Eighteen years later...
Across a hidden stretch of Australia, war had erupted amongst mafias. The Athena gang, led by a man named Marvin, was on a quest to conquer their adversaries.
The Athena gang, emboldened by Marvin's leadership, decimated the enemy's headquarters, owing to a well-assembled bomb from their own Dewangga.
The aftermath was grisly; corpses littered the ground, buildings turned to rubble. This wasn't Athena's first victory, it was one of many. Hence, Marvin—who now went by Adam Alvarez—was branded 'A Dangerous Man.' His path was one of merciless elimination.
Old Theo had entrusted the mafia's helm to Marvin. Age was creeping up on him, and his focus had shifted solely to business interests, away from the bloody work of vendettas.
All that remained of the opposition was their boss, Mister Matthew, after his forces had been mercilessly slaughtered.
"Where's Mister Matthew?" Marvin asked Dewangga; their garments stained with the blood of their victims that day.
"He's tied up near the car. Should we just kill him now?" asked Dewangga, now not just a bodyguard to Marvin but also his trusted assistant and confidant.
Without a reply, Marvin approached where Mister Matthew was held captive, his men showing deference with bowed heads.
And Dewangga—he always loyally trailed Marvin, his father slain by enemies three years prior.
Everyone was taken aback when Marvin peeled the tape from Mister Matthew's mouth and untied his limbs.
"Please don't kill me, Adam!" begged Mister Matthew, sweat beading on his brow.
"I will give you a chance to escape, but if I manage to find you, don't expect to be able to breathe again," Marvin intoned, evidently seeking to toy with Mister Matthew first.
Instinctively, Mister Matthew bolted. He ran desperately, utilizing whatever energy he had left. Alas, the expanse of desert they were in offered no refuge.
Marvin retrieved a rifle from his vehicle. Perched atop the car, gnawing on gum nonchalantly, he aimed the rifle at the fleeing Mister Matthew, now a considerable distance away.
Marvin's grin widened before he pulled the trigger. "Let's go hunting!"
The bullet soared with lethal precision, even from afar. A direct hit shattered Mister Matthew's skull, and the now headless body crumpled onto the barren sands.
In his time as mafia leader—at just 28—Marvin had yet to taste defeat.
...***...
Today, Theo summoned Marvin for a private word in the basement.
Theo presented three photos pinned to the wall: one of Nadine, grown up; one of an aged Mr. Rama; and Sonya, verging on 45. A fourth was just a blank piece of paper, marked by Theo with a question mark for the unknown person responsible for Mrs. Rena's death.
"I'm giving you two months to annihilate these four. Fail, and I'll intervene personally," Theo commanded, his gaze steely.
"Yes, uncle. I will eradicate them," Marvin vowed, his fists clenched, his hatred simmering.
"Next week, you'll head to Indonesia with Dewangga. Athena members await you. But remember this, Adam."
Marvin waited as Theo continued.
"Never fall in love. Love will only weaken you."
Marvin's lips pursed. Of course, he wouldn't fall in love; his days were spent hunting enemies or vacationing with Dewangga. Women weren't part of his equation.
"Of course, I won't fall in love, uncle," he assured confidently.
"That's good. Sleep with any woman you like, but don't hand your heart to anyone," Theo advised.
"And what about you, uncle? Have you ever been in love?" Marvin probed, noting Theo's age of 47 and his single status.
The question seemed to displease Theo, dredging up memories of past love—before his mafia life, the night he and his former lover Aline had surrendered to intimacy, a first and last encounter for them. By morning, she'd left him, declaring her love gone—a heart-wrenching betrayal.
Theo chose silence over recounting the painful tale with Aline, a chapter he wished to permanently close and forget.
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