Chapter 3: Beneath the Surface
Leo woke with a dull ache splitting his temples, the bitter aftertaste of whiskey still clinging to his mouth. For a moment, he didn't recognize the room—until his eyes adjusted to the soft glow of the lamp and the familiar walls of his home.
The door creaked open. Mark entered quietly, a glass of warm water in his hand.
"Here, boss. Drink this."
Leo pushed himself upright, accepting the glass. His voice was low, hoarse.
"How… did I get back?"
Mark's expression was calm, though there was a trace of concern in his eyes.
"I got a message from your phone," he explained. "Said you needed help. So I sent a couple of our guys to bring you home. You were completely out, Leo."
Leo froze, the water halfway to his lips. "A message? From me?"
Mark nodded. "That's what it said."
But Leo didn't remember typing anything. His memory of the night was scattered—flashes of neon lights, laughter, and… Kai.
Kai at the bar, his steady gaze, the way the crowd seemed to bend toward him. Even through the haze of alcohol, that image burned sharp and clear.
Leo set the glass down slowly, unease settling in his chest.
He'd been drunk before. He'd blacked out before. But he had never once asked for help.
And yet, somehow… a message had been sent.
Mark broke the silence. "Also, there's someone you should meet. One of our informants says he saw Kai somewhere unusual."
Leo narrowed his eyes, his tone flat. "Get him to the office."
A Meeting in the Shadows
Later that night, there was a knock at the office door.
"Enter," Leo called, not looking up from the reports spread before him.
Mark stepped in, followed by a younger man, barely in his twenties. The boy shifted nervously, his hands fidgeting at his sides.
"This is Chanyi," Mark introduced. "One of the informants at the docks. He says he has information about the new guy."
Leo finally looked up, his sharp gaze pinning the young man in place. "Speak."
Chanyi swallowed hard. "I've seen him before. A couple of months ago, at the Skycracker Club downtown. He was… talking to people. Important people. But he wasn't acting like a regular guy. He… commanded the room."
Leo's brow furrowed. "Skycracker Club? That's not exactly a place for amateurs."
Chanyi nodded quickly. "Exactly. He didn't just blend in—he stood out. But not in a bad way. More like… people respected him."
Leo leaned back in his chair, his mind racing. "And you're sure it was him?"
Chanyi nodded again. "Positive. I never forget a face."
Leo dismissed the informant with a wave of his hand, his thoughts swirling.
Kai's Hidden Agenda
Location: Kai's apartment.
Kai stood by the window, the city sprawling out before him. In his hand was a burner phone, its screen displaying a string of encrypted messages.
A small smirk played on his lips as he read the latest one. Everything was going according to plan.
He turned to the room behind him—a sparse but tastefully decorated space. On the table was a small stack of documents, each bearing Leo's name and the name of his legitimate company.
Kai picked up a photograph of Leo, studying it for a moment before setting it down. "You're more interesting than I thought," he murmured.
An Unexpected Encounter
Location: The nightclub, the following night.
Leo arrived at the club earlier than usual, his mind still occupied with what Chanyi had told him. He made his way to the bar, nodding briefly at the bartender before taking his usual spot.
To his annoyance, Kai was already there, sipping a drink and chatting with the staff like he owned the place.
Kai turned as Leo approached, his smile warm and unassuming. "Good evening, Mr. Leone."
Leo ignored the pleasantries. "We need to talk."
Kai raised an eyebrow, but he followed Leo to a quieter corner of the club.
A Game of Words
Leo crossed his arms, his gaze piercing. "I've been hearing things about you. Things that don't add up."
Kai's expression remained neutral. "I'm not sure what you mean."
"You're too… polished. Too calm. People like you don't just walk into places like this without a reason."
Kai chuckled softly. "Maybe I'm just a man who enjoys good company and good drinks."
Leo stepped closer, his voice dropping. "Or maybe you're a man with an agenda. I don't trust coincidences, and you're starting to look like one."
Kai held Leo's gaze, his smile fading slightly. "If I had an agenda, do you think I'd make it so obvious?"
Leo didn't respond immediately, his instincts warring with the lack of concrete evidence.
"Watch yourself," Leo said finally. "If I find out you're playing games, you won't like how this ends."
Kai inclined his head, his tone light but with an undercurrent of steel. "Noted."
The Edge of Suspicion
As Kai walked away, Leo watched him with a mix of frustration and intrigue. The man was a puzzle—one Leo was determined to solve.
Meanwhile, Kai returned to his seat at the bar, his expression unreadable. He knew the stakes were rising, but that was exactly what he wanted.
The game had only just begun.