Taken by the Mafia ✧⁠*⁠。

Episode 24

The kitchen was filled with warmth and laughter as Jeff, Perth, Santa, Barcode, and Aunty Mai sat around the table, finishing up dinner. The sound of plates clinking and Aunty Mai’s soft chuckles created a homely atmosphere. After the meal, Santa and Barcode stood up, ready to help Aunty Mai clear the table, while Jeff and Perth stayed behind, observing them with relaxed smiles.

"Let me get that, phi Mai," Santa said, reaching for the dishes.

Barcode followed suit, playfully nudging Santa. "I’ll help too!"

Aunty Mai smiled warmly. "You boys are always so helpful."

As Santa and Barcode worked together in the kitchen, their soft banter filled the room. Jeff leaned back in his chair, his eyes drifting from the kitchen to Perth. Both were lost in thought, though the peace they shared was short-lived.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang, breaking the comforting quiet. Everyone paused, glancing at each other.

"I’ll get it!" Barcode called out as he sprinted toward the door.

Jeff and Perth exchanged a glance, slightly on edge, though they stayed seated for the moment. Aunty Mai and Santa continued tidying up, unaware of what was about to unfold.

Moments later, a blood-curdling scream echoed through the house.

Barcode's voice trembled, filled with fear. "P-Phi Jeff! Phi Perth!"

The sound of the scream sent a chill down everyone’s spine. Jeff shot up from his seat, eyes wide with alarm. Perth quickly followed suit, and Santa and Aunty Mai froze, dropping the dishes they were holding.

"Barcode!" Jeff shouted as he bolted toward the door.

Santa and Aunty Mai rushed after them, hearts pounding with fear. As they all reached the front entrance, they stopped dead in their tracks at the sight before them.

Lying on the doorstep was a lifeless figure, blood pooling around the body. Barcode stood frozen, his face pale as he stared in horror at the scene. Jeff immediately rushed to his side, pulling Barcode into his arms, trying to shield him from the gruesome sight.

"It's okay," Jeff whispered, though his voice trembled. "It's okay, Barcode. Don’t look."

Santa, standing beside Aunty Mai, gasped and instinctively pulled her into a tight hug, his body shaking in fear. Aunty Mai clung to Santa, her face buried in his chest, too horrified to look at the scene any longer.

Perth knelt down beside the body, his eyes darkening as he recognized the dead figure. One of their workers, now shooted and bloodied beyond recognition. His fists clenched in rage, and a cold realization washed over him.

"Est," Perth muttered through gritted teeth. "It’s him."

Jeff’s eyes met Perth’s, and he nodded grimly. They both knew this was a message—a brutal reminder that Est, Fort, and Boss were coming for them. And they were ready to kill.

Barcode trembled in Jeff’s arms, his face buried against Jeff's chest, sobbing quietly. "Phi Jeff… I… I'm scared…"

"It’s fine barcode" Jeff whispered, trying to calm Barcode, though his own heart raced. "I'm here, it's alright."

Santa, still holding Aunty Mai, glanced at Perth, his face pale with fear. He wanted to say something, but the words were stuck in his throat. The peaceful evening had turned into a nightmare, and the reality of the danger they were in hit him like a wave.

Perth stood up, his jaw clenched, eyes full of fury. He glanced back at Jeff, then down at the lifeless body of their worker. They couldn’t let this go unanswered.