67."LUX"

[3RD PERSON POV]

[MUMBAI—THE CITY OF DREAMS]

As the sun dipped beneath the horizon, Mumbai, the City of Dreams, came alive. The golden hue of twilight gave way to the inky expanse of night, draping the metropolis in its familiar evening attire. The skyline, an eclectic mix of old-world charm and cutting-edge modernity, glistened under the thousands of lights that flickered on, one by one, like stars on earth. Skyscrapers towered high, their glass windows shimmering like jewels, reflecting both the city's ambition and the distant waves of the Arabian Sea. The sea itself, vast and untamed, seemed to mirror the restless energy of the city, its waves rolling in with a rhythmic lull, as if breathing in sync with the heartbeat of Mumbai.

Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), the nerve center of the city's modern aspirations, stood tall amidst this urban orchestra. It was a sprawling corporate jungle of steel and glass, a symbol of Mumbai's relentless drive towards progress. The towers here reached toward the sky with an unshakable confidence, their sleek, reflective façades catching the last glimmers of daylight before surrendering to the electric glow of the night. The complex was a place where the old Mumbai, with its narrow lanes and crowded markets, felt like a distant memory, replaced by the quiet hum of air-conditioned boardrooms and the clinking of coffee cups in corporate cafés.

Inside this maze of wealth and power was the grand branch office of Nirvana Enterprises. As the clock neared the end of the workday, the building hummed with the collective exhale of thousands of employees wrapping up their day. The corridors, once buzzing with the sounds of clacking keyboards and muffled meetings, now filled with the soft shuffle of feet and the murmur of conversations as people made their way to the elevators. A slow, steady stream of employees emerged from the gleaming doors, their faces a mix of exhaustion and satisfaction, as they headed out into the city that never sleeps.

Some paused briefly, taking in the cool breeze that swept through the open spaces between the buildings, while others hurried toward their cars or the nearest train station, eager to beat the rush and get home. The lights from the towering office buildings reflected off their sleek professional attire, casting long shadows on the pavement.

As the automatic doors of Nirvana Enterprises slid open, Daniyal Khan stepped out, exuding an air of confidence that was hard to ignore. Clad in a perfectly tailored black suit, he was the epitome of modern elegance—a handsome man with sharp features and deep-set eyes that spoke of a man who had seen the world and mastered it. He was the branch director of Nirvana enterprises, an ex-Indian soldier and one of team leader of BLACK LOTUS.

Each step echoed through the nearly empty parking lot, a rhythmic reminder of the many battles fought and won—not just on the field, but in the boardroom as well. He reached his sleek black sedan, the metallic surface glinting under the glow of the overhead lights. With a practiced ease, he opened the door and slid into the driver's seat, the familiar scent of leather surrounding him.

The engine purred to life, and he navigated the vehicle out of the parking space with practiced ease. As he drove onto the Bandra roads, the vibrant pulse of the city filled his senses. The once-quiet streets transformed into a lively nightlife hub, radiating energy and warmth. Neon lights flickered to life, casting colorful reflections on his windshield as he maneuvered through the traffic.

Bandra was alive tonight—music spilled from the open doors of bars and cafes, mixing with the laughter of patrons spilling onto the sidewalks. Groups of friends strolled along the streets, some with drinks in hand, while others gathered on rooftop lounges, the glow of city lights beneath them mirroring the stars above. The air was thick with anticipation and freedom, as people chased moments to remember against the backdrop of the vast Arabian Sea.

Daniyal parked his sleek black sedan in front of the towering structure of the nightclub, the unmistakable logo of BLACK LOTUS emblazoned above the entrance, casting a shadow over the thrumming heart of the city. The name 'LUX' glowed in vibrant neon, a beacon in the night. The word "lux" echoed its Latin roots, meaning "light," yet within these walls, darkness often thrived. A tantalizing mix of allure and danger wrapped around the place, hinting at the secrets held within.

As he stepped out of the car, the nightlife pulsed around him. A stream of people flowed in and out, laughter and music spilling into the street, creating a chaotic symphony of life. Security guards stood at attention, their eyes scanning the crowd with a practiced intensity, ensuring that only those deemed worthy gained entry. Daniyal moved with purpose, his posture exuding a quiet confidence that often disarmed even the most vigilant guards. As he approached the entrance, they barely glanced in his direction, recognizing the man who walked among them as more than just a patron.

Crossing the threshold into LUX was like entering another realm. The air was thick with the scent of expensive cologne and the low hum of bass reverberated through the walls, sending vibrations straight to his core. The interior was a dazzling spectacle of light and shadow, with pulsating LED screens illuminating the dance floor where bodies moved in sync to the electrifying rhythm. The atmosphere buzzed with anticipation, each person wrapped in their own world, yet connected through the shared experience of nightlife.

Daniyal navigated through the throng, his sharp gaze taking in the details: the luxurious décor, the bar lined with top-shelf liquors, and the carefully crafted cocktails that glimmered like jewels. These nightclubs are situated in major countries around the world. The people mingling here were more than just partygoers; many were the world's top assassins and hitmen, all under the employment of Vincenzo (Krishna) all are members of BLACK LOTUS.

The dim lighting highlighted the faces of people lost in their own worlds—laughter erupted from one corner, while others swayed to the rhythmic beats pulsing from the stage. Daniyal made his way to the bar, weaving through the crowd with ease.

As Daniyal approached the counter, the atmosphere thickened with anticipation and a sense of purpose. Behind the bar, a flurry of activity unfolded, with men and women expertly mixing drinks, their movements a practiced dance of efficiency. One woman, her dark hair cascading down her back, caught his eye. She flashed him a quick nod, a signal he instinctively understood. Without hesitation, she began to walk away, and Daniyal followed.

They arrived at the elevator, the sleek, metallic doors glinting under the ambient lights. The woman pressed the button, and the doors slid open with a soft whoosh. As they stepped inside, Daniyal felt the familiar pulse of adrenaline.

As the elevator descended, the hum of machinery enveloped them. The doors opened to reveal a stark corridor lined with dim lights. Daniyal stepped out, his confidence radiating through the space. The two guards standing beside the heavy door exchanged glances with him, stepping aside without a word.

Entering the room, Daniyal was immediately reminded of the stark contrast between the lively nightclub above and the cold, calculated environment below. Monitors flickered on the walls, displaying feeds from various locations, a testament to the clandestine operations running beneath the surface of LUX. Computers hummed softly, their screens glowing with data, while the faint scent of gun oil lingered in the air.

He scanned the room, taking in the familiar faces. Daniyal's presence commanded immediate attention; he was the boss here, and the atmosphere shifted as everyone acknowledged him.

As he moved deeper into the room, he approached the ajar door from which a cacophony of muffled screams and sharp voices spilled out.

As Daniyal and the woman entered the room, the chilling atmosphere weighed heavily on the air. The dim light barely illuminated the faces of those standing around, their expressions a mix of indifference and anticipation. In the center of the room, five men sat tied to chairs, their faces bruised and bloodied, the remnants of torture evident in their ragged breaths and hunched postures. Men and women, had been interrogating them relentlessly. At Daniyal's presence, all activity stopped. The room fell into an uneasy silence.

Daniyal's face remained unreadable, his sharp gaze surveying the scene without betraying a single emotion. His dark suit, immaculate and unwrinkled, stood in stark contrast to the disarray around him. He didn't need to raise his voice to command attention. His calm demeanor alone was enough to send a ripple of tension through the room.

Without taking his eyes off the captives, Daniyal spoke, his voice steady and quiet, yet brimming with authority. "What's the situation?" he asked, directing his question to the woman beside him.

The woman, equally composed, responded without hesitation. "Sir, a few days ago, we noticed a significant influx of drugs hitting the streets of Mumbai. After following the trail, we tracked it back to these five men. They're low-level dealers, but they're part of a larger supply chain."

Daniyal's gaze flickered briefly to the men, their eyes wide with fear, but he showed no sign of empathy. "Have they given us anything useful? Who's behind this?"

The woman shook her head, her voice remaining calm but laced with frustration. "No, sir. They claim they've never seen the faces of their suppliers. The dealers cover their identities, and they don't know any names. These men are small-time—barely more than pawns in the operation."

For a brief moment, Daniyal remained silent, his sharp eyes studying the five men. The only sounds in the room were the captives' labored breathing and the occasional drip of blood hitting the concrete floor.

As Daniyal asked, "Are they telling the truth?" the woman nodded, her expression professional and unwavering. "Yes, sir. We've verified it. They're small-time dealers, but they've committed a laundry list of crimes."

Daniyal exhaled softly, the weight of their uselessness evident in his sigh. "So, they're worthless."

The woman nodded again, her gaze steady as she awaited his next command. Without hesitation, Daniyal gave the order, his tone calm and detached. "Kill them."

Without sparing another glance, he and the woman turned and began walking out of the room. Behind them, the chilling sound of desperate screams and pleas for mercy echoed off the walls, only to be abruptly silenced by the cold finality of gunfire. Daniyal's steps didn't falter, nor did his composure waver. This was just another night in his world, where mercy was as scarce as the truth.

As they exited the room, Daniyal's eyes flicked to the monitors mounted on the wall, displaying a live feed of Mumbai's sprawling streets. The city glimmered under the watchful eyes of his organization, every corner, every alley illuminated on the screens. The sheer scale of it—the control they held—was vast, but still, the elusive dealers slipped through their grasp.

"Any progress on identifying the dealers?" Daniyal asked, his voice betraying no impatience, only the calm of a man accustomed to results.

The woman beside him spoke with quiet confidence. "We're close, sir. We'll find them soon."

Daniyal sighed, though the hint of frustration was fleeting. Before he could respond, his phone buzzed in his pocket. Pulling it out, he unlocked the screen. The emblem of Black Lotus appeared, dark and sleek, followed by an address and a time. His sharp eyes scanned the information, and a small smile curled on his lips.

(A/N: If you'd like to support me, please use this UPI: omgadekar29@oksbi "Om Gadekar". If you do, please let me know your webnovel name so I can recognize you.)

(Word's Count:-1960)