The cold, damp walls of the warehouse echoed with the sound of a single, agonized muffled cry. Samson, bound tightly to a chair, was soaked in his own sweat. His eyes were bloodshot, and he was as pale as a ghost. His body was bruised and bloodied.Standing in front of him was Raja, his expression serious. He was crossing his arms, and when Samson groaned again, he nodded his head, signaling Michael. As if on cue, Michael harshly splashed water on Samson, forcing him to wake up."Oh, I just arrived just in time," Jake, panting, arrived at the door. Raja spit on the floor in disgust, and Tales raised an eyebrow in disbelief."Thick-faced," someone murmured, and Jake knew it was Tales, but he didn’t care.Samson looked as if he still didn’t know where he was as he looked around. When his gaze landed on Raja and his team, he immediately displayed a defiant glare, with a growing sense of dread."What is the meaning of this?" he asked coldly, trying to break free from the chair."You have
Raja’s vision blurred as the gas filled the room. He was trained for this, but he was being too complacent. His body grew heavy, his limbs losing their strength. He staggered, barely managing to keep his footing, before collapsing to his knees."Dammit," Michael spoke unclearly, his voice thick with the effects of the gas. "This wasn’t supposed to happen...""Stay awake... stay awake!" Jake hissed, his eyes unfocused as he struggled to stay conscious. But it was clear they were fighting a losing battle.Tales, already stumbling, cursed under his breath. "We’re fucked... Fuck."He was trying not to lose consciousness because he didn’t know what they might do to them. When push comes to shove, he should survive at least.Raja felt like his mind was floating, his vision darkening. He tried to call out, but the words came out in a rasp, barely audible. “Get... out... of... here...”Their vision blurred as the fumes of the sleeping gas swept over him. His body felt heavy, his limbs refusin
The room was eerily quiet as Tales, Michael, Claren, Raoul, and Jake groggily regained consciousness. Their movements were sluggish, their heads pounding from the lingering effects of the sleeping gas. Michael was the first to sit up, rubbing his temples and wincing.“Ugh… what the hell happened?” he muttered, his voice still thick and hoarse as he scanned the whole room, waiting for answers.Jake groaned as he pushed himself into a sitting position, glancing around the room. “You got played. That much is obvious,” he said bitterly.“But how? How did they know where we were at the moment?” Raoul muttered in confusion, yet no one answered.Tales was the last to rise, shaking his head as if trying to clear the fog. His eyes darted around the room. The place felt so familiar that his mind came to the conclusion they were back at their headquarters. He also noticed the absence of Raja. “Where’s Raja?” he asked, his tone sharp despite his disorientation.Michael shrugged, his expression gr
The next morning, Tales woke up to a light knock on his door. He groaned, rolling over on the floor where he’d fallen asleep the night before. He rubbed his eyes as he ruffled his hair. His back protested as he pushed himself up, the golden envelope still lying unopened on the bed.The knock came again, firmer and louder this time.“Who is it?” Tales grumbled, rubbing his face. His voice was still hoarse, indicating it hadn’t been long since he woke up.“It’s me,” Raja’s voice replied, calm and measured.Tales froze for a moment, his irritation replaced by confusion. Raja never came to his room unless it was absolutely necessary. What’s this man’s deal now? After their confrontation last night, the last person he wanted to see was Raja.“Come in,” he said hesitantly.The door opened, and Raja stepped inside, carrying a neatly folded suit hanging over his arm. His expression was stoic, but there was a strange lightness in his demeanor. Tales couldn’t help but narrow his eyes in suspici
“Do you like me?”The words that came out of Tales' mouth froze the atmosphere. He felt it turn even more awkward, but he needed to see and hear Raja's reaction and answer.Raja stared at him for a moment, as if debating whether to answer or not. He then sighed, tried to open his mouth, but shut it again."Answer me," Tales demanded, pressing Raja to respond to the question.Raja stared back at him and answered, "Yes."Tales was, of course, surprised. Was it really that easy to admit feelings for someone? He had expected Raja to deny everything and revert to the way things were—without any emotions brewing between them—making it easier for Tales to leave the group. But now, he didn’t know how to react.He couldn’t speak, his grip tightening on the fork.For Raja, admitting his feelings was a desperate attempt to make them disappear, hoping that once out in the open, they’d vanish into thin air. But now that he had confessed, the pain of seeing Tales’ reaction—an emotionless face stari
The house was quiet, the kind of stillness that made every sound seem to escalate. Tales stood in front of the mirror in his room, adjusting the cufflinks on his crisp black suit. Raja had left it for him, and even if he didn’t want to wear it, he had no choice. He didn’t want to go to the party either, but if he didn’t, hell awaited him. He knew that much. And he didn’t want to complicate his already complicated life further. He didn’t want to deal with Raja and Oliver all at once. He glanced at himself in the mirror, his reflection staring back with dead eyes. The events of the past days weighed heavily on him, but he couldn’t afford to look weak. Raja’s words still echoed in his mind, and his body still remembered the pain he endured just to let Raja seal whatever feelings were growing inside him and to reduce his debt. His body still remembered the shame he felt, and Tales would not forget about it even if he died. Tales straightened his tie, forcing himself to focus. He knew the
Tales was struggling as he was dragged. He didn't even know what path they were taking because he was horrified by Oliver's statement. What? Auction?! Is he kidding?"Let go of me!" Tales struggled and kicked the guards, but since they were more experienced than him, they were not moved by the kick. They were like a boulder. He wriggled and bit the guard's hand when it attempted to handcuff him."You! Do you want to die?!" the man said furiously when he bit him like a rabid dog. Yet, as furious as he was, Tales just spit on the floor in disgust. But along with it, Tales was hit on the side of his neck with the palm of a hand, and immediately lost consciousness."Sleep! You're infuriating!"When he regained consciousness, he could clearly hear the voices of the people as if he were really near. But before Tales could comprehend, the spotlight immediately lit up on him, and he realized he was placed on stage.Fuck!He looked at the people who were staring at him like he was on display.
After three days, Raja had just returned to his estate, his white long sleeves soaked with blood. He was as pale as a ghost and bruised from the "lesson" Oliver had given him. His thoughts were a tangled mess, rage and frustration clouding every corner of his mind. The memory of Tales’ broken expression haunted him, and the fire within him burned hotter with every step he took.The way he walked looked like he had no direction.As he entered the living room, he found Jake seated comfortably in his chair, legs crossed, sipping from a crystal glass as if he owned the place.“Raja,” Jake greeted, his voice smooth and mocking. “Back so soon? You look awful. Guess Father’s discipline wasn’t just a bedtime story after all.”Raja froze in the doorway, his eyes narrowing to slits. His fists clenched at his sides, his nails digging into his palms. He had no time to argue with him and so he walked to the stairs without even looking at Jake, but the next word Jake spouted made him freeze in plac
The tension was thick, suffocating, pressing down on the factory like a weight no one could lift off.Tales gripped his knife tightly, his breathing steady but his pulse drumming loudly in his ears. Ria stood just behind him, eyes darting between Raja and Jake. Curious of what their relationship is and what kind of people are they. The tension in the air intensifies even more as sharp as a blade.Raja’s smirk had long since vanished, replaced with something colder. His fingers twitched at his sides, itching to move, to strike. He look at Jake with much disdain. Jake stood at the entrance, his stance relaxed but his presence undeniable. Unshaken. Like he had expected this moment. And they way his lips curled for a smirk, it looks like he was excited of the way this activity unfolded.And then—Jake sighed. “Don't look at me like that, you too. Aren't you happy to see me?” his head turned towards Tales direction and give him a playful look. "Didn't you miss me, my love?"Tales immediat
The air around them shifted.It was like the world had gone silent for a brief moment before the storm.Tales gripped the phone whom he immediately snatched away from Raja, staring at the image on the screen. Ria—bound, bruised, with her eyes showing exhaustion yet with defiance. She wasn’t broken. Not yet.However they'll do anything to make her submit.And that was enough to make Tales' blood run cold.He turned to Raja, eyes asking for his opinion—no... A help. And looks like, Raja will honor his request. The barely restrained fury. The dark promise of violence lurking behind his unreadable expression.They immediately called the suspect to ask for their location or what they want however, no on pick up the call that made them feel even shitter. Then—Raja’s phone vibrated.A message.> Unknown: Stop calling for information. Let Tales save the girl.Tales' entire body went rigid. His jaw clenched as his fingers tightened around the phone.Another text.> Unknown: Don’t look so pis
The air was laced with the scent of blood and smoke as Raja and Tales stepped out of the ruined hideout. Their boots left behind dark footprints, but neither of them looked back. Raja immediately called Claren to ask for a clean up of the area. Authorities might suspect and investigate them. He can no longer be complacent now that he's planning to cut ties with father."Alright. On the way."Now, it was done.The past had been confronted. The ghosts had been silenced.But at what cost?Tales' hands were still trembling, the weight of the knife lingering in his grip even though he had already wiped it clean. His body felt light, almost numb, like he was drifting between reality and something else. He didn't feel any remorse yet the emotions he felt now is so deep that he can't really ignore it.Raja walked beside him, silent, his presence a steady force against the storm inside Tales’ chest.For a long time, neither of them spoke. The surroundings around them felt unnaturally quiet, as
“Raja.”A voice.Familiar. Firm.He stopped.Slowly, he turned.Tales stood a few feet away. His face was tense, his eyes locked onto Raja like he was trying to read him. His breathing was steady, but there was something behind it—something controlled, like he was forcing himself to stay calm. Raja on the other hand was surprised. But he chooses not to let Tales' know through his expression.Raja raised an eyebrow. “You followed me.”Tales stepped closer. “I’m not an idiot.” and walked slowly towards where Raja and Clein is. Tales’ gaze flicked to Raja’s hands—his sleeves, stained with blood. His expression darkened. “You found them.”Raja didn’t answer because it's obvious.Tales clenched his fists. “You killed them.”Raja shrugged. “Of course, I did.”Tales stared at him, his throat bobbing. He don't know what to feel. He's thankful but at the same time he's uneasy. “I never asked you to do this.”Raja let out a quiet laugh, one without humor. “You didn’t have to.”Silence. Tales f
Raja stood in the alley, surrounded by bodies. The air smelled like blood, thick and full of tension. The fight had been quick—too easy. They had begged, made excuses, tried to run. For Raja, it didn’t matter.They were dead now.He rolled his shoulders, wiping the back of his hand against his cheek. A smudge of blood smeared across his skin, but he didn’t care. His focus was elsewhere."In order for me to locate them, tell me your location."Raja can't believe what he was hearing. Apparently, Zaden thinks that he's a fool. Wow?! Licking father's ass made his head got bigger, huh?"Where are you?" Zaden's voice was indifferent, accompanied by the faint clacking of a keyboard in the background.Raja smirked slightly. "Close."More typing. "That's not an answer.""Don't need to answer if you already know," Raja muttered, his tone just as flat.A brief silence as if proving Raja's words. Then, Zaden continued. "You're near the location. Their boss is hiding in an old gambling den—still a
Raja moved through the crowd, his pace slow, unhurried to avoid being notice. But inside, his blood was boiling. His hands itched to wrap around the throats of the men walking ahead, completely unaware that death was already watching them.Then, his phone vibrated in his pocket. His eyes flicked down as he be look at the screen. Zaden.He answered without breaking stride. “What did you find out?"Zaden’s voice is still professional and cold. “Right. You told me to dig into the gangs operating around Tales’ hometown. See if any of them were involved in… well, you didn’t give me details, but I assumed it was bad.” A pause. “I found something.”Raja’s grip on the phone tightened as if he had been waiting for this moment. “They were known as the Crows. They ran the underground trade in that area. Small-time, but brutal. They sold people off for slavery in illegal auctions , extorted businesses, took what they wanted. Word is, a woman with a gambling problem sold her own kid to them.”Raj
That voice—He turned, eyes widening slightly.Ria.She stood a few feet away, her expression shifting from disbelief to relief.“Tales!” She hurried toward him, looking him over like she couldn’t believe her own eyes. She immediately wrap his slender arms towards Tales' body out of excitement.Tales stiffened. “Ria?”Ria clench his teeth. She don't know what to say to Tales but one thing she knows is that she doesn't want to let go of Tales. She look up as if to touch his face, then hesitated, her brows furrowing. “I’ve been looking for you!”Tales blinked. “Looking for me?”'Why would she look for me when I clearly told her that I'm moving out?'Raja, who had been silent until now, tilted his head slightly, his sharp gaze settling on the woman in front of them. He don't what he's feeling but he's sure it's not happiness. He's not happy in the slightest to see this woman.Ria finally seemed to notice him, her eyes flickering to Raja.And then… narrowing slightly.Her entire posture s
The sun hung lazily in the sky as Raja and Tales drive through the road, their pace was neither fast not slow. The world they passed by bustled with life—vendors shouting, children laughing, the scent of street food filling the air.Tales leaned against the window, watching the scenery shift from clean roads to rougher neighborhoods. He exhaled slowly, fingers tapping against his thigh.Raja, on the other hand, was anything but tense.He drove with one hand on the wheel, the other casually resting on Tales’ knee.Tales glanced at him. “Hands. Off.”Raja just chuckled and didn't take his hands off. Instead his fingers enveloped to Tales' fingers too. Tales had already guessed where they were going. The familiar roads and infrastructure give away hints. And as much as he didn’t want to set foot in that house again, he didn’t resist when Raja tugged him along.Surprisingly, Tales didn’t hate it.He's being insufferably clingy.He leaned into Tales’ space with every opportunity he got li
The tension in the dining hall had evolve into something heavier— anticipation to achieve freedom but dreadful to the chance that they'll not survive. However, the decision had been made. They would all follow Raja and severe ties with Father. But now came the true test of their resolve.But before Raja could begin discussing strategies, an uneasy voice broke the silence.“Um…”All eyes turned toward Liam, one of the younger members of Unit 1. He was usually quiet, never one to speak up in these meetings. His fingers fidgeted against the rim of his cup indicating how frightened he is but at the same time, he wants to know. His face was slightly pale, as if he had been holding in his question for too long.“Liam?” Raja prompted, raising an eyebrow.Liam hesitated, clearly regretting speaking up after meeting Raja's cold gaze. He swallowed hard, avoiding eye contact. “I—uh—about the… the six punishments…” He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, rubbing the back of his neck.Raja’s eyes na