chapter 6: Tale of three families

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(At Dragomirs mansion)

"You know, all my tiredness disappears the moment I see you..." Lareina's voice trembled with emotion as her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

Arwan smiled warmly, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. "I missed you so much, sweetheart."

"But not more than me."

A deep, familiar voice cut in, making both of them turn.

Kenan stood at the doorway, arms crossed, his lips curved into a smirk, but his brown eyes held warmth.

Lareina's breath hitched in surprise. "Kenan... my son!" Her voice broke as she rushed toward him, wrapping her arms tightly around him...

Kenan chuckled, holding her just as tight. "Missed me, Mom?"

Arwan rolled his eyes, crossing his arms. "Don't you have the manners to knock?"

Kenan shrugged lazily, tilting his head toward the door. "I was about to, but it was already open. Why waste the effort?"

Pulling back slightly, he cupped Lareina's face with both hands, his thumb stroking her cheek. "I missed you a lot, sweetheart."

Arwan cleared his throat before wrapping a firm arm around Lareina's waist. "She's my wife and my sweetheart. Go find your own."

Kenan smirked but leaned his head against Lareina's shoulder. "I don't need another one, or my love will be divided. Right, Mom?"

Lareina opened her mouth to respond, but Arwan interjected, raising an eyebrow.

"I already give her enough love and care. You, on the other hand, should start worrying about yourself... He scoffed while rolling his eyes..."You're turning 27 next month and still haven't found a sweetheart."

Kenan sighed dramatically, shaking his head. "Looks like God only made one woman like Mom."

Lareina let out a soft chuckle, her heart swelling with warmth. "What nonsense are you saying?"

Kenan grinned mischievously, pinching her cheek lightly. "I want a woman just like you."

Arwan smacked Kenan's hand away. "Brat!"

Kenan yelped, rubbing his hand exaggeratedly. "Mom! Did you see that? Dad hit me!"

Lareina shook her head with a laugh, watching the playful bickering between her husband and son. "You two will never grow up."

Arwan sighed, shaking his head. "Who would believe this childish man is the fierce and unbeatable Prosecutor General?"

Kenan smirked, then glanced at Arwan. "Oh, right. Dad, have you told Mom yet?"

Lareina's smile faded slightly. "Told me what?"

Arwan muttered under his breath. "Not yet..."

Her eyes narrowed. "Will one of you tell me already?"

Kenan casually draped an arm around her shoulders, flashing his signature grin. "Relax, my angry sweetheart."

He took a deep breath before speaking. "Mom, I have to go to Norway-"

Lareina nodded, though her smile wavered. "Okay."

Kenan hesitated. "Tomorrow night-"

She froze. "But, son, you just got here!"

His voice softened. " And It's for a month, Mom."

Lareina's heart clenched as her eyes widened. "What?? A month??"

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[At the Central Military Jail]

Chéri sat in silence, lost in her thoughts, her gaze fixed on the cold metal table in front of her. The room was dimly lit, casting shadows that mirrored the darkness within her heart.

The sudden creak of the door snapped her out of her thoughts. She looked up as two soldiers entered, escorting a middle-aged man in handcuffs.

His tired eyes softened the moment they met hers.

"You both can wait outside," she ordered, her voice cold and firm.

The soldiers saluted. "Yes, Chief."

They turned and exited, leaving them alone.

As soon as the door shut, Chéri's mask of indifference crumbled.

"Uncle..." she whispered, stepping forward and hugging him tightly.

That man sighed and a faint smile tugging at his lips. "I wish I could hug you back..." he murmured, raising his cuffed hands slightly.

Chéri pulled away. "I'll order them to remove your cuffs."

"No." Arkin shook his head.

"I know you have that authority now, but I don't want my doll to break rules for me."

"But Uncle-"

"Let's sit, Chéri." His voice was gentle, yet firm.

She nodded and pulled out a chair for him, knowing he couldn't do it himself because of handcuffs...

"Thank you, Chéri," he said, settling down.

She took a seat opposite him, reaching for his bound hands.

"How are you, Uncle?"

Arkin exhaled heavily. "Physically? Better. But mentally... every day feels like a slow death."

Chéri's grip on his hands tightened. Her eyes darkened with rage.

"I promise you, Uncle... they'll regret it."

Her voice shook with fury. "They'll all regret ruining our lives. I will make them pay for my parents' deaths. I will take revenge for your suffering."

Arkin's gaze turned distant as he touched the long scar on his face with his restrained hands. "This scar isn't just on my skin, Chéri... it's on my heart and soul too."

He scoffed bitterly. "They destroyed us and moved on like nothing happened. But you, my daughter... you'll make sure their peace is shattered forever."

Chéri nodded, blinking away the moisture in her eyes. She was strong...she had to be. But her walls crack just a little in front of this man...Arkin Cesario, her paternal uncle, her only blood relative...

"I will, Uncle. I swear I will." Her voice was fierce, determined.

Arkin leaned forward. "Any updates?"

A slow smirk curled on Chéri's lips. "It's time. The plan is finally in motion."

Arkin let out a heavy breath. "Finally..." he whispered, his hands tightening into fists.

Chéri straightened. "I'm leaving for Norway, Uncle."

Arkin nodded but hesitated. "Chéri... I have full faith in you, but still-"

He locked eyes with her. "The Dragomirs... they are cunning, dangerous men. Be careful. Your safety comes first."

She scoffed. "Don't worry, Uncle. Your Chéri isn't weak."

A proud glint shone in his tired eyes. "That's what I want to hear."

His tone darkened. "And no matter what happens... never forget your purpose. Never forget why you started this."

Her jaw clenched. "I won't. I will never forget my aim."

But fate has a way of playing its own game.

Chéri believed she had her future carved in stone, but destiny had other plans.

For the first time, the hunter would unknowingly step into a trap of her own...

one not set by enemies, but by love..

By Warmth....

And when that time came... would revenge still be her only priority?

***-------***

Chéri knocked on the door before stepping inside the grand office.

"General." She saluted with precision.

Behind the massive desk sat a man exuding arrogance, pride, and an undeniable dominance-

'General Anderson.'

He lifted his gaze, nodding slightly. "Welcome, Agent Chéri." His lips curled into a satisfied smirk. "I'm proud of you. The way you handled this mission was extraordinary. Thanks to you, we extracted a wealth of intelligence from those terrorists."

Chéri stood firm, hands clasped behind her back. "That was my duty, General."

Anderson leaned back, a glint of admiration in his eyes. "Our unit is privileged to have you."

Without a word, Chéri reached into her jacket and placed an envelope on the table.

Anderson raised an eyebrow. "This?"

"My application for leave, General."

His brows furrowed slightly as he took the envelope in his hand.

she continued. "You've always encouraged me to take a break from work... so I've finally decided to do it."

Anderson studied her for a moment before chuckling. "Bravo. You deserve it. Go, relax, take as much leave as you need." His voice was warm, almost fatherly.

Chéri nodded. "Thank you, General."

Then, as if testing the waters, Anderson tilted his head. "So... any special plans for your vacation?"

A small smirk played on Chéri's lips. "Nothing special. Sleep, eat, shop, and wander around aimlessly."

Anderson chuckled. "Sounds like a solid plan."

Chéri saluted once more. "I'll take my leave now, General."

With that, she turned and walked out, and the moment the door shut behind her, Anderson's smile faded. His gaze darkened, the warmth in his eyes replaced by something far more calculating.

He exhaled slowly, gaze fixed on the envelope in his grip.

*Crumple.*

With deliberate slowness, he crushed it in his fist before tossing it into the trash. He leaned back in his chair, his expression cold, calculating. His fingers tapped against the desk, a rhythmic sound filling the silence-measured, patient, dangerous.

"So... the little doll thinks she can play her own game?" His voice was a mere whisper, laced with amusement and something far darker. His gaze flickered toward the door, where Chéri had just left.

"She's sharp, but not sharp enough." A slow smirk stretched across his lips, void of warmth.

He turned to his laptop, his fingers moving effortlessly over the keys as classified files flashed across the screen.

**A locked file.**

He clicked on the enter button on the keyboard, and the screen lit up.

Agent Chéri Aldrich-all details, past missions, weaknesses, everything laid bare.

His smirk deepened. "Let's see how far you go before I pull the strings."

The door to his office remained shut, but an invisible noose was tightening. Because General Anderson was not just watching-he was waiting.

.

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My pharmacology teacher used to say,

"A good friend is The Best antidepressants."

Do you have such antidepressants??

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Xoxo 😘

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