UNDER HIS RULES

For the past two hours, Jack’s eyes have not left his work screen. Occasionally, the window behind him provided a temporary distraction, where the bustling Flown could be seen returning to its usual state. Jack greatly enjoyed the constant stream of guests entering after passing through rigorous security checks.

Flown nightclub was pulsating once again. However, Jack enforced a rule for its visitors. Initially, many protested, but the owner had entrusted the decision to Jack. No one could object to anything Jack wanted in Flown, including the tight security measures.

“Busy?”

Jack scowled in surprise and sighed in annoyance as the person entering his room casually sat down without a hint of guilt. Ah, he blamed himself for not locking the room door after Sam’s visit a few hours ago.

“I have a lot of work.” Instead of venting his frustration, Jack chose to continue typing on the keyboard. “Why are you here? Aren’t there things you need to attend to in the North?”

“Just finished.” Eland sneered. “Have you met the boss?”

“Not yet. Once my business was done, I came to Flown first. I wanted Jeremy’s signature Tequila. That new guy makes a great Tequila for me.”

“I heard he used to work for Jimmy Lee. He was a private bartender at his mansion.” Jack smirked with satisfaction. “You know, many of the employees at that mansion are hired by Sam. Some also manage the two Quassano mansions.”

Without hesitation, Eland nodded.

“How about you and Anne, Eland?” Jack had to know the progress of their relationship. Besides being curious, he was quite surprised by the direction Eland had taken. He never expected the man to take a girl seriously. Just like the boss, Eland had many women ready to entertain him. He could satisfy his desires momentarily and easily forget them. He could change partners as he pleased without considering the feelings left behind.

That’s why the news about Eland’s seriousness towards Anne was quite shocking.

“You don’t need to know.” Eland folded his arms across his chest. He deliberately lifted his foot and placed it on the edge of the table. “I want to sleep.”

“Damn!” Jack shook his head in astonishment, but soon he heard a soft snore from Eland. His fatigue was evident on his face after his recent arrival. Perhaps Sam’s orders had caused him to lose a lot of rest time. Jack wasn’t too sure about the mission Eland was currently undertaking.

Because of that, Jack chose to continue his work. Sam’s desire to open a nightclub on the border between the North and the South might be crazy, but considering the opportunities Sam had outlined some time ago, Jack agreed that the opportunity should not be wasted. After all, Sam controlled the Northern region without needing validation from anyone.

The Eagle Wing’s existence was no longer heard, even though its leadership had changed. As expected, Quassano held power and had full control over the clan that used to compete with and oppose every move Sam made. If it weren’t for Gerald’s actions that disappointed Alfred Quassano, his reign would undoubtedly be restored by that middle-aged man. Even if it required undergoing various loyalty tests. Alfred was also known for his cruelty when dealing with traitors.

Who would like to keep traitors around them? No one.

A knock on the door distracted Jack once again. “Come in,” he said. He was slightly surprised by who entered his room this time.

“Am I disturbing you, Jack?” she asked awkwardly. She never expected that the person she was looking for would be here. Although Jack had already told her that the room the man usually stayed in at Flown was available for use again. Since the renovation process was completed, Anne knew that Eland rarely visited that room.

“Are you looking for Eland?” Jack laughed. It seemed like that question didn’t need to be asked, right? Anne didn’t avert her gaze from anywhere other than observing how Eland was sleeping. “He just fell asleep, it seems.”

Anne nodded in understanding. “Alright, I don’t want to disturb him even though I feel guilty. Who can sleep comfortably like this?”

This made Jack burst into laughter. “Haven’t you slept in this position quite often?”

Anne couldn’t escape afterward. She joined in the laughter, albeit restrained because what Jack said was true. More than once, she had dozed off while sitting and comfortably leaning back in her chair. Luckily, Sam had given her a gift that amazed her-an expensive and comfortable chair as part of her workspace in the headquarters.

“You’re all so noisy,” Eland murmured softly. His eyes still refused to open, although he had longed to gaze upon the face of the girl he had missed in the past few days. But he didn’t want to reveal himself too much. Even for just one day, he had no news about Anne, Hugo, and Jack, who had become vulnerable targets for him to exert his efforts in finding out what Anne was up to.

It’s ridiculous how often he asks Sam to reduce Anne’s workload, which always ends up with a long scolding from the boss. He says, “You need to differentiate between work and your dates. You also need to focus, Eland, on the mission at hand. You haven’t reported any progress. If there’s no movement in the next two hours, I won’t give Anne access to respond to your chats and calls!”

“You better leave my room. This is where the boss counts all his wealth. I don’t want to take any risks because you guys are here.”

Eland immediately opened his eyes. “You jerk!” He threw his cigarette pack at Jack, who just laughed at his annoyance. “Jeremy hasn’t arrived yet? It’s taking forever!”

Jack ignored Eland’s grumbling. Instead, he waved his hand as a sign that they both needed to leave his room. No, Jack wasn’t bothered at all. Even if they suddenly turned this room into a date spot, Jack wouldn’t mind. His workspace had doubled in size. The monitor displaying CCTV footage from all corners of Flown was now in the corner, complete with a much wider screen than before.

There was a plush and comfortable sofa with storage drawers for various snacks, as well as a server ready to cater to any special requests from Jack’s guests. It was Jack’s crazy idea to make sure the man didn’t move anywhere other than his workspace, with a connecting door leading to his private room.

Jack had made himself comfortable to work there. So even if Eland wanted privacy with Anne right now, he could quickly go to his room. Just as long as no one touched his work desk. But this time, Jack felt that Eland should leave. He had been checking the notes that Sam had given him just three hours ago.

“I’ll have Jeremy take you to your room later.” Jack grinned widely. “Now go quickly.”

“Damn it!” Eland grumbled as he walked out. Not yet. He didn’t want to greet Anne yet, even though the desire to hug the girl was strong. Later. Eland would do it just to satisfy his longing because he had been in the border region for two weeks. He was overseeing the delivery of special-order weapons that Sam had made with his colleagues.

From the corner of his eye, Eland could tell that the girl with shoulder-length hair was following his steps. Including the jacket that Anne casually hung on the chair in Jack’s room, brought by Anne without hesitation.

“I asked the kitchen to prepare dinner for you. Boss Sam is actually waiting for you at the headquarters,” Anne said moments before they entered the elevator that would take them to the fifth floor. The fifth floor was exclusively reserved for a few VVIP rooms for guests.

“The boss is just waiting for the copies of the work and some photos. You already gave them to him some time ago.” Eland pressed the number five on the panel, observing Anne who was now standing next to him. Unable to resist, he stared intently at the girl who returned his gaze with a curious look.

“You’re going to the headquarters?”

The distance between them disappeared as Eland closed in. Trapping Anne was something he enjoyed. If before, Anne looked at him with a scared look, now it was replaced with a gaze that made Eland impatient to embrace her as tightly as possible.

“No.”

Anne frowned. “The report?”

“Boss Sam knows what I sent.” Eland smirked. He was about to greet those soft pink lips when the sound of the elevator chime interrupted them. “Damn it! Why didn’t we just take the emergency stairs earlier?”

Anne laughed as the metal doors opened. It coincided with two servers seen pushing a food trolley. “Is it the order for Mr. Eland? Is that right?”

“Yes, Miss,” one of the servers spoke. “We have prepared it in the room as requested. Enjoy your meal.”

The girl smiled broadly. “Thank you.” She then freely linked her arm with the one that had always been ingrained in her memory. Muscular and strong enough to defeat his enemies. The arm that, for some reason, she trusted more than just a comfortable place to lean on.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

Maybe… behind her cold and annoying demeanor when they were together, Anne began to understand that was how Eland showed his care.

“Let’s eat first, shall we? This time the menu isn’t too fancy.”

“No shrimp, right?” Eland looked at the girl with a sarcastic expression as she walked ahead, dragging him slightly to exit the elevator. He thoroughly enjoyed that cheerful face. In fact, Eland really liked how that face was smiling so widely right now.

“No. I removed the seafood menu even though it’s delicious. This time I chose egg and noodles.”

“Whatever.” Eland released his arm from Anne’s grasp. He could see the questioning and unaccepting look from the girl beside him. But did Eland really want that distance? Absolutely not. In fact, he embraced Anne to bring her closer. He gave a quick peck on the side of her head, catching the surprised expression on her face. “How are you, An? I haven’t asked you that since earlier, right?”

Every time Eland called her name, accompanied by a gaze that rendered her powerless and vulnerable, with nothing but him filling the dark depths of his eyes, Anne truly felt special by Eland’s side. “I’m fine, although it was a bit troublesome yesterday accompanying Beatrice to Quassano’s office.”

“What’s the matter?”