The Silent King 2: Episode 1
The Golden Bar
The bar was quiet, save for the occasional clink of glasses and the soft hum of indistinct conversations. Golden light from the chandeliers bathed the room in a warm, almost surreal glow. To an outsider, it seemed like a haven of peace, but for Leo, it was anything but.
He sat alone at the counter, a bottle of whiskey by his side. His once-pristine white shirt was rumpled, the sleeves rolled up to reveal taut muscles and veins. His sharp, aristocratic features were softened by the haze of alcohol, but his piercing gray eyes held a storm no drink could quell.
"Another one?" the bartender asked, setting down a clean glass.
Leo nodded without looking up. "Just keep them coming."
The bartender hesitated before refilling the glass. He'd seen all kinds of patrons in his years behind the counter, but there was something different about this one. Something heavier.
Leo swirled the liquid in his glass, staring into its amber depths as though searching for answers. Memories he'd fought to bury clawed their way to the surface. The weight of them pressed against his chest, making it hard to breathe. It had been years, and yet…
A shadow passed over the counter, pulling Leo from his thoughts. He turned his head slightly, his eyes narrowing. Across the room, a man stood, his back turned. He wore a tailored black suit, the fabric hugging his tall, lean frame. His movements were deliberate, precise. There was something achingly familiar about him.
Leo's heart skipped a beat. No. It can't be.
The man turned slightly, the golden light catching his sharp features. Dark eyes, high cheekbones, and a jawline that could cut glass. The world seemed to blur, and for a moment, Leo was sure he was imagining things. But those eyes…he'd know them anywhere.
The glass slipped from his hand, shattering on the floor. The sound drew startled glances from nearby patrons, but Leo didn't notice. His gaze remained fixed on the figure across the room.
"Hey! You okay?" The bartender's voice jolted him back to reality.
Leo blinked, his breath coming in shallow gasps. When he looked again, the man was gone.
---
The Conference Room
A week later, Leo found himself in a sleek conference room on the top floor of his company's headquarters. The walls were lined with floor-to-ceiling windows, offering a panoramic view of the city. But Leo's focus was on the documents spread across the table in front of him. His company was on the verge of a major partnership, one that could catapult them into the global market.
He glanced at his watch, his patience wearing thin. "Where is he?" he muttered.
As if on cue, the door opened, and a man stepped inside. Leo's breath caught in his throat.
Kai.
He looked just as Leo remembered—sharp, composed, and devastatingly handsome. Dressed in a tailored black suit, he exuded an air of quiet authority. But there was something colder about him now, something that made Leo's chest tighten.
Kai's dark eyes met his for a fleeting moment before he broke the gaze. "Mr. Leo," he said smoothly, his voice low and even. "I hope I'm not late."
Leo forced a smile, though his heart was racing. "Right on time."
Kai took a seat across from him, his movements precise and controlled. The air between them was thick with tension, unspoken words hanging like a storm cloud.
"Let's get started," Kai said, sliding a folder across the table. "I've reviewed the proposal. It's solid, but there are areas for improvement."
Leo nodded, his professional demeanor hiding the turmoil within. How can he act like we're strangers? Like nothing ever happened?
Kai's voice pulled him back. "I've outlined my recommendations here. With these adjustments, the plan will have a higher success rate in overseas markets."
Leo picked up the folder, flipping through the pages. The words blurred together, his mind racing. He set it down and leaned back in his chair, studying Kai.
"Efficient as always," he said, his tone neutral.
Kai didn't respond, his expression unreadable. He closed his own folder and stood. "If there are no further questions, I'll have the revised plan sent over by tomorrow."
Leo's heart pounded as Kai moved toward the door. He couldn't let him leave—not like this.
"Kai."
Kai paused, his hand on the door handle. He didn't turn around. "Yes?"
Leo hesitated, the words heavy on his tongue. "Nothing. Forget it."
Without another word, Kai left, the door clicking shut behind him. Leo sat alone, the weight of the past pressing down on him like a physical force.
---
A Shadow in the Underground
Later that night, Kai stood on the rooftop of a nearby building, the city lights stretching out before him. The wind ruffled his hair as he stared into the distance, his expression unreadable.
A voice broke the silence. "You saw him, didn't you?"
Kai didn't turn. "It doesn't matter."
The figure stepped closer, the faint glow of a cigarette illuminating their face. It was a man in his forties, his features weathered but sharp. He exhaled a plume of smoke, studying Kai.
"You're lying," the man said. "It's written all over your face."
Kai's jaw tightened, but he said nothing.
The man chuckled, a low, gravelly sound. "You can't run from this forever, Kai. Sooner or later, you'll have to face him. And when you do, you better hope it doesn't destroy you both."
Kai's hands clenched into fists. "I'll protect him. No matter what."
The man took another drag from his cigarette. "Even if it means staying away?"
Kai didn't answer. His gaze remained fixed on the h
orizon, the weight of his decisions pressing heavily on his shoulders.
---
To Be Continued…