Gammy," Jasmine said, leading Rose to the living room. "It's just… everything. Work, my parents, the hotel—it's all piling up. I'm so stressed, and I feel like I can't catch my breath." She sat beside Rose, resting her head on the older woman's lap, as she often did when seeking comfort.
Rose gently stroked Jasmine's hair, her fingers soft and soothing. "Why don't you let Rhys help, my dear? You're working yourself to the bone."
Jasmine sighed. "I don't want to burden him, Gammy. He has enough on his plate with his own work. Besides, I want to prove to my parents that I can handle this on my own. I need to show them I'm capable."
Rose smiled, her pride evident. "You've grown into such a strong, determined woman. This is why I've always said you're the perfect match for my Rhys. That boy listens to no one but you. You've got a special hold on him."
Jasmine forced a smile, though her heart sank. That hold… it's slipping.