- Well ... the enemy of my enemy is my friend, so how about working together? (CARLOS)
- "Work together, huh? I'm afraid things are not so simple as your words are Mr. Santos. Well, indeed, we will have the advantage to work together, however ... I don't take orders, and you don't look like someone would take too. Your people won't trust and just take orders from a stranger, the same with my own people too. So, this is a partnership and leadership, so now it's my turn to prove myself not only to you but to your whole gang. It looks like I really hurt his ego too much and he wants his prestige back, he is openly challenging me. Well, I'm a competitive person and I can't say, No, to a challenge from a capable person." (ANNA - SMIRK)
- " Why do I feel like I'm seeing two beasts who are challenging each other for their territory?" (ALL OF THEM)
- Very well Mr. Santos! I accept your challenge. (ANNA - SMIRK)
- It's pretty late right now and the issue about the man named 'Ivan' is an emergency. It would be my pleasure to accept my hospitality for 'REAL' this time, my lady. And of course, your friend is also welcome to stay at my mansion too. (CARLOS -POLITE SMILE)
- Hmm... yeah, you are right, Mr. SANTOS! We will pack our stuff really fast, I hope you won't mind. (ANNA)
- "He didn't bother to correct her for mispronouncing his name this time, why?" (EVERYONE)
- Of course, not my lady. Take your time, we will have plenty of time to spend together since we will work together for ... god's know for how long. (CARLOS)
- Oh my ... what a true gentleman! (ANNA - MOCKING)
Anna and Kristy left to pack only the necessary things. Neither side trusted each other, but that was understandable. You need time to build the trust, you can't just demand it and give it away. That was also the reason for the challenge in the first place. They needed to know each other and then slowing to earn their trust.
- "Hm? It looks like she is someone who likes to have the last words, ha! Who would have thought that she will have a childish side? " (CARLOS)
- Boss, why did you invite them to the mansion? Isn't kinda risky? (TOM)
- We were trying for an entire year to find more information about this 'Ivan' guy, but nothing. But these people looked like they may know more, especially if it's the same person. He was the one who gave us his name, why? It could be a fake name. (CARLOS)
- But, if we are looking for the same person then we have more chances to find who he is since these women were raised by him, and why he started messing with our gang. (HENRY)
- Hmm ... yeah but ... It doesn't sound right for a person who had an assassin business to start to mess with gangsters. Unless ... (TOM)
All three of them were looking at Tom with suspense.
- Unless ... (CARLOS, RON, HENRY)
- A gangster is one of his targets. What if Carlos is actually his target and all of these were just a ruse? (TOM)
- What- (HENRY, RON)
- We will keep an eye on them anyway, it won't be easy. (CARLOS)
- But the dev- I mean Miss Wilson managed to escape without notice. (TOM)
Everyone realizesd what Tom was trying to say. If she managed to escape unnoticed in the mansion that was guarded by men and security cameras like a fortress, then it would also be easy to assassin someone there too. However, with Carlo's assassination, it won't be easy, since he had also received 'special training'.
Deep down most of them wanted to watch the epic battle of the century which was going to happen the next day.
- Who are you? And what have you done with the real Tom! TELL ME NOW! (HENRY)
- What? What the hell are you talking about, dude I'm the real one of course, who else? (TOM)
- OH! Did you drink an intelligence potion or something? (HENRY)
- Did you just insult my intelligence? (TOM)
- "Here we go, again!" (CARLOS, RON)
- You know, you two are more like Tom and Jerry instead of Tom and Henry! (RON)
- Oh ... so that's the Gladiator's name, Jerry! (ANNA)
- What? No, it's Henry! (HENRY)
- Gladiator? (TOM)
- Oh yeah! He was really strong and skillful when I fought with him, just like a Gladiator. (ANNA)
- Oh! So what about me? (TOM)
- You need more practice, Jon. (ANNA)
- Um ... it's Tom! (TOM)
- *Yawn* shall we go? (ANNA)
- " Please stop ignoring me!" (TOM)
-------------
Next Day
Last night everyone was so tired that barely talked at all. When Anna awoke the following day she checked if Kristy was awake too, she was. Anna wasn't surprised at all by that, so of course, she asked her to ivenstigate the big boss about everything she could find about.
Anna realized that he was some kind of mafia boss, she didn't know which gang's leader was. She had a hunch that his gang was not small or weak. And soon enough she would know more about his skills, same with her.
They went downstairs to the living room for breakfast, but they noticed that there was almost no one around. There was no way they were still sleeping, even though it was early in the morning.
Was this a test? Did he already start testing her skills?
When they entered the living room they saw that the table was already set and the big boss sitting comfortaby there and waiting for them.
- Good morning ladies, I hope you had a nice and comfortable rest in our guest room. (CARLOS - POLITE SMILE)
Carlos, of course, noticed Anna's outfit, she was in black comfortable clothes, the perfect choice for an assassin, the woman was a professional and ready anytime. Even though the clothes were normal ones, on Anna's body posture and attitude looked like it was the most exclusive and expensive ones.
- "Confidence is the 50% of success, even if she was wearing a trash bag she could sell it as the most expensive dress in the whole world. However ... overconfidence and arrogance can cost you, your downfall, ha! I'm not going to be the arrogant idiot who will underestimate his opponent because of his opponent's gender, my dear." (CARLOS)
Carlos moved his gaze to Kristy to notice her outfit.
- "Also casual but elegant outfit, but not suited for combat. I'm not sure if she even knows how to defend herself. But it's also hard to believe that since she was also raised similarly and in the same environment with an assassin." (CARLOS)
Carlos was not the only one who was checking about his opponents, Anna and Kristy too, noticed Carlos's outfit as well. He was ready for combat at any moment.
- "Impressing! These two have a lot of similarities, I won't be surprised if they also have the same mind of thinking." (KRISTY)
Indeed, both of them were checking out their opponent's potential, and both of them had the same conclusion at the same time.
- " The moment you underestimate your opponent you already lost the war, you just don't know it YET!" (CARLOS, ANNA)
They finished their breakfast not particularly talking to each other but they still had their guards up.
- So, my lady! May I ask when your people will be here to witness our 'EPIC' Battle? (CARLOS - POLITE SMILE)
-" 'EPIC' Battle?" (ANNA, KRISTY)
- I see! It looks like your people are already somewhere watching from the cameras and waiting to be entertained by us. (ANNA)
- " So, people are watching us, right now?" (KRISTY
- I hope you understand the situation, they have to witness the whole progress in order to believe what they are watching. (CARLOS)
- Of course, I understand Mr. Santos. Unfortunately, my people are already in their positions and can't just leave whenever they like it. That's why Kristy will be here as a witness. I hope you understand too, Mr. Santos! (ANNA - SMIRK)
- " Her people were already in their positions and couldn't just leave whenever they like it, huh? I see, so you're telling me that you have people in a very important or high position or both to show me that you also have spies and sources of information. You are warning me not to mess with you." (CARLOS)
- Of course, I understand. Since we will start working together, how about we drop the formalities? (CARLOS)
- You have to EARN it Mr. SANTOS! Not DEMANDING it! (ANNA - SMIRK)
- Acceptable my lady! In life, you can only 'earn' not 'demanding', I like the way you think! (CARLOS -SMILE)
- I'm afraid I can't say the same about you since I don't even know you. But for far, pretty good! (ANNA)
- And I'm pretty sure that soon ... I will make you never mispronounce my name, my lady! (CARLOS)
- I would like to see ... HOW you are going to do that! (ANNA)
- " Why do I suddenly feel like a third wheel on a date? Wait, when did become a date? Did you guys forget that more people are watching right now? GET A ROOM YOU TWO!" (KRISTY)
- So ... (CARLOS)
- Shall we ... (ANNA)
- Start ... (CARLOS)
- Right Now! (CARLOS, ANNA)
- " Huh? Wait, was this part of the challenge? Did the challenge start already or is going to start right now? I really don't get their tactics!" (KRISTY)
Indeed, the challenge had started the moment they entered the living room, actually.
They started with simple knowledge into more complicated one later such as business strategies, war strategies, politics, erasing evidence, tortured methods, how to handle torture, how to escape, interrogate, kidnapping, etc
It was really hard to watch, especially for the people who were watching just a conversation, and Kristy had the first sit for the show. However, Carlos and Anna were impressed by their opponent and they were done with theory, it was time to prove their skills in practice.
They went underground for the special training of the gang. There was everything you could imagine for a special great spy agent of the government. This was not training of normal gangsters there were doing, just who the hell was this guy?
Everyone who was watching was stunned that their jaws almost hit the floor. They were equally strong, fast, quick thinking, tactics, everything, was right in front of them. They were equally skillful and knew how to use them to the maximum, at some point they weren't sure if they were actually watching humans or monsters. Most of the guys felt sorry for the petite girl who had to be there.
It was a tie! No matter what they were competing, none of them was ready to give up, they just kept going and going until late in the afternoon. Both of them were competing people that hated losing
But admitted defeat is also part of life, and you have to be ready for it at any time, at any moment.
It's with the defeats we learn and move on, and become stronger and better people, not with victories.
You don't learn anything with victories, you learn your mistakes from defeats, and with ties, you accept the fact of the possibility of someone being stronger and better than you.
- Very impressive, Carlos. You definitely earned my respect (ANNA - SOFT SMILE)
Anna also offered him a handshake, as proof that indeed she acknowledged him and earned her respect. Carlos of course accepted it and sincerely responded with a smile back to her.
- Thank you, Anna! You also have my respect too (CARLOS - SMILE)
- I will see you tomorrow, Carlos. (ANNA)
- You are leaving? (CARLOS)
- I need a bath (ANNA)
- Oh ... yeah, probably me too. (CARLOS)
- Yeah, definitely, I can smell it too. (ANNA)
After a whole day of trying to kill each other, they just left laughing and joking like they were best buddies for years leaving everyone who was watching them doubtfully.
-----
Later At Night
After they took a bath and rested for a while, Kristy came to Anna's room to report to her.
- Report! (ANNA)
- We found him, it's him. He is the 'TOP 2: The gangster', 'The World's Al Capone.' (KRISTY)
- So, he is the 'TOP 2', interesting. Continue (ANNA)
- Carlos and Diego Santana are biological brothers from the same parents. Their mother named Susanna Smith was a government spy, but she wasn't often home and when she was ... she was neglecting them. . Their father Fernando Torres was jobless, had substance abuse, and ... child-abusing... mostly on Carlos later on ... to both of them. (KRISTY)
Anna's face was dangerously darker by the words she just heard. Kristy knew better than anyone that Anna hated abusive or neglectful parents the most. It was the only thing in the world that could make her lose control and go into rampage mode like a beast. Kristy could clearly see that Anna was trying to compose herself really hard, right now! After ten minutes she managed to compose herself.
- Continue (ANNA)
- When Carlos was 10 his mother had gone missing, she was probably killed nobody knows from whom or when, and her body was never found even today. Soon after their grandparents took their custody but still they had to go back at the weekends. (KRISTY)
- Why the grandparents didn't intervene sooner? (ANNA)
- The couple eloped back then because his parents didn't agree with their relationship. They found out after the mother disappeared in the news. (KRISTY)
- Yikes! Talking about a fairytale didn't go only bad but dark too. (ANNA)
- Tell me about it! (KRISTY)
- Continue (ANNA)
Three years later was also found dead in his house, the kids were there hiding from their father's rage, and also ... (KRISTY)
- He was also my first solo kill, yeah, I remember that. (ANNA)
- So, you mean - (KRISTY)
- Continue (ANNA)
- The custody was taken fully by Fernando's father Mattheo Torres and to protect their identities he changed their last name to Santana. A couple of years later their grandparents died and his best friend Thor Larcen took their custody. The legendary 'Viking Gang Leader', unknown how these two met. He was a veteran and captain in a special military force. Later they changed their last name to "Northway". Carlos became his heir because his son and grandson were not interested but they became the most powerful businessmen in the world. Thor also took care of Liam Olsen, he was an orphan, his parents were working for Thor and died on duty, and he felt guilty for this. He did the same with other members of his gangs who had young kids, if they were old enough he helped them with their studies and their expences. That's how they grew together with Tom, Jessy, Henry, and Liam. Liam had also the potential to be his heir but he wasn't interested. No evidence of Thor and Ivan knowing each other or that they were in the same country. It could be just a coincidence that you and Carlos had similar training. (KRISTY)
Anna was still on her phone the whole time and texting while she was listening.
- Anna? (KRISTY)