Chereads / My Life with AI in Mafia / Chapter 23 - Ch 23: The Bears

Chapter 23 - Ch 23: The Bears

After Bishnoi relayed the details of his conversation with Vaali to Polar, whose alternate name was Yash, there was a brief pause as Polar processed the information.

Then, with a firm resolve in his voice, Polar responded, "I understood your words. I will try to manage Grizzly and Panda. You go and contact that 'Athene' guy."

Yash's directive was clear, indicating a plan of action to address the situation at hand. As the leader of their group, Yash exhibited a calm confidence, reassuring Bishnoi that they were capable of handling whatever challenges lay ahead.

With a sense of purpose, Bishnoi nodded in agreement, ready to carry out his assigned task.

As Surya bid farewell and left the restaurant, Aarav's cheerful smile accompanied him to the door.

However, as soon as Surya disappeared from view, a subtle shift overcame Aarav's demeanor, his expression turning serious as he approached Yash.

With a furrowed brow, Aarav inquired, "Who was on the call?"

Yash, pausing momentarily from his tasks, responded simply, "It's Bishnoi."

Aarav's curiosity piqued, he pressed further, "What did you discuss with him?"

Yash recounted the details of his conversation with Bishnoi to Aarav, who listened intently, his expression darkening with each word.

As Yash finished speaking, Aarav's frustration boiled over, and he turned around abruptly.

"Huh, you guys want to believe some random stranger who's only in it for the money, instead of trusting our own people," Aarav spat out bitterly, his words laced with anger and betrayal.

Without warning, he lunged towards Yash, aiming a punch at him.

Reacting swiftly, Yash intercepted Aarav's fist, preventing the blow from landing. "Enough, Aarav," he urged, his voice firm but calm.

"This isn't the time for us to be fighting over trivial matters. Our business is suffering, and 'The Brahma Rakshas' group is swooping in, stealing our customers and dealers."

As the tension simmered in the air, Kabir, who had been silently observing the exchange, interjected with a voice tinged with bitterness.

"Yes. Those guys are real bastards. They've been the dominant players in the underworld for ages, but ever since they got their claws into the government, they've become even more vicious and dangerous."

Yash nodded solemnly, acknowledging Kabir's words. "Exactly," he agreed, his voice tinged with concern.

"This DGP Digvijay can grasp the severity of the situation. He takes decisive action to eradicate the underworld, regardless of the consequences."

"If we don't explore alternative strategies like many other powerful groups, we'll be the first ones to fall under Digvijay's operation."

Feeling the weight of Aarav's anger, Yash watched as his friend stormed out of the room, leaving behind an uneasy silence.

Sensing Yash's distress, Kabir placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, offering words of reassurance.

"Don't worry, Yash," Kabir said softly, his voice a soothing balm to Yash's troubled mind.

"You did the right thing. Aarav may not understand it now, but he will come to realize why you took this step."

Yash nodded, grateful for Kabir's support.

Two days later, in the hushed hours of the early morning, Yash's phone rang, jolting him from his slumber.

With a sense of foreboding, he answered the call, his brow furrowing as he listened to Bishnoi's words.

After a terse exchange, Yash abruptly ended the call, his fingers trembling as he checked his phone for updates.

Aarav and Kabir, sensing the tension in the air, hurried to Yash's side, their expressions reflecting a mixture of concern and curiosity.

As they peered over Yash's shoulder, their eyes widened in shock at the images displayed on the screen – photographs capturing one of their men in compromising positions with several police officers.

Realization dawned on Aarav's face, his features hardening with resolve. Without hesitation, he reached for his own phone, his fingers flying over the keys as he dialed a familiar number.

"Bhairav," he said, his voice terse and commanding, "gather some of your men and do the following task..."

With a sense of urgency, Aarav issued instructions, his words carrying a weight of authority as he prepared to take action against those who dared to threaten their operations.

In the face of betrayal, Aarav knew that swift and decisive measures were necessary to protect their interests and maintain their stronghold in the underworld.

Surya, following his usual routine, made his way to the familiar haven of the "Dragon Palace" restaurant, expecting to be greeted by the comforting aroma of their signature dishes.

However, as he approached the entrance, he was met with an unexpected sight – the restaurant was shuttered, its doors firmly closed.

Perplexed, Surya turned to the nearby shops, hoping to glean some information about the closure.

Yet, to his dismay, the shopkeepers could offer no explanation other than confirming that the restaurant had indeed been closed since morning.

As the day unfolded, word spread swiftly through the ranks of "The Bears" group, reaching the ears of their most trusted members.

Urgent messages were dispatched, summoning them to assemble at the heart of their organization – the Main Cave, a symbol of their strength and unity.

Curiosity mingled with apprehension as the members converged upon the designated meeting place, their footsteps echoing in the cavernous chamber.

Each face bore a mask of anticipation, wondering about the reason behind this sudden and unprecedented gathering. Some speculated in hushed whispers, while others remained stoic and unreadable.

Amidst the throng of assembled members, only a select few were privy to the true purpose of the gathering.

They exchanged knowing glances, their expressions grave with the weight of the impending revelation.

For them, the urgency of the situation was clear, and they awaited the arrival of their leaders with a mixture of trepidation and determination.

As the tension mounted, the atmosphere crackled with anticipation, the air heavy with unspoken questions and uncertainty.

All eyes turned towards the entrance of the Main Cave, awaiting the arrival of the three leaders whose words would soon shed light on the mystery that had brought them together.

As the leaders of "The Bears" group entered the Main Cave, the weight of anticipation hung heavy in the air.

Their leader, Aarav, stood at the forefront, his voice ringing out with a mixture of frustration and disappointment.

"Everyone," he called out, his words echoing off the walls of the cavernous chamber, ensuring that every member could hear him clearly. "Today is the worst day of my life."

A collective murmur of surprise rippled through the assembled crowd, as they exchanged puzzled glances, wondering what could have prompted such a declaration from their esteemed leader.

"I have always held each and every one of you in high regard," Aarav continued, his tone somber.

"But today, I must admit that my faith has been shaken. The task I entrusted to our technical team, a task that should have been completed in a matter of weeks, has languished unfinished for over two months."

His words hung heavily in the air, a stark admission of failure that cast a pall over the gathering.

Aarav's frustration was palpable as he continued, his voice tinged with a sense of shame.

"And yet," he added bitterly, "this same task was completed by a single individual in just two days. It is a disgrace to our group, a testament to our inefficiency and lack of commitment."

As Aarav's words fell upon the gathered members, a heavy silence settled over the group.

Each member of the technical team hung their head in shame, their eyes fixed on the ground, unable to meet the accusing gaze of their leader.

Aarav's voice resonated with disappointment as he continued to address the assembly, his tone laced with bitterness and betrayal.

"The members whom I believed would never betray me have shattered my trust completely," he lamented, his words heavy with sorrow.

"This is not only a black day for me, but for our entire group. It has exposed our weaknesses and rendered us powerless."

He paused, his voice faltering with emotion as he reflected on the recent trials and tribulations they had faced as a group.

"Despite the challenges and losses we have endured, I always had faith in our collective strength," he admitted, his voice tinged with regret.

"But this incident has broken my heart." With a heavy heart, Aarav fell silent, his head bowed in defeat.

In the midst of the somber atmosphere, Kabir, known as 'Panda,' stepped forward, his presence a beacon of hope amidst the darkness.

Placing a reassuring hand on Aarav's shoulder, he spoke with unwavering conviction, his voice cutting through the silence like a clarion call.

"But I, 'Panda,' still have trust in our group members," Kabir declared, his words infused with determination.

"I believe that we can rise like a mighty wave, ready to engulf every trouble or problem that comes our way. Can we achieve that?"

His question hung in the air, a challenge and a rallying cry rolled into one. And in that moment, the hearts of the members ignited with renewed determination.

As Kabir spoke, their voices rose in unison, a resounding chorus of affirmation.

"Yes boss," they declared, their voices echoing off the walls of the Main Cave.

Emboldened by their response, Kabir raised his voice once more, his words echoing with a newfound strength.

"Can we become that huge wave?" he shouted.

And once again, the members responded in perfect synchrony, their voices ringing out with unwavering conviction, "Yes sir!"

With a triumphant roar, Kabir let out a resounding cry, "Yeaahhh!" And in that moment, the group members joined in, their voices blending together in a chorus of solidarity, their spirits united and their resolve stronger than ever before.

Yash stepped forward, his authoritative presence commanding the attention of every member present.

His voice, calm yet firm, cut through the lingering echoes of excitement, bringing a sense of order to the gathering.

"Everyone, calm down," Yash's words rang out, and the hall fell into a hushed silence, every member eagerly awaiting his next move.

With measured steps, Yash approached a particular member of the group, his gaze fixed upon him intently.

"Your name is Menon, isn't it?" he inquired, his voice carrying a hint of curiosity.

"Yes boss," Menon replied promptly, meeting Yash's gaze with unwavering respect.

Undeterred, Yash pressed on with his interrogation. "When everyone was shouting loudly in response, why didn't you shout along with them?" he questioned, his tone probing yet composed.

Menon's brows furrowed in confusion for a moment before he responded confidently, "I did shout with them, boss."

"I was observing you closely, Menon," Yash reiterated, his tone measured. "And I noticed you stayed silent till the end."

Menon's confidence wavered slightly, beads of sweat forming on his brow as he met Yash's scrutinizing gaze.

Sensing the tension, Yash continued to watch him closely, his suspicions growing stronger with each passing moment.

"No boss, I did shout, If you want to verify, you can check CCTV cameras," Menon persisted, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

Yash's expression remained impassive, but inwardly, he made a decision. "There's no need for CCTV cameras," he declared calmly.

"Because I captured your images, Menon. See for yourself, if you don't trust me." With that, Yash retrieved his phone, unlocked it, and handed it to Menon. 

As Menon and the surrounding members scrutinized the images on Yash's phone, a wave of shock rippled through the room.

Their initial confusion turned to alarm as they realized the true nature of the photographs – they were incriminating images of Menon conversing with police officers, a damning revelation that sent a chill down everyone's spine.

In a desperate attempt to salvage the situation, Menon reached for his gun, his hands trembling with fear and desperation.

But before he could regain control, Yash swiftly intervened, delivering a decisive kick that sent the weapon clattering to the ground.

As the room erupted into chaos, Yash wasted no time in issuing orders to the nearby members, directing them to restrain Menon.

With practiced efficiency, they bound him securely to a nearby chair, ensuring he posed no further threat.

Amidst the commotion, Aarav stepped forward, his gaze fixed on Menon with a mixture of anger and betrayal.

Leaning in close, he confronted Menon with a steely resolve, his voice low and menacing said,

"Do you want to hear a story?"