A Sincere Apology
Jake walked ahead, with Aaron following closely behind.
Night had completely fallen, leaving the streets quiet and desolate. However, the warm, steady glow of the streetlamps stretching along the road made the atmosphere bearable.
They walked in silence for a long distance. Despite his extreme physical exhaustion, Aaron did his absolute best to keep up and remain steady.
Only a single brief exchange passed between them.
Without turning around, Jake asked quietly, "Why do you want to see the Boss so badly?"
Aaron replied simply, "I have something important to tell him."
And they continued their walk.
Whenever Aaron’s steps began to slow, Jake would subtly slow his own pace to match. He would occasionally glance back to check on Aaron, quickly looking away and pretending to study the wide, empty street or search for something on the ground.
These small, silent acts of consideration told Aaron everything he needed to know about who Jake truly was. A strange, comforting sense of peace washed over Aaron in that quiet moment.
Staring at Jake’s back as he walked ahead of him, Aaron whispered softly to himself, "I no longer see him as an enemy..."
Jake and Aaron stepped into the gang’s headquarters.
Everyone inside stared at Aaron with tense, watchful eyes. Aaron ignored the heavy stares, keeping his head down and continuing to walk closely behind Jake.
Jake stopped directly in front of the Boss's office door, and Aaron paused right beside him. Staring at Aaron for a brief second, Jake took a deep, steadying breath and knocked. Upon hearing the muffled voice granting them permission, the two of them stepped inside.
Clarity was already there, gently wrapping a fresh bandage around Bruno's wound.
Jake blinked in utter confusion, his voice laced with surprise. "What on earth brought you here? And why are you the one..."
Clarity cut him off, sounding highly annoyed. "Someone actually gave me a ride here in his car. Unlike certain people, I don't need someone to just abandon me."
Noticing Aaron’s presence, the Boss spoke up, his voice calm. "Aaron, come and sit on the sofa. You look completely exhausted."
Aaron shook his head gently, declining the offer. Respecting his wish, Bruno remained silent.
Once Clarity finished securing the bandage, he stepped back, standing quietly next to Jake.
The Boss adjusted his posture, pulling on his shirt as he sat up. "I heard that Clarity is currently working at a medical institute, so I asked for his assistance. Thank you, Clarity. And regarding your request... I will think about it."
"You’ll think about it?!" Clarity stepped forward, looking entirely stunned. "Didn't you practically beg me to return before?!"
"I was acting hastily," Bruno replied smoothly. "I will carefully consider the matter of your return. Now, if you don't mind, Jake, Clarity... please leave us. And make sure to close the door tightly behind you."
Without another word, Clarity and Jake exited the room.
Left alone in the quiet office, Aaron remained standing in his place, his eyes fixed firmly on the floor. All those long, carefully rehearsed explanations he had desperately practiced to tell his uncle Bruno... had completely vanished from his mind.
At this very moment, Aaron found himself utterly incapable of uttering a single word.
Bruno took a deep breath, slowly rising from the sofa and walking over until he stood directly in front of Aaron.
Slowly raising his gaze, Aaron whispered, his voice trembling, "I am so sorry... I feel incredibly ashamed before you, and before myself."
A warm, genuine smile spread across Bruno's lips. "It’s alright. I am just glad that you finally realize the truth, Aaron." He placed a firm, reassuring hand on his nephew's shoulder. "I am your uncle... I would never dare to hurt you, nor would I ever dream of taking what rightfully belongs to you."
"I’m sorry..." Aaron muttered, his eyes drifting to Bruno's bandaged wound. "I’m sorry for hurting you, for doubting you... I am sorry for so many things."
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"Well," Bruno chuckled softly, "I could never bring myself to hold a grudge against you anyway. So, let’s end this little apology session, shall we?"
He offered a light smile as he walked back and sat comfortably on the sofa.
Aaron stepped closer to him. "Why didn't you tell me the truth back then?"
"About what?"
"That you weren't the one who killed Ari."
"I did tell you," Bruno countered gently. "But you flatly refused to believe me."
"You should have tried harder to clarify your position!" Aaron argued, his tone turning strict.
Bruno sighed softly. "Was I supposed to tell you about your fiancé? That she was... merely exploiting you for her own gain? I can bet that the pain you are feeling right now is ten times worse than the pain you felt back then. Besides, you saw me standing there with a bloody knife in my hand. Even though it was my own blood, and even though I was desperately trying to stop her from committing suicide right in front of me... you only saw what you wanted to see. Or rather, you saw what your father wanted you to see and believe."
Aaron slowly sank to the floor, burying his face in his hands as a ragged whisper escaped him. "Everything... it's just so unbelievable."
"Don't overthink it," Bruno said, leaning back onto the sofa. A faint, knowing smile crossed his face. "We are family... and mistakes like these are bound to happen."
Aaron remained entirely still on the floor for several silent seconds. Bruno watched him closely, his expression shifting into one of quiet concern and anticipation.
Suddenly, Aaron stood up, stepping closer with absolute resolve in his eyes. He declared in a firm, loud voice, "I am joining your gang."
Bruno’s eyes widened in brief surprise before he slowly closed them, pretending to drift off to sleep. "If that is truly your decision..." A faint, satisfied smile played on his lips. "...then you are more than welcome."
Aaron took another step forward, his voice ringing with absolute, unyielding solemnity. "I will remain loyal to you... for as long as I live."
Bruno smiled, opening his eyes once more. "That is truly touching. All of my men have taken that exact oath... I didn't realize you were so familiar with our ways."
"I know a lot," Aaron replied. "I used to be completely obsessed with your gang." He paused, looking at his uncle. "I have so many things to ask you, and so much to tell you... but it is getting quite late."
Suddenly, Bruno's phone rang. He picked it up, answering calmly, "Yes? Who is this?"
"Bruno!" Konar's furious, booming voice echoed from the receiver. "Leave Aaron alone! I want to see him walk out of that building safely. If he doesn't... I swear I will tear that entire headquarters down over your heads!"
Bruno let out a quiet, amused chuckle. "Konar! It is absolutely revolting to hear your voice right now, especially when I was just about to go to sleep."
"Bruno, let Aaron go. Do not dare to lay a single finger on him!"
"You know very well, Konar," Bruno replied, his voice dropping into a cold, dangerous whisper. "I would gladly burn this entire world to ashes before I ever let a single scratch touch Aaron. I am his uncle, after all. So do not worry... take your blood pressure medication and try to get some sleep. Because what is coming next... will show absolutely no mercy."
With a sudden, violent movement, Bruno hung up and hurled the phone against the floor, shattering it into a dozen pieces.
Despite the sudden outburst, his expression immediately returned to a state of absolute calm. "Jake," he called out.
Within seconds, the door opened and Jake stepped into the room.
With his eyes closed, Bruno instructed, "Escort Aaron back to his sister's institute. Also... there is a little rat running around our territory. That pathetic rat is the one who leaked the news of Aaron's presence here straight to Konar’s ears. Find him, catch him, and bring him directly to me."
"Understood... Boss."
"And one more thing," Bruno added. "Begin the preparations for our next operation. We are taking back the Northern Commercial Plaza."
Jake stared at him in utter disbelief. He couldn't comprehend how the Boss had just casually revealed such a highly classified plan right in front of Aaron.
Sensing his hesitation, the Boss reassured him, "Aaron is officially one of us now. You will be responsible for training him. He will be your personal aide, starting from this very moment."
"Wait..." Jake blinked, trying to process the sudden news. "One of us? Is he... Well, I don't have the right to object to your orders, Boss. But I literally just appointed my own personal aide today."
"The decision has been made," Bruno cut him off, waving his hand dismissively. "Now, both of you get out and turn off the lights. I am incredibly tired."
Jake and Aaron walked out of the office, staring at each other in sheer disbelief for several long seconds.
Finally, Aaron broke the silence. "Is he always this incredibly cold?"
"Forget about the Boss's coldness!" Jake snapped, his voice rising with exasperation. "Tell me, who on earth are you exactly? What do you mean to the Boss?"
Aaron turned on his heel, walking away as he offered a cold, mysterious reply. "A spy who will shape the ultimate turning point of this gang."
Deep within the Northern Forests...
Inside a massive chamber furnished with strange, ancient, yet undeniably luxurious furniture, the atmosphere was thick with tension. The lighting was extremely dim, cast only by the flickering flames of a grand stone fireplace that dominated the room.
Konar was sitting on a plush sofa, tossing his phone onto the cushion beside him. He raised his gaze to look at the massive man sitting directly opposite him.
"You know very well that I absolutely despise losing, Charlie," Konar spoke, his voice cold and deliberate. "Therefore, there is absolutely no room... for anything resembling defeat."
A dark, menacing grin spread across Charlie’s large, heavy features. Despite his aging appearance, a ruthless cruelty remained his most prominent trait—evident in his cunning eyes and mocking smile. The only visible change in him was his hair, which was now completely silvered with gray.
He tapped his heavy wooden cane against the floor several times, speaking with a slow, indifferent drawl. "What is defeat? I don't even know what that word means."
Konar stood up from the sofa. He was draped in a long, flowing robe that covered his entire body, and a few stray locks of his blonde hair had fallen across his forehead—a stark contrast to his usual neatly swept-back style.
Extending his hand toward Charlie for a firm handshake, Konar spoke solemnly. "May our alliance endure for a very long time."
Charlie rose heavily, his massive frame towering over the room as he extended his own hand, locking it in a firm grip. "It will..."