You're Mine, I'm Yours II

Part 3

First sat in his large leather chair, the weight of responsibility pressing down on him as if it were a tangible force. His office, usually a space of control and command, now felt suffocating. Dim light filtered in from the single lamp on his desk, casting shadows across the room. The skyline of the city, visible through the floor-to-ceiling windows, seemed distant, almost mocking him with its indifference.

The door to his office creaked open, and Mond stepped inside, his expression a mixture of concern and frustration. First looked up, already sensing the bad news that hung in the air. His usually sharp, calculating eyes were dulled with fatigue, the dark circles beneath them betraying just how little rest he'd had.

Mond stood before him, rigid and cautious, knowing that what he was about to say would add to the tension that had already been simmering for weeks. "Sir," Mond began, his voice steady but measured, "Khaotung's men stole another shipment."

First let out a long sigh, rubbing his temples as he tried to process the information. "Which one?" he asked, his tone resigned. He leaned back in his leather chair, the creaking sound it made only emphasizing the silence that filled the room.

"The one from the southern docks," Mond replied, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. "It was a significant one." His voice was steady, but the tightness around his mouth revealed his own frustration and concern.

Since Khaotung had started working with his father, he had been relentless in his efforts to sabotage First. Shipments were stolen, deals were disrupted, and territories were threatened. Khaotung had transformed into a different person-cold, driven by anger and a sense of betrayal that seemed to fuel his every move. And while First couldn't blame him for feeling that way, he couldn't ignore the escalating situation either.

The words hung in the air like a heavy fog. First remained motionless, his fingers drumming rhythmically on the armrest as he stared up at the ceiling. "That brat," he muttered, almost to himself, a bitter smile playing at his lips. The smile, however, didn't reach his eyes. His heart clenched painfully at the mention of Khaotung-memories of their past flooding his mind, memories he wished he could forget.

Mond shifted nervously, the silence stretching on too long for comfort. "What should we do, Boss?" he asked softly, as if afraid to shatter the fragile calm.

First's eyes finally dropped from the ceiling, his expression hardening as he straightened in his seat. "We tighten security," he said coldly, the commanding tone back in his voice. "Double the guards at the docks. Reinforce our intel network. I want to know every move Khaotung makes before he even thinks of making it."

Mond nodded but hesitated, his concern evident in the crease of his brow. "Are you sure about this, Boss? I mean... it's Khaotung. Are you really prepared to go to war with him?" He paused, his voice carrying a weight of emotion that mirrored First's internal conflict.

For a brief moment, First's tough exterior cracked, and the vulnerability he tried so hard to bury surfaced. His jaw tightened, and his gaze faltered. "Mond..." he started, his voice softer, more vulnerable than before. "I don't want to hurt him." He swallowed hard, as if the very words were difficult to say. "No matter what he's done, I can't hurt Khaotung. But I also can't let him destroy everything we've built. He started this, and I'll finish it-but not by hurting him. We need to outmaneuver him, not crush him."

Mond exhaled slowly, understanding the impossible position First was in. Khaotung wasn't just another rival. He was someone First had once protected, someone he still cared for deeply, no matter how much bitterness now clouded their relationship. "I get it, Boss," Mond said quietly. "But Khaotung's different now. He's ruthless, and he has his father's empire behind him."