Where's Your Friend?

Calvin released the staff member with a smirk. By this time, his goal had already been achieved, the bar was already empty.

"Tell your Boss that this is the consequence of snatching my Boss' business," the man said.

"What are you talking about?" Max asked. "This has been free territory ever since Arvin was taken to prison, Jackson simply purchased a pre-existing karaoke bar."

"I'm not talking about the karaoke bar! I'm talking about the deal in 2 days time," the man explained. "It's not too late for him to hand the deal over to our Boss. Otherwise, we're going to make his life hell!"

Calvin and the other three men kicked over some tables as they walked out, ramming their way past Max and Sean while Cleo hid behind Sean.

After they left, Cleo hesitated before she asked, "Max, were those gangsters?"

Max looked at the frightened expression on the woman's face and nodded his head. He then started picking up the knocked over tables and ordered the staff to sweep the floors and clean up the mess.

"Is your friend also a gangster. I heard them call him your Boss. Does that mean you are one too?" she questioned further.

"I don't consider myself a gangster. I simply support and protect my friend. That's what friends do," Max defended himself.

Cleo nodded in understanding, but she was still a little flustered. She had never come across gangsters in real life and it scared her to be associated with them. Perhaps, it wasn't such a good idea to get involved with Max.

"Will your restaurant be affected by this?" Cleo suddenly asked.

Max was silent as he contemplated the situation. Jackson actually had shares in his restaurant; if anyone found out, trouble was highly possible. But, he wasn't opening for another 2 months. By then, would things be different?

"It's too early to say. I won't be opening for another 2 months," he replied honestly.

Cleo nodded her head.

At that moment, Max approached to grab the bags of food out of her hands. His fingers gently brushed against hers and she jumped back in fright. This reaction broke Max's heart. Was she that afraid of him now?

Max sighed as he started walking down a corridor, "Follow me, let's eat in here before the food gets cold..."

...

While all the drama was happening upstairs, Halia and Jackson were still fast asleep in the lab, oblivious to the outside world.

It had already been a couple of hours, so Jackson's eyes slowly opened.

As his vision cleared, he saw a beautiful woman lying in his arms. Their hands were clasped tightly together and her head was on his shoulder. At this distance, he could smell the floral scent of her shampoo and it felt warm and comforting. He gently pressed his lips against the woman's forehead and she began to wake up.

Halia lifted her head and looked up at Jackson with her dewy eyes. "Did you have a good nap?" she asked.

Jackson looked down at the innocent-looking woman and couldn't help but steal a quick kiss from her lips. "Uh huh," he replied.

Halia felt her heart race at the sudden gesture.

"I'm going to mop the floors before Max arrives with dinner. It's still a mess in the lab. He's going to get the wrong idea," Jackson laughed as he sat up.

Halia nodded her head as she watched Jackson walk out.

...

Back upstairs, Max had reheated the black bean noodles and returned to the karaoke room where Cleo and Sean was.

"I'm sorry about what happened. I hope it didn't scare you guys. My friend may be involved with the gangs, but I swear, things like what you saw earlier doesn't happen often," Max comforted.

Cleo remained silent as she grabbed her bowl of noodles and started eating.

"Where's your friend right now? Why wasn't he here to handle that matter?" Sean asked.

Max was surprised by Sean's curiosity. He did not seem frightened at all.

"He's on a business trip for a few days," Max replied.

He then picked up the remaining two bowls of black bean noodles, as well as the coffee and the tea and headed for the door.

"I'll be right back. I'm just taking this out for the staff," he said.

Cleo and Sean nodded.

But, a moment after Max stepped out, Sean stood up and followed him out. "I need to go to the bathroom, I'll be right back as well," he explained to Cleo.

Cleo was in too much of a daze to care as she nodded her head and continued eating.

Of course, Sean wasn't actually going to the bathroom. He was following to see if he'd get any clues on Halia's whereabouts.

Keeping a fair distance from Max, Sean carefully hid amongst the shadows of the dimly lit corridors as he kept an eye on the man. Finally, Max stopped outside a room marked with 'VVIP'. Sean remained hidden around the corner as Max quickly scanned his eyes around suspiciously. After he confirmed that the coast was clear, he stepped into the room.

Why was he being so secretive?

Sean quickly ran over before the door completely shut and peered into the room. That's when he noticed the wall inside was beginning to move.