The mansion felt gracious as everyone went about their morning routine. The sound of birds chirping and the gentle hum of the morning sun cast a warm glow over the estate.
Max's sleek, black sports car glided up the driveway, coming to a stop in front of the grand entrance. Max stepped out of the car, looking effortlessly stylish in his casual attire - a crisp, white linen shirt, paired with dark blue jeans and scuff-free sneakers. His hair was perfectly messy, and his bright smile could charm the birds from the trees.
As Max walked through the passage, the workers greeted him with warm smiles, and he responded in kind, his charisma captivating the hearts of the maids. They couldn't help but sneak glances at the handsome young man.
Kyle descended from the stairs, his face expressionless. He was dressed in casual clothes - a light grey hoodie, paired with black sweatpants and sleek, black trainers. His eyes seemed to bore into Max's soul as he walked towards him.
"Hey du—" Max started to say, but Kyle interrupted him.
"Let's go," Kyle said curtly, walking past Max.
Max chuckled, unfazed by Kyle's brusqueness.
"Where are you going?" Chloe asked, her voice stopping Kyle and Max in their tracks.
As she descended from the stairs, Chloe's striking figure commanded attention. She was dressed in a sleek, black leather jacket that hugged her curves perfectly, paired with a fitted white tank top and high-waisted, dark blue jeans that accentuated her long legs. Her long, blonde hair cascaded down her back, and her piercing black eyes sparkled with curiosity.
Kyle's eyes narrowed, his expression unyielding. "And where are you going?" he asked, his tone firm.
Chloe's response was casual. "My best friend's place. And answer my question."
Kyle's gaze didn't waver. "None of your business."
Max intervened, his smile charming. "You're looking stunning, Chloe."
Chloe rolled her eyes, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "I know that." She left.
They drove through the busy roads, heading towards a particular café. A few minutes later, they arrived, and the enticing aroma of freshly brewed coffee lingered in the air. The scent of roasted beans and sweet pastries wafted out of the café, mingling with the hum of lively chatter and the soft clinking of cups and saucers.
As they stepped inside, the warm atmosphere enveloped them, and they slid into a cozy corner table, calling the waitress over to take their order.
"Good day, sirs, what wi—" the waitress's voice trailed off as she gazed at the familiar figure in front of her.
"Max, wow!" Lily exclaimed, a bright smile spreading across her face.
Max smiled back, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Miss Lily, we meet again. What a coincidence."
As Max and Lily exchanged pleasantries, Kyle watched with a hint of amusement.
"Right, um... This is Kyle, my friend, and Kyle, this is Lily," Max introduced.
Lily's gaze turned to Kyle, and for a moment, they unknowingly stared at each other. Kyle's piercing black eyes seemed to bore into Lily's very soul, while Lily's bright hazel eyes sparkled with curiosity. The air around them seemed to vibrate with an unspoken connection.
Karina's voice broke the spell, and Lily's gaze snapped back to Max. "Hey Max, we meet again."
Max smiled warmly. "Hi, Miss Karina."
Kyle rolled his eyes, a hint of annoyance flickering across his face.
"Make your order," Kyle said, his deep voice sending shivers down the spines of the two waitresses, Lily and Karina. His commanding tone seemed to brook no argument.
"Right. Miss Lily, I'll like to order two iced Americanos," Max said, his smile warm and friendly.
Lily nodded, her bright green eyes flicking to Kyle one more time before she turned to leave with Karina. The way she looked at Kyle seemed to hold a hint of curiosity, as if she was trying to unravel the mystery that surrounded him.
Max sat down, a knowing glint in his eye. "You should have at least responded to her greeting. She's the girl who saved your life."
Kyle's expression remained impassive. "Liver?" he asked, his tone neutral.
Max's expression turned serious. "No, she rushed you to the hospital on time. Otherwise, you would have been in the grave."
Kyle's gaze narrowed. "Which one?" he asked, his eyes scanning the café as if searching for the mysterious girl.
Max pointed discreetly at Lily, who was busy taking orders at another table. "That one."
"Let's get down to business," Kyle said, his voice firm and commanding, making Max sigh and shake his head in resignation.
As Kyle and Max delved into their discussion, Lily found herself stealing glances at Kyle. She couldn't believe she had never noticed how handsome he was when she had rushed him to the hospital. His chiseled features, piercing black eyes, and strong jawline seemed to captivate her attention. She wondered if it was the hospital's dim lighting or her own panic that had blinded her to his good looks.
Karina, who had noticed Lily's gaze drifting to their table, teased her with a playful nudge. "Hey, stop staring."
Lily's cheeks flushed as she quickly looked away. "I'm not," she replied, trying to sound nonchalant, but Karina just chuckled knowingly.
Lily hurriedly made her way to their table, carrying a tray laden with their orders. Two steaming cups of iced Americano sat alongside a plate of freshly baked croissants, their golden brown layers flaking delicately in the light. The aroma of rich coffee and buttery pastry wafted up, enticing Kyle and Max to take a break from their discussion.
"Thank you," Max smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he took a sip of his coffee.
Lily smiled back and quickly left, leaving Kyle and Max to their discussion.
As they continued to talk, Kyle couldn't help but notice a pair of eyes watching him. Lily's gaze seemed to be drawn to him like a magnet, her eyes sparkling with curiosity whenever she thought he wasn't looking. Kyle's awareness of her gaze sent a flicker of surprise through him, but he didn't acknowledge it, his expression remaining impassive.
After another minute of talking, Kyle said, "Let's go." Max nodded, paid the bills, and they left the café.
As they stepped out into the bright sunlight, Kyle's sleek, black sports car gleamed in the light. Max slid into the passenger seat, and Kyle took the wheel, starting the engine with a smooth purr. They zoomed out of the parking lot, merging seamlessly into the flow of traffic. The wind whipped through their hair as they sped down the highway, the cityscape blurring around them.
Before they knew it, they noticed suspected cars behind them, their tinted windows reflecting the sun's glare.
"Looks like they've arrived," Max said, his voice low and even.
Kyle smirked, his eyes glinting with amusement. He took a sharp turn, veering into a narrow alleyway between two towering skyscrapers. The car's tires screeched in protest as Kyle brought the vehicle to a halt.
Max and Kyle exchanged a swift glance before simultaneously opening their doors and stepping out. They moved with fluid precision, each drawing a gun from their waistbands. Max took cover behind a nearby dumpster, while Kyle positioned himself beside the car, their guns trained on the entrance of the alley.
A figure emerged from the shadows, standing beside a sleek, black motorcycle. "You both are late," the voice said, low and gravelly.
Kyle's gaze narrowed, his finger tightening on the trigger.
"Chloe, what are you doing here?" Kyle asked, his tone a mix of surprise and annoyance.
"I'm here to help you," Chloe replied, her expression determined.
"That's surprising," Max said, raising an eyebrow.
Just then, another voice chimed in, "Hey Chloe, why didn't you wait for me?"
A girl with striking features and long, curly brown hair hopped off the motorcycle, her bright smile illuminating the alleyway. She was dressed in the same outfit as Chloe - a sleek black leather jacket, paired with a fitted white tank top and high-waisted, dark blue jeans. The similarity in their attire made them look like two peas in a pod.
Anna Yang, Chloe's best friend, walked towards them, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Hey Kyle, hey Max, long time no see," Anna waved, smiling brightly.
But before anyone could respond, a car screeched to a halt in front of them, and a group of menacing men in black poured out, some brandishing knives and guns.
Another car door swung open, and Susan stepped out, a smirk plastered on her face. She was dressed in a sleek, red business suit, her long, curly brown hair cascading down her back like a waterfall. Her eyes gleamed with malice as she walked closer, her high heels clicking on the pavement.
"We've got another company," Max said, his eyes narrowing.
"Isn't this the famous Mafia boss Kyle Smith?" Susan said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
"And isn't this Susan?" Chloe retorted, her eyes flashing with anger.
"You know her?" Kyle asked, his brow furrowed.
"Who are you?" Susan demanded, her eyes scanning Chloe's face.
"You are a puppet," Chloe smirked, her voice venomous.
"Puppet?" Susan scoffed, her teeth gritted in anger.
The air was electric with tension as the two women faced off. The men in black seemed to sense their mistress's anger and took a step forward, their eyes fixed menacingly on Chloe.
The atmosphere was heavy with unspoken threats, the silence between them crackling with anticipation.
"I'll never forget that day," Chloe said, her voice low and deadly.
"Who the hell are you?" Susan yelled, her eyes blazing with fury.
The tension between them was palpable, the air thick with unspoken hatred.
"Don't you remember? Look closely," Chloe said, her eyes glinting with triumph.
Susan's eyes widened as she remembered who Chloe was. "You..." she whispered.
"That's right, it's me, and it's time for you to pay back what you owe me," Chloe almost yelled, her gun firing a shot that hit one of Susan's men.
The sound of gunfire echoed through the alleyway, and the men in black charged forward, attacking Chloe, Anna, Kyle, and Max.
In the chaos, Susan's men dragged her away, throwing her into the car as they sped away from the scene.
As Susan's car drove out of the alleyway, she was trying to process everything that had just happened. Her mind was reeling with questions and anger.
Before she knew it, her phone rang, breaking her thoughts. The sound was shrill and insistent, cutting through the silence like a knife.
Susan's eyes narrowed as she answered the phone. "What is it?" she asked, a hint of annoyance in her voice.
"Miss, the person you are looking for is alive. I mean, your sister, and I have her whereabouts," the man on the other end said, his voice dripping with malice.
Susan's anger ignited, fueled by the man's words. She clutched the phone tightly, her knuckles white with rage.
She hung up without responding, throwing the phone across the car. It hit the opposite window with a loud crack, the sound echoing through the car.
"Why! Why now!" Susan yelled, her voice echoing off the car's interior.