NAIVE

Max's face twisted in frustration. His jaw clenched tight, his fists trembling with the urge to strike. His eyes darted between the man and Nana, trying to piece it together. He didn't understand. He couldn't.

In a burst of anger, Max lunged forward and punched the man square in the face. The man stumbled back, caught off guard by the force of the blow. But Max wasn't done. He grabbed the man by the collar, lifting him off the ground, his voice low and dangerous. "You talk about her again, and I'll make sure you never speak again."

The man's smirk faltered for a moment, his eyes widening as Max's grip tightened. But instead of fear, there was a twisted satisfaction in his expression. "Go ahead," he rasped, blood dripping from his lip. "You think you can stop me? You think you can stop us? You're too late."

Nana's heart pounded in her chest, her mind reeling with the weight of his words. Too late for what? What had she gotten herself into? What was the man talking about?

But Max didn't wait for him to explain. With one final shove, he slammed the man against the wall, his anger consuming him. "You're going to tell me everything," Max said, his voice shaking with barely contained rage.

But the man just laughed again, a bitter, broken laugh that sent chills down Nana's spine. "You'll regret this," he said, his eyes gleaming with malice. "You'll all regret it."

Nana's blood ran cold as she realized something.

The man's eyes flickered toward Nana again, the twisted grin never leaving his face. His laughter was relentless, mocking. "Funny, right? Sweetheart?" His voice dripped with venom, and every word felt like an insult she couldn't avoid.

Max stood frozen, eyes locked on the man with fury, his body trembling with the desire to protect Nana. But the man was relentless, his frustration bubbling over in words that made Nana's skin crawl.

"Look, someone's boyfriend trying to kill me… I should have fucked you in the bathroom earlier," the man spat, his voice dripping with malice.

That was the last straw.

In an instant, Nana's hand flew to her side, pulling out a gun she had concealed. The cold steel felt like the only thing that could stop this nightmare from escalating further. She aimed, steadying her breath, and without hesitation, shot.

The bullet slammed into his shoulder with a sickening thud.

"AUGH! BITCH!" The man screamed in pain, his body jerking violently from the impact. But even as he writhed, he couldn't stop the maniacal laughter that escaped him. It was the laughter of someone who had lost touch with reality, someone who didn't care anymore.

Max's fists clenched at his sides, his own rage bubbling over at the sight of the man taunting them.

The man turned to Max, still laughing through the pain. "How does it feel to have a cute girlfriend?" His voice was laced with mockery, but there was something darker behind his words—something that made Nana shiver, despite herself.

Max didn't wait for another second. In a flash, he rushed forward and slammed his fist into the man's head, sending him crashing to the ground. The sickening laughter stopped.

For a moment, everything was still. The only sound was the ragged breathing of the man, his head spinning from the blow.

The man's lips moved, but his words were slow, slurred, no longer taunting. "You… think this is over?"

Max stood over him, eyes hard as steel. "Shut up," he growled, his voice thick with venom. He turned to Nana, the anger still boiling inside of him. But it was different now—there was a sense of relief in the air, a tension that had been lifted, even if only a little. He had protected her.

Nana looked at him, her chest still tight with fear, but her eyes soft with gratitude. They were both breathing heavily, caught in the aftermath of a nightmare they hadn't expected.

As the man groaned on the floor, his defiance fading into pain, Nana couldn't help but reflect on everything this moment had revealed. Life wasn't just about surviving—it was about making choices, sometimes difficult ones, in the face of the harshest circumstances. She had survived tonight because she had chosen to stand up for herself. To fight. But she also knew this wasn't over. The man may have been silenced for now, but there were others out there.

Max's voice broke through her thoughts. "Let's get out of here, Nana," he said softly, his hand gently resting on her shoulder, a silent promise to keep her safe.

She nodded, her heart still pounding in her chest. "Yeah, let's go."

They reached the car, and Nana slid into the passenger seat. Max started the engine, his movements tense, but he glanced at her with a quick smile. "You okay?"

Nana hesitated. The words felt like they were stuck in her throat. "I don't know," she said softly. "I don't know what just happened."

Max didn't push her. Instead, he focused on driving, the road ahead illuminated by the headlights. The silence between them felt heavy, but also comforting. They both needed time to process.

Suddenly, Nana's phone buzzed in her pocket, pulling her out of her thoughts. She pulled it out, her fingers trembling slightly as she looked at the screen. The message was from an unknown number.

"I know what you did, Nana. I'll be seeing you soon."

Nana's stomach dropped. The blood drained from her face. How did they find out? She hadn't even told Max about what happened in Canada—about the mission she was on. Her breath caught in her throat as she typed a quick reply, but her hands were shaking too much to focus.

Max noticed. He glanced over at her, his eyes narrowing with concern. "Who is it?"

Nana didn't respond immediately. She couldn't. Her mind was racing. The last thing she wanted was to drag Max into this mess, but it was clear that whatever she had left behind, whatever demons she'd tried to escape, were catching up to her. She had to confront them—whether she was ready or not.

"I don't know," she said finally, her voice tight. "But it's someone from my past."

Max's grip on the steering wheel tightened. "Are you sure you're okay with this? You don't have to face this alone. You know I'm here, right?"

Nana glanced at him, her heart a tangle of emotions. He wanted to protect her, but this was something she had to handle herself. The past was never so easily outrun.

"I know," she whispered, looking out the window as the city lights passed by. "But I'm not sure I can stop it now."

Max drove them through the quiet streets, the car engine humming steadily beneath them. Nana leaned back in the seat, her mind still swirling with everything that had happened. After all the chaos, Max's calm presence was a welcome change, but there was still something unsettling in the air—like the storm hadn't quite passed yet.

As they approached a building with sleek, modern architecture, Nana glanced over at Max. "You have an apartment?"

Max smiled, pulling into the parking lot. "Yeah. Just moved in." He shifted the car into park and turned to her. "I just turned 20, and honestly, I don't think I suit living in a hostel with juniors anymore."

Nana raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Really? But why stay there at all?"

Max shrugged, his eyes focused on the steering wheel. "I guess I wanted to figure things out on my own first. So my father bought this place for me. He thought it was time."

Nana was silent for a moment, taking in his words. "Wow. That's such an inspiring story. You're like… a real adult now."

Max chuckled, clearly amused by her tone. "Yeah, something like that." He got out of the car and walked around to open Nana's door. "C'mon, I'll show you around."

They entered the building, and as they walked through the halls to his apartment, Nana took in the modern decor and the cozy vibe. It was a far cry from the dingy hostel she had stayed in. Max's place had the kind of comfort and style she had always admired, a blend of masculinity and warmth.

When they stepped inside, Max gestured toward the living room. "This is it. Make yourself at home."

Nana sat on the plush sofa, looking around. The apartment was neat, with soft lighting and minimalistic furniture. There was something about it that felt so… Max. She couldn't help but smile. "I have to admit, this is nice."

Max sat beside her, glancing at her with a subtle grin. "I'm glad you like it. It's not much yet, but it's mine."

Nana nodded, her gaze drifting to the window where the city lights twinkled in the distance. "You're really lucky," she said, a small hint of envy in her voice. "To have something like this at your age."

Max's smile faltered, a moment of vulnerability flashing in his eyes. "Not really. My dad always wanted to make sure I was set up. He thought I could handle more… responsibility now."

Nana glanced at him, sensing the weight behind his words. "It sounds like a lot of pressure."

Max shrugged, looking away for a moment. "It is. But I guess that's how life is sometimes."

Nana leaned back, trying to absorb everything. The situation with the man earlier still felt fresh in her mind, and she didn't want to burden Max with more of her darkness just yet. For now, it felt like a welcome change of pace to just sit here in his apartment, without any immediate threats.

As if reading her thoughts, Max leaned closer, his eyes locking onto hers. "Are you okay? You've been through a lot today. I can tell."

Nana met his gaze, her heart racing. She wasn't used to being this vulnerable with someone—especially someone like Max, who didn't know the half of what she'd been through. But in that moment, with the city lights casting shadows across the room, she felt a strange sense of peace.

"I'm fine," she lied softly. "I'll be fine."

Max didn't press further. Instead, he leaned back on the couch, his arm resting along the back of the cushions. "Well, you don't have to be fine all the time. You've got me, remember?"

Nana gave him a small smile, feeling the tension in her chest ease slightly. Maybe, just maybe, she could start to believe that.

But the thought lingered at the back of her mind—the truth she was hiding. She wasn't just fine. And the danger wasn't over. She had to protect him. And she had to be ready.

Max glanced at the clock on the wall and then back at Nana. "I was thinking… how about we just chill for a bit? Forget about everything and just… relax?"

Nana looked at him, weighing her options. For once, maybe it wouldn't hurt to let her guard down, if only for a little while.

She nodded, her voice soft but sincere. "Yeah, let's do that."

And as they sat there together, Nana couldn't shake the feeling that the quiet moments were always the calm before the storm.

Max watched as Nana's body shifted slightly on the couch, her head tipping forward as sleep began to claim her. He had been busy with his own thoughts, but seeing her so vulnerable and exhausted made his heart ache for her. The tension from the day seemed to have caught up to her, and she was barely hanging on.

Just as she shifted in her sleep, her body tilted dangerously toward the floor, her head almost hitting the ground. Max reacted quickly, moving to catch her just in time. She jolted awake, blinking groggily, clearly startled.

"Nana," he murmured softly, lifting her carefully into his arms. "You need to sleep properly."

Her eyes were still heavy with sleep, but she offered him a small, drowsy smile. "I… I'm fine," she mumbled, but her words were slurred as she fought to stay awake.

Max didn't argue. Instead, he gently carried her to the bedroom, careful not to jar her too much. Once there, he placed her on the bed, covering her with a soft, warm blanket. He made sure she was comfortable, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face.

He lingered for a moment, looking down at her. Something about her, her vulnerability, her strength—it drew him in, even when she was unaware. His fingers brushed against her cheek, and without thinking, he leaned down and kissed her lightly on the lips.

It was soft, almost a whisper of a kiss, as if he was trying to give her some peace in the midst of everything. Then, just as quietly, he pulled away and stood, his heart still pounding in his chest.

He hesitated by the door, his gaze lingering on her. But he knew she needed rest, and he couldn't stay. Not now. With one last glance, he quietly stepped out of the room, closing the door behind him softly.

The next morning, the sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow over the room. Nana stirred slowly, the warmth of the blanket around her making her feel more relaxed than she had in days. She blinked a few times, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep, and realized she was no longer on the couch but in Max's bedroom.

Her mind raced as the events of the previous day replayed in her mind—everything with the man at the restaurant, the confrontation, the gunshot, and the twisted words he'd thrown at her. But right now, it felt like a distant nightmare.

She sat up, her muscles aching slightly from the tension she'd been holding in her body. Max's apartment was quiet, save for the hum of the refrigerator and the soft sounds of the city outside. She glanced at the clock—it was nearly noon.

The door creaked open just as she was about to stand up, and Max appeared in the doorway, a steaming mug of coffee in hand. He gave her a slight smile, his eyes still heavy with sleep but bright with concern. "Good morning," he said, his voice warm but cautious.

Nana nodded, still not fully aware of her surroundings. "Morning…" She paused, clearing her throat. "Thanks for last night. I… I don't know what I would have done without you."

Max's smile faltered just slightly, but it was gone in a second. He set the coffee on the nightstand beside her. "You don't have to thank me," he said. "I was just doing what anyone would've done."

She picked up the mug, letting the steam warm her hands, and took a sip. The rich taste of coffee brought her some clarity. "What about you?" she asked, looking up at him. "How are you holding up?"

Max shrugged, trying to seem nonchalant, but the dark circles under his eyes betrayed him. "I'm fine," he said quietly, though there was an edge to his voice now. "But I think we need to talk about what happened last night."

Nana's heart skipped a beat. She had been hoping to avoid this conversation, but she knew it was coming. "Yeah… we do," she replied, setting the mug down. She sat up straighter, her eyes narrowing with determination. "I'm not going to pretend like everything is okay after what that guy said. We both know there's more to this than just some random encounter."

Max looked at her, his expression hardening. "I don't care who that guy was. I just want to make sure you're safe."

Nana stood up slowly, feeling the weight of the situation settling on her shoulders. "I'm fine," she said, but there was a heaviness in her voice. "But the truth is, this isn't over. It's far from over." She turned her gaze to the window, her mind racing. "I have things I need to take care of. Things that involve more than just me."

Max followed her gaze, his face tense. "What are you talking about?" he asked cautiously.

Nana hesitated, but the words came out before she could stop them. "I'm not who you think I am, Max."

Max's voice was gentle but persistent. "Nana, what happened in Canada?"

Her breath hitched. She couldn't keep avoiding it, but the words were harder to say than she expected.

"I'm sorry, Max," she said quietly, standing up abruptly, her chair scraping harshly against the floor. "But we shouldn't have met. I never should've gotten close to you."

Max looked confused. "What are you talking about? You don't just push people away like this. We're friends, Nana."

She turned to face him, her hands shaking. "I'm not just anyone. I've done things you wouldn't understand. Things that put people in danger. You don't deserve this. I've already put you at risk."

Max reached out to her. "Risk? What are you talking about? You're scaring me."

She swallowed hard, the weight of her words crushing her. "The people I've been involved with—they don't let go. They'll come after you. They'll come after anyone close to me."

Max's face tightened, his brows furrowed. "Who are they? What have you gotten mixed up in?"

"I can't explain it," Nana whispered, her voice cracking. "But they'll hurt you, Max. You're better off without me."

Max stepped forward, grabbing her arm gently. "I don't care about them. I care about you. Whatever's going on, I'm here. I'm not leaving."

Nana looked at him, fear clawing at her throat. "I don't want to pull you into this. I don't want to be the reason you're in danger."

Max took a deep breath, his voice steady. "You're not alone in this, Nana. I'm not going anywhere."

Nana's eyes welled up, her body trembling. She wanted to push him away, to keep him safe. But deep down, part of her wanted to believe him.

She took a shaky breath and looked at him, her voice barely a whisper. "I'm scared, Max. I don't know if I can keep running."

Max pulled her into a hug, his arms around her, holding her tight. "You don't have to. I'm here. And I'm not leaving."

For the first time in a long while, Nana allowed herself to believe that maybe, just maybe, they could face this together.

Nana stepped out of the shower, the steam swirling around her as the cold air of the bathroom hit her skin. She grabbed a towel, wrapping it around herself, but her eyes were drawn to the mirror. The reflection staring back at her wasn't just her face—it was something else entirely.

She stood still for a moment, examining every detail of her body. The metallic arm, the unnatural gleam of it against her skin. She traced the lines of the intricate implants hidden under the surface. She hated it. Every part of her felt alien, like she was no longer fully human. It was the price she had paid for her past, for the things she had been forced into.

Her fingers grazed over the cold metal, a sharp reminder of the person she had become.

The vibration of her phone snapped her back to reality. She reached for it, her heart skipping when she saw the notification. It was a video. From an unknown number. The name "Blocked Contact" flashed on the screen.

With a hesitant breath, she clicked the video.

The screen flickered, and for a split second, she thought it was a glitch. But then the image cleared, and she saw herself.

Not just her face, but a video from a different angle—her walking, talking, and even from earlier when she'd been talking to Max. It was as if someone had been watching her, tracking her every move. The chilling realization set in. Someone knew.

She quickly shut off the phone, her heart racing. Fear crept up her spine, but she pushed it aside. She couldn't dwell on it now. There was no time to panic. Max was waiting for her. She had to get ready for school.

Nana took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. She couldn't let this consume her. The shadows in the corner of the mirror weren't going to take her down—not today.

She quickly dried off, dressed in her uniform, and packed her bag. But as she left the bathroom, the unease lingered, gnawing at her. Something was happening—something she wasn't ready for. And no matter how hard she tried to push it away, she knew she couldn't escape the consequences of her past.

The game was changing. And she was being dragged back into it.