Chapter 23

It had been a couple of agonizing months since Takeru was kidnapped, leaving no trace behind. Despite relentless efforts and exhaustive searches, the shadows of fear and uncertainty loomed large over our lives. The initial desperation and anxiety that gripped my heart like a vice began to slowly wane, allowing the semblance of normalcy to seep back into our routines. My baby sister, Risha, had gradually stopped her daily inquiries about Takeru, perhaps sensing the unspoken heartbreak that lingered in the air. The sharp ache in my chest had softened, but an undercurrent of sorrow still pulsed beneath the surface of my facade.

Deep within the recesses of my being, a torrent of questions swirled relentlessly. Was Takeru enduring unimaginable torment at the hands of his captor, Kwan? Was he trapped in a nightmarish existence, his spirit slowly eroded by fear and isolation? The thought of his suffering twisted my insides, igniting a fierce resolve within me to bring him back, to shield him from the cruel hands of fate. Love, fierce and unwavering, propelled me forward, a beacon of hope in the darkness that threatened to envelop us all.

As the days stretched into endless nights, my men stood guard at the dura penthouse, vigilant and unwavering in their watch over Kwan. Every moment, every heartbeat, was dedicated to the silent pursuit of justice, the pursuit of a truth veiled in shadows of illegal dealings and sinister intentions. We waited, hearts heavy with the burden of uncertainty, hoping for a slip-up, a crack in the facade of our adversary that would lead us to Takeru, to the answers we so desperately sought. And amidst the chaos and turmoil, a flicker of hope burned brightly, a promise of redemption in the face of adversity.

I could only sit at my desk going over every single detail of that night repeatedly searching for anything that we could have missed when Sebastian knocked on the door.

"I apologize for the interruption, Young Master, but I couldn't help but notice your anger. Is there something I can do to assist you?" Sebastian said calmly as he sat a tray of food down on the desk as if I could eat anything right now. 

"Assist me? After all this time, all these months of waiting and uncertainty, what have we achieved? Nothing! I'm sick of waiting and hoping for a miracle that may never come!" I yelled slamming my fist on the desk and throwing the tray at the wall. 

 "I understand your anger, Young Master. It's only natural to feel frustrated in such a situation. But we must not let it consume us completely." He replied keeping calm and approaching me cautiously. 

 "How can you be so calm, Sebastian? Do you not see the pain I'm going through? The agony of not knowing if he's alive or dead?" My body filled with rage the closer he came to me for I knew he did not hold any of the answers I wanted. He was not to blame yet Takeru was missing all because he didn't keep his eye on him in the first place. 

"I do see your pain, Young Master. And it pains me as well. But allowing anger to cloud our judgment will not help us find the answers we seek." Sebastian stated Calmly as his gaze was glued on me.

"I know, I know. But what else can we do, Sebastian? We've exhausted every lead, every resource. It feels like we're running in circles, and I can't bear it any longer." I said as I took a deep breath trying to calm myself down and think clearly.

 "I understand your desperation, Young Master. And that is precisely why I propose we take matters into our own hands. Let us delve deeper into this investigation, leaving no stone unturned, until we find the truth." He replied gripping my shoulder softly trying to comfort my pain. I looked at Sebastian confused with anger and desperation raging through me like a raging river. 

"And what makes you think we'll succeed where everyone else has failed? What makes you so sure we won't end up with more disappointment?" I said looking for answers in Sebastian's cold unfazed eyes.

"I cannot guarantee success, Young Master. But I can promise you that I will give everything I have to find the answers you seek. We owe it to ourselves and to your lover to exhaust every possibility." Sebastian replied calmly.

"Fine, Sebastian. We'll do it your way. But don't think for a second that I'll accept failure. I won't rest until I have him back, alive and safe." with my anger subsided and my mind finally clear, the Gemini twins burst through the door with news. They informed us that a man fitting Kwan's description was last seen at an underground gay club named Ace two days ago.

Determined to gather more information on the middle-aged man that Kwan had taken home that night and who was now reported missing, I decided to visit Ace with Sebastian. As we made our way through the dimly lit streets, anticipation coursed through my veins, intermingled with worry for Takeru's safety.

Ace, hidden beneath the city's bustling surface, was a legendary haven for the LGBTQ+ community. Its walls vibrated with pulsating beats, and the air was thick with energy and desire. Upon entering, the atmosphere embraced us like a warm embrace, whispering secrets through the shadows.

We approached the bar, where a flamboyant bartender named Lance greeted us with a sly smile. Sebastian flashed a handsome grin in return, and I couldn't help but be captivated by their chemistry. Lance informed us that Kwan had indeed been at Ace, leaving with a mysterious man whose identity remained unknown.

"He seemed a bit out of place here," Lance confided in a hushed tone. "The poor boy was laughing all his bad jokes and even took him home. I'd never be so desperate." 

As the neon lights flickered in the dimly lit club, we realized our search for answers had reached a dead end. After hours of questioning a few more people, it seemed that we were getting nowhere. Frustrated and exhausted, we decided it was time to call it a night and leave.

As we walked out into the chilly night air, a sense of defeat hung over us. It felt like a losing battle, trying to piece together the puzzle that could lead us to Takeru, who had been missing for months. Just as we were about to give in to despair, we heard hurried footsteps behind us. Turning around, we saw the twins, Ying and Yang, catching up to us.

Ying, the more outgoing of the two, held a folder tightly in his hands and there was a gleam of excitement in his eyes. "Wait up!" he called out. "You won't believe what we found!"

Curiosity piqued, we stopped and allowed the twins to catch their breath. Ying handed us the folder, which contained information the police had gathered on the man we had been questioning. Our eyes scanned the pages, disbelief and confusion settling in.

The man in question was a respected school principal, married with two kids. It made no sense to us. What could he possibly be doing at Ace with Kwan? And more importantly, what did any of this have to do with finding Takeru?

As these questions plagued our minds, a new unsettling possibility pierced through the fog of uncertainty. Could the principal be helping Kwan keep Takeru hidden? It seemed far-fetched, but we were running out of leads and things were becoming desperate.