"Th... They are here," Lily's father stuttered, his eyes wide with fear, as he stumbled backwards.
"Who's that?" Her mother asked, concern etched on her face.
"T... The m... mafias," he replied, his voice trembling, and her eyes widened in terror.
"Quick, hide!" he added, his voice low and urgent, as he pushed them towards the hiding spot.
With shaky hands, he opened the door, and the knock ceased. The door swung open, and hefty men in black poured in, their faces menacing. They kicked Lily's father aside, and he crumpled to the floor.
Behind the men, a young Mark Lee sauntered in. He was a tall, lean figure in his early twenties, with piercing eyes that seemed to bore into those he looked at. His chiseled features and strong jawline radiated an aura of confidence and power. His jet-black hair was styled perfectly, adding to his intimidating presence.
Mark Lee sat down on the couch, his movements fluid and deliberate. He man-spread his legs, taking up space, as he gazed around the room with an air of superiority, his eyes lingering on Lily's father, who cowered on the floor.
Mark Lee's gaze swept around the room, his eyes lingering on the modest furnishings. "You've really furnished this place well," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
His expression turned cold, his eyes narrowing. "Where's what you owe me?" he asked, his voice low and menacing.
Lily's father knelt before him, his eyes wide with fear. "Please, sir, give me more time. I'll pay you back," he pleaded, his voice shaking.
Mark's gaze darkened, his face twisted in anger. He punched Lily's father, sending him crashing to the floor. "Don't you think I've given you enough time?" he snarled.
Lily's father groaned in pain, sobbing uncontrollably. "Take everything," Mark ordered his men, turning to leave.
But Lily's father grabbed Mark's leg, desperation etched on his face. "Please, don't do this. I'll promise to pay you back in three days' time," he begged, his voice hoarse from crying.
Mark sighed in frustration, his face twisted in anger. He brought out a gun and pointed it at Lily's father's head, his finger poised to pull the trigger.
But just as he was about to fire, a voice halted him. "Please don't," Lily's mother begged, her voice trembling as she walked towards them, tears streaming down her face.
"I'll do anything you want, please let my husband go," she pleaded, her eyes red and puffy from crying.
Lily's father's eyes widened in alarm. "Didn't I tell you to hide? What are you doing here?" he asked, his voice laced with worry.
Mark's gaze shifted to Lily's mother, a sly smile spreading across his face. "You didn't tell me you have such a beautiful wife," he said, his voice dripping with malice as he walked towards her.
He tried to caress her cheeks, but Lily's father pushed him away. "Sir, don't mind her, take me instead, but please leave her alone," he pleaded.
Mark's smile grew wider. "No need, I'll take her as compensation. Take her away," he ordered his men.
Lily's mother was dragged away, struggling and crying. "Mum, don't go!" Lily cried, her small body shaking with sobs.
Her mother painfully smiled, her eyes filled with tears as she was pulled away from her family.
Lily continued to sob, her body shaking with uncontrollable tears as she vividly remembered the painful events of her past. The memories felt like they had happened yesterday, the pain still fresh and raw. She could still see her mother's tears, her father's fear, and Mark's cruel smile.
"Lily, are you okay?" Karina asked, peeping into her room with concern.
Lily stood up, her eyes red and puffy. "Did you know he was a Mafia?" she asked, her voice trembling.
Karina's expression changed from concern to confusion. "What's going on?" she asked.
Lily's eyes narrowed. "Answer me!" she yelled.
Karina took a step back, her hands raised in defense. "I didn't," she replied.
Lily's anger subsided, replaced by a deep sadness. "What really happened?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
With a sigh, Lily explained everything to Karina, from her parents' tragic fate to her chance encounter with Kyle. Karina's face fell, her eyes filled with guilt and regret.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know he was a Mafia," Karina said, her voice filled with remorse. "Otherwise, I wouldn't have agreed to this date."
Lily's expression softened. "It's okay, you didn't know."
Karina's eyes locked onto Lily's. "Don't worry, I'll make sure you never see him again."
Lily nodded, a small smile on her face.
"Get some rest," Karina added, before leaving the room.
As soon as Karina entered her room, she locked the door and plopped down onto the floor. It dawned on her that she was going to betray her best friend.
Kyle's eyes snapped open to find Chloe and Max yelling in frustration. "What!" they exclaimed in unison.
"How could she leave just because you told her you're a Mafia?" Chloe asked, her voice laced with surprise.
Kyle rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on. "What are you even doing here?" he asked Chloe.
"To accompany you," she replied, her tone nonchalant.
"Leave," Kyle ordered, his voice firm.
"No," Chloe retorted, her arms crossed.
Max intervened, his voice rising. "Can we be serious?"
Chloe and Kyle fell silent, shifting their gaze to Max.
"What are you going to do?" Max asked Kyle.
Kyle shrugged, his arms crossed. "What do you want me to do?"
Max and Chloe exchanged a look, their expressions unimpressed.
"Why on earth did she leave like that?" Max wondered aloud.
Chloe snorted. "What do you expect? He has a cold and intimidating personality that makes no girl want to like him, let alone go on a date with him."
Kyle glared at Chloe, his eyes icy.
The office fell silent for a moment before Max spoke up. "It could be related to her past."
Chloe nodded in agreement. "And she has a grudge against them."
Max nodded. "Yes."
Kyle sighed, his expression unyielding.
Chloe turned to Kyle. "You should see her."
Kyle raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
Chloe's expression was matter-of-fact. "What else? To find out why she left like that."
Kyle scoffed. "I have better things to do."
"I don't want to talk about this," he added, his tone cold.
Max and Chloe sighed, exchanging a look.
Kyle tried to shrug off the feeling of unease, but something inside him made him feel worried about Lily. He couldn't explain it, but he felt a pang of concern, like he needed to make sure she was okay.
Days passed, and Lily and Karina were busy with their daily activities at the cafe. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air as they worked efficiently, their movements practiced.
Their gazes shifted to the TV screen, which popped out a shocking news headline that made their eyes widen in surprise.
"THE MOST FEARED MAFIA BOSS, KYLE SMITH, WAS SEEN WITH A WOMAN"