Chapter 6 (The Union's Call)

Nico woke up the next morning, the soft sunlight streaming through the large windows of his penthouse. He sat on the edge of the couch, holding a mug of coffee, staring out at the city below. The memories of the previous night felt distant, overshadowed by the quiet stillness of the morning.

Ronan stumbled into the living room, his hair still disheveled from the night out. "Morning," he mumbled, rubbing his eyes as he made his way to the kitchen. "You look deep in thought."

Nico took a slow sip of his coffee, not turning away from the window. "Just thinking," he said quietly, his voice heavy. "We've got a lot to figure out."

Ronan opened the fridge and grabbed a bottle of water. He smirked. "Yeah, well, we've got time. The girls from yesterday's night are still upstairs, sleeping."

Nico didn't respond right away, his gaze still fixed on the skyline. The penthouse was calm, but the weight of the situation with the gang lingered in his mind. The luxury of the space didn't bring him peace today.

Just as Ronan was about to pour himself a cup of coffee, the doorbell rang, breaking the silence. Nico shot a quick glance at Ronan, who shrugged as he continued with his coffee.

Nico walked downstairs toward the door, setting his cup down on the counter. When he opened it, he was greeted by two individuals dressed in formal uniforms, their expressions unreadable. One of them stepped forward, holding an elegant, confidential-looking envelope.

"We are from the Union Protocol," one of them said, their tone businesslike. "We have an important matter to discuss with you."

Nico's eyebrows furrowed as he took in their serious expressions. "What's this about?" he asked, glancing at the envelope.

Without hesitation, the second person spoke up. "This is a matter of utmost importance and confidentiality. We need to speak with you regarding your status and participation."

Nico's mind raced as he sensed the seriousness of the situation. He stepped aside and motioned for them to come in. The door clicked shut behind them, and Nico felt a growing sense of unease as they entered his penthouse.

The two individuals cleared their throats before speaking. "Allow us to introduce ourselves," one of them said, their tone formal. "We are representatives of the Union Protocol. Our role is to deliver the chosen individuals' envelopes, notifying them of their selection for the lottery."

The other nodded, adding, "This is a part of the process. We are here to ensure you receive the official notification directly."

Nico, still trying to process what was happening, took a step back, feeling the weight of the situation sink in. Nico, still trying to process the situation, asked, "What's the deal?"

The two individuals looked at each other before one of them replied, "You've been chosen. One of the 100 from the lottery."

Nico stood frozen, shocked, trying to wrap his mind around the words.

The two individuals continued, handing Nico the envelope. "Inside this envelope, your match's lottery number is written. You need to read it."

Nico hesitated for a moment, then ripped open the envelope. As he read the number and the rules, his heart sank. The instructions detailed where and when he would meet his match.

The representatives stood still, watching as Nico's face shifted from confusion to shock.

"Your match's name is hidden for now," one of them explained. "At this moment, you will meet her at the designated meeting point. You'll know her when you see her."

Nico's anger bubbled up as the realization hit him. He was being forced into this, and the control he had over his life was slipping away. His mind raced with frustration, but he couldn't escape the inevitable.

The two exchanged a glance, noticing Nico's growing frustration. One of them stepped forward, their tone firm. "We are warning you, Mr. Nico. Harming the body of any Union Protocol member is strictly punishable. Please keep that in mind."

Nico's jaw clenched as the weight of the situation pressed down on him. "So, I just have to agree to marry someone I don't even know?" His voice was sharp, tinged with anger.

Just then, Ronan appeared at the bottom of the stairs, rubbing his eyes. He paused when he heard Nico's voice, realizing something was off. "What's going on?" Ronan asked, his gaze looking between Nico and the Union Protocol members.

The two Union Protocol members ignored Ronan's presence, their focus entirely on Nico. "Our mission is complete," one of them said in a detached tone. "We are leaving now."

With that, they turned and headed toward the door, leaving Nico standing there, the envelope still in his hand, his mind racing with questions and frustration. Ronan watched them go, then turned to Nico, still confused. "What just happened?" he asked.