Chapter 5

Kai woke up to the sound of his alarm, the shrill ringing piercing through the silence of the room. He stretched himself lazily, arching his back and extending his arms above his head. The sleepiness still lingered in his eyes, and he yawned, trying to shake off the remnants of the restless night.

As he stood up, he rubbed the sleep from his eyes, feeling the fatigue slowly dissipate. He walked towards the bathroom, his movements slow and deliberate. The cool morning air hit him like a slap in the face, and he yawned again, feeling the tension in his jaw.

He splashed some water on his face, feeling the refreshing coolness spread across his skin. The mirror reflected his tired eyes, and he gazed at himself, trying to focus. The meeting with Mr. Andreyev loomed large in his mind, and he knew he had to be sharp, had to be prepared.

As he dried his face, he thought about the conversation he had with Mr.Andreyev the night before. What did the patriarch want to talk about? Was it about the missing his son? Or was it something else entirely? The questions swirled in his mind, and he knew he would have to wait until the meeting to find out.

He got dressed quickly, his movements efficient and practiced. He checked his watch, making sure he had enough time to get to the meeting on schedule.

When Kai reached for the door knobs and opened the door, he was surprised to see Andrei just walking past his room. He decided to call out, "Sir... what are you doing here?" His voice was low and respectful, but laced with a hint of curiosity.

Andrei stopped in his tracks, turning to face Kai. For a moment, they just looked at each other, the silence between them palpable. Then, Andrei's expression changed, and he walked towards Kai, his movements fluid and purposeful.

"I could ask you the same thing," Andrei said, his voice neutral, but with a hint of amusement. "You're certainly up early. What's got you out of bed so soon?"

"I was just going for a meeting..." Kai replied, trying to gauge Andrei's reaction.

"Oh, I see..." Andrei said, his voice low and even. He didn't elaborate, didn't ask any questions. Instead, he simply nodded, his expression unreadable.

The silence between them , awkward and tense. Kai shifted his weight, feeling like he needed to break the silence. "Well, I should probably get going," he said, trying to sound casual.

Andrei nodded, his eyes still fixed on his face. "Yes, you should," he said, his voice dripping with a subtle undertone. "You wouldn't want to be late for your meeting."

When Kai was walking away to the hall, he couldn't shake off the feeling that Andrei was still behind him. He felt a sudden urge to glance over his shoulder, to see if his instincts were right. He peeked through his shoulder, his eyes scanning the hallway behind him.

But to his surprise, Andrei was already turning to leave. Their eyes didn't meet, and Kai didn't get a chance to read his expression. It was as if he had deliberately turned away, avoiding any further interaction.

Kai's eyes lingered on Andrei's retreating figure, trying to decipher what had just happened. Had Andrei been following him, or was it just a coincidence?

With a sense of trepidation, Kai continued on his way to the meeting with Mr. Andreyev. What would the patriarch want to talk with him?

While fixing his tie, Kai caught the man's eye outside the cabinet. The man, who had been standing guard-like, nodded subtly, his expression neutral. It was a small gesture, but Kai understood its significance. The nod was a signal, a sign that they had been informed to let him in.

Kai's eyes met the man's for a brief moment, and he nodded slightly in response. It was a silent exchange, one that spoke volumes without a word being spoken. The man's nod was a confirmation that Kai was expected, that he had clearance to enter the cabinet.

With a sense of confidence, Kai straightened his tie and smoothed out his clothes. He took a deep breath, preparing himself for the meeting with Mr. Andreyev. He had no idea what to expect.

As he approached the cabinet door, the man stepped aside, allowing Kai to enter. The door creaked open, and Kai stepped into the room, his eyes adjusting to the warm glow of the interior. The room was dimly lit, with only a few lamps casting a soft light.

Mr. Andreyev sat behind his desk, his eyes fixed on him as he entered. The patriarch's expression was unreadable, but Kai could sense a hint of intensity behind his gaze. Kai nodded respectfully, to Mr. Andreyev's.

"Good morning, sir," Kai said, his voice steady.

Mr. Andreyev nodded, "Good morning, Kai. Please, take a seat." The patriarch's voice was deep and commanding.

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