Herbert Medical and Technology
The soft hum of the overhead light filled the otherwise quiet office as Blaze leaned back in his chair, sifting through the pile of documents spread before him. The air was heavy with the scent of leather and the faint remnants of last night's cigar smoke. Arthur, his right- hand man, stood by the door, arms crossed, his eyes scanning the room like a hawk.
"Are you sure about this?" Arthur asked, his voice low but laced with curiosity. He knew the stakes better than anyone. Blaze glanced up from the papers, catching the glint of doubt in his eyes.
"Mrs. Rodriguez wouldn't have risked everything if she wasn't desperate," Blaze replied, flipping through a series of photographs that revealed more than just her husband's affairs. Each image was a piece of a much larger puzzle, a map to dismantle Rodriguez's empire.
"She's given us the edge we need."
Arthur stepped closer, studying the files.
"You trust her? She could be playing both sides."
Blaze let out a small chuckle, the kind that felt more like a warning than amusement. "Trust? In this world? It's a luxury. But she's angry, and anger can be a potent ally." He leaned forward, his fingers brushing over a schedule that detailed Rodriguez's meetings and dealings. "He's careless, Arthur. He thinks he's untouchable."
Arthur nodded, the tension in his posture easing slightly. "What's the plan?"
Blaze leaned back again, taking a moment to consider. "We expose him-disrupt his operations, create doubt. Hit him where it hurts. Then we'll see how long his arrogance holds up when the ground beneath him starts to crumble."
Arthur picked up a document, his brow furrowing as he studied the details. "And what about Mrs. Rodriguez? What's her endgame?"
"Doesn't matter," Blaze replied, his tone sharp. "Once we're finished, she'll be free. She won't want any part of this afterward." he leaned in, locking eyes with him. "She's a means to an end, Arthur. We take down Rodriguez, and the rest will fall into place."
Arthur's gaze shifted back to the documents, his mind clearly working through the implications. "And if he finds out we have this intel?"
Doesn't matter," Blaze replied, his tone sharp. "Once we're finished, she'll be free. She won't want any part of this afterward." he leaned in, locking eyes with him. "She's a means to an end, Arthur. We take down Rodriguez, and the rest will fall into place."
Arthur's gaze shifted back to the documents, his mind clearly working through the implications. "And if he finds out we have this intel?"
Blaze leaned back, a sly expression creeping onto his face. "Let him try. Let him come. We'll be ready." He gestured toward the window, where the city lights twinkled like stars against the night. "This is our turf. We know how to play the game better than he does."
The clock on the wall ticked steadily, each second drawing them closer to the chaos that lay ahead. He could feel the adrenaline starting to build. This was what he lived for-the strategy, the risk, the thrill of it all. With Arthur by his side, we were a force to be reckoned with.
"Let's make a few calls," Blaze said, the weight of their plan settling over them like a shroud. "We move tonight. Rodriguez won't see it coming."
Arthur nodded, determination etched on his face. "Let's get to work."
And with that, they set the gears in motion, ready to bring down a kingpin and rise from the shadows.
Baldwin's Mansion
Savannah stepped out of the car, the cool night air brushed against her skin, awakening senses dulled by the haze of pain and medication. She glanced up at the grand entrance, the soft glow of light spilling from the windows, beckoning her inside. It felt surreal, like stepping into a dream after weeks of sterile hospital rooms and whitewashed walls.
She had fought so hard to get here. The memory of the operating room lingered-bright lights, masked faces, the sterile scent of antiseptic. She had been so terrified, but knowing the person would make it till the end on the other side made it all bearable. she need some support, the anchor, the reason she had clung to hope through every sleepless night.
With a deep breath, she made her way up the stone steps, her legs slightly unsteady but determined. The door swung open before she could knock, revealing the grand mansion with guards surrounding.
"Savannah" he said, stepping forward, his voice a soothing balm against the chaos in her mind. "You're back. Why are you so late?"
Savannah paused, struggling to find the words. All she wanted was to go to her room and sleep, the fatigue felt like a weight she couldn't shake. "I... later" she managed, her voice barely above a whisper.
The flash of disappointment was visible in Blaze's eyes, but Savannah didn't have the strength to explain. She just needed a moment, a chance to breathe and gather herself. She turned away, moving deeper into the mansion, the warmth of the space wrapping around her like a familiar cocoon.
She could heard him follow her, his footsteps steady and cautious. "Savannah, wait-"
But she kept walking, the soft carpet beneath her feet dulling the sound of her steps. She wanted to reassure him that she was okay, but right now, she just needed to be alone for a moment.
The familiarity of the place both comforting and overwhelming. Blaze eyes were following her, concern etched deeply in his expression, but Savannah didn't look back. Instead, she made her way to room upstairs, each step a testament to her determination.
Once inside, she closed the door softly behind her, shutting out the world. The room was just as she remembered-soft colors, a cozy bed, and the soothing scent of lavender. she crossed the floor and sank onto the mattress, the plushness welcoming her like an old friend.
She didn't have the energy to process everything-her surgery, the journey here. All she could think about was sleep. She buried her face in the pillows, inhaling the scent of home, and let her body surrender to the fatigue that had been chasing her for days and nights.
As she drifted off without changing her clothes and her shoes which just sgick to her feet just as it is, she felt a flicker of guilt for pushing him away, but the promise of rest was too tempting. In that moment, cocooned in her bed, she finally allowed herself to slip into the embrace of sleep, knowing she had done a great work for the entire days.
Next Day
Baldwin's Mansion
Savannah slowly emerged from sleep, the softness of the blanket enveloped her like a warm hug, and for a moment, she allowed herself to sink back into the comfort of the bed. But then reality crept in-her mind jolted awake with the unsettling realization that she had lost track of time. She blinked at the muted light filtering through the curtains, her heart pounding as she glanced at my phone on the bedside table.
4 PM.
Panic surged through her. Three days of relentless work in the hospital-heart surgeries, the sterile smell of antiseptics, the beeping of monitors-had blurred together in a haze of exhaustion. How had she lost an entire day? She couldn't remember how she got here, to this peaceful mansion, tucked away in her own bed.
She swung her legs over the side of the bed, her feet touching the cool floor. Her shoes were gone, but she couldn't remember when or how they had come off. The confusion only added to her anxiety. She picked up her phone, heart racing, and quickly dialed her senior's number.
"Hello, it's me," she said, her voice shaky as soon as they picked up. "I'm so sorry. I lost track of time and-"
"It's fine, Savannah," her senior interrupted, their tone calm and reassuring. "You don't need to come in today. Take the day off. You've earned it."
Savannah paused, the weight of their words washing over her like a balm. "Are you sure? I don't want to leave anyone in a bind. Plus we had an important surgery today?"
"Trust me, you need the rest. We can manage without you for one day. Just take care of yourself."
This confused Savannah, but a sigh of relief escaped her, and she sank back against the bed, letting the warmth of their reassurance settle in. "Thank you," She murmured, feeling the tension in her shoulders begin to ease. "I really appreciate it."
After hanging up, she allowed herself a moment to breathe. The house felt quiet, the soft hum of the world outside filtering in. She remembered the intensity of the past few days, the adrenaline and focus that had consumed her, and how she had barely paused to think about herself.
She leaned back against the pillows, letting her eyes flutter shut for a moment. Maybe she could afford just a little more rest. After everything, she knew she needed it. She didn't want to think about the chaos of the hospital or the pressures of her job right now. She just wanted to be here, in this moment, allowing herself to recuperate and heal.
With a soft sigh, she tucked the blanket around her again, surrendering to the comforting embrace of sleep.
Rodriguez House
The room was dimly lit, shadows creeping across the walls like whispers of betrayal. Rodriguez leaned back in his chair, hands steepled, feeling the weight of the world pressing down on him. His fingers traced the grain of the mahogany desk, a constant reminder of the empire he'd built from nothing. But now? Now it felt like everything was unraveling.
He'd heard the whispers: shipments going missing, loyal men suddenly turning against him. Frustration boiled in his chest, a deep, seething anger that was hard to contain. How could this happen? He had eyes everywhere. He'd made sure of that. And yet, here he was, sitting in his own office, feeling like a king who'd just found his throne toppled.
"Gino," he barked, not even looking up. He was his right hand, the one person he thought he could trust. "Get in here."
He appeared almost instantly, the air thick with tension. "Boss?" His face was a mix of concern and confusion.
"Explain to me how our shipments are getting hit." Rodriguez's voice was low, but it carried the weight of a thousand threats. "I want names, dates, anything that points to how this is happening."
Gino hesitated, a flicker of something passing through his eyes. Doubt? Fear? It didn't matter. "I'm digging into it, Boss. But... some of the guys have been acting strange. Like they're scared."
"Scared?" he echoed, his voice rising. "Scared of what? I run this city! Nobody should be scared of anything except me!"
"Maybe it's the heat," he said cautiously, glancing away. "The Feds are sniffing around more than usual. Some guys think it's safer to stay in the shadows."
Rodriguez slammed his fist on the table, the sound echoing in the quiet room. "Safety? In this line of work? They know the rules. We don't show fear. We don't back down."
Gino swallowed hard. "I know, Boss. But if they're feeling pressure, they might be looking to save their own skins."
The anger swelled again, sharper this time. He couldn't let fear dictate his operations, let it seep into the hearts of his men. "Find out who's talking. I want to know if we have a rat. No more games."
Gino nodded, the tension still hanging between them. He could see it in his eyes-he wanted to reassure Rodriguez, but even he could feel the storm brewing. The streets had eyes, and he needed to keep his sharper than ever.
As he walked out, Rodriguez felt the familiar rush of anger surge through him. This wasn't just business; this was personal. His name, blood blood-everything he'd worked for was being chipped away. He wouldn't let that happen.
He grabbed his phone, the screen lighting up with the names of men he could trust-men who wouldn't flinch at the first sign of trouble. He needed to regroup, reinforce, and remind everyone who was still in charge. The city was his chessboard, and he'd make his next move count.
He wouldn't let anyone disrupt his operations. They'd learn the hard way that loyalty is earned, not given, and he'd make sure they regretted ever thinking they could betray him.
Herbert Medical And technology
Sitting behind the polished mahogany desk in his office, Blaze stared out at the city skyline, the sun dipping low and casting shadows that seemed to mirror the turmoil in his mind. His thoughts were tangled in a web of guilt and triumph, the two emotions battling for dominance.
This morning had been monumental-a carefully orchestrated plan had finally come to fruition. Rodriguez's empire had taken a serious hit, his operations disrupted, and the satisfaction of watching his enemy falter was a high he couldn't ignore. Yet, even as he reveled in that success, a heavy weight sat in his chest.
Savannah's face flickered in Blaze's mind-soft, trusting, a smile that could light up the darkest corners of his world. He had pushed her away, locked in his own obsessions and the chaos that came with his line of work. She deserved better than a man consumed by power plays and blood feuds. He felt a pang of disappointment in himself, the kind that gnawed at the edges of his conscience.
He hadn't meant to ignore her. It had just happened, an unfortunate consequence of the storm brewing in my life or you can say he did that intentionally because he wanted Savannag to look at him, he wanted to see what is it like if he ignored her, but now he regreted it. The realization hit me hard; he'd allowed ambition to overshadow something that truly mattered.
As he leaned back in his chair, the leather creaked beneath him, a reminder of the comforts he could afford but rarely indulged in. The juxtaposition of his success and personal failure felt almost ironic. He had taken down rivals, outmaneuvered countless enemies, yet here he was, feeling like a fool for not tending to the heart that was so readily open to him
As the clock struck six, Blaze made his decision. He couldn't let another moment pass. He had to go to her. The thought of facing her filled me with both anticipation and anxiety. What would he say? How could he explain the distance that had grown between them? The city outside was bathed in the golden hues of sunset, but Blaze felt the shadows creeping in as he headed for the mansion's door.
To be continued....
Author's Note :
I just remembered, I forgot to explain the meaning of the title "Baccara" :(
I'll do that in tomorrow's update<3 sorry
Stay hydrated<3<3
Have a good day/night <3<3