Chapter III

Masahiro stood frozen, staring at David. "You…," he began, but paused to collect himself. "Boss, you’re joking, right?" He stepped closer to the table, clearly shocked by what he had just heard.

David clasped his hands on the table, shaking his head slightly. "Why would I joke about something like this?"

Masahiro ran his hand over his head, visibly trying to calm his growing frustration.

"Do you two know each other or something?" David asked, looking between Masahiro and Matthew.

Masahiro placed his hands on waist and shot David a look that said it all.

“Oh..." David finally caught on to the tension. "Can I ask you both to leave for a moment?" he said, directing his words to Melissa and Matthew.

"Of course," Melissa said, gathering her belongings. "Come on, Matthew."

Without a word, Matthew stood and followed her, his eyes briefly meeting Masahiro's in a tense, sidelong stare as they passed him. It was clear there was bad blood between them.

"We'll be right outside," Melissa gestured to the door, which she and Matthew exited, leaving David and Masahiro alone.

Once the door clicked shut, David leaned back in his chair. "Alright, where do you know him from?"

Masahiro didn’t hesitate. "I’m the one who arrested him!" he snapped, pointing to the door where Matthew had just left.

David raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "So what?"

Masahiro threw his hands in the air. "So what? I can’t be responsible for him! He’s liable to kill me."

David gave a small shrug. "I wouldn’t be too worried about that," he said calmly, sifting through some papers on his desk. "According to his file, he doesn’t have a history of violence, either before or during his time in prison."

Masahiro shook his head in disbelief. "Boss, I’m serious. I’m not in a position to take him under my wing."

David leaned back in his chair, a knowing look crossing his face. "Weren’t you the one who volunteered?"

"Because I didn’t know it was him!" Masahiro's voice was edged with frustration.

David waved off the objection. "He’s just another criminal. Forget that you arrested him and do your job."

Masahiro scoffed. "Is that even possible?"

David stood and placed a firm hand on Masahiro’s shoulder. "Listen. This is more than just some personal grudge. This is your chance to close a major case and cement your reputation in this department. You want to head up the drug trafficking unit, right? This is how you get there. Don’t let your feelings about this guy stand in your way."

Masahiro exhaled slowly. "Fine," he muttered. "I’ll do it."

"Good." David returned to his seat. "Now, let’s go over the plan."

Meanwhile, outside the office, Matthew sat beside Melissa, his elbows resting on his knees, deep in thought. 'Why him?' he wondered. 'Why did it have to be him?' He grimaced, feeling the weight of his past catching up with him.

Melissa noticed his distraction. "What’s on your mind?"

Matthew blinked, coming back to reality. "Nothing important."

She gave him a knowing look, but before she could probe further, her phone rang. "Sorry!" she said, stepping away to answer the call. "Hello?" she said as she walked off, leaving Matthew alone with his thoughts again.

A few minutes later, Melissa called back to him, still on the phone. "Matthew, I have to go. We’ll catch up later, okay?"

Matthew shot up, panic creeping into his voice. "Wait, what? You’re leaving me?"

Melissa turned back briefly, her tone businesslike. "The department head said you’re in good hands." She gave him a reassuring nod before disappearing down the hall.

Matthew sank back onto the bench, groaning. "She really just left me here alone…"

As if on cue, the office door swung open, and Masahiro stepped out. "Hey!" he called, catching Matthew's attention.

Matthew dropped his hands from his face and glared at Masahiro, their mutual disdain palpable.

"Sign this," Masahiro said, thrusting the cooperation contract toward him.

Matthew took the document and glanced at it, his expression dark. Masahiro handed him a pen without a word.

Matthew quickly signed the paper and handed both the document and pen back to Masahiro, their eyes locking in an unspoken standoff.

Masahiro didn’t break the stare as he took the contract and re-entered David’s office.

Matthew slumped back against the bench, muttering under his breath. "What a mess..."

Moments later, the door opened again, and Masahiro stepped out. "Come with me," he said, his voice low and commanding as he walked past.

Matthew stood and followed him, watching Masahiro closely. He couldn’t help but notice how the agent’s well-built frame filled out his brown turtleneck and the holster strapped across his chest. They descended the stairs in silence.

Outside, Masahiro led the way to a dark blue Mercedes. Without a word, he unlocked the car and got in. Matthew stood for a moment, unsure, until Masahiro rolled down the window. "Get in," he ordered.

Matthew opened the passenger door, slid in, and fastened his seatbelt at Masahiro’s sharp command. The silence in the car was suffocating as they drove off.

"Tsk!" Masahiro clicked his tongue in frustration as he drove, and Matthew glanced out the window, his mind swirling with doubt. 'This is going to be a disaster,' he thought grimly.