Sylas was gripping the steering wheel so tightly it felt like it might snap.
The roar of the engine rose along with the fury inside him. He pressed harder on the gas. Faster. Faster. The city lights blurred into streaks as they rushed past.
His father's voice echoed in his mind.
"You should've died like your mother."
His jaw tightened.
"Damn it…"
The speedometer climbed into dangerous territory, but he didn't care. His heart was pounding violently against his ribs. Rage, hatred, and the weight of years he had buried deep inside pressed down on him all at once.
His phone rang.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
He ignored it.
It kept ringing.
With a sharp breath, he grabbed the phone, steering with one hand, and answered.
"What?!"
A panicked voice came through the line.
"Mr. Sylas! your father…"
The voice trembled.
"He's had a heart attack. He's been taken to the hospital. We needed to inform you."
Sylas's eyes widened slightly.
For a second
Just one second.
Then he said nothing and ended the call.
He pulled the car over to the side of the road. The area was deserted and quiet, illuminated only by weak streetlights. Snow continued to fall softly.
He leaned forward.
Rested his forehead against the steering wheel.
Exhaled deeply.
His shoulders trembled slightly.
This time, it wasn't anger.
It was pressure.
A crushing weight he couldn't escape.
"Everything…" hemurmured,
"everything is on my shoulders."
At the Same Time…
Yuan stepped out of the hotel.
He was exhausted. His eyelids felt heavy. He only needed to grab one thing just a short walk.
But his mind was too crowded.
His foot slipped.
"Ah!"
He fell flat onto the ground.
Silence.
Then Yuan pushed himself up, brushing snow off his clothes.
"…Great," he muttered.
"Just great."
As he stood up, he noticed something.
A cat.
White, fluffy, standing in the snow staring straight at him.
Yuan froze.
His eyes widened.
"No. No no no."
The cat meowed and took a step closer.
Yuan stepped back.
"Listen… buddy," he said quietly,
"let's make a deal, okay? You stay there."
The cat stepped closer.
Yuan's shoulders tensed.
"I'm serious."
The cat suddenly jumped into Yuan's arms.
"AAAA!"
Yuan flinched and stumbled back.
"What are you doing?! Go away! Shoo! Shoo!"
He waved his hands frantically, but the cat only seemed more pleased.
From a distance, inside a car…
Sylas was watching the scene through the window.
At first, he didn't understand.
Then his brows furrowed.
Then
The corner of his lips twitched.
Unintentionally.
He chuckled.
"You've got to be kidding me…" he muttered.
He got out of the car.
Yuan was still struggling with the cat.
"I'm an assassin, but no, no, I can't do this"
Sylas approached and spoke in Russian
"Are you afraid of cats?"
Yuan flinched.
He turned toward the voice.
"Ah, sorry, I don't speak Russian-"
He stopped.
His eyes widened.
This man
Sylas.
Again?!
His heart started pounding uncontrollably.
Sylas froze too.
Then he slowly smirked.
"Oh," he said mockingly,
"you again?"
Yuan scratched the back of his head.
Is fate messing with me?
Why is this man everywhere?
He took a deep breath.
"Good day," he said curtly and turned to leave.
Sylas grabbed his arm.
"Why do you keep running from me?"
"You haven't even told me your name."
Yuan yanked his arm free.
"Why would you need my name?"
"I don't even know you."
Sylas smiled a smug, irritating smile.
"Aren't you the cleaner at the center?"
"You looked so pathetic… I could get you a better job if you want."
"Or were you that desperate for money?"
Yuan's eyes darkened.
"Watch your mouth," he said coldly.
"I was there for a reason."
"And you"
"are an arrogant bastard."
He turned and walked away.
Sylas watched him for a few seconds.
Then got into his car.
Started the engine.
And suddenly accelerated, swerving toward Yuan as if he were about to hit him.
Yuan jumped back and shouted
"What the hell is your problem?!"
Sylas rolled the window down, laughing.
"Tellmeyour name and I'll stop!"
Yuan grabbed a handful of snow from the ground.
Without hesitation
He threw it.
The snow splattered against Sylas's window.
Yuan took off running.
Sylas burst out laughing.
"Run all you want!"
He drove after Yuan, laughing as he chased him.