Chapter 5 (Quiet Battles)

The office didn’t look like an office. It screamed power and luxury. Floor to ceiling glass walls overlooked the city. A single slab of black Italian marble desk sat in the center, so polished it reflected the lights. No clutter. No paper. Just a MacBook Pro, a black pen and a laptop. Behind it, a black leather chair faced the window. A man sat there, suit jacket draped over the back of the chair, white shirt sleeves rolled up to his elbows, exposing the silver Rolex watch and the veins on his forearms.

His eyes stayed glued to the laptop across from him on the desk as his fingers made soft clicks on the keyboard.

A knock came. He didn’t look up when the door opened and his bodyguard walked in, shutting the door after him.

“Sir, Elder Master of Blackgroup wants your attention. I told him you didn’t wish to see anybody, but he insists on meeting you.”

His fingers stopped moving. Then he slowly looked up.

“Let him in,” he said flatly before returning his attention to the laptop on his desk.

The bodyguard nodded, opened the door and left. Some seconds later, the door opened again and a man walked in wearing a black suit and a white shirt. His black hair was gelled back. His eyes were the same as the man on the seat. He looked to be in his early thirties. The sound of his black shoes was the only sound that filled the room as he approached him.

“Brother!” he said, with a smug smile on his lips.

The man slowly lifted his eyes from the document. His gaze landed on the man standing in front of him.

“What…” the man started.

“Aren’t you happy to see me, brother?”

“Why are you here, Patrick?” the man asked, his voice flat.

“It’s been a while, Warren, you’ve been thriving greatly no doubt.”Patrick said, adjusting his jacket.

Warren fingers returned to the keyboard, simply ignoring Patrick.

"I see you still haven't changed, little bro." Patrick said smiling.

Warren still didn't look at him, he continued clicking on the keyboard.

"Neither have you." He replied instantly.

Patrick's smile faded slightly "what does that mean?"

Warren finally looked up and stared at Patrick as if he was a nuisance disturbing his peace. He wanted him to leave his office as soon as possible.

"You wouldn't be here if you didn't need something Patrick."

Patrick's face turned serious instantly, he settled on the swivel chair opposite Warren's desk.

“The South branch is falling apart,” he said. His voice was controlled, but the frustration underneath was clear. “Two major clients pulled out last week. The numbers are dropping, and the managers I put in place are useless.”

Warren leaned back in his chair, watching him quietly. “And?”

Patrick’s jaw tightened. “I’ve been trying to fix it. I’ve barely slept in days. Every solution I try only makes it worse.” He paused, then forced the next words out. “I need support from the main side.”

Warren’s eyes stayed cold. “You mean you need me to clean up after you.”

The words landed hard. Patrick’s face tightened, a mix of anger and humiliation flashing across it before he could hide it.

“I’m asking for help,” he said, his voice lower now. “That branch still carries the family name. If it keeps sinking, it won’t only be my problem.”

Warren tapped a finger slowly against the desk. “You wanted control over it. You insisted on handling it yourself.”

“I know that but you and I know that I didn't entirely decide on that.” Patrick gripped the desk hard, he was losing it no doubt.

“It isn't my fault that you weren't capable enough.” Warren reply came coldly.

Patrick stared at him, breathing a little harder than before. For a moment, the polished image he always wore slipped. What remained was a man who hated standing in front of his younger brother asking for anything.

“You always make it sound so easy,” he said quietly. “Like the rest of us are just struggling for nothing while you sit here untouched.”

Warren’s expression didn’t change. “Because most of the time, that’s exactly what it is.”

The silence that followed felt heavy, tension thick in the air

Patrick looked away first. His hands curled into fists at his sides before he forced them to relax. Without another word, he turned and walked out of the office. The door shut loudly.

The morning sun slipped through the thin curtains, spilling soft golden light across the room. For a moment, everything felt quiet and safe. Shayla slept deeply, her body finally relaxed after the long night. Beside her, Tega was curled against her side, breathing evenly, as if the world outside their small room didn’t exist.

That peace shattered with a hard bang on the door.

“Shayla! Get up!” Alice’s voice was sharp and irritated. “Stop wasting time and make yourself useful!”

Tega jolted awake and barked at the sudden noise. Shayla’s eyes opened slowly, her chest tightening the moment she recognized the voice. The heavy feeling she had managed to escape in sleep came back all at once.

She sat up, the sunlight touching her face. Even with sleep still clinging to her, there was a quiet beauty about her soft features, calm eyes, skin warmed by the morning light. But her expression remained tired.

Tega crawled closer, whining softly before resting his head on her lap. The simple action pulled a small, genuine laugh from her. She rubbed his belly gently, her fingers moving through his fur as his tail wagged. For a few seconds, the weight in her chest eased.

When she finally stood and walked to the vanity table, her eyes fell on the black dress she was still wearing from the night before. The sight made her stomach twist.

The club.

The loud music.

The drunk man’s hand on her waist.

The memory made her skin crawl all over again. She could still feel it unwanted and dirty. Her fingers curled slightly before she forced herself to shake the thought away.

She took Tega’s plate, poured some dry dog food into it, and added a little warm water to soften it. As he began eating, she stood there watching him for a moment, finding strange comfort in how simple and happy he looked.

Then she stepped into the bathroom. She brushed her teeth and let the warm water of the shower run over her, trying to wash off more than just sleep. By the time she stepped out and dried herself, her expression had returned to its usual quiet control.

She put the mask back on.

The moment it settled over her face, something in her closed off again. The girl in the mirror disappeared, replaced by the version the world was allowed to see.

Before leaving, she crouched down and gently stroked Tega’s head. He leaned into her touch, unaware of everything she carried.

Shayla walked into the living room with her mask already on. The house was quiet in that usual cold way.

Alice sat on the sofa holding a cup of tea. Morgan was beside her, busy with her phone. Mr. Wilson sat at the dining table, eyes on his tablet, not paying attention to anyone.

Alice looked up as soon as she saw her.

“You’re just coming downstairs?” she said. “I thought you planned on sleeping all day.”

“Good morning,” Shayla said quietly.

Alice didn’t bother answering that. “Go and clean the kitchen. The laundry from yesterday is still there too. Finish everything before you leave for the cafe.”

Morgan glanced up from her phone and smirked. “And try not to come back smelling like coffee and oil. It’s embarrassing.”

Shayla didn’t say anything. She already knew talking back would only make things worse.

Mr. Wilson kept scrolling on his tablet like she wasn’t even in the room.

Alice raised her brows. “Why are you still standing there?”

Shayla looked down and walked toward the kitchen without another word.

Behind her, she could hear Morgan laugh softly as Alice started talking to her again, their voices light and comfortable like she didn’t exist.

By the time Shayla finished cleaning the kitchen and sorting the laundry, her arms felt heavy. She wiped her hands, adjusted her mask, and quietly left the house without saying a word to anyone.

Outside, the morning air was cooler than she expected. She had barely taken a few steps down the street when her phone vibrated in her pocket.

She pulled it out and saw Tessa’s name on the screen.

Tessa: You good? Haven’t heard from you since last night.

Shayla slowed her steps as she typed back.

Shayla: I’m fine. Just heading to the cafe now.

The reply came almost immediately.

Tessa: Okay. Text me later.

Shayla locked her phone and slipped it back into her pocket. She adjusted the strap of her bag and continued walking, the quiet road stretching ahead of her as she made her way to the cafe.