Chapter:8

Chapter 8: The Odd Ones

Location: Leo's Company Headquarters

The sun shone brightly through the tinted glass windows of Leo's sprawling office building. The day seemed ordinary—on the surface. Yet, as Leo walked through the corridors, an uneasy feeling settled in his chest.

His eyes scanned the employees around him. Something was... off.

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A Peculiar Pattern

At first glance, they looked like regular office workers—well-dressed, professional. But the more Leo observed, the stranger it became.

One man had scars running down his hands, barely concealed by his shirt cuffs. Another employee—a woman—had a faint but unmistakable tattoo peeking out from under her collar, a symbol Leo recognized from the underworld.

And then there was the way they moved—subtle, almost imperceptible signs of military or combat training. The kind of composure that screamed they were more than they appeared.

Marco caught up to Leo, noticing his boss's intense gaze. "Something wrong, boss?"

Leo gestured subtly. "Look around. Do these people seem... ordinary to you?"

Marco frowned, taking a moment to observe. "Now that you mention it... no. They don't."

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Kai's Circle

As they passed the break room, Leo's sharp eyes caught a group of employees sitting together—Kai among them.

Kai's face was as soft and approachable as ever, his eyes twinkling as he laughed at something one of his "colleagues" said. But the others…

One of them had a demeanor too sharp for an office worker, his hands constantly flexing as if itching to grab a weapon. Another had a faded scar running along her jawline, her gaze darting around the room like she was assessing threats.

They were all smiling, but their smiles didn't reach their eyes.

Leo's jaw tightened. These weren't ordinary employees.

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The Encounter

Later that afternoon, Leo decided to confront Kai indirectly. He found him in the office pantry, leaning casually against the counter, sipping coffee.

"You're awfully comfortable here," Leo remarked, stepping closer.

Kai looked up, his usual soft smile in place. "Shouldn't I be? You said this place was like a family."

Leo leaned against the counter, narrowing his eyes. "Family, huh? Funny, I don't remember inviting strangers into my family."

Kai's expression didn't falter. Instead, he tilted his head, a playful glint in his eyes. "Stranger? Ouch, Leo. I thought we were getting closer."

Leo smirked, his voice lowering. "You're getting closer, all right. A little too close."

Kai took a step closer, invading Leo's space. His voice dropped to a whisper, his breath brushing against Leo's ear. "Maybe that's the point."

Leo's breath hitched, but he quickly masked it with a scoff, pushing Kai back lightly. "You think this is a game?"

Kai chuckled, stepping back but keeping his eyes locked on Leo. "Life's a game, Leo. You just have to play it right."

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The Confrontation

Later that day, Leo called Marco into his office.

"I want names," Leo said, his tone clipped. "Every single person in that break room with Kai. Find out who they are, where they came from, and how they got here."

Marco nodded. "On it. But, boss... do you think Kai's behind this?"

Leo leaned back, his fingers steepled. "He has to be. This isn't a coincidence. Nobody surrounds themselves with people like that unless they're planning something."

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Kai's Shadow Moves

Meanwhile, Kai's group continued to blend seamlessly into the office environment. They worked diligently, smiled at their coworkers, and avoided unnecessary attention.

But behind the scenes, they were anything but ordinary.

Kai's calm voice carried over the secure line to one of his most trusted operatives. "They're watching us now. Stay low, but keep an eye on Leo. If he makes a move, I want to know about it immediately."

The operative replied, "Understood. Do you want us to take any action?"

"Not yet," Kai said, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Leo is clever, but he's predictable. Let him think he's in control. For now, we wait."

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The Unease Grows

As the days passed, Leo's unease only deepened. His once-tight grip on his company seemed to slip, the presence of these strange "employees" making him question everything.

But one thing was clear: Kai wasn't the harmless, soft-spoken man he appeared to be.

The game had just begun, and Leo was determined to uncover the truth—even if it meant putting everything on the line.

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