The Black Swan Behind (Beauty of Fire)

116 Injustice

A man with smooth skin was eating beef soup in a stall that was quite crowded with visitors. Before the soup was finished, a middle-aged woman approached him with a plate of butter-fried chicken wings, french fries, and a glass of Sake.

“Oh.. I didn’t order this..”

The woman with the head that was already covered with a fair amount of grey hair immediately shook her palm, “It’s free, Boss. Please accept it.”

“Gosh.. Auntie, you don’t have to be like this..” Marcel looked uneasy.

The woman shook her head, “It’s okay. I made it with pleasure. I have a lot of customers today. It’s all thanks to you, Boss Marcel.”

“I told you, don’t call me Boss.” Marcel scratched the back of his non-itchy head. But, no matter how much he wanted to say it, it seemed that these people never wanted to hear and kept calling him by that name.

“I’ve paid Yossi a weekly deposit,” Said the woman as she lifted the empty bowl from the table.

“Thank you, Ma’am. If you’re having a hard time, don’t let my employees pressure you. Just tell me if someone’s causing trouble.” He said.

“Oh.. Instead of being pushy, they’re really nice to me. Just like the boss.” She winked, “Remember. It’s free. Don’t leave cash on the table again. Excuse me,” she continued before leaving.

.....

Marcel couldn’t help but smile weakly as he sighed softly. His eyes looked at the pile of food on the table, “Looks like I have to pack some more food for the boys.”

After finishing dinner, Marcel got into the car which immediately drove to his headquarters. A man in a ponytail drove the car for him.

“Had the boys at headquarters have dinner?” Marcel asked Kenny.

“Meals have been distributed according to schedule. If you mean Damian and the others, I have a report that they have returned from Bluevalley.” The man with an expressionless face answered.

“That’s good. They are the humans who are always hungry.” Marcel muttered in relief. He didn’t like wasting food.

A large building that used to be a movie theatre had been transformed into the headquarters of a gangster group named Red Jack Commander, or commonly known as RJC. The building was very nice and well maintained. Maybe, the locals would think it’s a private hotel or something. To be sure, no one could get in it except the men who always wear neat black clothes.

The black car that Marcel occupied entered the basement of the building. When the man came out of it, he saw several members lined up and saluting him.

Marcel’s loafers echoed against the marble floor of the building as he walked. Even the pattern of his shoes tapping as he walked was already memorized by the members, so that they would be ready to salute as soon as the man who had the appearance of a model passed by.

The round-shaped building had five floors. The room, or more accurately referred to as the house belonging to the leader of RJC, was on the fifth floor. It was a suite almost as luxurious as one in a five-star hotel.

Kenny opened the door to a room that was almost the size of a fifth floor. Marcel casually stepped inside. As soon as he entered the door, he was faced with a living room that had a masculine interior dominated by black and red colours. In the black leather sofa located in the middle of the living room, Damian, Renu, and Vico were seen.

RJC had three levels of members. The first was the chairman, Marcel Douglas. The second was the Major, namely Kenny Brown. Then, the third was Soldiers which were Vico Hustle, Damian Jamin, and Renu Khan.

Although Marcel was quite strict with the rest of his group’s members, to the four of them, he was relaxed like a brother. They could even enter his house freely as long as they didn’t touch his private room.

“You’re back, Boss?” Damian greeted in his usual loud voice. It looked like the three of them were playing cards with peanut shells all over the table.

Marcel placed two plastic bags of food on the granite table, “Playing cards again?”

Damian nodded as he directly checked the contents of the plastic bag. Instantly, a fragrant aroma burst out, “Nice! Fried chicken! Thank you, Boss!”

“You’re welcome,” Marcel replied by taking off his coat and hanging it on the hanger near the door.

Marcel joined Kenny who had sat down first. He didn’t forget to grab a can of cold beer on the table, opened it, and took a big gulp, “Why are you guys playing cards so much lately?” he asked by picking up a peanut shell in front of Vico.

“Ah.. It’s my money!” Vico exclaimed directly.

“Money?” Marcel put on a confused face while watching the peanut shell he was still holding.

“We use peanuts instead of money,” Damian said with a wide grin before quickly devouring the fried chicken that was already in his hands.

Marcel let out a tired sigh, then, lightly tossed the peanut shell back on the table, “It’s the same as gambling. Even if you replace them with peanut shells, it’s a start that ends in your desire to use real money.” he shook his head slowly.

“Is it? This was Vico’s idea.” Damian replied.

“Relax, Boss. We will never get out of hand. Isn’t it right, Renu?” Damian continued by embracing the thick eyebrows man who was sitting next to him.

“I thought you never wanted to play their stupid game?” Marcel asked Renu.

“They forced me,” Renu answered flatly.

“Oh.. There are a veggie soup and French fries in the other plastic. You can eat them.” Marcel remembered. It was because Renu didn’t like to eat too much meat. He preferred to eat veggies to maintain his body health.

“This is great! Thank you,” It was Damian who was busy opening the other pouch.

Marcel could only shake his head at the red-haired boy’s behaviour. Maybe, because he was the youngest, his behaviour became childish.

Finally Marcel got up from his seat, then, walked inside leaving the group of men behind. He stepped into his spacious room with a large window overlooking the white snow-covered streets of Handway City. The moon was shining quite brightly because it was not snowed all day.

To be honest, he never liked winter. The snow that fell, piled up, making everything look pure white, seemed to frighten him. The memories that carved the wound in his chest seemed to never heal forever.

He walked over to a big bed. The large bed only accommodated a lonely man. He sat on the side, then, his hand reached for a photo frame perched on the night table. Photo of a smiling family. Even so, that smile looked pathetic. But at least, there was some warmth in it.

Marcel would never forget what he once had. All that disappeared and could not be returned. All that came and must be defended. All the memories that left scars that made him the Marcel Douglas he was today.

“Jack.. Can you see me from up there? I’m sorry that I can’t be as brave as you. Sorry I can’t be as strong as you.” He muttered while looking at the figure of the light brown-haired boy who was laughing widely in the photo. “If grandma leaves in the end, doesn’t that mean that I’m the only living human in this photo?” he smiled faintly.

After finishing his bath, Marcel came out of his room again into the living room. The room looked neat and quiet. The boys had gone. There was only a big man with shoulder-length hair who always seemed to be in a ponytail wherever he went.

“Did something happen?” Marcel sat on the sofa. From Kenny’s face, he could tell that the man was about to pass along information that seemed quite important.

“They’ve doubled the rate,” Kenny said.

“What?” Marcel’s brows furrowed.

Kenny nodded once, “They said, since Hell Gate fell, they had to raise rates to cover costs...”

“F*ck with the costs! I know Hell Gate has fallen and I know things are getting a bit chaotic. But if they doubled it, that’s unacceptable!” Marcel’s voice rose.

“I know. I’m also sure that RJC wasn’t the only one who objected. But they didn’t receive any protest. If anyone resisted, they would be done. That’s what they said.” Kenny explained with his head down. To be honest, he felt ashamed of himself for not being strong enough to face those people. Everyone had tried, but they all failed and almost lost their lives.

Marcel rubbed the bridge of his nose, “If things are like this, it is certain that various groups will start a war to expand their territory to increase their income. We can’t stay calm. Speed ??up the members’ recruitment and double it.” he ordered.

Kenny nodded, “Understood, Boss. Then, I’ll excuse myself.” He said by standing up.

“Oh.. Kenny. Please also make new rules for all members. Every morning, they must practice self-defence without exception. No one should be lazy. Tighten the guarding of our territories. The mistake Hell Gate made was it let its guard too down so it could be easily attacked. That can’t happen to RJC.”

“Well,” Kenny answered, then, bowed respectfully before exiting the room door.

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