The warehouse didn't look like much from the outside ,just concrete, steel, and silence, but innside, it was something else entirely.
The kind that didn't need to be announced.
Malik stood at the center of it, hands loosely clasped behind his back, his presence alone enough to keep everyone still. He didn't raise his voice, he never did.
"Say it again."
The man in front of him swallowed hard, throat dry.
"Six men… gone."
Malik didn't react immediately, he didn't move nor blink, he just… listened.
"Gone?" he repeated quietly.
"They didn't stand a chance," the man added quickly. "It was fast and clean."
Malik turned his head slightly, his gaze settling on the body laid out on the cold floor, blood had dried in sharp lines, there was no struggle, just preciseness. Malik walked closer, slow, unhurried, then crouched slightly , not to inspect but to understand.
His fingers brushed lightly against the edge of the wound, almost thoughtful.
"…Not the police," he murmured.
"No."
"Not amateurs."
"No."
Silence stretched.
Malik straightened slowly, something shifting behind his eyes, not anger but interest.
"They didn't hide it," he said.
"They didn't clean the scene."
"They wanted it seen." he muttered
The man beside him hesitated before asking him "A message?"
Malik's lips curved slightly.
"No."
"A personality." he said
That word lingered in the air like a warning.
Malik turned away, already losing interest in the body.
"Find out who did it."
"Yes, sir."
"And next time…" Malik added, glancing over his shoulder, his voice still calm
"Send men that are worth burying." he said as he walked off leaving behind silence.
Meanwhile, across the city of Valerie—
The day moved differently, light spilled across the streets in soft gold, sliding over glass buildings and polished roads, quiet but alive beneath the surface.
Kieran Azriel had already arrived at the hospital, he didn't announce himself, he didn't need to. As he walked towards the reception, there were whispers amongst some nurses passing and people that knew him. His reputation of being a playboy was the most dominering part about his personality. They Azriel brothers have that in common.
"Good afternoon," he said, his voice smooth, a faint smile playing on his lips as he stopped at the desk.
The receptionist looked up and froze for half a second before recovering.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Azriel," she replied, her voice softer than intended, returning the smile.
"I need—"
"You don't," Kieran cut in lightly, already stepping away from the counter.
He leaned in just enough, his tone dropping, almost teasing.
"Just point, my love."
A deep flush crept across her cheeks, immediate and undeniable.
She pointed without another word.
Kieran didn't wait, he turned and walked in the direction given, unhurried, like he had all the time in the world and like the place belonged to him.
A nurse intercepted him halfway, clearly already informed.
"Sir, this way."
He followed without protest.
Within moments, he was led into a private examination room, the door closing quietly behind him.
He sat lazily on the examination bed, shirt slightly open, a rough bandage pressed against his side, blood had soaked through.
"Hold still," the nurse said, trying and failing to keep her voice steady.
Kieran tilted his head, watching her with mild amusement.
"You're nervous."
"I'm not," she said quickly.
He smiled.
"You are"
The nurse removed the bandage leaving the wound exposed. There was a cut along his side, not too deep, but not shallow enough to ignore.
"I'm going to examine the wound," the nurse said, her voice steady, though the weight of his gaze made her movements just a little too careful.
Kieran didn't look away.
"Never stopped you," he replied smoothly.
Her fingers hovered for a brief second before making contact, pressing lightly along the edges of the injury. She worked with practiced precision checking depth, watching for reaction, measuring what couldn't be seen at first glance.
Kieran didn't flinch, If anything, he looked… relaxed.
"Does it hurt?" she asked, more out of habit than concern.
Kieran's lips curved faintly.
"Should it?"
She ignored that, focusing instead on the wound, though she could feel his eyes on her steady, unblinking, almost intrusive.
"You should be more worried about yourself," she muttered.
Kieran's smile deepened.
"I usually am" he said leaving the room in silence. As the nurse continued, footsteps approached the room, steady and unhurried.
And just like that, Kieran's attention shifted.
The door opened, Ariel walked in without looking at him, gloves already on, her presence quiet but commanding in a way that didn't need effort.
"Report."
The nurse straightened instantly.
"Mr. Kieran Azriel. Male. Twenty-eight. Laceration to the left lateral abdomen," she began, her voice steadier now. "Approximately six centimeters. Depth unclear. Moderate bleeding. No visible organ exposure. Vitals stable."
Ariel stepped closer, eyes moved to over the wound.
"Any signs of internal hemorrhage?"
"Not currently. Imaging hasn't been done yet."
Ariel nodded once, then She looked at him.
"Lie back."
Kieran didn't move, not immediately.
His gaze stayed on her, slow and deliberate, like he was trying to read something that refused to be read.
"I never knew they let doctors look this young," he said lazily.
"Mr…?" she prompted, already reaching for gauze.
"Azriel," the nurse supplied.
Ariel's fingers paused for the briefest second, then she continued.
"Mr. Azriel," she repeated, her tone flat. "Lie back."
This time he did, Slowly but his eyes never left her.
She worked in silence, her hands moved with precision, checking depth, pressure, response.
"You're lucky," she said after a moment. "Another inch and this would require surgery."
Kieran exhaled softly.
"I like living on the edge."
"And I love being paid " The reply was immediate and cold.
She stepped back, already done with him.
"Stitch the wound. I'll prescribe antibiotics," she said to the nurse, turning away.
Kieran spoke again.
"You look lovely, doctor…"
His gaze dropped briefly to her coat.
Then lifted again, a slow smile forming.
"Ariel."
He said her name with a slight chuckle
"Smile more," he added lightly. "It would suit you."
Ariel didn't stop walking.
Didn't turn.
"You look better with the cut, get cut more often" she said bluntly.
And then left.
The door closed softly behind her and Silence followed for a second. Kieran just stared at the door Caught off guard, he was offended.
A smile spread across his face, real this time.
"…That was new."
He leaned back slightly, glancing at the nurse as she prepared the sutures, her hands still not entirely steady.
"What an interesting woman," he murmured.
But his eyes had already drifted back to the door.
He felt he had seen her somewhere, he just can't recall exactly where.