Chapter 2
Lila stood by the window of her apartment, her arms folded across her chest as she watched Anan sitting beneath the mango tree outside. The sight of him alone should have brought her relief, but instead it filled her with unease.
A few moments later, Kenny's car disappeared through the compound gate.
Anan slowly removed one of his earphones and looked toward Lila.
"I saw him," he said casually.
Lila frowned.
"Saw who?"
"Your visitor."
A mocking smile appeared on his face.
"I expected something better. Honestly, Lila, you can do much better than that."
Lila's expression hardened.
"What are you talking about?"
Anan stood and stretched lazily.
"Don't tell me he's the one."
His smile widened.
"That would be an insult to my reputation."
Lila stared at him in confusion.
"What reputation?"
"The fact that we would have the same taste in women."
Before she could reply, Anan pulled out his phone.
"As a matter of fact, I recorded everything."
He pressed play and handed the phone to her.
The recording revealed every word Kenny had spoken earlier.
Lila's eyes widened.
"You recorded us?"
"You said you didn't know him."
"I don't."
Anan nodded slowly.
"Of course."
His tone was calm, but something dangerous lingered beneath it.
"I believe you."
Lila knew that look.
She had known Anan long enough to recognize when he was pretending to be calm.
That was when he was most dangerous.
Without another word, she turned and walked back into her room.
Closing the door behind her, she sat on the edge of her bed.
"I need to talk to Kenny tomorrow," she whispered.
Anan was not someone who simply let things go.
If he believed Kenny was involved with her, trouble would surely follow.
The next morning, Anan arrived at the Survivor Camp.
The camp was located on the edge of town and served as the headquarters of the group he had built over the years.
The moment he entered, Henry rushed toward him.
"Leader!"
Anan nodded.
Henry grinned.
"So? How did it go?"
He lowered his voice.
"Is she married?"
Anan shook his head.
"No."
"Any children?"
"No."
Henry laughed.
"So she's still single."
"Exactly."
"And she still fears you?"
A smile crossed Anan's face.
"As usual."
Henry burst out laughing.
"That's not something to be proud of."
Anan ignored the comment.
"She even denied having a boyfriend because of me."
"What?"
Henry nearly choked.
"For a wicked soul like you?"
"I'm serious."
Henry shook his head.
"I still remember the old days. Back then, if you told that girl not to eat, she wouldn't eat."
Anan smiled.
Henry continued.
"You could scold her, shout at her, even punish her, and she would never complain."
"Those were different times."
Henry pointed at him.
"No. Those were your wicked tricks."
Anan laughed.
"Bad guy."
"Aren't you the same?" Anan replied.
Henry shook his head dramatically.
"Never at your level."
The two friends shared a laugh before Henry's expression became serious.
"What about the new boyfriend?"
Anan's smile disappeared.
"I want information."
He pulled out his phone and showed Kenny's picture.
Henry stared at the image for several seconds.
Then his expression changed.
"You don't know him?"
Anan frowned.
"Should I?"
Henry looked up.
"That's one of the Killer Team members."
Anan's eyes narrowed immediately.
"The Killer Team?"
Henry nodded.
The atmosphere instantly became tense.
For years, the Survivor Team and the Killer Team had clashed over territory, influence, and old grudges.
Neither side trusted the other.
Anan slowly stood.
"Why do they keep crossing my path?"
Henry sighed.
"Maybe because you keep crossing theirs."
But Anan wasn't listening anymore.
His gaze remained fixed on Kenny's photograph.
"So that's how it is."
A dangerous smile appeared on his face.
"If they want to play games again..."
He slipped the phone into his pocket.
"...then this time, I'll remind them exactly who I am."