Max exited the building and walked along the dorm blocks instead of leaving imdiately, his boots moving slowly across the paved path as his eyes scanned the structure with quiet focus; he noted every recessed doorway, every side entrance, the ergency exits tucked between buildings, the blind spots between parked bicycles and trash enclosures, the keypad doors, and the stairwell access points, morizing them one by one.
Max was certain this mission was not a casual one; it carried the feeling of sothing urgent, sothing that could turn ugly without warning, especially after hearing those vicious words from that bastard earlier.
I see... Let’s buy myself a new helt and prepare.
Max exhaled quietly inside his helt; his mind was already shifting into planning mode. He turned and walked back toward his bike parked near the edge of the dorm sector; the machine waited silently under the dim outdoor lighting.
He mounted it smoothly and started the engine, the low rumble steady and controlled. He rode off toward his apartnt. The cash was already prepared and waiting to be handed to Bronte, the full amount ready without delay, but Max knew money alone wouldn’t solve this.
n like that weren’t satisfied easily; this type of gangster was like a leech. Once attached, they kept draining more and more. He needed to rein this bastard in properly, with authority, control, and most importantly, witnesses so the situation would end cleanly and permanently.
Taking his helt and backpack, he went upstairs with unhurried steps, his boots landing softly against the concrete stairwell, the faint echo trailing behind him like a quiet announcent of his presence.
The dim hallway lights cast a warm yellow glow across the corridor, and opening the door, what greeted him made him smile. Little Chevy sat on the couch, her small legs swinging freely as she ate so kind of snack straight from the packet, crumbs scattered shalessly across her lap since it was still before dinner ti.
The mont she saw him, her entire face lit up, and she waved both hands at him excitedly, fingers sticky and ssy with food, completely unbothered by the chaos she carried.
"Uncle Max, I have watched Cocolon today and then finished my howork.
"Very good girl, I’ll buy you an ice cream later."
Max lowered himself slightly and patted her head gently, his large hand careful and controlled not to hurt her, ruffling her soft hair with quiet affection.
Machina ca out from her room just then, the door opening slowly behind her, and she stepped into the light. She was wearing proper clothes, clean and neat, her posture more composed than before. It was no longer rare these days. Maybe she was trying her best—for him, or for Chevy—or maybe for herself to make her more human.
"Hungry?"
While taking his helt from his hand, her fingers brushed his briefly, warm and gentle, and she asked softly. She even took his backpack without waiting and set it aside with familiarity, then handed him a glass of water; her movents were very attentive, as if she had already grown used to waiting for him.
"Famished, didn’t eat lunch yet."
"Go freshen up; I’ll warm up the dishes."
Max nodded, then walked toward the bathroom and took a simple bath, the cold water running over his body, washing away the dust.
When he returned and sat down, he ate without distraction, filling himself with what he needed, not indulging, just preparing. His mind remained sharp beneath the calm surface.
He didn’t know when that bastard would attack, and he couldn’t allow himself to stay unfocused. Studies, routine, normal life—all of it sat behind a thin line of tension.
After finishing, he stood up and went to his room, wearing a black suit, the fabric fitting his tall fra naturally. The rest of his black clothes needed to be washed, so he has no choice but to wear a suit.
I think I will look like a hitman with a helt on.
Max stood before the mirror, seeing his full black suit paired with a black shirt and tie, the clean lines sharpening his already composed presence.
His expression remained calm, but there was quiet confidence in his eyes. He plugged the Mac in to charge, then picked up his wallet and phones, checking them briefly with efficient precision.
He didn’t take the key of his bike. As he opened the door, the hallway light spilled across him, and there stood Jennifer. She looked tired, her shoulders slightly lowered, her eyes carrying the weight of a long day.
" Max "
Her voice was soft but bright, carrying a gentle lift despite the weight of the day, and when she saw him, she slowed just a little, heels easing against the floor as her eyes settled on him with quiet warmth, the tension in her shoulders loosening as if just the sight of him gave her a small mont to breathe.
"Jenny"
He nodded his head toward her calmly, one hand resting in his pocket, posture straight but relaxed, the expensive suit sitting perfectly on him as if it belonged there, eting her eyes with steady composure and a smile that never tried too hard, filling the small space near the door without effort.
"Are you going out?"
She tilted her head slightly, studying him for a mont, curiosity in her expression as her gaze moved over the luxurious suit, taking in the clean lines and careful details, a trace of surprise flickering across her tired face before it softened again; her voice was searching for an answer.
"Yeah, I will be back in no ti. How was your day?"
His tone was even and unhurried, adjusting his sleeve lightly before giving her his full attention, eyes on her, calm as always, not a hint of rush in him even though he was about to leave; his energy was assured.
"Good, I’ll wait for you; we’ll talk at dinner."
A slightly worried frown appeared on her forehead, subtle but there, the crease faint between her brows before she covered it with a small smile, nodding once as if reassuring herself as much as him, telling him she would talk with him later, her voice steady though her eyes lingered on him a second longer.
Jennifer entered the apartnt; she first washed her hands in the nearby wash basin, letting the cool water run over her skin as she stood there for a brief pause, then helped wipe Chevy’s face while talking with him.
Her movents were natural and warm despite the tiredness in her limbs, brushing her cheeks gently and responding softly to her small sounds, while Max watched for a brief second before heading out, closing the door behind him.
Max took a cab to a nearby helt store and bought a black helt first, choosing a full black one without hesitation, the glossy surface reflecting the lights above as he held it in his hands for a second, the dark helt paired with his black outfit giving him a dangerous presence without him needing to say a word.
Then he took another cab directly to Saoirse’s dorm, and wearing his new helt, he stepped down onto the pavent, the night air cooler against his suit, the visor hiding his expression as he looked toward the building ahead, certain that today he might need to fight, but the thought did not weigh on him as he moved forward without pause.
He stood by the dorm gate, the night barely falling, the sky dim but not fully dark as students still walked around at their own pace, so laughing, so scrolling on their phones, unaware of him.
Max positioned himself where he could clearly see both Saoirse’s window and the large dorm entrance, standing still without leaning on anything, hands relaxed at his sides, his attention fixed forward beneath the black helt.
He was waiting for Max, the bully, to arrive, and he waited with patience, not shifting much, only his eyes moving occasionally as he tracked the small movents around the gate, knowing that after this he needed to go back and study, and there was a small plan forming in his mind, sothing he had already thought through before coming here.
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