Elian woke up at his uncle’s house, staring at the ceiling. He had tossed and turned all night, his mind replaying his conversation with Taro. Something about it wouldn’t settle right.

Finally, he dragged himself out of bed and got dressed. If something was going on, he’d figure it out sooner or later.

Downstairs, his uncle was already at the dining table, reading the newspaper with a cup of coffee in hand. Without looking up, he greeted, “You’re up earlier than usual.”

Elian poured himself a drink. “Couldn’t sleep.”

His uncle flipped a page. “Something on your mind?”

Elian took a sip, debating whether to mention it. “…Just thinking about a friend.”

His uncle hummed knowingly. “That childhood friend of yours?”

Elian smirked slightly. “You know me too well.”

His uncle finally glanced up, studying him for a second before returning to his paper. “If you’re this concerned, maybe you should trust your instincts.”

Elian leaned against the counter, tapping his fingers against the mug. Trust his instincts, huh?

Maybe he should.

---

Meanwhile – At Headquarters

Taro walked through the grand halls of the headquarters building, still adjusting to the new environment. Everything here was sleek, modern, intimidating. It was nothing like the small branch he used to work at.

He should be excited.

And yet, his mind kept circling back to last night.

The way Elian looked at him. The way he questioned everything so easily.

Tch. Elian always had a way of getting under his skin.

“Taro,” a smooth voice called from ahead.

He snapped out of his thoughts.

Rylan stood a few steps away, dressed in his usual pristine suit, exuding the kind of effortless authority that made people stop and stare.

A knowing smirk played on his lips. “Lost in thought?”

Taro straightened. “Just getting used to things.”

Rylan stepped closer, his eyes sharp. “Change always feels strange at first. But trust me, you’ll adapt.”

There it was again. That way of speaking. Like he already knew how everything would play out.

Taro nodded slowly. “Yeah… I guess so.”

Rylan’s smirk didn’t waver. “Good.”

He turned and led Taro into his office. It was spacious, luxurious—floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city, a polished desk, bookshelves lined with expensive titles.

“Sit.” Rylan gestured to the chair across from him.

Taro obeyed, unsure of what to expect.

Then Rylan slid a folder across the desk. “I have something for you.”

Taro hesitated before picking it up. His eyes scanned the contents—detailed reports, financial analyses, company contacts. His brows furrowed.

“This is…” He looked up. “Isn’t this too much for someone who just transferred?”

Rylan laced his fingers together. “That depends. Do you think it’s too much?”

Taro’s grip on the folder tightened.

This was a big deal. A project like this wasn’t something they gave to just anyone. Handling it well could skyrocket his career. But that was exactly what made him hesitate.

“Why me?” Taro asked.

Rylan leaned back, studying him with unreadable eyes. “Because I see potential in you. And because I believe you’re capable of more than you realize.”

Taro swallowed.

It was the kind of praise that could make a person feel invincible. But coming from him… it felt carefully placed.

Rylan’s voice was smooth, persuasive. “Of course, if you don’t think you can handle it, I can always pass it to someone else.”

Taro immediately stiffened. “No. I can do it.”

Rylan smiled. “Good.”

The way he said it sent a chill down Taro’s spine.

As if this was just the beginning.

---

Later That Evening – Elian’s Suspicion Grows

Elian had just finished dinner when his phone buzzed. A message from Taro.

[Taro]: Got a big project at work. Crazy, right?

Elian frowned. [Elian]: Already? You just transferred.

[Taro]: Yeah, but Rylan said he believes in my potential.

Elian’s fingers hovered over the keyboard. That name again.

His gut twisted.

[Elian]: Just be careful. You don’t owe him anything.

Taro took a while to respond.

[Taro]: Yeah. I know.

But Elian wasn’t so sure.

Because when people like Rylan gave something, they usually expected something else in return.

And he had a bad feeling that Taro didn’t see the strings being pulled.

---