Episode One

Gentle patters of snow fell onto the ground as Callan stepped onto the patio. She gazed across the long layers of snow coating the garage, a bewildered expression on her face. She let out a few curses, huddling tighter in her winter clothes. Her slender feet wiggled uncomfortably in the knee length boots she was putting on.

Callan bit her lips and pulled on her gloves tighter as she stepped down the stairs of the apartment. She could feel her teeth chattering from the cold. She took firm but slow steps as she treaded on the heavy snow coating the road.

The street was already fairly crowded; business men and women in their suits as they scrambled off in the direction of the bus stop to take the earlies bus to the city. Stall owner also behind their counters as their eyes zoomed into any passersby to promote their goods.

A small smile made its way to Callan's lips as she walked past the first stall.

"Callan."

An elderly woman's voice wafted into her ears and Callan smiled wider, making her way towards the woman.

"Mrs. Filch!" Callan exclaimed, stopping in front of her stall.

The elderly woman smiled warmly, bending slightly underneath the counter and pulled out a basket. The basket had a woven cover and handle. Callan could see the white lid of a plastic cream sticking out of the basket.

Callan widened her eyes in recognition as she collected the basket. She slid open the cover and peered into it. Inside were a variety of cosmetics, a can of green beans and mayonnaise.

She lifted her gaze from the basket towards Mrs. Filch, a grateful smile coating her lips. "Thank you so much, Mrs. Filch."

Mrs. Filch smiled again and she patted Callan's hand. "It's nothing. I specifically requested the dealer to help you purchase them. Even he seemed to be impressed. Surely, you've been missing the city life, haven't you?"

A subtle light flickered past Callan's eyes that one could barely notice it. She lowered her head, saying goodbye to Mrs. Filch and began walking once again. Her eyelashes fluttered gently as she began to tread slowly on the snow.

She felt that Mrs. Filch was right. She missed her usual lifestyle. Her footsteps became more lax at the thought. Two years ago, she could never have imagined that she would be living in such a run down community. Although quiet and peaceful, there was hardly any of the buzz in the city here.

But it was her decision. She ought to take responsibility for it. She remembered the saying, 'As long as there is life, there is hope'

Her fists clenched as a new surge of determination washed through her. She straightened her back when she saw the tall building from afar. Now that she had the basket, she decided to collect the books she wanted and return home.

She lowered her head, her fists clenching ultimately. She had left Paris for two years now. Was her law firm already closed down? She wasn't very confident that Vivienne, her assistant attorney would be able to handle the pressure from her rivals. Moreover, she had left so abruptly, her clients must be requesting for explanations.

Callan's heart was heavy. In this life, would she have to hide forever?

* * *

The room was slightly dark except for the streak of light escaping into the room through the small door in the ceiling. The light shone on four people underneath. One of them was tied to a chair while the others were tied together on the floor. They were huddled together tightly and shuddering. Across them, five men stood with a large table beside him. On the table, all sorts of deadly weapons laid side by side. One of the man grabbed a whip from the table. The whip was laced with scorching thorns.

"Tell me the truth right now. You kidnapped Mr. Andes, didn't you?" he barked, swinging the large whip at them. It hit the four harshly and they broke into wails.

He was about to strike at them once more, when the sound of boots entered his ears. They all turned to look and in a minute, a tall figure grabbed one of their guns and fired.

Bang!

One shot.

Bang! Bang!

Two shots.

Caesar calmly retracted his hand that held the gun. His eyes held no emotions nor did they fluctuate as he gazed coolly at the three bodies lying in the floor, dead. He lifted his gaze and looked at the fourth man, tied to a chair. The latter's emotions rose wildly when he felt Caesar's gaze on him. He shrunk back into the chair out of fear.

Caesar's lips rose in a sneer. Who did these men think he was? Since they dared to cause trouble, they ought to have the galls to be responsible for it.

He tilted the nuzzle of the gun in the direction of the dead bodies. "They are dead. Just one shot."

The man flinched in fear. Of course, he didn't doubt that. Just one shot and he could say goodbye to the world. He didn't dare to doubt his words. Who was Z God? He was the king of Italian Mafia. If he had known such a big shot was supporting that Andes, he wouldn't have ever laid his hands on him, even if he had enough guts for three lifetimes.

Caesar continued. "I won't repeat my words. Did you kidnap Andes?"

The man drew back his neck and muttered meekly, "Yes."

"Good answer," Caesar replied, his voice eve monotone. "Where is he?"

There was a pause. The room was quiet. Except for the silent panicky breathing of the man and Caesar's impatient tapping on the weapon table. Caesar smiled coldly, lifting the gun and corked it.

The man flinched, lifting his head hurriedly shuddered uncontrollably, making Caesar raise his eyebrows sarcastically. The man coughed, then began to stutter,

"He is at the warehouse beside the South port."

Caesar pursed his lips. Indeed, it was good move on his part. The south port was a deserted area.

He lifted the gun again and the man stared at him wide eyed. His eyes were slitted with fear.

Caesar snorted, "You don't expect me to spare you, do you?"

"I...told you. The truth. I...didn't... lie."

"You didn't," Caesar laughed. "And I'm not taking your life because you abducted one of my men. You raped a young lady about two days ago, didn't you? You hit your wife and daughter every day. Tell me. Should I let scum like you live?"

The man stared at him, speechless.

You surely are not a saint too, are you?

Caesar tilted his head derisively, "I'm no saint. But I like getting rid of scum like you."

He corked the gun and pulled the trigger.

Bang!

The chair shook and fell with the corpse. Blood flowed from the man's forehead onto the floor.

He gave the gun back to one of the men who bowed respectfully before grabbing an handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his hand clean. He began walking away towards his car parked outside. As he walked out of the large building, the guards bowed fervently.

The moment he got to the car, his assistant hurriedly stepped out with a phone in his hand.

"Boss, it's the underboss."

Caesar nodded collecting the phone and placed it beside his ear. He lowered himself into the red sleek car as a voice floated into his ears from the phone.

"Boss."

"Zaviero," Caesar called out.

"Boss, I'm done with the investigation."

"Hm. Send it to my apartment in Sicily."

Zaviero paused. "You've been going to Sicily a lot these day. Is something wrong, Zan?"

"Nope."

"Who is she?" Zaviero suddenly inquired.

"Who?"

Zaviero gritted his teeth. How infuriating. Was he acting dumb now?

There was a teasing edge to his voice as he asked, "Zan, is she my sister in law? "

Caesar snorted, "What sister in law? Get your mind out of the gutter."

Zaviero shook his head at the other end of the line. That brat. Was he hiding things from his best now?

"You're hiding something from me."

Caesar chuckled, guiltily. "Thanks for helping out. I'll give you a call later."

Zaviero yelled immediately, "Don't you dare, Zan."

Du…du…du…

The sound of the call being disconnected resounded out on Zaviero's end and he pursed his lips. His best friend was definitely hiding something. But what could it be?

Caesar leaned back into the chair, his gaze drifting out of the car. He seemed dazed. However, no one noticed the slight curve on the edge of his lips.