It was already midnight,but still nobody in the empire could sleep,the whole place was rowdy like it was noon time,the lights all around made it almost convincing that night is yet to come.

Inside Queen mother’s suite,she was sitting on a couch in her living room,a glass of wine in her hand as she watched the night news.

Honorable Johnson’s death and the house explosion,the news is everywhere but nobody knows in particular what happened exactly.

A guard entered and bowed before her and she looked up,she adjusted her usual red hat.

“Queen,underboss is here” The guard told her and immediately Kaine walked in.

“You can go” Queen mother told the guard who went out immediately and then she turned to Kaine,he was already sitting down.

He was looking totally different from two hours ago when he returned to the empire with blood all over his body,he was in another outfit and he looks much better.

“You look okay,I’m glad” She said and Kaine nodded.

“You can mention anything you want,and it will be offered to you,thanks for being alive,I don’t know what would have happened If you didn’t come back” Queen mother shook her head.

“You know I’ve always believed in you right? Even more than my own son,I’ve trusted you ever since you stepped into this empire,and you’re like a son to me” She added.

“Why am I here? I believe you have something to say” Kaine muttered and Queen mother adjusted on the couch she was sitting.

“What was that? Earlier? I don’t want to judge quickly,but I really want to believe it was just a kiss,nothing special……”

“You’re right” Kaine cut in and Queen mother exhaled loudly.

“I know that,I just wanted to confirm better” She smiled.

“I thought you said you trust me” Kaine raised his brows and she nodded.

“I do….”

“She might be useful for you in future” Kaine said and queen mother raised her brows.

“Really?”

“She wants to start training” Kaine told her.

“So fast? That’s rare to find these days,she haven’t even used two months yet,is she determined or just a phase?” Queen mother asked.

“She’s serious”

“So what are you planning?”

“I will do that on my own,,I will be her personal trainer” Kaine said and queen mother nodded slowly.

“I don’t have any problem with that” She said.

Kaine checked the time.

“You should take a rest,it’s past your bedtime” He got up and she smiled.

“Thank you Kaine”

Kaine bowed shortly and walked out, Fang joined him immediately.

“Boss, Bian wants to see you but I told him you aren’t available,I just wanted to tell you” Fang said.

“It’s okay,you can go” Kaine muttered.

Fang bowed immediately and watched him leave.

“Hmm hmm” Someone cleared throat behind him and he turned,but as soon as he did,he groaned.

“What is it this time? Are you a stalker?” He asked.

Puma chuckled and moved closer.

“I heard you went with them to the mission” He said.

“So? Are you mad because your own boss never allow you out of this big empire?” Fang asked in a mocking voice.

“Oh please,says who? Because you don’t know anything about me doesn’t mean you should say wh@ťěver comes to your mind” Puma scoffs.

“Good for you then,,why not walk away and stop talking to me?” Fang faked a smile and walked away.

*

BIAN’S ROOM*

“Yes?” Bian groaned when he heard a knock on the door,he opened the door slowly and was shocked to see Kaine standing.

“What…are you doing here?” His eyes widened.

“Am I allowed in or not?” Kaine asked.

Bian immediately moved out of the way and Kaine entered,He closed the door and hugged Kaine,a tight one.

Kaine chuckled.

“I was scared” Bian muttered, a drop of tear out of his eye.

“Don’t be a cry baby” Kaine broke the hug and cupped his cheeks.

“I told you I’m never going to leave you alone,you’re the one who should be careful….”

“Stop acting like something bad can’t happen to you also,,you always get hurt the most every mission time,it’s annoying” Bian said with an angry pout.

“Seriously,do you act this way in front of everyone or you just want to bribe me with your cute face?” Kaine teased.

“Stop it” Bian pushed him off and he chuckled.

“And why did you kiss Bluey in front of everyone? It’s the trending news now” Bian shook his head.

“Reflex action” Kaine said.

“Oh wow,you mean she’s the first person you wished to see as soon as you returned?”

“Jealous?” Kaine raised his brows.

“My foot” Bian scoffed.

“You are number one okay? You know the reason why I couldn’t give you a hug… ”

“I don’t know $h|t,you never told me anything and you know that” Bian cut in.

Kaine sighed and nodded.

“Soon,,very soon” He muttered.

“You should leave,you wouldn’t want anyone to see you here” Bian said.

“Goodnight little…..”

“I wanted to tell you something” Bian suddenly interrupted and Kaine raised his brows.

“It’s because I feel confused” Bian bit his lip and Kaine nodded before sitting down.

“Go on” he said.

Bian told him about Kat and Knife without leaving one out.

“I just…don’t know what to do” he touched his hair.

“I’m not in support of neither of the two” Kaine spoke up.

“Huh? Why?”

“You shouldn’t be dealing with shits like that at this age,,,look for your mate or just stop thinking about girls for now,you don’t need it.” Kaine shook his head.

“Are you for real right now?” Bian looked at him.

“Considering what this place is all about…..I don’t want you to get involved with any of them,none at all. If you want to have a girlfriend,I prefer an innocent girl who doesn’t belong to a world like this….”

“How am I supposed to find that one?” Bian asked.

“You won’t live here forever” Kaine told him.

“What are you planning?” Bian asked curiously.

“How to make you live a normal life like people of your age,,so until that time,focus on protecting yourself” Kaine stood up.

“I don’t want you to get hurt,I don’t want you to be like me either,you deserve a normal life,better than this” He ruffled his hair and Bian said nothing.

“Goodnight” Kaine kissed his hair and went out.

Bian locked the door and fell on the bed,thinking about what Kaine just said.

“What’s going on exactly?” He sighed.

*

KAINE’S SUITE*

As Kaine entered the room, his eyes were drawn to Bluey sitting on the bed, looking absolutely captivating and pretty like a doll, She was wearing his shirt, which was obviously oversized on her as usual, and her hair appeared damp, as if she had just stepped out of the shower. The soft glow of the room highlighted her delicate features, making her look even more stunning.

Their eyes locked, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still. Bluey’s gaze was filled with a mix of emotions – love, relief, and longing. Kaine’s eyes, too, conveyed a deep affection, and his face softened as he took in the sight of her.

Without a word, Bluey got up from the bed and walked towards Kaine, her movements soft. She wrapped her arms around him, pulling him into a tight embrace. Kaine reciprocated, holding her close as well.

“Thank you for coming back” She mumbled.

“I listened to your messages” Kaine said and she immediately broke the hug,her cheeks flustered.

“I just….”

“Thanks for sending them” Kaine said and she looked up.

It was as if she heard wrong,he just thanked her for pouring out her heart in a voice message?

“It was…nothing” Bluey mumbled and he nodded before leaving her sight,she immediately turned again and faced him.

“Can I sleep here tonight?” She asked and Kaine looked at her.

“Why?” He asked.

Bluey shook her head.

“I just…..”

“Your training starts tomorrow,and you have to be there before me,or…you might get punished. Do you still want to sleep here?” Kaine cut in.

Bluey took her lips in and bowed shortly.

“Goodnight” She mumbled.

Kaine replied with a nod and watch her walk out,now she doesn’t even bother to ask him before wearing his shirts?

Kaine chuckled and shook his head before going into the dressing room.

*

TRAINING ARENA*

Adriana was consumed by her self-practice, unleashing her fury on a wooden dummy. Her fists struck the wood with a loud thud, again and again, as she trained with intense focus. Sweat dripped from her brow, and her breathing grew heavier, but she didn’t stop. She was fueled by anger and frustration.

Every time she remembered Kaine’s kiss with Bluey, her anger surged, and she added more force to her strikes. She still find it hard to believe that Kaine did that to his so called segz doll right in front of everyone,Adriana felt like she was going crazy for him, but he didn’t even notice her.

“Ahh!!!!” She screamed and kicked the dummy one last time before running her fingers through her hair in total frustration.

“Please take it easy” Kat came forward and gave her a bottle of water.

Adriana took it from her and gulped everything down at once.

“What are you planning to do?” Kat asked again.

“What am I supposed to do? What….what am I going to do? He got mad at me when I reacted,I don’t want him getting mad at me again,I don’t” She roughed her hair.

Kat sighed out.

“You can talk to the Don….”

“I don’t want to, Kaine will only get more mad” Adriana shook her head.

“Don’t worry about me…I gat this. I will be going to my room so you can go on and sleep as well” She mumbled and walked away.

Kat bite her lower lip and also went out,she checked her phone to see if Bian replied her texts but nothing like that.

“Is he avoiding me?” She mumbled and dialed his number but got no response.

“Seriously?” She scoffed.

*

NEXT MORNING, AXE’S SUITE*

“Hey” Sunny called as she entered the room and met Diego taking care of Axe’s leg.

“Morning” She said and kissed his cheeks.

“How’s the leg?” She asked Diego.

“He should be okay by the end of this week,the gun didn’t hit a deadly point at all….”

“Leave Diego,stop the news already” Axe groaned.

“Sure boss” Diego bowed and packed his equipments before leaving.

“Are you okay?” Sunny touched his forehead.

“Stop acting like I’m dying,it’s just my leg. I will be fine” Axe said.

“You don’t even know how scared I was last night,I thought you wouldn’t be able to walk for a while” Sunny mumbled.

“Silly imagination” Axe scoffed and she chuckled.

“Have you eaten? You’re on drugs so you need to eat well and you know that right?” Sunny asked.

Just then,Puma came in and bowed.

“Boss…The maids are here. They brought your food…” Before he could finish Queen mother entered and Sunny immediately got up.

“Good morning queen mother” She bowed.

Queen mother ignored her and faced Axe directly.

“How do you feel?” She asked.

“Coming here only make me feel worse” Axe replied.

“Come in” queen mother said and immediately the maids started entering with trays,they would bow and walk to the dinning room.

“You should eat,those are special delicacies” She told Axe who only rolled his eyes.

“Make him eat everything” She said to Sunny and she nodded.

“I will do that mother” She said.

Queen mother walked out and the maids followed her out,Puma also left.

“Stop delaying,you should go ahead and eat” Sunny uttered.

*

GANGS DINNING HALL*

The dining hall was shrouded in silence. The gang sat at the tables, eating their food without a word. Each person was lost in their own thoughts, their faces expressionless.

The only sounds that broke the stillness were the clinking of plates and the scraping of cutleries against the dishes. It was as if the group had collectively agreed to avoid conversation, instead focusing on their meals.

The quiet atmosphere was almost palpable, a heavy blanket that wrapped around the room, suffocating any attempt at small talk or laughter. Even the usual chatterboxes were subdued, their mouths busy with food rather than words.

“Why’s everyone so quiet? It’s getting weird already” Risky broke the silence.

“I knew you were gonna talk first” Gelato scoffed.

“Because I h@ťě the silence,,it’s not as if you guys got injured in the mouths” Risky said and Alex chuckled.

“I was wondering too,just decided to follow majority” Tyson said.

“Have you guys heard about the party holding tonight? It’s queen mother’s idea so it’s gonna be fire” Risky grinned.

“That’s all you think about,party and f-__-ks” Sasha scoffed.

“Don’t make it sound like I don’t do anything meaningful with my life as well” Risky groaned.

“Do you?” Kael asked and everyone laughed.

“Hey,just because I didn’t tag along in the last mission doesn’t mean you should say that” Risky scoffed.

“Where’s Billie?” Knife asked.

“Who knows? Who cares” Lupa hissed.

“Oh wow,you guys aren’t friends anymore?” Sasha asked.

Meanwhile on the other hand,Knife was busy staring at Bian while he tries every possible best to avoid her eyes,he wasn’t ready to talk to her or anyone,he just want to be alone. Not after what Kaine told him last night,thinking about it,he wants a normal life as well.

“Last born,are you okay? You’ve been quiet” Alex looked at Bian.

“I’m fine” He mumbled.

“Whoa!!” Risky and Tyson exclaimed.

“Did he just replied without complaining that you called him a last born? Are you for real right now?” Tyson asked.

“Stop it” Bian mumbled and all eyes fell on him.

“Who else noticed that Bian is getting cuter?” Risky grinned and Bian shook his head.

“Of course I noticed” Tyson also grinned.

“Let him eat in peace guys” Sasha said.

Knife sighed and gulped down a full glass of water,totally frustrated.

‘Is he seriously ignoring me right now?’ She thought.

*

PRIVATE TRAINING HALL*

Bluey stood in front of a mirror inside the training hall, trying to tie her hair into a ponytail. It was Fang who showed her to this place, she was happy when she got there and discovered Kaine wasn’t inside yet.

She wore a pair of short leggings and a sports bra, which hugged her slim and beautiful figure perfectly.

As she struggled to tie her hair, the door suddenly opened. Bluey turned, expecting to see Kaine, but instead, she saw Sapphire. Sapphire’s eyes immediately narrowed into a glare.

“What are you doing here?” Sapphire asked, her voice firm and angry.

Bluey was surprised and didn’t know what to say. She hadn’t expected Sapphire to be there.

“Is your tongue out of your mouth? What are you doing here?” Sapphire asked again,more angry.

“Master asked me to wait here” She replied and Sapphire laughed,but one could tell it’s fake.

“You must really think you’ve won” She said and started walking closer.

“Just because he kissed you in front of everyone,you must think you’re now important to him…”

“I’m not as delusional as that,I know where I stand,unlike you who believe he’s yours because you grew up together” Bluey said,not knowing where that courage came from.

“What? What do you know about me?” Sapphire pushed her chest.

“I don’t need to know,but you really should stop trying to bully me because of someone who doesn’t care about you…..”

“How dare you!!!” Sapphire screamed and slapped her angrily,a very loud one that Bluey’s cheek turned red.

Bluey placed her palm on the cheek where Sapphire slapped,sign of tears in her eyes.

At that moment,Kaine entered and Bluey’s eyes met with his own.

“Kaine” Sapphire turned.

Kaine sat down on a chair and puffed in the morning blunt in his hand,his eyes locked with Bluey who was at the point of tears.

“If you don’t slap her back,forget about this training section” Kaine crossed his legs and puffed out his smoke.

Sapphire’s eyes widened.

.

.

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