UNDER HIS RULES

Throughout the journey along this road, their elderly eyes did not want to wander anywhere. It remained ingrained in their memory that in the past, yes, they often passed through the road where the forest surrounded this area. Just to meet old friends. Friends who were also rivals worthy of him in business.

He believed that the person was firm and had his own resilience. Unshakeable even though his son had often tried to persuade him to join him.

Even until his death, he insisted on standing on his own.

Just like his son now. Alfred couldn’t touch him. Not even a bit could he make Sam turn away from his hardened heart. He continued to carry out what his parents left behind without any external intervention.

The car stopped as there was an inspection, even though Sam’s main headquarters were still far away. “What’s going on?” Alfred asked David, who was sitting next to the driver.

“I don’t know, sir. It seems like Sam’s men intentionally tightened security at their headquarters.”

Alfred didn’t care too much. He was confident he wouldn’t be rejected just to meet Sam. Besides, his goal was not only Sam but also to alleviate his extremely high and torturous curiosity. His imagination soared with many hopes if his suspicions were correct.

David lowered his car window. “Mr. Alfred wants to meet Sam.”

“Sorry, boss, Boss Sam is not at the headquarters,” explained one of his subordinates.

“The security is very tight. What’s going on?”

The person just grinned widely. “Boss Eland’s orders.”

David was sure that when he mentioned Alfred’s name just now, most of them knew who Alfred was and what his purpose was at the Twin Dragon’s headquarters. “Eland?”

“He’s here.”

“Can we meet him?”

“Please. Everything is safe.”

David immediately raised his car window again, and the driver quickly sped away from where they were stopped. Continuing the journey that took about ten minutes before they finally arrived at the front gate, which was guarded much tighter than usual.

“What’s really happening?” Alfred asked, quite curious.

“I’ll find out right away, sir.”

The black sedan car entered the gate without any obstacles. The four-story house, quite grand in the middle of the forest, welcomed them. Several people appeared busy with their activities, not paying much attention to who the visiting guests were, because as soon as Alfred was asked to get out by David, Eland came out of the main door.

“Look who’s here?” he asked with a sneer. He put his hands in the pocket of his black sweater. His eyes were full of suspicion.Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.

“We have nothing to do with you, Eland.”

“But you’re still here, right?” Eland approached even closer. He stood right in front of David without flinching.

“Young people nowadays are always disrespectful.” Alfred slapped Eland’s shoulder quite hard. “Prepare some refreshments for our guest.”

Alfred could hear the chuckle and annoyed grunt from the man whom he knew was Sam’s trusted subordinate.

“Please come in,” Eland said. “Why are the elderly always rigid in their actions?”

“What did you say?”

Eland chose to keep his mouth shut. Besides, he wondered what business Alfred had coming here. Did he want to continue his problems with Jimmy after Sam told him what Alfred’s trusted subordinate did to him? He couldn’t believe it!

“What brings you here?” Eland asked with a more serious tone.

They were already sitting in the rearranged living room. Since Sam’s last visit, the room was messy. Sam’s favorite chair had to be reordered because the boss refused to replace it with a new one. This also included the glass-topped table that broke when one of Herry’s subordinates hit it some time ago.

“Just a regular visit.” Alfred took out his pipe. He sat back casually, observing the interior of the house. It hadn’t changed much since his last visit. Apparently, Sam still maintained it until now.

Did Eland believe him? Clearly not.

“You’re very busy, sir. It’s impossible to make time to come here without a purpose,” the old man chuckled. He slowly puffed on his cigar, filling the guest room with smoke. “Once again… to offer Sam a deal, if that’s what you want to know.”

Eland nodded softly. “Unfortunately, our boss doesn’t want to collaborate with anyone.”

“What if this collaboration doesn’t involve business alone, Eland?” Alfred asked, scrutinizing. His sharp eyes stared at Eland, who didn’t flinch in response. Sam’s trusted associates were always familiar with fear, close to death, and fueled by adrenaline to create their own resistance.

“You know, Mr. Alfred, just like Benjamin Noah’s habits. He’s not someone who easily agrees to any agreement. He has the power to grip anyone he wants to destroy,” Eland said casually. “Even if it wasn’t for your past relationship, I’m sure Sam would have long removed Quassano’s name from the list of partners.”

Alfred chuckled. No, he wasn’t hurt. Eland’s words were too straightforward, but it was the reality that had happened. Sam, with all his stubbornness and his way of ruling and protecting his territory, it was only natural for him to go on a rampage and beat anyone who dared to touch, even though Sam never disrupted the existing order.

“Ask Sam,” Alfred resumed puffing his cigar. “If it’s related to Beatrice Catalinna, would Quassano’s offer be accepted by him?”

***[]***

Sam drove the campervan at a regular speed, enjoying the breeze that tousled their hair. Those sitting in the front laughed joyfully, especially Beatrice. Sometimes her hand extended out, as if still not satisfied with enjoying the fresh air.

“Having fun?” Sam asked for the umpteenth time.

“Yes.” Beatrice smiled widely. “Really having fun. When can we do this again?”

“We’ve just set off home, and you’re already asking about the next vacation?” Sam chuckled. “I have a lot to deal with, you know?”

Beatrice couldn’t deny that. Being by Sam’s side meant being ready for all the risks, including Sam being absent more often. During their few days together, Beatrice learned a lot. Not too much, as Sam only shared the outlines, but it was enough for Beatrice to understand what kind of life Sam led out there.

“I was raised in a tough environment, you know,” Sam said as they enjoyed the next evening. “But I was taught to uphold solidarity. To whom loyalty is given.”

“But does it have to involve violence?” Beatrice asked cautiously, her desire to touch upon the incident that left Sam hospitalized becoming more pronounced.

“It depends on the situation I face.” Sam laughed. “Everyone with a life will eventually die, Beatrice. It’s just a matter of when my time comes.”

Beatrice closed her eyes tightly. “Don’t be reckless.”

“I’m right? Isn’t that what religious leaders often say? I’ve heard it many times. Just heard, not necessarily followed.”

During their nearly week-long time together, Beatrice felt that this tattooed man was much more humane. Sometimes Sam laughed with her, sometimes he laughed at the silly things Beatrice did. Or often he threw jokes that made Beatrice feel like Sam was possessed by someone else.

Although sometimes she could feel the change in Sam’s demeanor when he received a phone call, possibly from Hugo or Eland. His mood suddenly turned sour. It took Beatrice some time to readjust.

“You don’t need to worry. I act for a specific reason. It’s not just because I don’t like being provoked. But once something makes me angry, or like what happened recently, don’t blame all my actions on them,” Sam’s words echoed in her mind. Without saying it, Beatrice knew how Sam and his group operated, and the payback they received was significant. They were close-knit, with a strong sense of family. Although Beatrice knew the language they used was rough and seemed reckless.

Just like Sam. In Beatrice’s eyes, he had another side that she believed was much gentler.

“Are we going home to your place or to the resort?”

“The resort,” Sam replied shortly. His eyes refocused on the steering wheel. Through his left side mirror, he could see a line of cars following them.

“Hera asked when we can go back. She misses college.”

“What about you?”

“Uh… I miss it, too,” Beatrice smiled faintly. “You’ve given me the opportunity to go back to school. But even before experiencing sitting in a classroom, there have been more important events.”

“Do you regret it?”

Beatrice turned to him immediately. “In what sense?”

“Being in my life. You can’t have a normal college experience, and your life can’t go back to what it used to be.”

Beatrice remained silent for a while because Sam’s words truly struck a chord in her heart. He was right. Her life couldn’t go back to how it was before. Many things had already happened, things she had willingly embarked on with Sam. But truly, she didn’t regret a single second that had passed.

“No,” Beatrice replied firmly.

Just as Sam was about to respond to Beatrice’s statement, his phone started ringing. If it was Hugo again, he would definitely deal with his assistant’s disturbance once they arrived at the resort! Just wait and see! However, it was Eland’s name that appeared on the screen.

“Is it done?” Sam quickly asked, not wanting to waste time. His conversation with Eland was related to their headquarters.

“It’s done, Boss. You can rest assured,” Eland replied with a chuckle. “In a week, you can return to the headquarters. Everything you asked for has been fulfilled.”

“So why did you contact me?” Sam leaned back comfortably in his seat. Despite the slightly oversized steering wheel, Sam always managed to control the speed of the car.

“Alfred Quassano.”

“What does he want now?” Sam sighed in annoyance.

“He wants to meet Beatrice.”

“For what?” Sam furrowed his brow.

“There’s something he needs to confirm, and it involves Beatrice, Boss.”

“I don’t want to,” Sam quickly interjected.

Eland sighed softly. “I can’t do anything when all our men are held hostage.”

Sam slammed the brakes hard, causing the car to come to a sudden stop. Beatrice screamed in surprise, and Sam could see that the cars in the line behind them also abruptly stopped. Hugo quickly got out of one of the cars to approach him, but Sam didn’t pay much attention to it.

Eland’s words had disrupted his concentration. “What did you say?”

“Alfred is heading to the resort. Just to confirm one thing with Beatrice, Boss.”

“Damn that old bastard! I’ve already rejected any cooperation with Quassano!”

“It’s not just a collaboration, Boss!”

“Speak clearly, Eland!”

“Beatrice.”

“Why her?” Sam glanced at the girl beside him. His gaze was surprised and slightly fearful because of his recent reaction.

“If what Alfred believes is true, Beatrice is not just an ordinary girl, Boss.”

Sam’s forehead wrinkled deeply.

“She… is Leora Quassano.”