Morning arrived. The soft Seoul sunlight filtered through the curtains and fell across the massive bed. Anashia woke up with a start. Out of habit, she reached out toward the middle of the bed to find Alia, but her hand only met the cold, empty sheets.
Anashia rubbed her eyes and looked around. The entire room was silent. The pillow was there, but Alia was gone. Even Viktor, who had been on the other side, was nowhere to be seen.
Anashia sat up in bed, the remnants of last night's exhaustion still lingering in her muscular back. She frowned, thinking, "Did they go somewhere and leave me alone?"
Just then, her eyes caught the door, which was slightly ajar. Anashia stood up quickly, adjusted her clothes, and stepped out of the room. As she entered the corridor, she caught a distinct aroma the scent of expensive coffee and fresh breakfast.
Anashia smiled to herself as she walked toward the kitchen. She knew Alia was likely already holding the keys to her blue Pagani, planning a new mission, or enjoying morning coffee with Viktor. But that split second of emptiness she felt upon waking up without Alia made her realize how deeply the Mafia Queen's influence had entwined her.
Anashia stood at the kitchen doorway, looking to see if Alia was there. Her mind was still filled with the memories of those long red nails and the reflection of Alia's mysterious smile.As Anashia stood by the kitchen door looking for Alia, the voice of the maid, Maria, suddenly came from behind. Maria seemed somewhat restless and was hurrying toward the hall.
Maria: "Sir! Sir, are you here?"
Anashia turned around to look at Maria. Maria had a silver tray in her hand, but her expression suggested she was looking for someone urgently.
Anashia: (In a deep voice) "What happened, Maria? Why are you shouting? And where is Alia?"
Panting slightly, Maria explained she was looking for Viktor.
Maria: "Sir, I'm looking for Master Viktor to hand him an urgent phone call. And Madam Alia... she got ready and went downstairs a while ago. I saw her take the keys to her blue Pagani, adjusting her sunglasses with those long red nails as she headed toward the garage."
Anashia narrowed her eyes and checked the clock. Where could Alia be going this early?
Anashia: "Did Viktor go with her?"
Maria: "No sir, Master Viktor is in the study. But Madam Alia looked very serious. Before leaving, she mentioned that she had a small score to settle with that police officer in Seoul."
Anashia smirked to herself. She realized Alia hadn't forgotten the audacity of that handsome police officer from yesterday afternoon. Alia was likely heading out to create another storm on the streets of Seoul with the speed of her Pagani.
Anashia cut Maria off, saying, "Alright, go give Viktor his coffee. I'll see which way Alia went."
Anashia quickly threw on her jacket. The quiet morning of Seoul was about to witness the dominance of the Mafia Queen once again. A dark corner of a deserted shipyard in Seoul. The morning sun hadn't yet reached that damp place. Alia held a gun in one hand and a sharp knife in the other. Her long red nails were now drenched in blood.
A traitorous gangster stood before her, begging for his life, but Alia's eyes held only death. In a flash, she slit the man's throat. Blood splattered onto Alia's cheek, but she didn't flinch. Then, with a cold mind, she pressed the gun's barrel against another man's forehead and pulled the trigger.
"Bang!"
As the man collapsed to the ground, Alia began to laugh with a sinister joy. The smell of blood and gunpowder seemed to be her true aesthetic. Just then, the sound of boots echoed in the desolate area.
"Has taking the law into your own hands become a habit of yours, Miss Alia?"
A deep and familiar voice. Still laughing, Alia turned her head to see that handsome police officer standing right behind her. Though his pistol was aimed at her, his eyes held a mix of shock and loathing.
Alia lowered her sunglasses slightly with her blood-stained hand. Her crooked smirk widened.
Alia: "Officer, haven't you stopped chasing me yet? Or have you come here to accept last night's offer for that 'journey'?"
The officer took a step forward. Surrounded by a pile of corpses, this beautiful killer stood in the center the sight left him stunned. He saw blood dripping from those long red nails.
Officer: "No one can save you today. Not even your golden card."
Alia reloaded her gun and aimed it directly at the officer's heart. Her eyes were clouded with a lethal intoxication.
Alia: "Give it a try, Officer. But remember, the marks of my nails can reach much deeper than your tie ever could."
The tension between the officer and Alia was palpable. No one knew whose final breath would be taken in this quiet morning. In an instant, Alia shifted her fierce persona and engaged in a cunning game. While the officer's gun was still aimed at her, she skillfully tossed her blood-stained knife and gun away.
Before the officer could grasp the situation, Alia ripped the top part of her jacket and clothes, disheveling her hair. She used those long red nails to leave a faint scratch on her own shoulder to make it look like a struggle.
Immediately, tears welled up in her eyes a perfect act. She screamed out:
Alia: "Save me! Someone please save me! This officer is trying to rape me! Please, somebody help!"
Just then, another patrol team of police arrived at the scene. They saw the handsome officer with a gun in his hand and a beautiful woman crying in a disheveled state in front of him.
Other Police: (Aiming their guns) "Officer! Put your weapon down! What do you think you're doing?"
The officer was stunned. He never imagined Alia would pull such a stunt. He stammered, "No, you're misunderstanding! This girl is a killer, look at all these bodies "
But Alia was already slumped on the ground, sobbing uncontrollably.
Alia: "He was threatening to kill me if I didn't comply! Look at what he's done to me!"
The other officers surrounded the handsome officer and snatched his gun. Alia wiped her tears while looking at the ground, but a sinister, triumphant smirk played on her lips. She knew that against her financial power and this enchanting facade, no logic would stand in the Seoul police department.
The officer stood helpless, staring at Alia's red nails, which had now become the weapon to destroy his career. As the other police officers dragged the handsome officer away like a criminal, Alia slowly stood up. Her act of crying vanished instantly, replaced by a bone-chilling coldness. Adjusting her torn clothes, she stepped very close to the officer.
While the officer struggled in the police's grip, Alia used her long red nails to straighten his collar one last time. Then, leaning into his ear, she whispered a terrifying threat.
Alia: "Didn't I tell you, Officer, that my nail marks could reach deeper than your tie? Today your career ends, and tomorrow, perhaps your very existence will be gone. Never dare to stand before my Pagani on the streets of Seoul again."
The officer trembled with rage and humiliation. He gritted his teeth and said, "You won't get away with this injustice, Alia. I won't let you go!"
With a sinister laugh, Alia whispered one final thing into his ear
Alia: "Dead men can't chase anyone, Officer. That 'journey' from last night is about to begin for you now, but this time, the destination is hell."
As he was being pushed into the police car, the officer only saw Alia walking confidently toward her blue Pagani. Her blood-stained red nails glistened in the sun. Alia started the car, and the roar of the engine drowned out the officer's cries.
Alia knew that today's morning had only begun with a single act of revenge; more bloody games were yet to come. The night grew deeper, but an eerie silence hung over the grand palace in Seoul. Anashia hadn't returned yet, and that became the root of Alia's growing tension. Alia sat on the living room sofa, repeatedly checking the clock and tapping her long red nails restlessly against the armrest.
Just then, Viktor emerged from the study. There was a hint of exhaustion in his eyes as well. Seeing Alia sitting there like that, he came and stood beside her.
Viktor: "Still awake, Alia? Where is Anashia? She hasn't returned yet."
Alia let out a long sigh and looked at Viktor. She knew it was impossible to hide anything from him. She told him everything that happened in the morning—how she eliminated the traitors and how she trapped the police officer in her own game to get him arrested.
Alia: "Viktor, I took care of that officer. But where is Anashia? She hasn't been following me since this morning."
Viktor listened to Alia's story with full attention. A mix of pride and caution played in his eyes. Seeing that Alia hadn't even cleaned her blood-stained nails yet, he gently took her hand.
Viktor: "You did what you had to do. That officer was an obstacle in our path. But don't worry about Anashia. She's probably out settling some remaining 'scores' with that officer of yours. You know how dangerous she can be when she's angry."
Alia tried to calm herself by leaning her head against Viktor's chest. But a doubt lingered in her mind. Anashia and Viktor were the pillars of her strength, but was this long absence a signal of a bigger danger?
Viktor: "Come, let's have some coffee. I'm sure Anashia will be back soon, perhaps with a new 'gift'."
Alia and Viktor headed toward the kitchen, but Alia's gaze remained fixed on the darkness outside. The Seoul sky was too quiet tonight, and that very stillness was what scared Alia the most.