Behinton Town had a rhythm of its own, a blend of old-world charm and modern ambition. From his office window, Juan Carlos watched the bustling streets below. The world outside seemed normal, but his was anything but normal.
His phone sat on his desk, lighting up with notifications every few seconds. Reports of damaged equipment, injuries to workers, and demands from suppliers flooded his inbox. He ignored them all, focusing instead on the faint hum of traffic outside.
He hated feeling powerless. He'd built The House of Carlos with sweat and determination, carrying on his father's legacy. Now, thanks to Gentle King, the empire he had worked so hard to sustain felt like it was on shaky ground.
The door creaked open, and Vina Carlos entered, her sharp heels clicking against the tiled floor. In her hand was a thick folder. Her dark hair was pulled into a sleek bun, and her glasses rested on the bridge of her nose.
"Juan," she said briskly, placing the folder on his desk. "I've compiled the preliminary damage report. It's bad, but it's not unsalvageable."
He gestured for her to continue, his expression unreadable.
"Four machines are beyond repair, and we've lost inventory worth at least three million. Workers are shaken, and five are injured, two seriously. One of them might need surgery."
Juan exhaled sharply and leaned forward, rubbing his temples.
"And the morale?" he asked.
"Low, but they're loyal to you," Vina said. "Most of them know you had nothing to do with this mess. Still, they're scared. Gentle King doesn't exactly have a reputation for mercy."
Juan's lips curled into a humorless smile. "Gentle King....what an ironic name for someone who thrives on violence."
Vina didn't laugh. "You need to tread carefully, Juan. This isn't just about the factory anymore. This man could come after more than your business if you push him too far."
He nodded, though his mind was already racing with potential solutions.
"Any legal options?"
"None that won't escalate the situation," Vina replied. "And even if we went to the authorities, you know how things work around here. Gentle King's reach is longer than the law's."
The tension in the room was palpable. Juan leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling as if it held answers.
The silence was broken by the door swinging open. Teeto Marcus strode in, his muscular frame filling the doorway. He was dressed casually in gym gear, a duffel bag slung over one shoulder and a mischievous grin on his face.
"I brought food," Teeto announced, tossing a takeout bag onto the desk. "You look like you need it."
Juan smirked despite himself. Teeto always had a way of lightening the mood, even in the darkest moments.
"Thanks, but I'm not really hungry," Juan said, pushing the bag aside.
Teeto frowned. "Not eating isn't going to solve your problems, man. Besides, you're going to need your strength if we're dealing with that lunatic again."
"Gentle King," Vina clarified, her tone dry.
Teeto scoffed. "I don't care what he calls himself. He's just another bully who thinks he can scare people into submission."
"And he's succeeding," Vina shot back. "So maybe don't provoke him any further?"
"Enough," Juan said, raising a hand to stop their argument. "We need to focus. Vina, take care of the workers. Make sure they get the medical attention they need. Teeto, I might need your help later, but for now, just...stay out of trouble."
Teeto raised his hands in mock surrender. "Fine, fine. But don't expect me to sit back if this guy makes another move."
Vina rolled her eyes and left the room, muttering something under her breath about testosterone-fueled stupidity.
As the door closed behind her, Teeto took a seat across from Juan.
"So," he said, leaning forward, "what's the plan?"
Juan sighed. "I don't have one yet."
"That's a first," Teeto said with a chuckle. "You're usually the guy with all the answers."
"Not this time," Juan admitted.
The weight of the situation pressed down on him, but before he could dwell on it further, his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen and saw a message from Gabriella Santana.
"Hey, how's your day going?"
For the first time all day, a genuine smile crossed his face. Gabriella had a way of doing that, making him forget, even if just for a moment, the chaos around him.
Teeto noticed the change in his expression and smirked. "Ah, the Santana girl, huh?"
"Don't start," Juan warned, though there was no heat in his tone.
"I'm just saying," Teeto teased. "You've got enough on your plate without adding her father's wrath to the mix."
Juan didn't respond. Instead, he typed a quick reply:
"Rough day, but I'll survive. What about you?"
He hit send and leaned back in his chair, letting the conversation distract him from his problems for a little while.
But the reprieve was short-lived.
A few minutes later, Vina burst back into the room, her face pale.
"What is it?" Juan asked, immediately on edge.
"It's Gentle King," she said, her voice shaking. "He's made his next move."
Vina's sudden entrance jolted Juan and Teeto from their conversation.
"What do you mean, his next move?" Juan asked, his voice sharp.
Vina closed the door behind her and pressed her back against it, as though she needed to physically hold the outside world at bay. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself.
"One of Gentle King's men just called," she said. "They're demanding a meeting."
"A meeting?" Teeto asked, his brows furrowed. "What for? Haven't they done enough damage?"
"Apparently not," Vina replied. "They've given us until tonight to show up at The Rainy Moon."
The name sent a chill down Juan's spine. The Rainy Moon was a notorious nightclub on the edge of Behinton Town, known for its exclusivity and its ties to the underworld. It wasn't the kind of place you went to for friendly negotiations.
"What happens if I don't show up?" Juan asked, though he already had an idea.
"They didn't say, but I don't think we need a crystal ball to figure it out," Vina said, her tone grim.
Teeto slammed a fist on the desk, rattling the takeout bag. "This guy is crossing every line! First the factory, now this? What's next, Juan? Your house? Your family?"
"Calm down," Juan said, though his own anger was simmering just beneath the surface. He stood and began pacing the room, his mind racing.
He hated being cornered, but this was a game Gentle King had mastered. The man thrived on intimidation, on making people feel helpless.
"We have to go," Juan finally said.
"What?" Vina and Teeto said in unison.
"I'm not running," Juan said firmly. "If I don't face him, he'll keep pushing. He's testing me, and I'm not going to give him the satisfaction of thinking I'm scared."
"That's because you're crazy," Vina snapped. "You can't just walk into his territory without a plan. What if it's a trap?"
"It probably is," Juan admitted. "But what choice do I have? He's already attacked the factory. If I don't show up, he might come after something or someone else."
The unspoken threat hung in the air. Gabriella's face flashed in Juan's mind, and his resolve hardened. He couldn't let this escalate any further.
Teeto stood up, his expression serious. "If you're going, I'm coming with you."
"Absolutely not," Vina said, stepping between them. "This isn't some bar fight, Teeto. These are dangerous people, and we can't afford to make things worse."
"I'm not asking for permission," Teeto said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Juan raised a hand to stop the brewing argument. "Both of you, stop. Vina, I get it you're worried. But Teeto's right. I can't go alone."
Vina stared at him, her jaw tight. "Fine," she said after a long pause. "But promise me you'll keep it civil. No macho standoffs, no pushing buttons. Just hear him out and get out of there."
"I promise," Juan said, though he wasn't entirely sure he could keep it.
The sun had long since set by the time Juan and Teeto pulled up outside The Rainy Moon. The neon sign above the door cast a blood-red glow, and the heavy bass of music thumped from inside.
"Stay close," Juan said as they stepped out of the car.
"I'm not going anywhere," Teeto replied.
They were met at the door by two hulking men in suits. Without a word, the guards patted them down for weapons before nodding them inside.
The club was exactly what Juan expected; dark, loud, and suffocatingly tense. The air reeked of expensive cigars and whiskey, and the crowd was a mix of high rollers and shady figures.
A waiter guided them to a private booth at the back of the club, where Gentle King was waiting.
Gentle King was nothing like his name suggested. He was tall and broad-shouldered, with piercing eyes that seemed to see right through you. He wore a tailored suit, but there was nothing polished about his demeanor. He exuded raw power, the kind that made people afraid to look him in the eye.
"Ah, Mr. Carlos," Gentle King said, his voice smooth but cold. "How kind of you to join me."
Juan forced a polite smile. "I didn't think I had much of a choice."
Gentle King chuckled, though there was no humor in it. "Smart man. Sit."
Juan and Teeto took their seats across from him. The table was littered with half-empty glasses and a deck of playing cards.
"You've been busy," Juan said, cutting straight to the point.
Gentle King raised an eyebrow. "You mean the little...incident at your factory? That was nothing personal, I assure you. Just business."
"Destroying my equipment and injuring my workers doesn't feel like 'just business' to me," Juan said, his voice steady despite the anger beneath.
Gentle King leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. "You made a promise, Carlos. You failed to deliver. Do you know what happens to people who fail me?"
Juan didn't flinch. "I refunded your money and paid the penalty. I made things right."
"Right?" Gentle King repeated, his tone mocking. "Let me explain something to you, boy. Money isn't what I care about. It's respect. And when you missed that deadline, you disrespected me."
Teeto shifted in his seat, but Juan placed a calming hand on his arm.
"What do you want?" Juan asked, keeping his tone even.
Gentle King smiled, though it didn't reach his eyes. "I want you to remember who you're dealing with. I want you to understand that there are consequences for crossing me."
"You've made your point," Juan said. "Loud and clear."
Gentle King studied him for a moment, then leaned back in his seat. "Good. Then we can move forward. I'll let this slide for now. But step out of line again, and the next time, it won't just be your factory."
The threat hung in the air like some sort of a storm cloud.
"I understand," Juan said, his voice calm but firm.
Gentle King nodded, satisfied. "Then we're done here. Enjoy the rest of your evening."
Juan and Teeto stood and made their way out of the club, the weight of the encounter settling over them like a heavy cloak.
Outside, the cool night air did little to ease Juan's tension.
"That guy is a monster," Teeto said, breaking the silence.
"Tell me something I don't know," Juan muttered.
As they climbed into the car, Juan's phone buzzed. It was another message from Gabriella.
"Still awake? Was thinking we could grab coffee tomorrow."
Juan stared at the message, torn between the chaos of his world and the one bright spot in his life.
"Who's that?" Teeto asked, glancing at the screen.
"Just someone worth fighting for," Juan replied.
He typed out a quick response. "I'd like that. Let's meet."
As they drove away from The Rainy Moon, Juan knew the battle with Gentle King was far from over. But for now, he had a moment to breathe and maybe even a chance to hold onto something good in the midst of the storm.
The next morning, Juan tried to shake off the tension from his meeting with Gentle King.
The man's words lingered in his mind like a dark cloud, but he forced himself to focus on something brighter: his upcoming coffee date with Gabriella.
Dressed in a crisp white shirt and navy slacks, Juan checked his reflection in the car mirror before heading out. His heart raced not from fear this time, but from the anticipation of seeing her.
Behinton Business University was buzzing with activity as students poured out of lecture halls, chatting and laughing as they went about their day.
Juan parked his car across the street, keeping an eye out for Gabriella.
When he finally saw her, his breath caught. She was radiant, dressed in a simple blue sundress that swayed gently as she walked. Her dark hair framed her face perfectly, and she carried herself with a natural grace that left him in awe.
Gabriella stopped outside a quaint coffee shop just a block from the university. She glanced at her phone, perhaps checking the time or a message, before slipping it into her bag.
Juan smiled and started to get out of the car when something or rather someone stopped him cold.
Gentle King.
The imposing figure of the mafia boss appeared beside Gabriella, his tailored suit a stark contrast to the casual setting. His demeanor was oddly relaxed, his hands in his pockets as he spoke to her with an easy familiarity.
Juan's heart dropped.
He watched as Gabriella laughed softly at something Gentle King said, her guard completely down. They stood close, too close for Juan's comfort, and the sight sent a surge of confusion and dread coursing through him.
Why was she talking to him? And how did they even know each other?
Juan gripped the steering wheel tightly, his knuckles turning white. A part of him wanted to storm over and pull her away, but his instincts screamed at him to stay put.
Gentle King didn't notice him or if he did, he gave no indication but Juan knew better than to underestimate the man.
Time seemed to stretch as he sat there, frozen in shock. Gabriella's presence, so innocent and pure, felt out of place next to someone as dangerous as Gentle King.
Then Gentle King leaned in closer, saying something that made Gabriella nod and smile again. Whatever their connection was, it wasn't casual, it was deliberate.
Juan's pulse raced. He didn't know what was happening, but one thing was clear: Gabriella was caught in something she didn't understand. And now, so was he.
The last thing he saw before pulling away from the curb was Gabriella waving goodbye to Gentle King as she entered the coffee shop.
Juan gritted his teeth, his mind a whirlwind of questions and emotions.
What have I gotten myself into?