Bab 3: The Man
"DO YOU WANT TO PLAY A GAME?" Meaningfully uttered by the man in a tuxedo who is currently standing beside him. The man was dressed in elegance, his demeanor oozed with playfulness and mystery.
He was like a puzzle.
He couldn't understand why he's being rattled by his mere presence. It was silly, given that he has a horde of men with guns that can protect him.
Diego Castiglione is a part of a big syndicate, way too big to be trifled with. He never in his life felt fear for the people who go up against him. He could just snap his fingers and they would be dead.
Then why in the hell when it comes to this man, he just folds?
He knew about him even before this charity ball. The said ball was for prestigious people in the society only, with big contributions to the country and to the foundation. The man approached him at the bar, introducing himself as Keith Nagasaki.
He was stunned! Hell! He couldn't believe that he would meet the man who is always on the cover of magazines.
The infamous sought-after-bachelor and a man of his world, Keith Nagasaki, the viper of the business world.
It is already an honor to meet him, much more, talk to him. More importantly, it was Him who did the approaching. What a night to behold!
They were just discussing business and all kinds of interesting subjects in the most secluded part in the garden of the hotel the ball is being held to. There are only two of them except for his other two men that were posted not too far.
"P-play?" He stammered.
"Yes, I want to play a game. Involving you, your company, and all your possessions. I'll also bet all I have, if you win, it will all be yours." He stated with a grin on his face.
He stood there stunned, jaws slacking at what he heard.
"All of it?!"
"All of it..." Keith confirmed as he sips his wine.
Diego's mind began to churn at the possibility of having all of Keith's possession. But if he plays his so-called game, there is still the risk of losing. Losing everything he has.
Well, the risk is constant. The bigger the risk, the sweeter the reward.
"What game?" Diego inquired. His reply made Keith smirked internally.
He got too engrossed at the possibility of him winning that he didn't see the glint of victory in Keith's eyes.
"It's very simple really, I'll let you choose between two things." He replied.
The game started when Keith approached him but he hadn't figured it out yet. It was only the beginning after all.
After a moment of silence, Diego looked at him and said, "Mmm, I'm in."
Keith chuckled and stared at him. He threw the glass of wine somewhere and asked "Red wine or white wine?"
Diego stared at him for a while dumbfounded before laughing out loud.
What the hell? It's this easy?
"Hmm, I prefer vintage red wine." He answered with a shit-eating grin on his face. He was snickering inside because of how dumb the question was.
Keith nodded at his answer, he seemed to think for a while. His eyes went to him and smiled, "I prefer red too. For that answer, I'll give you the Lotus Casino."
Diego's mind went blank.
L-Lotus Casino?!
"Next question." Keith tapped his shoe on the ground thinking. Diego on the other hand was still in a state of shock.
"Ah!" His dark eyes glinted, "Your wife or your daughter?"
"Huh?" He stupidly uttered.
"Your wife or your daughter? C'mon pick one." Keith gave him a wide smile, eyes turning to slits.
"C'mon Keith, that's a hard question," Diego stated while chuckling.
"Is it? Then let me help you." He said then pulled out his phone.
Diego's brows knotted in confusion. Not long after, Keith gave him his phone. He reluctantly took the phone and looked at it. What he saw made his head bigger.
"W-wha-- w-wha--"
"So? What's your answer?"
"What is this?! Why are they--!!"
The phone shows video footage of his wife and daughter tied up and gagged while armed men in suits surround them. They were both shivering in fear and crying. Even without the audio, he could almost hear them.
Diego glared at the man in front of him who's still smiling like a maniac.
"What the hell is this?!" He bellowed.
"Ah? We're playing a game right?" Keith replied, cocking his head sideways.
"How is this a game?!" Diego's face turned red with anger. He was gritting his teeth, wanting nothing as of this moment but to punch this man.
"What's wrong? You only need to choose one." Keith stated.
"Release them first!"
"Not until you choose." Keith's eyes glittered with merriment.
"What will happen if I don't choose?" He cautiously asked.
Keith let out a low chuckle that made his hair stand.
"Oh that, they'll die of course."
Diego's body turned rigid, he was sweating cold sweat. This man...
"Why are you doing this?" Eyes wide with comprehension.
Within seconds, Keith's smile wavered. All was left was his cold gaze.
"Antoine Guerrero."
He froze as he heard the name. How the hell did he know Antoine?
"W-who?" He asked stammering then inwardly cursed.
Antoine Guerrero was one of his brethren in the mob, actually, he was one of their bosses and also his friend. In public eyes, Antoine is just a mere businessman and a nobody compared to this man in front of him. His name has no accolades and won't even ring a bell.
"I know you work for him so you should stop pretending." He declared as he played with the platinum ring on his finger.
"I... I d-don't know what you're talking about..."
Keith clicked his tongue.
"You see Mr. Castiglione, I hate liars. I also hate traitors." He stated and sniggered. "I am not a very patient man, so you better tell me what you know."
He glanced at his two people with wary. After they heard him shout a while ago, they were now looking at them suspiciously.
He then remembered a particular conversation he had with Antoine. He was rambling about how his plan went successfully and it would be their family's rise to glory. Is he talking about that?
He faked a laugh as he tried to loosen his tie.
"Why would I lie to you Mr.--- uhkk!!"
Before he could finish his sentence, Keith already grasped his tie. It tightened when he tried to get away and is now choking him. A gun was also pointed at his throat, the cold muzzle digging through his skin.
He almost sh-t his pants.
He couldn't believe what was happening! Keith is actually holding him at gunpoint!
He tried to look at his two people, but they were now soundlessly lying on the ground. Another set of men is standing at their location.
"My men surround the hotel Diego, you can't escape. Answer my damn question before I fvcking kill your family." He growled.
He gulped and shut his eyes tight.
I'm sorry Antoine but I love my family and my life...
After confessing everything he knows, Keith released his hold on him. His knees went weak and he fell down like a fawn.
He watched as Keith talked with someone on the phone, and then tried to stand up.
"W-what will happen to him?" He couldn't help but ask.
The man laughed darkly, "I'll let him taste hell that he would wish he was dead so he would know what happens to people who betray me."
His face paled. After all, it was he who sold Antoine out.
"Y-you... w-who are you?" He whispered.
"Ah? You don't need to worry about that." Keith replied smoothly as he fiddled with his gun.
Without a word, he brought the gun to Diego's forehead and shot him. His lifeless body fell down with a thud.
Keith stared at the body with cold eyes and chuckled, "You're dead after all..."
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