The ending fitting to a Hero

Chapter - 18

Soon in the blink of an eye, A week passed. 

Unlike the first day, Lucius rarely saw Iris. But he did have a dedicated young lady, the same from day one who brought him dinner waiting on him 24*7. 

She was on his back all the time reminding him to take his medicine, ensuring his wounds are cleaned and bandaged daily, and he never felt bored. 

The pain in his body was still there, but didn't hinder him much. Slowly, he started moving more easily, his stiffness wearing off.

In the morning Lucius was sleeping like a log when the curtains suddenly opened and the morning sun shone on his face. 

"Let me sleep a little longer, Lucy," without opening his eyes, Lucius complained, "With your young miss gone, let me enjoy these few days of bliss."

"Glad to know my hard work nursing you back to health was just an obstacle to your bliss," 

Hearing the voice, Lucius's eyes snapped open. He sat up so fast he nearly fell off the bed, "Iris! You are back? So Soon?"

"Last I checked this was my house," Iris crossed her arms over her chest and raised her eyebrow, "You are the one freeloading here."

Lucius threw his arms seeing that look on her face, "Oh, come on, don't make it sound so dramatic. Since you chose to help me. I am just appreciating the peace!"

"You do have a smooth tongue," Iris nodded, "Now get up. We need to leave. You have a doctor's appointment."

Lucius groaned, rubbing his eyes, "What's the need for that? I feel fine."

"Yes, we have to," she said, tossing a fresh shirt onto the bed, "This is most likely the last time. Now get ready."

"You really are a sadist, Ughhh…" Muttering under his breath, Lucius pulled himself up and had a bath then got dressed. 

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The drive to the hospital was quiet for most of the time, the hum of the engine filling the silence between them. Outside, the sun was already up, and the traffic had started to pick up.

Lucius shifted in his seat uncomfortably, stealing glances at Iris. She hadn't said much since they had left the house. Her eyes were on the road throughout, her fingers tapping absently against the steering wheel as if lost in thought.

"You have been quiet," Lucius finally spoke, breaking the ice.

Iris's fingers drummed a little faster before she let out a breath, "Just thinking."

"Ohhhooo… You think?" Lucius raised an eyebrow, "Mind telling me about that?"

For a moment, she didn't answer, her gaze fixed on the road ahead. Then casually, she glanced at him, "How long will you freeload at my house? Isn't it about time you start toiling for all the bliss you have been enjoying?"

"Freeloading???" Lucius exhaled sharply, as a chuckle left his lips, "Oh, is that what you're thinking about?"

He leaned back against the headrest, shaking his head as a smirk tugged at the corners of his lips, "You sure know how to work someone to their bones."

"But I think you are living in some delulu…" Lucius smirked.

"Delulu???" Iris looked at him confused.

"Yup, a beautiful delulu of yours," Lucius nodded, "Because if my memory serves me right, you were the one who picked me up and brought me to your house."

"If anything, you have actually kidnapped me. Totally me against my will,"

"So be grateful if I don't use this opportunity to go to the hospital, to slip a note to some nurse asking for help," Lucius mischievously looked at Iris and grinned.

"At least I know what you have been busy with these days," Iris looked at him as if she was looking at some idiot, "But give some rest to those dumb tik toks."

"Who are you calling dumb?"

"Only someone dumb would ask this question," Iris smirked, turning her gaze away from Lucius for good.

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At the hospital, the doctor flipped through Lucius's test results, nodding in approval, "You are healing well," he said, "Actually better than I have seen in all these years. You might even be baby wolverine if you ask me."

"Hey… Hey… You just want to cut me open, don't you," Lucius took a step back, hearing the doctor.

"Looking at your reports, I am somewhat tempted," The doctor said. But it was hard to say if he was serious or joking.

"So he can move, but not be an idiot about it?" Seeing the conversation going nowhere, Iris intervened.

The doctor chuckled, "That's one way to put it."

Lucius rolled his eyes, "Great, I love how I seem invisible to the both of you."

"Because you are," Iris replied without hesitation.

The doctor closed the report file, amusement filled in his eyes, "Well, my job is almost done. If you feel any discomfort, you can reach me anytime. Just don't go getting yourself half-dead again."

Lucius smirked, "I don't intend to. But this is the last place where I am safe."

"Then you should stop thinking with that thing in your pants," The Doctor replied, "You can leave now."

Just as they stepped outside, Iris turned to him, "Since you are all better now. Let's check the office."

Lucius stretched his limbs with a satisfied sigh, "Straight back to work, huh? Not even giving me five minutes to celebrate my survival?"

Iris looked unmoved, "Why celebrate something that wasn't in doubt?"

He stared at her in disbelief before shaking his head with a chuckle, "You really have the emotional range of a rock, don't you?"

"I would rather be a rock than a reckless fool," she countered, "Now get in the car."

Lucius sighed dramatically, "Bossy... Fine… It's not like I have anything better to do. I should figure out if this is all some elaborate scam."

Iris didn't even blink, "Even if it is, you are already neck deep in it to escape."

Lucius laughed, but something about the way she said it made him pause. He looked at her as they got into the car, watching her in the golden sunlight.

There was something about her… Something cold, unreadable, yet oddly attractive.

He leaned back in his seat, smirking, "You know, you never talk about your family much."

"I don't need to."

He raised an eyebrow, "That's not how normal people work. Usually, they share things, build trust. Aren't we trying to form this connection?"

"Who told you that? It's all so inefficient."

Lucius chuckled, "Or maybe you just don't like talking about them?"

Iris started the engine, "Or maybe they are not worth talking about."

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In his penthouse,

Cockroach took a slow sip of whiskey, letting the burn snake down his throat like liquid fire. Right now, it was the only thing that kept him sane. But the burn had barely reached his chest before an annoying knock at the door shattered his moment of peace.

The smirk on his face vanished instantly, his grip tightened around the glass.

The door creaked open, and one of his men stepped in hesitantly. The guy's face was tight with tension, like he would rather be anywhere but here.

"Sir… we have a problem."

Cockroach exhaled sharply, rolling the glass between his fingers, "No shit. Since that bastard has disappeared, all I hear is 'problem, problem, problem.' I am starting to think I am feeding a bunch of eunuchs around me." 

He looked up, his gaze razor-sharp, "What kind of problem?"

The man stiffened under Cockroach's gaze but quickly continued, "It is about the investigator. The one who seized our shipment last time… He is…"

Cockroach slammed the glass onto the table, whiskey spilling all over the table, "Out with it you fucking dumbass."

The man was too scared to say anything but continued, "He is coming here. Any minute now."

A muscle in Cockroach's jaw twitched. The warmth of the whiskey was gone, replaced by a cold, creeping fury. Cockroach's fingers tightened around the glass before he placed it on the table with a slow, deliberate clink.

"You mean to tell me… the bastard who stole from me is going to walk into my fucking territory?"

The man nodded, "We tried bribing him, sir. He just wouldn't take it."

Cockroach let out a low, humorless chuckle, "So he is one of those righteous fucks, huh?" He ran a hand through his hair and shook his head, "I swear, these motherfuckers don't know how the world works."

His smirk vanished in an instant, "How long?"

"Anytime soon. Minutes. Maybe less."

Cockroach stood up, walking past the man in front of him, he turned towards the massive floor-to-ceiling window, staring out at the city… It was his city. It stretched below him, a nest of insects scurrying about, thinking they mattered.

His empire wasn't built on bribes and sweet deals. It was built on fear.

"Erase everything. I don't want a single trace left. If that bastard wants to play hero, let's make sure he finds nothing but dust and disappointment." Cockroach ordered without looking back at the man.

The man nodded and rushed out. After that, Cockroach pulled out his phone, dialing a number. The line connected instantly.

"Scrub the place clean. You have five minutes."

The hurried voice on the other end stammered, "Already on it sir."

He ended the call, slipping his phone back into his pocket. A slow, mocking shake of his head followed.

"Dumbass," he muttered, standing up and stretching his arms, "He should have just taken the money."

He turned back to the skyline, watching the city blink and breathe beneath him. How many times had he seen men like this? The righteous. The incorruptible. In the end they all bled the same way.

"Alright then. If he wants to play the hero…" He murmured to himself, eyes dark with intent.

"… I will give you the ending fitting to a hero."

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