Take your legs off

#25 MINUTES LATER—AT HOME#

“Welcome home!” she exclaimed, her voice bright and cheerful as we walked round the house. This wasn’t the first time she’d said it, but her excitement was contagious, and I couldn’t help but smile widely as I took in my surroundings.

The house may not have been grand in size, but it had a warmth that enveloped me, giving me that sense of belonging that I had missed. It felt like home,a homely feeling that wrapped around me like a comforting blanket.

“Thanks, sis! I’ve really missed this place,” I replied, my eyes roving over the familiar yet slightly altered décor.

“Although... it does look a bit different than I remember.”

Hailey burst into a fit of laughter, her amusement evident in her expression as she looked at me incredulously.

“Seriously, Elena? The last time you were here, you were just a toddler! You hardly remember this place, so are you suddenly trying to play the role of the Boss Baby from that cartoon or something?”

I couldn’t help but scoff at her teasing, a full belly laugh escaping my lips.

“I knew you would find a way to use that against me!”

With a grin spreading across her face, Hailey continued,

“We’re going to be sharing my room from now on! And guess what? I’m so thrilled about it! At least I’ll finally have someone to talk to when I feel lonely or bored."

Her excitement was infectious, and I felt a surge of happiness at the thought of spending more time together. I returned her smile.

"Come on! I’ll show you my room," she exclaimed, playfully tugging my luggage as I trailed closely behind her.

As we entered her space, I was instantly struck by the predominant color that enveloped the room.

"Wow! You really do have a passion for the color blue, don’t you? It’s... it’s absolutely stunning!" I chuckled, taking in the vibrant shades of blue that adorned every corner, from the walls to the decor, creating a harmonious and inviting atmosphere.

"Thanks a lot! Just drop your things over there," Lena replied, a cheerful smile on her face.

"Don’t worry about a thing—I’ll organize them for you. Oh, and you look a bit pale; you should take one of those headache pills on the table." With that, she walked over to the table, her movements purposeful as she grabbed the medicine for me.

"Take the pill and then get some rest," she advised gently.

"I’ll whip up something delicious for you to eat before you wake up." I nodded appreciatively, grateful for her kindness, and reached for the glass of water as I swallowed the medicine.

#AN UNKNOWN LOCATION#

#A DARK ROOM#

In the dimly lit confines of a large room, a formidable masculine silhouette loomed before a tall window. He stood silently, puffs of smoke curling lazily from the joint nestled between his fingers, his gaze penetrating the outside world with an unwavering intensity. His expression remained inscrutable, a blank canvas that betrayed no emotion at all.

Clad in an elegant, flowing robe that cascaded to the floor, he exuded a sense of dominance and poise. One hand held the slender stick of marijuana while the other lay casually behind his back, reinforcing his powerful stance. The atmosphere in the room was thick, with the only sound breaking the heavy silence being the rhythmic ticking of an old wall clock, counting down the seconds with relentless precision.

After a spell of quiet reflection, a sharp knock echoed against the door, yet the imposing figure showed no signs of movement; he remained rooted to his spot, enshrouded in a contemplative haze. Eventually, the door swung open, admitting a man whose demeanor suggested deference, marked by a slightly bowed head as he stepped into the somber space.

"Good afternoon,......I'm sorry I mean good evening 'Jefe,'" the voice greeted, employing the respectful title that meant 'Boss' in Spanish. Despite the salutation, the towering figure continued to be immersed in his thoughts, revealing nothing but an air of stillness as he smoked with deliberate calm.

After a tense moment of silence had stretched on, the masculine presence finally broke it, his voice deep and resonant, yet edged with a chilling detachment.

"Speak up."

The man at the door shifted slightly, clearing his throat before continuing.

"All the debtors have settled their debt … except for Shane."

A low, dark chuckle rumbled from the figure, a sound that sent an unsettling chill through the air.

"The electrician downtown?... What did he have to say?" The words dripped from his lips, cold and unwavering, as he awaited a reply with an intensity that made the very walls seem to lean in closer, eager to catch each fragment of the unfolding conversation.

“He told me he doesn’t have it yet and then told me to leave his house,” the man recounted, and almost as if on cue, the masculine figure pivoted sharply in response.

“Looks like I’ll have to pay him a little visit then…,” he declared, a scowl etching deeper into his features.

“Get yourself ready and gather a few guys; we’re going to visit a friend of ours,” he instructed. The man nodded respectfully and promptly exited the room, urgency in his stride.

#2 HOUR, 25 MINUTES LATER#

“I swear I’ll pay you back next week… please, it’s just that my wife fell ill and I had to rush her to the hospital,” Mr. Shane pleaded desperately, sinking to his knees and clasping his hands together in a display of utter supplication.

“You told me the exact same thing two weeks ago, Shane. Do I appear to be some sort of plaything to you? This is not the agreement we made. You promised me that you would return the money within two months, and here we are—today marks three months since I lent you that money, and I’m still hearing the same excuses. How dare you make me come to you?” the cold voice replied, rising from the chair with a deep frown etched across their face.

“I’m truly sorry, Jefe,” Shane stammered, his voice shaky as he struggled to find the right words.

“But I promise, this will be the very last time I ever bring up an excuse… I assure you, I’ll pay you back by next week,” Mr. Shane exclaimed, his voice trembling as he faced the frigid, imposing figure before him. The icy-looking man burst into a loud, mocking laugh, then squatted down so that he was eye-level with Shane, a devilish glint in his eyes.

“I might have been inclined to offer you yet another chance, but I won't be doing that this time. You know why? I sent my boys over to collect the money you owe me, and instead of cooperating, you had the audacity to curse at one of them and chase him away,” the cold man declared, his voice dripping with disdain as he roughly tugged at Shane’s hair, pulling him closer.

“That’s absolutely not true! I never cursed at him or chased him off—how could I ever dare to do something like that?” Mr. Shane protested, a nervous grunt escaping his lips as he shivered under the pressure of the other man’s intense stare.

“Are you suggesting that I’m lying right now?” the icy figure asked, his frown deepening as he directed a piercing glare at Shane, as if trying to read his very soul.

“No, jefe… I would never imply such a thing. It’s your boy who is the one being dishonest,” Mr. Shane quickly countered, his words seeming desperate, which only further provoked a chuckle from the cold-hearted man above him.

“You’ve got some real nerve to speak like that,” the man replied, a smirk forming on his lips. He stood up tall, raising one leg and placing it nonchalantly on Shane's forehead, asserting his dominance in the most belittling manner imaginable.

“What should I do with you now?” he asked casually, his tone dripping with menace as he maintained his firm grip with his leg positioned firmly on Mr. Shane's head.

“Our agreement clearly stated that you would pay me back within the next two months.”

“I have no option left but to secure something as collateral,” he continued, a dark glint in his eyes.

“Now, what do you have that’s worthy of my money? You better tell me quickly, or else…” He paused, his expression hardening,

“I swear I’ll make you regret it.”

“Don’t keep me waiting, Shane. You heard me,” the man said in an icy tone, a chilling vibe radiating from him as he glared down at Shane, making it quite evident that he was in no mood for games.

“I… I… don’t have anything of value to offer you, Jefe… Please, I’m begging you, show me some mercy!” Shane pleaded fervently, desperation evident in his voice, which was nothing short of pitiful. The cold-hearted man couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight of Shane’s fear, clearly enjoying the power he held.

“You know me well, Shane… I never give mercy,” he replied coolly, reveling in the tension he created in the room. Just at that moment, a voice sliced through the atmosphere like a knife, arresting everyone’s attention.

“Take your leg from his head this instant,” commanded a female's voice that was both sweet and chilling at the same time. All eyes in the room turned towards the direction, curiosity sparked at the unexpected interruption.

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