A. The Darkness

One of the halls of Chicagoo's five-star hotel was crowded with women in lace dresses and gloves and men standing tall in their black suits and tuxedos.

The night was really lively, with clapping and soft instrumental music as the background.

They were the guests at Langford's only daughter's birthday, which was grand and classy; only dignitaries and the families of political dignitaries could attend on that day.

Tonight's party carries the concept of wearing a party mask. So, all guests who attend Anna Langford aka Nana's birthday party must wear masks, there are no exceptions. Even now, Nana is also wearing a mask.

Mr. Kenzio Langford is really spoiling his daughter this time. On May 27, Nana turns 18 years old. Last April, Nana moved up to grade 3 of high school.

Currently, the schedule is showing casual events. The guests were eating ordered dishes and chatting with other guests.

Those present there were usually a collection of Mr. Kenzio's friends and their partners. Of course the people of honor in this country. There are several people from political parties who are also Mr. Kenzio's friends. And of course many of his confidants.

Also some of Nana's invited guests.

Likewise for Kelly, Jack and Jimmy were also invited to Nana's 18th birthday.

Kelly with a smooth mane in a simple bun, which is trending among adult magazines. She looks elegant and charming in her knee-length dress.

Kelly is here with Jack. Kelly as Nana's invited guest because Kelly is the older sister of Jimmy, Nana's best friend. Jack is Mr. Kenzio's guest.

Time has changed everything. Friends like Mr. Kenzio and Jack are now at war because of the problems their children have caused. The parents are indeed more concerned with their respective images than the happiness of their children.

Even though Kelly came with Jack, they got separated in the middle of the event. Jack Ludwig is busy greeting his business partner-in-law, who was invited to this grand event for daughter Langford's birthday as well.

The Ludwig Family and the Langford Family have almost the same business, namely the black market business. Even so, what many people know is that they are just ordinary businessmen. No one can prove the crimes committed by Ludwig and Langford. Therefore, they can freely roam like this. And they act like ordinary tycoons without knowing the other dark businesses they run.

Most people, tend to respect all those who have abundant wealth. So, they don't care too much about the wealth they get from a family that is indeed from their great-grandparents who are already wealthy.

It's a different story if it's a poor person who suddenly becomes rich. People certainly question where the poor got their wealth. So become rich suddenly. And the most common assumption is that poor people must have performed a ritual to become rich.

Jack chose wine. His eyes wandered around, looking for the prima donna at this party. Who else but Anna Langford, the target.

Jack won't be in a hurry. He had to approach Nana as naturally as possible. Maybe this will take a long time to several years. The problem is with the Langford family. Jack has to rack his brains to conquer all of the Langford, so that his plan can run smoothly.

Tap ....

A tap on his shoulder made Jack smile warmly, "You! Lucca?!" Jack screamed when he found out that it was Lucca Rainsworth, who hugged his shoulder. The owner of the LR Entertainment agency company.

"Ah ... is this really you, Jack?! I really didn't expect it! After so many years, we finally meet again!" Lucca spoke. He hugged Jack with one hand, Jack also responded to the hug.

And they talked for a long time, telling each other about their lives. Jack admitted that he only had one teenage daughter, Lucca immediately offered to let the daughter of his acquaintance join his agency. However, Jack immediately rejected.

Without all the guests knowing, there was an intimidating stare being thrown by a young man in the corner of the room. In the shadows, the young man gulped his drink without stopping to stare at the girl in an elegant mauve dress that showed off the woman's smooth back.

"Start your job now," said another youth figure while patting the young man's shoulder while looking at the same object.

"Of course."

The young man slowly left his place, put his glass on a table, and held the small object stuck to his left ear as he said, "Now!!"

Clap...

The lights in the room suddenly stopped shining. The darkness was followed by loud shouts, and the protests of the guests. Unbeknownst to them, a woman among them was missing.

***

The woman's eyelids fluttered and opened slowly, revealing the wistful irises.

Her eyes blinked a few times as she adjusted to the dim light of the room. Slowly, she tried to get up from her sleeping position to sit up. She realized she was sitting on a comfortable queen size bed with a blanket covering her.

Her eyes swept across the room that she could catch. None of the lights were on, the only light that came in was from the large window with the curtains open, located to the right of the bed she was sitting on.

She turned her head when she saw the figure of a man with a sturdy body was with his back to her.

The man stood in front of the large minimalist window at head height, looking up at the night sky and several skyscrapers emitting a faint glow.

He wore a white shirt with the sleeves folded up to the elbows and black pants.

The woman fell silent in panic.

'Where am I?' she thought. It is Anna Langford a.k.a Nana, who was brought by someone on this birthday.

The man moved—Nana watched him warily.

The man took a sip of the drink in his glass until it was partially flushed and said quietly, "Get some rest!"

Nana jumped slightly at the familiar baritone voice. She was surprised to remember that she didn't make much noise enough for the stranger to notice.

The man slowly turned around, placed the glass on a small table that held a bottle of Bourboun and an iron object that he had not fully seen and looked at Nana.

His position with his back to the light cast a shadow on his face.

"YOU!" shrieked Nana.

"You're the uncle who became one of papa's friends at my birthday party, right?" shrieked Nana.

"Yeah, that's right. I am one of Mr. Langford's man. And he ordered me to eliminate you, Sweet Lady," said a grown man, sitting on the corner of Nana's bed.

Nana shook her head quickly. What bullshit is this again? There's no way her papa would want to get rid of her right now, right? Nana thought.

"Don't say nonsense, Uncle!! How could papa want to kill me, huh?!"

"Why not? You're not part of Langford's main family. You've also tarnished Langford's name by dealing with Ludwig. You're a useless burden. So, don't act like a princess!" The man said sharply.

Nana was still shocked to hear the man's words. She didn't even know what the man was saying.

"Don't talk nonsense, Uncle! I don't understand what you're saying at all. So, now let me go!!" Nana got out of bed and was about to go out. However, the man pushed her tiny body and fell back onto the bed.

"You still remember, don't you? If you weren't related by blood to all of the Langford? And you already knew too much about Langford's secrets. So, now is the time for you to disappear from this world, Sweet Lady." The man spoke again. A mysterious grin was also etched on his blackened lips, probably from smoking a lot.

"That's all bullshit!! What's the reason my family wants to eliminate me, huh? Ah, that's absolutely impossible! Even though I'm not one of them, the Langford have always been kind to me!

"And I also just found out that I'm not part of Langford only a few months ago. And papa said he would always protect and love me like before, despite all that fact, Uncle." Nana spoke, half hissing.

Nana really couldn't believe it. How could the papa herself want to eliminate her? And for what? that's what Nana thought.

"All Langford are crazy, Miss. He wants to kill you because you know about many of Langford's secrets. In fact, those Langford also killed your biological father! Don't you know that? Mr. James is your real biological father, Miss. Haven't you ever been suspicious of those Langford, huh?"