Rey entered the quiet apartment lobby area. The white neon lighting made the atmosphere bright yet tense.There was only one security guard in a black uniform sitting at a small desk in the corner of the lobby. The guard looked at Rey as he entered."Can I help you?" the guard asked in a routine tone."I'm meeting a friend in unit 2012," Rey answered.He didn't find that procedure strange because it was something he used to do too when he still worked as a security guard.The guard nodded, then looked back down at the guest book in front of him.Rey walked slowly past him, his eyes observing two elevator doors ahead and a corridor on the left that usually led to the basement, public restrooms, and emergency exit.He considered using the emergency stairs, but the 20th floor was too high to reach that way. Finally he decided to take the elevator.The elevator button was pressed, and the door opened quickly. Rey entered the empty cabin and pressed the button for floor 20.The elevator st

Rey pulled his face away from Jessie's kiss, but the distance between them was only a hand's span. Their breaths still mingled, warm and damp."I can't," he said, his voice hoarse yet with firmness within it. "I have to leave now."Jessie lowered her head, the expression on her face changing from hope to deep disappointment. She slowly released her grip on Rey's shirt collar, her slender fingers visibly trembling slightly."Alright," she whispered, her voice almost lost amidst the constant hum of the AC. "Go."Silence settled for a moment, filled only by the very faint sound of the television. Rey was about to get up from the sofa, but his body felt heavy as if held down by an invisible weight.Inside him, an intense turmoil was happening. He worried about leaving Jessie in an emotionally unstable state, but on the other hand, he tried to convince himself that this wasn't his business.The tears and resentment of this stranger sh

Nadia's black SUV stopped right across from Emily's stall. The woman rolled down the window and called out to Rey who looked like he was surrounded by several women."Rey!" Nadia shouted, her voice clear amid the crowd.Rey waved his hand toward Nadia, a signal for the woman to wait a moment. Emily looked toward the car and immediately told Rey to go to Nadia."Isn't that Auntie Nad? Go quickly, don't make her wait too long," said Emily while still serving buyers.Rey looked confused, the phone in his hand still showing Ethan's unanswered message, a woman in front of him waiting to be served, and now Nadia calling him.Emily pushed Rey's shoulder hard. "Go to her quickly, are you stupid? I can handle things here myself," she urged in a whisper.Rey then went over to the car and bent down to speak through the open window. "What's up, Nad?" he asked in a flat voice.Nadia smiled, her gentle eyes looking at Rey. "Can you help me again today? I want to look around a new shopping area by t

The five men moved in unison attacking Jin with bare hands, their movements stiff yet powerful like ordinary street fighters.Jin stepped back one pace, dodging the first punch aimed at his head, then his body spun nimbly to kick the side of the nearest man's knee.The sound of cracking bone was heard followed by a scream of pain. "Come on, who's next!" Jin shouted loudly in the parking area.Two other men charged from the side, Jin bent low and swept their legs with a quick movement. Both fell with a thud onto the asphalt.The fourth man tried to hold Jin from behind, but Jin raised his elbow hard into the man's ribs, making him cough and release his grip.The fifth man, the biggest one, swung a big fist toward Jin's face. Jin blocked with his left arm while his right hand punched the man's stomach with full force.The big man collapsed, vomiting the contents of his stomach onto the asphalt.After all five men had falle

"Never mind, just come along." That was Ethan's last sentence before they finally arrived at a narrow yet lively shopping complex.The street was only wide enough for two cars to pass each other, with rows of three-story shophouses on the right and left all brightly lit.Car and motorcycle parking filled the front of those shophouses, some even taking up part of the road. Neon light billboards glowed with various names that clearly indicated what kind of place this was.There were signs reading Blue Moon Pub, Angel Club, Rosebay Massage, Golden Nine Ball, all related to nightlife entertainment.Music with heavy bass could be faintly heard from several places, mixed with the sound of laughter and chatter. Rey felt uncomfortable, his eyes scanning the surroundings warily."What are we here for?" Rey asked in a flat voice while walking following Ethan.Ethan stopped and turned toward a glass door. "Didn't I already answer that?