After breakfast, Nora’s boyfriend was the first to leave the apartnt. About ten minutes later, Nora and Aylin headed out to the café.
While at work, Aylin’s thoughts drifted back to the ssages she had received. Nora noticed that Aylin was not focusing and called out, "Aria?"
Aylin looked up and replied, "Yes?"
Nora said, "I can see that you’re not concentrating today. This hasn’t happened before. Even Madam Suri noticed. Two custors were talking to you, but you didn’t listen, so they both ca to . Are you okay?"
Aylin nodded. "It’s just a headache."
Nora insisted, "I told you not to co. You should rest. Stay here, and I’ll talk to Madam Suri."
Aylin watched as Nora walked over to Madam Suri. She didn’t know what Nora said, but she saw Madam Suri glance at her and then nod. Nora returned with a grin on her face, followed by Madam Suri.
Madam Suri ca to Aylin and said with a smile, "You can go ho. Take two days off." She paused for a mont and added, "If sothing like this happens again, I don’t want to see you here. You’re working too much; you need to rest. Health is more important than work."
Aylin nodded, gathered her belongings, took off her apron, and headed ho.
*****
Aylin rushed into her apartnt, heart pounding like crazy. Sothing had felt really off since that morning, a weird instinct she couldn’t shake. She sprinted to the kitchen, grabbed a glass, and filled it with water from the fridge. Down it went in a hurry, and she pressed her hand against her chest while taking a deep breath to chill out the anxiety bubbling in her stomach.
After about ten minutes, she started to feel a bit better. She put the water bottle back in the fridge and checked her place. Were all the windows locked? Yep. Was the door secure? Double-check.
Feeling a bit anxious, she hurried to her room, dropped down at her desk, and fired up her laptop, ready to tackle whatever was hiding out there.
Aylin stared at her laptop, heart racing again. The screen lit up with a new ssage, and she felt a mix of dread and curiosity. The last ti she logged into the server, it felt like she had opened a whole can of chaos.
SERVER: 1 NEW SSAGE RECEIVED.
Cautiously, she clicked to open it, her breath catching as the first line popped up:
"You are in Malaysia."
That ssage sent chills down her spine. Who was this?
Her fingers trembled as she typed back, "Who are you? What do you want?"
The reply ca right away, like the server had been waiting for her to ask.
"I want Lunel to protect my empire," it read. "You need to co to the US."
Aylin’s heart raced. Hearing Lunel made it feel personal, a na from her past. She hadn’t thought about it in two years. How did this person know her? Who did he think she was?
"Protect your empire?" she typed back, her mind racing. "What does that even an?" Then it hit her, connecting to one na, "Hazard King."
Then another ssage appeared, which she had been waiting for.
"I’m the Hazard King." Those words sparked sothing in her. For so reason, heading back to the US reminded her of another na, Zayden. mories flooded back, his eyes, his strength, his whole presence. She shook her head. There was no ti for love in her life.
Taking a deep breath to clear her head, she typed, "What if I say no?"
"Then I can’t promise you’ll be safe," he replied. "Alpha Dark is coming for you, and I won’t let that happen."
A wave of unease crashed over her. The last thing she wanted was to get dragged back into a world full of danger. She’d spent the last two years piecing her life back together, hiding under the na Aria Solis.
"What’s the catch?" she typed, feeling her instincts kick in. Her hands shook as she wrote.
"I’ll set up a safe route, identity papers, and everything you need. I’ll make sure you’re protected because we need you," HK replied.
Aylin bit her lip, weighing her options. She knew HK’s world was too risky, a maze of power and deceit. But if he was serious about keeping her safe, maybe it was worth thinking about.
"Fine," she typed, her determination hardening. "But I have so conditions. I want a safe route, a proper identity, and I need assurance that I’ll be safe. No gas."
"Of course," HK’ reply ca quickly. "We’ll ensure your safety. I’ll send soone to co for you."
As the last words appeared on the screen, Aylin felt a mix of fear and excitent. The past she thought she had put behind her was pulling her back into a life she had tried to escape. But now, she had so leverage. "Well, either way, I had to go there eventually; why not now?"
"Welco back, Lunel," she whispered to herself, feeling a spark of determination ignite within her.
*****
Zayden reclined in his chair, a pleased grin adorning his face. He had anticipated every move, and now Lunel was once again within his control. She held the key to unlocking the full potential of his empire and served as a reminder of everything he had lost and fought for. He wielded power, yet he craved the destruction of Alpha Dark and Maksim Karza, as their influence was expanding by the day. They had even pulled political figures into their ranks, so lured by money and others through intimidation.
"Let’s get started," he whispered to the vacant room, the city lights glinting like stars in the night sky.
Kade entered the room, a familiar expression on his face. "Everything alright?"
"Better than alright," Zayden answered, his self-assurance returning. "We’re on the verge of making significant changes."
He gazed out the window, observing the vast city and contemplating Lunel. She was his trump card, and he would safeguard her at all costs.
The ga had only begun, and he was poised to reclaim his throne, partially usurped by Maksim Karza.
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