𝓦𝓪𝓻 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝓱𝓲𝓶[15]

Zee

Stepping out of the car, the bright orange-haired guard jogs over to me. I give him a skeptical glance. He stands in front of me with a tight-lipped smile. Leo walks closer to me and places a hand on my shoulder. He moves towards my ear and whispers five words that make me freeze.

"Chalerm wants you in private." Leo discreetly informs me and steps back.

I look away momentarily in deep thought.

"Shall I organize a team, sir?" Leo asked, scratching his head.

"No, I will not attend this meeting; give me the location," I tell Leo

He reluctantly gives me the location and asks me if he should have a private team ready. I reject his offer and order him to keep his mouth shut. He goes pale as he watches me get inside my car.

Chalerm has made his entrance.

I pulled my car over to the grand entrance of Bangkok's largest casino. His motive was clear: to make sure that we met in a populated area. I entered the casino gates and parked my vehicle.

I stepped inside the lobby, where the air was thick with a scent of wealth and anticipation. I scanned the main lobby, and the glittering lights danced across the polished interior. Two guards approached me, their demeanor signaling caution. They escorted me through throngs of eager gamblers.

We arrived at a discreet entrance marked "VIP." The guards opened the door and ushered me inside. Inside the exclusive chamber, a man named Chalerm was seated. He turned his attention towards me as I walked over and took a seat in front of him. He greeted me with a smile that gleamed with hidden motives.

I kept my expression impassive, a mask hiding the turmoil within. The sight of Chalerm stirred a sense of unease, a reminder of our unsettled past dealings. The last time I saw this man, he looked lifeless, and now he sits here in a full suite, perfect physic, with a gleaming smile on his lips.

"Zee, oh little Zee, how much have you grown?" Chalerm hums out the sarcasm evident in his tone.

"What do you want?" I ask, getting straight to the point: I have no time to waste playing this man's silly games.

"Not even how are you? How's life? What a shame." He says this, frowning.

This act of trying to not shoot me dead the moment I stepped in here is irritating. I let out a deep breath and stared at him blankly.

"I hope you enjoy your time out of prison; be prepared to head back," I replied with a scowl. A sly smirk appears on his lips. He leans back on his chair and props his leg on top of the other.

"I thought we could have a nice conversation, but it seems like you're ready for business." He pauses mid-sentence and picks up a glass of wine set up on the table. He takes a small sip and smiles, showing his teeth.

"I want my nephew Zee; give him to me, and Thailand's underworld business will have no issues." He states clearly:

I chuckled at his request. He has the audacity to sit here and ask me to hand over a guy I have been searching for 11 years. The last time I met him was 8 years ago, and that's the last time he would remember me.

[A/n: The math is so wrong here, ignore that]

Chalerm stares at me intently and places the wine glass down. "Don't build a weakness like the other Theerapanyakuns Zee; give me NuNew Chawarin."

I narrowed my eyes at the man in front of me. I stood up and placed my hands in my pocket. I sigh loudly, holding my head high, and a smirk forms on my lips.

"I'll give you war," I stated those four words: slow and steady.

I watch as Chalerm's demeanor changes in his futile attempt to mask the heat simmering within his skin. He grins at me and stands up, bringing his hands forward. I take one hand out of my pocket, stretching it forward. We exchange a firm handshake, unleashing the subtle tension between us like the calm before a storm, hinting at the brewing conflict and hidden agendas lurking beneath our polite facade.

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Back at the mansion

The bright orange-haired man paces back and forth near the entrance gates, the color draining from his body. He stops pacing around as the other guards start questioning him. He walks inside, letting out a deep breath before mingling with a group of people. Not a minute later, the shadow guards entered the room, looking concerned.

"What's up with you, man?" One of the guards is looking towards me. I push his question aside with a dump joke and excuse myself. I approach the group of shadow guards, making eye contact with Big first.

"We've got a problem," Leo muttered lowly, biting the inside of his cheek.

"What did you do this time?" They all yelled out in unison. Max, James, Tutor, Net, and Big stared at me, shooting invisible lasers from their eyes.

"Would shooting you solve it?" Big asks sarcastically, making the younger take a few steps backward and raising his hands above his chest. Leo inhales deeply, his lips pressed together.

" Okayyy so don't get mad, but Zee went to meet Chalerm alone," he says, the last word quieter.

"WHAT?" They all yelled out, panicking.

"Don't be mad... Don't be mad, seriously, Leo." Big scoffed, looking at the younger man, as the other guards broke out into panic mode, rushing around and gathering a crew. Big shakes his head in disappointment. He turns around, trying to calm the crew down and organize a plan. Leo looked down, frowning. "He ordered me not to tell anyone," he muttered to himself kicking the unseen dust.

The shadow guards gather a group of guards and prepare to head out. At that moment, a familiar black car arrives in front of the gates, and a rush of relief washes over everyone. Zee drives inside the gate and steps out of his vehicle, handing his key to a guard. He looks towards the crowd of men prepared to leave and gives them a questioning look.

"Thank God you're alive." Max is the first to speak up.

"I can protect myself, Max," Zee reassures everyone, chuckling at his men's behavior. He ushers everyone inside and orders all the other guards to make their way to the front area of the building.

Zee looks around the crowd that has gathered in front of him before speaking.

"The former leader of the French mafia has escaped prison. He is rebuilding his empire. We are at war with the Russians, Italians, and French underworld. Brace yourself," Zee states calmly, looking through the shocked crowd as they chatter quietly among themselves at the news.

"We are ready for whatever comes our way, Khun Zee," Max replies loudly, his voice filled with pride. He salutes Zee, and the whole crowd mimics Max saluting their boss, ready to take action. Zee dismisses everyone and heads to his office.

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Zee

I step inside my office, letting out a deep breath. I take off my coat and place it on top of my chair before sitting down. I close my eyes, leaning back on the chair and rubbing my temples in frustration. I made this choice to protect him, but it'sgoing to impact us heavily.

I reach over to open the drawer underneath the table, pulling out a folded picture. A smile tugs at the corner of my lips as I unfold the picture and stare at the image of two little kids smiling with their teeth, covered in dirt. A sad smile forms on my face as I reminisce.

My father wasn't always so messed up; I remember he was a great dad till my mother died and everything went downhill. My mother had a friend; they had known each other since high school, she told me. She took me to visit her friend when I was about 6 years old, and I met a little boy who was 2 years younger than me. We didn't like each other at all, but eventually we grew closer.

NuNew was the little boy's name; I adored him way too much; our life was perfect; I grew up alongside him till my mother passed away. My dad involved himself in drugs and alcohol, and we lost our house, causing me and NuNew to separate.

I never got to say goodbye to him; I honestly thought we would never meet. Who would have thought the first time I saw him as an adult would be the last time he remembered me? 

The last time He remembers us.

I feel guilty for killing my father, but it was the only way to end his suffering.

"I'm waiting for you to remember me. Nu, I want to hear you call me 'Hia' once again," I muttered to myself with a half-hearted smile. I gently fold the picture together and place it inside the drawer again.

—————————————————————————————————-

NuNew

I lay flat on the floor in front of the private room. Zee told me not to enter. After being dazed out upon hearing all those words about my dad, I just didn't know what else to do but lay on the floor and laugh.

I grumbled in annoyance and sat back up, concentrating on the door handle. I could just go in real quick, and he would never know. Then again, I might pass out after finding more information.

"I can do this," I told myself with determination. I stood up, flared my nostrils, and walked over to grab the door handle. I took a deep breath and twisted the doorknob before I could push the door open, my phone rings.

I stumble back in a panic and tumble over my own feet to the floor.

"Ouch"

I take my phone out of my pocket while rubbing my hip. My mood brightens upon seeing the name-calling me.

Nat: NuNew

NuNew: Nat, what's up? Where have you been?

Nat: Sorry, I've been busy with work. I wanted to tell you that Yim is coming to pick you up.

NuNew: Why? Did something happen?

Nat: A lot of things happened; I'll catch you up soon.

NuNew: Alright, bye.

I cut the call, placed my phone in my pocket, and went to get ready. I put on a black t-shirt and a black pair of pants—nothing fancy—and headed downstairs. I stepped outside the house and waited near the front. After a few minutes, a black BMW approached the house. The car's window rolled down, and Yim was inside. A smile on his face reached his eyes. I wonder if he's always smiling so brightly.

I open the car door and get inside the passenger seat. "Do you want food?" Yim asked me as he steered the car out onto the road. I politely declined. His bright smile turned into a frown. "Sorry, we can get food if you're hungry," I told him, trying to lift his mood. He puffed up his cheeks and shook his head as we continued to drive. As we reached the gates, I noticed there were more guards present than usual.

"What's going on, Yim?" I asked the pouting man beside me.

"You'll see," Yim says lowly, making goosebumps appear all over me.

Damn, I think it's better if he keeps smiling.

We reach the inside of the gates and get outside the vehicle. Yim hands the key to another guard, and he guides me inside. There was a larger crowd inside, chattering quietly, rushing around, and gathering groups. I look around in confusion as Yim leads me to a door.

"It's time to see if you have any skills, NuNew." He tells me, before he pushes the door open. I stepped inside the dimly lit room, and my senses instantly assaulted me with the sound of grunts, metal clinging against each other, and the scent of sweat mingling with leather.

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NuNew walked further inside and noticed the many men lifting heavy weights, stretching, or occupying themselves with other exercise machines. As he looked around, he couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and confusion wash over him. He never imagined himself being in the mafia guard training area. Before he could fully absorb his surroundings, a figure approached him from behind.

It was Nat, and with a silly smile on his face, he embraced NuNew in a tight hug.

"Welcome to the Mafia Guards Training Quarter," Nat said with excitement.

"What's going on here? Why are there so many guards outside?" I asked, looking towards Nat.

His lips turned down as he began to speak. "Before I tell you that, follow me."

Together, Nat and Yim led NuNew through the training quarters maze until they reached a larger room, more intimidating than the rest. Upon entering the room, his attention was caught by the imposing figures that stood tall, their bodies a testament to the countless hours they spent perfecting their skills.

NuNew swallowed a lump of apprehension down his throat. As NuNew came to halt, he couldn't help but feel a sense of intimidation; after all, they weren't just any regular men standing in front of him. These were warriors forged under the mafia, and they had the highest rank.

"Meet our shadow guards, NuNew; they're going to help you train," Nat said, gesturing towards the men assembling in front of him.

NuNew turned towards Nat, giving him a surprised  glance.

"Train?" He asked

"Zee has ordered us to train you, so you are equipped to guard yourself in case of an unknown attack." A man with fierce eyes, resembling those of tigers, told NuNew.

"We were at war with the Russians, France, and Italians. One of their main targets is you," another guard says.

NuNew sighed lowly, thinking these men were all going to risk their lives because of his family history. And with this thought, a new-found determination coursed through his veins. NuNew squared his shoulder and met the gaze of each guard. He may have been confused and shocked when he first stepped foot into this room, but he knew he was prepared to fight back and learn the truth hidden within his past.

The guards in front of him smiled and introduced themselves as they noticed the change of attitude within him.

The shadow guards will guide NuNew into becoming a stronger person. He looked towards Nat, a slow and determined smile forming on his face.

"When can we get started?"

"Basic combat first," Nat replied, a grin appearing on his face as he noticed the newfound confidence in his friend.

"Woah, you just arrived and are already asking to fight with the leader of combat training?" James said  with curved brows.

NuNew chuckles at his words and nods his head in approval; a sense of trust surges through him. These guards shared a sense of loyalty and a strong aura. A war was to occur due to his father's mistake, and he was prepared to fight.

A/N: NuNew building his character YIPPE !

        I think  the guard Leo fits this look anyone know who he is ?  I tried finding the name               

        Oh found this guys name, ain't no way his real name is Leo to lol!

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