Nick took a step back after hearing that dreaded question.
Moving on instinct, Nick attempted to shut the door, but Boss Falco put his hand through and caught the door before it closed.
Still grinning and forcefully keeping the door open, Boss Falco said coldly, "Don't do this, kid. We're just going to talk."
'Dammit! Just, dammit! Boss Falco isn't supposed to come today! I'm dead! I'm dead!' Gripped with fear, Nick screamed inwardly like a madman.
Beads of sweat formed on his forehead, and he pushed the door again to close it at once. However, it was a futile attempt. Boss Falco's hand still kept it open.
Right then, the towering man behind added his strength to open the door.
Nick utilized the small entrance area, placed his left foot on the wall behind him, and lowered his body to exert more counterforce.
Applying more force too, Boss Falco simply said, "Kid, let's not start this on a bad note. You still have time."
Bam! The towering goon slammed the door with his body and pushed Nick back a little, allowing Boss Falco to put half his body through the door.
Nick looked up and met Boss Falco's cold, predatory gaze. A cold chill ran down his spine, weakening his grip and footing. And seizing that chance, the towering goon slammed the door again, allowing Boss Falco to finally burst in.
Nick's face froze, but he instinctively moved backward into the kitchen. Now that the door was wide open, the three goons barged into the apartment too.
'Should I run and lock myself in the bathroom? Dammit, the lock is broken! Oh God, what do I do now?'
Nick forced a smile. His voice shaky as he called out, "H-Hey, Boss."
Boss Falco approached Nick with heavy steps.
Utterly frightened, Nick instinctively took multiple steps further back into the bedroom, his voice trembling as he explained, "Ah haha, I'm very sorry, Boss. I wasn't expecting you, you know? I couldn't entertain you in such a messy place."
"Oh?"
"Y-Yeah."
At a point, Nick stopped retreating and stood, not so confident.
Boss Falco halted before him and stared silently for five whole seconds.
Nick didn't dare maintain eye contact. He kept his gaze on the laminate floor and breathed hoarsely.
The goons surrounded him from all sides, with the towering goon with the ghastly scar specifically standing at the kitchen entrance.
"Pfft." Boss Falco giggled, much to everyone's shock.
Pa! He jokingly slapped Nick's shoulder and said, looking at his goons, "Did you see how the kid ran? Like a dancing twig." Then, he burst out laughing.
The goons glanced at each other and laughed too.
Nick, shaken by the boss's shoulder tap, awkwardly began to laugh too.
Suddenly, Boss Falco placed his left hand on Nick's shoulder and sent a brutal punch to his gut!
"Urgh!" Nick groaned and clutched his stomach as he doubled over, gasping for air.
He begged, "Boss! Boss! Please, I'm sorry! I-I was just scared—"
Nick didn't finish pleading before two goons raised him, and Boss Falco planted another punch in his gut.
His throat choked as pain radiated from his abdomen to his entire body again and sent him hunching to the ground.
Before he could even begin to recover, Boss Falco delivered a swift kick to his side and he let out a pained grunt.
Nick's lips trembled as he pleaded for his dear life some more.
"Boss! Please, I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"
However, his pleas fell on deaf ears. Boss Falco's voice boomed with rage as he mercilessly brutalized Nick, launching one kick after another on his curled-up body.
"You bastard! Motherfucker! How dare you embarrass me like that?! You wanna die, huh?! I'll kill you just right! You! Stupid! Fuck!"
Nick desperately shielded his head with his hands and folded up into a ball, seeking any form of protection against Boss Falco's relentless assault.
A moment later, Boss Falco stepped away from Nick. Having satisfied his rage, he breathed heavily and arranged his clothes. Then he bent down slightly, grabbed Nick by the shoulder, and forced him to get up.
Boss Falco fixed a deadly gaze on Nick and asked once again, not a single ounce of playfulness in his tone, "I said, where is my money, kid?"
With a bloodied mouth, Nick stammered, "I'm—I'm very, very sorry, Boss. I-I-I don't have all the money yet."
Boss Falco immediately looked away in disappointment at Nick's reply. His jaws tightened, and his facial lines deepened with anguish as though he just received news of the death of a loved one.
Nick witnessed the boss's reaction and quickly added, "But I have $5,000 here! All cash, just as you like it. It's in my wardrobe, I can get it for you. If you can give me a few more days, I'll complete the money, sir, I swear! I swear!"
Boss Falco stared at Nick silently and observed his face.
After some seconds, he asked, "Where's your phone?"
Nick's eyes widened. He instantly knew Boss Falco wanted to check his account balance, and if he did, he would see the recent alerts. And even worse, he had withdrawn $15,000 just three days ago to fund his end-plan. If Boss Falco saw that debit alert, Nick knew he was as good as dead.
His lips trembled. "W-What?"
Boss Falco grabbed Nick forcefully, but just then, a voice came from the apartment door. Nick immediately recognized it as Mike's, his neighbor, whom he believed to be at the door some moments ago.
"Nick, why'd you leave your door wide—"
Mike, who was holding a laptop, froze upon witnessing the unfolding scene. From Nick to Boss Falco to the three goons, they all had their eyes on him.
A tense silence filled the room.
Mike immediately turned and dashed away.
Boss Falco wore a thoughtful look before turning his head back to Nick and releasing him.
"Get me my money."
Nick nodded frantically and scrambled to the wardrobe.
He rummaged through it and took out the $5,000 hidden deep within in a black nylon.
The short Chinese-looking goon sporting a clean buzz cut came to Nick and took the black nylon.
Then and there, the goon counted the money and confirmed its amount to Boss Falco.
Boss Falco's expression softened slightly. He grinned, went over to Nick, and patted his shoulders, even briefly helping the kid straighten his clothes.
The stylish boss spoke with a hint of nostalgia, "My grandfather always said every man deserves a second chance."
Nick nodded.
"Thank you! Thank—"
Boss Falco planted his fist deep in Nick's solar plexus once again and hugged him as he doubled over.
He whispered into Nick's ear amidst his muffled groan, "You have three days, kiddo."
Boss Falco left hold of Nick and allowed him to drop to the floor.
"Don't have my money by the next time I come, and I'll break both your arms before I leave and still get my money through 'other' means."
Nick nodded frantically.
Boss Falco raised an eyebrow. "Is that how you express your gratitude?"
Nick looked around, not fully understanding.
"Kneel, you idiot," a goon said.
Nick nodded and knelt and had his hands clasped together on his lap.
"Th… Thank you, sir."
Boss Falco straightened his back and used the tip of his snakeskin leather shoes to tap Nick's face. Then he stepped on Nick's head and exerted force, making him bow down.
"Good boy," Boss Falco said.
Despite the pain searing through Nick's body at the moment, he let out a quiet sigh of relief. The current crisis had been averted, and he had managed to postpone his judgment day, or rather, death day.
Boss Falco turned and headed for the door, with the towering goon trailing behind him. He tilted his head slightly and said, "Teach him a quick lesson."
But then, right before the goon left to enact his order, he paused and said after some thought, "No. Leave him."