My friend is my mate??? (BL)

Arrival in X City

A sleek private jet touched down gracefully in the heart of X City, a place that had not felt Dou Zi's presence for five long years. Inside the luxurious cabin, three men sat with purpose: Secretary Jin, a man of meticulous order; Zhong, a towering bodyguard with an unyielding gaze; and Dou Zi, the enigmatic boss whose calm demeanor masked the turmoil within. With his eyes closed, Dou appeared to be in serene contemplation, but in reality, he was submerged in a deep sleep, a rarity for someone of his stature.

Secretary Jin, aware of the delicate nature of his task, gently attempted to wake his boss. "Boss, we've arrived in X City," he said softly, not wanting to disturb the sleeping giant more than necessary. Dou's emerald eyes slowly fluttered open, revealing a startling beauty that belied his reputation as the Black Eagle, second in command of the underworld. The brief moment of vulnerability passed unnoticed by all but Jin, who had learned to read the subtle signs of his boss's inner world.

X City, a place Dou had left behind with a bitter taste in his mouth, now loomed before him. Memories of his last encounter with Lanz, the arrogant bastard who dared to humiliate him, resurfaced like dark specters. Dou's face remained impassive, but inside, the flames of retribution roared with renewed vigor.

"X City, huh…" Dou murmured to himself, the words dripping with a mixture of nostalgia and cold determination. He would meet Lanz soon, and the thought of revenge added a fierce intensity to his otherwise tranquil demeanor.

Secretary Jin laid out the day's plans, detailing every minute of their schedule with military precision. Dou listened attentively, knowing full well that his return to X City would leave no room for respite. As Jin spoke, Dou's mind drifted back to the humiliations of the past, the injustices he had suffered at Lanz's hands, and the inevitable confrontation that loomed on the horizon.

The motorcade that awaited them at the airport was a testament to Dou's influence and power. Three black jeeps, each brimming with bodyguards, flanked a private car designed for the comfort of their illustrious boss. Dou stepped off the jet with the grace of a runway model, his sunglasses concealing the fire in his eyes. As he entered the car, flanked by Zhong and Jin, he was the very picture of an enigmatic leader, more of a model than a mafia lord.

The drive to their new villa in the city center was swift and silent. Dou's mind, however, was anything but quiet. The memories of Lanz's betrayal plagued him, their vividness rekindling his anger with every passing second. Once they arrived at the villa, Dou headed straight to his room, eager to catch up on the sleep that had eluded him the night before. The evening promised a gala, an event that would demand all of his composure and strength.

### In the Heart of X City

Meanwhile, in the opulent offices of a well-known company, two distinguished alphas were embroiled in a heated argument. Lanz, a dominant alpha with a sharp mind and sharper tongue, faced off against his friend and confidant, Xoa Luang. The tension in the room was palpable.

"How long are you going to continue this charade?" Xoa demanded, his frustration evident. "And how long do you plan to keep it a secret from him? You're going to see Dou tonight, and I suggest you tell him the truth. It seems like he's out for revenge for what you did to him."

Lanz sighed, his face a mask of weary resignation. "I know you want to help, but I can't meet him without an extra shot. I'll be fine, Xoa. How about you come with me as my plus one to the party later? I could use the support."

Xoa, ever the loyal friend, agreed. "Alright, I'll go with you. It's the first time you've spoken such a long sentence in ages. Could it be that Mr. CEO is actually nervous?"

A rare smile crossed Lanz's face, a fleeting glimpse of the man beneath the façade. He said nothing more, retreating to his desk to prepare for the evening's encounter. Despite his outward composure, the thought of facing Dou filled him with an anxiety he dared not express.

### The Gala

The gala was a grand affair, hosted in one of the city's most luxurious hotels. The guest list read like a who's who of the elite, from government officials to business tycoons, and even notable figures from the underworld. The event was a celebration of the black market's decision to legalize certain businesses in X City, a move that had significantly boosted the stock market.

Dou arrived at the gala with his usual entourage, his demeanor as cool and collected as ever. His entrance was marked by whispers and admiring glances, his reputation as both a feared mafia leader and a man of stunning beauty preceding him. As he made his way through the crowd, he could feel the weight of the many eyes upon him, each wondering what the Black Eagle would do next.

It wasn't long before Dou found himself face to face with Lanz, the man who had once been his closest friend and confidant. The air between them crackled with unspoken tension, the ghosts of past betrayals lingering like a dark cloud. Lanz had entered the party with Xoa, who, ever the social butterfly, immediately stepped forward to introduce himself to Dou.

"Hello there, I'm Xoa Luang," he said with a charming smile, extending his hand. "A research scientist specializing in pheromones and hormones. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Dou returned the smile, though his eyes remained cold. "The pleasure is all mine," he replied, his voice a smooth, dangerous purr.

Lanz, uncharacteristically silent, seemed at a loss for words. His mind raced with thoughts of the past and the confrontation that now seemed inevitable. Xoa glanced at Lanz, noting his discomfort. "Are you going to introduce us?" he asked.

"This is Dou Zi," Lanz said finally, his voice barely concealing the turmoil within. "Second in command of the underworld."

Xoa, ever the charmer, took Dou's hand and kissed it lightly. "It's an honor to meet you, Dou," he said with a twinkle in his eye.

With a nod, Lanz turned and walked away, Xoa following close behind. The moment they left, Jin discreetly handed Dou a syringe of suppressant. Dou injected himself quickly, the act a well-practiced necessity. He downed a glass of champagne in one swift gulp, the bitter liquid a stark contrast to the bitterness in his heart, and made his way to the restroom.

Inside, Dou stared at his reflection, the face of the man he had become. The anger and hate he felt for Lanz were almost overwhelming, his body reacting in ways he could barely control. He had once loved Lanz, had once believed in their future together, but that dream had been shattered in the most brutal of ways on their wedding day. Now, all that remained was a burning desire for revenge.

As he splashed water on his face, Dou's thoughts turned to the events of the past, to the humiliation and betrayal that had driven him from X City. But tonight, he was back, and he would make sure that Lanz paid for every ounce of pain he had caused. The fire of revenge burned brightly in Dou's heart, and nothing, not even his own conflicted emotions, would stand in his way.