Miles away…
Inside a sprawling mansion, where the scent of expensive cigars and aged whiskey filled the air, the atmosphere was one of effortless luxury. Men in tailored suits and women in designer dresses lounged across plush leather sofas, laughter and murmured conversations flowing like drinks being poured.
At the center of it all, a man sat comfortably on a velvet couch, a glass of whiskey in hand. The amber liquid swirled as he took a slow sip, the dim lighting casting a golden hue across his sharp, refined features. His tailored dark blue suit fit him perfectly, emphasizing his broad shoulders and powerful frame.
His phone buzzed in his pocket.
Casually, he set his glass down and reached for it. A glance at the screen. A smirk.
Excuse me. He murmured smoothly, his voice commanding attention despite its low volume. He stood, adjusting his cufflinks as he moved away from the lively crowd. With an effortless stride, he turned a corner, disappearing into a dimly lit hallway.
The moment he was alone, he unlocked his phone and opened the message.
"The job is done. Please wire the remaining funds."
Attached was a photo of Sean Kaci, lying still amid a pile of rubble.
A slow, menacing smile spread across the man's face.
This was Samuel Kaci, Sean Kaci's older brother.
At twenty-three, Samuel was already a force to be reckoned with. Tall, muscular, and devastatingly handsome, with piercing brown eyes that held an unreadable depth, he was the city's most eligible bachelor, though behind that charming facade lay something far more dangerous.
His fingers hovered over his screen for a moment before he tapped the call button. The line rang once before being picked up.
Joe. Sam said, his voice smooth, and composed.
And just like that, the conversation began.
"The money will be transferred within the hour." Sam said, his tone cool and emotionless.
On the other end, Joe's voice came through, respectful and professional. "Thank you, sir."
There was a brief pause before Sam's voice turned sharp, carrying an unspoken threat.
Remember, you know nothing about this. He warned.
Joe didn't hesitate. "I understand, Mr. Kaci."
With that, the call ended.
Sam exhaled slowly, setting his empty glass on the desk before pulling up his banking app. Within moments, the remaining funds were transferred to Joe's account, clean, untraceable, and final.
Leaning back, he allowed himself a small, satisfied smirk.
'Finally, I have regained what was rightfully mine.'
Straightening his jacket, Sam took one last glance at his reflection in the dimly lit mirror across the room. Composed, powerful, and untouchable. Satisfied with what he saw, he stepped back into the party, his expression relaxed, a charming smile effortlessly sliding onto his face as he rejoined the crowd.
Meanwhile, across the city…
The cold night air was thick with tension as a young girl sprinted down a narrow alley, her heart pounding violently in her chest. Her breath came in quick, shallow gasps, but she didn't dare stop.
She could hear them, three men in tailored black suits, their footsteps relentless as they chased her through the deserted streets.
She darted around a corner, her sharp eyes scanning for a place to hide. That's when she saw it, a pile of rubble near an abandoned building. Without a second thought, she ducked behind it, crouching low, pressing herself against the cold debris as she tried to steady her breathing.
Moments later, the men arrived.
They halted just feets from her hiding place, their expressions unreadable under the dim glow of a flickering streetlamp.
The man in the middle, clearly the leader, surveyed the area with narrowed eyes before speaking. "Split up and find her. Now."
The two other men gave curt nods before dispersing in opposite directions, their polished shoes echoing against the pavement as they disappeared into the shadows.
She remained completely still, waiting.
Seconds turned into minutes. Once she was certain they were gone, she slowly exhaled and stepped out from behind the rubble, a mischievous grin playing on her lips.
'Too easy.'
Pulling her hood up over her head, she prepared to retrace her steps and vanish into the night.
But just as she turned. She heard something. A low groan. She froze. Her heart skipped a beat.
Slowly, she turned her head, eyes scanning the darkness. That's when she saw him. A boy.
Lying motionless on the pile of rubble she had been hiding behind. Her breath hitched.
The dim light revealed his battered state, bruises, bloodied cuts, and torn clothing. His dark hair clung to his forehead, damp with sweat and grime. His body looked broken, yet somehow, he was still alive.
Sean let out another pained sound, his fingers twitching slightly as he tried to move.
The girl took a hesitant step forward, eyes widening in shock as she fully took in his injuries.
Oh my god… what happened to him?
For the first time that night, fear wasn't for herself, it was for him.
She hesitated for only a moment before stepping closer to the wounded boy sprawled across the rubble. Her hazel eyes, sharp with curiosity and concern, scanned his broken form.
"Are you alright?" She asked, her voice softer now as she crouched beside him.
Sean barely stirred. His breath was shallow, his body trembling with exhaustion. Through cracked lips, he forced out a single, desperate plea.
"Help… me."
And then, his body went limp. His eyes rolled shut as unconsciousness claimed him once more.
Khalia stared at him, her mind racing.
'What the hell?' She thought, glancing around the desolate area. 'Who are you, and how did you end up like this? No one else is here. Were you attacked? But why?'
Her gaze lifted to the abandoned building behind them, and that's when she spotted it an open window several stories up.
Her eyes widened.
'There's no way…' She thought, looking back down at Sean. Did he… jump from there? No. That wouldn't make sense. Why would he ask for help if he had done that?
Leaning in closer, she examined his face, taking in the deep bruises and dried blood staining his skin. Her stomach twisted.
He was beaten. She realized. 'Someone threw him out of that window.'
She swallowed hard, looking back up at the building. A flicker of uncertainty crossed her mind. She had no idea who this guy was or what kind of trouble he was involved in.
'I should walk away…'
But then her eyes drifted back to his battered form, his shallow breathing barely noticeable.
She sighed. Fine. I guess I'll help.
Kneeling beside him, she raised her hands and traced a series of intricate gestures in the air. A golden light flickered to life in her palm, illuminating the surrounding darkness, her Hazel eyes glowed with a brilliant gold. She pressed her glowing hand against Sean's chest.
The bright golden light seeped into Sean's chest.
For a moment, nothing happened. Then. A loud gasp tore from Sean's throat as his body jerked. His eyes snapped open, wild and dazed as he sucked in a breath.