Chapter 3: Contractually Yours

Dante's POV

“Mom, you’re back? I thought you said you wouldn’t be coming back tonight?” I asked sharply as she walked up to sit beside me on the bed.

Mom and I had gone to a small reception earlier today, a kind of formal gathering where a few important people had come to discuss matters I didn’t fully care about.

I had been ready to leave when I asked her if she was coming with me, but she had smiled softly and said she wanted to stay a little longer.

She’d told me she wouldn’t be returning tonight, so I left, thinking she’d just sleep over at the hotel.

The rain had already started before I left the meeting with Shark, so it was the rain that prompted me to step out of my car for a moment to clear my head on the quiet street—right before the strange guy appeared.

I was surprised to see Mom at home. I never thought she’d come back tonight.

She looked completely serious. The way she ignored my question and leaned in, her eyes flashing with a strange excitement, made my heart skip a beat.

“Did you see it?” she asked again, her voice sharper than before.

“See what?” I asked, confused.

“I dropped a vial in your jacket pocket just before you left the meeting,” she said, her brows furrowed.

“What vial?” I asked again, still confused and completely lost. I had no idea what Mom was talking about.

She shifted slightly on my bed. “You have no idea I sold off seven of my companies just to get my hands on that serum, do you? That serum cost a fortune, and I worked my ass off just to get a single bottle for you.”

I still wasn’t following. In fact, I was even more confused.

I let out a dry scoff. “Mom, what are you talking about—?” I asked slowly, almost too nonchalantly.

Mom wasn’t smiling anymore; her expression had gone completely rigid. “Grab your jacket now. You’ll have to take that serum immediately. It’s a longevity serum… I believe it’ll stop the curse. I don’t want to lose you, Dante!”

I froze, confused. “Mom… calm down. Explain this to me. I don’t understand. What are you—”

Mom didn't let me finish before she suddenly grabbed my hand, her grip firm and almost too desperate. “I know, honey. You’ve given up already, but trust me… this is going to work. Just go grab your jacket right now and take what’s inside.”

Even though I had no idea what she was talking about, I got up and went to the laundry to fetch my jacket.

I stepped back into my room and searched both pockets, but there was nothing there.

My shoulders slumped as I dropped the jacket on the floor. “Mom… there’s nothing here,” I said, my voice hoarse with exhaustion.

She spun around sharply. “What?” she screamed.

She stood up from the bed and snatched the jacket from the floor, searching it herself—but still found nothing.

Her face turned red. “No, no, no—” she suddenly slumped down.

“Where did you go? Did you drop it somewhere when you came home?” she cried. “That vial… we must find it. Only two bottles are produced every four years! You don’t know how long I’ve been waiting for this vial. I had to sell several of our bi-companies just to make sure I got one before the others who ordered it!”

Tears streamed down her face, her voice breaking. “Tell me what happened, Dante. Where could you have dropped the vial? Please… talk to me. I can’t… I won’t… I can’t lose you to the curse. You’re my only son. You must take the serum. Please… tell me what happened.”

I let out a dry scoff and knelt beside her. “Mom, you don’t have to do all of this,” I said, pulling her gently up and guiding her to sit on the bed. My tone stayed casual, almost too nonchalant, like nothing she said could shake me.

Mom ignored me completely. She didn’t answer—she just reached for her phone and called Shark at once.

A few seconds later, he was in the room, alert and ready to carry out orders,“Yes, ma’am,” he said, eyes scanning every corner already.

“Search the house,” Mom ordered, her voice sharp. “Find where Dante might have dropped that vial. Make sure you check every corner, every room. Don't ignore anyplace!"

Shark suddenly slowed down for a second, then he said with a tight eyebrow like he was contemplating whether to speak or not.

Then he suddenly said, “It’s possible Boss dropped it when that strange guy grabbed him earlier,”

Mom froze for a moment. “What are you talking about?” she demanded.

Shark explained quickly, every word urgent. He told mom how I stepped out of my car to take a break and a man appeared from nowhere and lunged at me

“What?!” Mom choked.

“He could have dropped the vial then. That’s the most likely moment.” Shark added smoothly.

Mom’s eyes widened, panic flashing across her face. “So where is this guy? Find him NOW!” She commanded at once.

Shark didn’t waste a second. He turned sharply and rushed out of the room, barking orders to the other guards. “Split into teams NOW!”