In a moonless night full of twinkling stars, in a town that never sleeps, a dark blue car parks itself in the parking lot of a hostel. Almost at the same time, an orange luxurious car with a drawing of a dragon spitting fire on both sides stops right next to the first.
From the dark blue car comes out a woman with an exquisite face and almost no makeup, soft white skin making any girl with inferior looks feel jealous. Dressed in a dark blue tight dress showing her curves, she would draw any man looking at her to want to see more.
Glancing annoyingly at the orange car next to hers as someone comes out of it.
"What a beautiful night it is, my lady."
"Would you like me to accompany you?" he asks with a gentle, harmless smile. Some would take him for an upright gentleman if they saw this scene.
"Stop with the act, Xen, and get that wretched smile off your face before I do it myself," she replies to the one known as Xen.
In a split second, he looks up at the lady with a devilish smile.
"Ooh, Darla, can't you at least keep up the act for a few moments?" he replies to her while straightening himself.
Not replying to his comment, she asks, "What a headache you are. Have you notified the big guy?"
"Don't worry, he'll be here soon. Huh!! Here he comes."
~Rumbling~
"He really likes playing with his toy."
A figure in jet black on a yellow-colored motorcycle heads their way while making rumbling noises as if to announce his arrival. Parking the motorcycle next to theirs, a man removes his helmet, revealing dark skin, sharp eyes like a beast, and braided hair reaching his neck, leaving his face somewhat visible. His body, even hidden under clothing, gives the outlines of his muscles, suggesting explosive strength.
Getting off the bike, he fixes his gaze on both Xen and Clara, nodding at them. In response, Clara nods back.
"Nice to see you, big guy."
"Long time no see, big guy… How was your vacation? Let me guess, you were training like hell. One piece of advice: chill, take some time off."
He gives a few taps on the shoulder. Ignoring his comment, he looks up at Clara.
"Any orders given?"
"Yes, we must head to the reception to get the keys to the rooms we are assigned in."
With that, all three head straight for the reception, each filling out information for the rooms they are booked in.
After doing the paperwork, they head for their rooms when their communicator transmits a message to each of them.
"We meet in two hours, table 37."
Looking around, Clara speaks up. "You heard him, all; in two hours we meet up."
Jack nods at her and takes his leave.
"Yeah, yeah, we'll be there," replies Xen.
Looking at him, she replies back, "Don't go fooling around."
"I'll never do such a thing in your presence; I am an upright gentleman."
Jack stops for a second and looks at him out of the corner of his eye, shaking his head.
*************************
"Brother Haji, help!"
"Brother Haji, help!"
"Brother Haji, help!"
In a dark room with little light, a sweating figure sleeping on a bed is seen with a struggling face, having nightmares. Suddenly, he wakes up drenched in sweat. Sitting up, he stays motionless, looking at the floor with his hand holding up his head. Images of struggling girls flash in his eyes as his breathing quickens. Screams of struggle and cries for help ring in his head, making him remember a dark past.
"Brother Haji, help!"
"Brother Haji, help!"
"Brother Haji, help!"
A stream of tears flows from his eyes.
~Beep, beep~
~Beep, beep~
The sound of this communicator wakes him up from his dark moments. Taking a few seconds to calm down his raging emotions, the same stoic cold face comes into view. He reaches out for it, glancing at the screen.
"It's almost time. I need a shower."
Walking into the shower, the sound of water flowing is heard. Coming out drenched in cold water, he has a towel wrapped around his waist.
*
* *
In the dining sector of the hostel, a table is occupied by two people. A dark-skinned man with an athletic build has his arms crossed and eyes closed, ignoring everything around him. Sitting across from him is a graceful woman in black, sipping her drink as she glances around, taking in different scenes. A table full of people of different kinds with various delicacies, all having joyful smiles on their faces.
"Sometimes it's good to be ignorant of reality," she says with a light sigh.
Her mood changes abruptly when she sees an eye-catching individual in a red-orange outfit with a dragon pattern on it.
"That bastard."
Noticing her abrupt change of mood, Jack looks over and spots Xen.
Smiling, he says, "Are you jealous? He's a dragon among men, just like his name implies."
"A dragon among men, you say? I just see a bastard."
Not replying, he goes back to his usual state.
In these few moments, Xen arrives next to the table, hands in his pockets, looking at the woman in black.
"What a beautiful night it is. Let's go enjoy the stars."
"Hm."
Not receiving a reply, just cold eyes, he takes a seat. (What's wrong with her?)
Silence reigns at the table—Jack with his eyes closed, Darla sipping her wine, and Xen glancing around.
Waiting for someone...…