LUCIAN

5 PM. Dawn rose from the eastern horizon and the sky is painted with orange and blue hues, teamed up with the golden rays of the emerging sun. It is a great morning to start everyone's day but not for Dieu. The cold morning breeze messed with his bedroom hair. He was wearing his bedroom robe and sipping a glass of champagne standing on the balcony, brows furrowed. He stays up all night awake waiting for Yakov to call him. Negative thoughts swirled in his head thinking Yakov conspire behind his back or maybe got killed.

Without Yakov's help in getting rid of his older brother, his chances of succeeding the throne as the next Aslanov leader would be vague. His jealousy towards Mort was evident on his face after the woman he loved chose his brother over him is truly unacceptable.

Irritated, Dieu dialed Yakov's number with lips pursed into a thin line. He heaves a deep, angry sigh when Yakov finally answered his call.

"What the fuck is going on?! Why didn't you'll come last night? You didn't even bother to give me a fucking call! " Dieu asked furiously while hands shaking in anger. His voice thundered inside his humungous mansion. Yakov's laughter can be heard loudly on the other line.

"I am surprisingly calm right now," Yakov replied without answering Dieu's question. Yakov lit up a stick of cigarette, smiling from ear to ear after hearing Dieu's upset voice. The man was just chilling like a true villain on the other side.

"Are you backing out of our plan?" Dieu asked him doubtfully. Yakov heaves a deep breath and releases a cloud of smoke into the air.

"I am." Yakov shortly replied and rudely hung up the call. Nostrils flared, Dieu smashed his phone on the floor and it shattered into pieces. He balled his fist and meets the wall, making his hand bleeds.

"You bastard!"

............

Yakov stares at his father who was busy with the piles of papers on his table. All this time, he thought his dad was dead in the hands of the Aslanovs. But last night, something unexpected thing happened when they invaded the Aslanov's base.

While his men were planting bombs all around the extremely intricate underground labyrinth to bury the whole basement on the ground along with its founder and its family but Yakov was surprised to see the person he longed for a long time working the documents under the golden spotlight at the very heart of the basement. His father told him everything and found out the truth behind his fake death and disappearance.

Yakov was 3 years old when he thought his father was beheaded by the Aslanovs for conspiracy and treason. His father, Lucian was the Aslanov's former consigliere, the brain of the clan's operations. The trusted confidant and right hand of the Aslanov's elder. He was the keeper of the family's fortune, treasure, and properties.

Before the Aslanovs became the most powerful and feared Mafia clan, Yakov's great-great-grandfather was working with them for generations. They are known for being loyal and trusted allies of the family. Until they killed his father and everything, the relationship and bond with them ended. Yakov was rejected and banished from his home after the tragic death of his father.

He grew up into a fine man and the rage fuels his heart for the Aslanov clan. His desire to take revenge keeps him alive. His manipulative nature help his way to get to the top and built his assassination agency. He killed countless high-profile politicians and businessmen at a young age for money and pleasure. He purchases guns, poisons, and other high-end weaponry for his prey.

The death of his father made him become a ruthless psychopath killer. Yakov changed his first and last name to conceal his real identity. His assassination agency disguised as an insect killer company. He proposed a partnership to Mort Dmitriv Aslanov, the next successor of the clan to bring him closer to what he considered his enemy, which fortunately accepted his offer. But he kept Dieu closer to him who he knew had a grudge against his older brother. Dieu has a strong desire to take over the Aslanov Clan.

Yakov had nothing else in mind but to avenge his father who was distinguished as espionage by the Aslanovs. When he saw a chance to get rid of the clan, that's when he found out everything.

Yakov's plan with Dieu to massacre and blow up the MDA building and all of Mort's properties and possessions was not fulfilled. That very night, he headed to the Aslanov base with all his men. Except for one person, Narco who is one of the best assassins in his agency did not show up his ass. The young man's excuse was he has more money to earn tonight and didn't want to waste the golden opportunity which Yakov didn't bother to ask. 'That brat, isn't the money he earns from me enough? Why does he have to earn more if he lives under the roof of the wealthiest man on earth? Tsk. Tsk.' Yakov muttered in his mind, shaking his head in disbelief.

"Boss, the Aslanov base is too quiet. There aren't even any security guards that should be scattered and dispersed around the base right now to keep watch." Report of one of his men who put the binocular on his eyes. Yakov frowned. They all surrounded the perimeter.

"Let's keep going in anyway." Yakov determinedly replied. Three of his men look at him at the same time.

"But what if it's a trap Boss?" one of them asked making Yakov clench his hands and look at them with a face devoid of emotion.

"Then triple your precautions," Yakov answered coldly then he took the lead and entered. His men followed him full-armed on even though they had a second thought of invading the place. The modern basement open up to them and unexpectedly, there was not even one person who can be seen in the place. All the lights were intentionally on and the room doors were oddly wide open. Even the underground part of the base is deserted.

Yakov's men disperse the place into fifteen groups consisting of ten skilled killers. It is a massive six-sided concrete and steel building with six floors above ground and two basement level. There are six internal rings, intersected by twelve corridors. They even brought a dog to detect if there was a bomb planted all over the place but there was none. The area was clear of Aslanov's men or any guards of the place. The place was eerily silent. A wave of nervousness rose in Yakov's chest and suspiciously look around.

He entered the operation room for tactical, command, and control where highly modeled computers were situated in the vast place. Any perpetration and every action were recorded. After wandering around, Yakov barge into a room for intelligence activities from all over the world. A huge, long rounded table where the geographic map is modernly attached. Some of his men found a room full of manufactured high-end weaponry, paramilitary equipment, and dangerous chemicals for destructive weapons.

They roamed the halls, corridors with several levels, and passed more lavish offices. "What's happening? They supposedly are here." Said one of Yakov's men, eyes wandering around.

"We still have one part of the base that hasn't been visited. The center." Said Yakov who hurriedly went to the heart of the basement. He commanded his men through their earpieces to meet at a certain location. After a minute, they all arrived at one place, and surprisingly, the massive door is locked.

"They might be inside." One of his men said. All of their guns were aimed at the door ready to kill the people behind it. The massive thick door is built big, bigger than the main gate from the base's ingress.

"Open it." Yakov sternly commanded and one of his men quickly obeyed who break the security codes while the others were pointing their guns at the door. When the door dramatically opened, a man in his mid 50's was sitting alone at the big table while drinking tea, serenely greeting them.

"As expected, you did come."

His voice echoed in the corners of the hall. Yakov was petrified on his feet, so stunned to speak while his men are aiming at the old man. His eyes widened in disbelief and a series of questions flooded his mind. 'It can't be. How can this be possible.'

"Dad."

The side of his eyes wrinkled in happiness when Yakov called him. The young man was frozen cold in the place. Don't know what to do. His men were confused, they all looked at him waiting for his command. But they have idea in mind of ​​what is happening and they all lowered their weapons.

"I've been waiting for you for a long time. Sit down. It's too bad, you came alone."

The old man said to which Yakov's surprised. Brows knitted into a frown, the young man approaches his father leaving his army of killers outside to look out the place. 'What does he mean that he has been waiting for me for a long time? Me alone? Can't he see that I am with my men?' Yakov asked himself confusedly. Out of his ordinary self, he sits on the opposite side where his father is sitting.

"How are you?"

His father asked in a gentle tone. Yakov's chest suddenly tightened. It's been a decade since the last time he saw his dad. That was the first time someone had asked him how he was sincerely since Narco was also asking him in a mocking way.

"H-how are y-you not dead--" Yakov stammered while his hand quivered pointing to his father. He can't put things and how he feels into words. His mind is all a mess and didn't know where to begin.

"I didn't really die in the first place." Lucian had already answered the question hangs on the tip of his son's tongue. A moment of silence reigns between them. It was so loud that Yakov can hear his heart beating erratically. He has so many questions that he can barely utter a word.

His gaze traces the features of his father. He really aged but looked good and fine. After a minute of silence, Yakov uttered. "But I saw everything. I saw how the Chairman of the Aslanovs beheaded you."

Yakov insisted as the memories of the past came back to him. Stunned, Lucian burst into a loud laugh, holding his belly.

"That wasn't me, son. That was the real spy executed by the Aslanovs." His father replied and became serious. Yakov stood up on his chair, he strode around the place while brushing off his hair in frustration.

"But you look alike," Yakov said, still unconvinced. Lucian's lip curved upward and was seated properly on his chair. He gave him a smirk.

"They performed surgery on him. It was Mort's cursed art." Lucian replied in a serious tone. Yakov suddenly felt his hair stood up on the end and that memory of execution brings shivers to his spine. The chills crept on his bones.

"They staged your death," Yakov said in disbelief. His mind was in chaos and couldn't fathom what was happening right now.

"But what do you mean I came here alone?" Yakov asked, eyes filled with questions unanswered. Lucian smiled at him.

"Because you have a sister."

..........

Victoria was lying asleep on the cold floor after Lyric strike her in the neck and she passed out. She goes on a rampage and violently destroys everything in the place after her defeat. The place is in a total mess like a storm raging inside. All of her savings in the bank were gone in just a blink of an eye by the price she paid the hackers. Victoria was in deep fury when Narco and Lyric announce their defeat and she starts throwing them things.

"Should we leave her like that?" Lyric asked Narco who was sucking a lollipop while they both looked down at the unconscious woman on the floor. Her tears had completely dried on her reddened cheeks.

When Narco was certain that a large amount of money Victoria paid for them had been transferred to their bank accounts. He gave Lyric a big grin and motioned to turn the table. He felt that their Boss has now suspecting them of blocking and spreading Sumire's issue on the media platforms. He could feel Mort's piercing gaze through the screen. Narco emotionlessly turns around and starts striding out of the place.

"It's her fault messing with his girl. Anyway, let's go before Dad's men come here and pick us up."