The moment Linet's lips touched Ochieng's, time seemed to slow.
The night breeze carried the scent of her perfume—sweet, intoxicating, yet tainted with the past. Ochieng's hands hovered in the air, torn between pushing her away and pulling her closer.
Linet deepened the kiss, pressing her body against him, as if trying to erase the years of distance between them. But before she could go further—
Ochieng stopped her.
His grip tightened on her shoulders, his voice cold and restrained. "Is this your way of making up for the past? A kiss?"
Linet's breath hitched. She saw the storm in his eyes—the hurt, the betrayal, the walls he had built around himself.
"No," she whispered. "I just… I miss you."
Ochieng chuckled, the sound laced with bitterness. "You miss me? Or do you miss what I used to be?"
Linet shook her head. "I made a mistake. I let pride and ambition blind me. But Ochieng, I—"
Knock. Knock.
A sharp knock on the balcony door interrupted them.
Linet turned, panic flashing in her eyes. Had someone seen them? Was it the woman Ochieng had been with earlier?
Ochieng, however, remained calm. "Come in."
The door swung open.
A tall man dressed in a sharp gray suit entered. His face was unreadable, but his presence carried weight.
"Sir," he said formally. "The invitation has arrived."
Linet frowned. "Invitation?"
The man placed an envelope on the table. Ochieng picked it up, his fingers tracing the golden seal.
His smirk returned, but this time, it was filled with something dangerous.
"Shen Tao finally made his move," he muttered.
Linet's heart pounded. She may not have known the details, but she had spent enough time around powerful men to recognize the meaning behind such an invitation.
This wasn't just any event.
This was a challenge. A battle. A war.
The Underground Tournament—A Deadly Invitation
Meanwhile, in another part of the city…
Shen Tao sat in a dimly lit lounge, surrounded by some of the most dangerous men in the underground world.
He swirled his wine lazily, his lips curling into a satisfied smile.
"The invitation has been sent," his assistant confirmed.
Shen Tao exhaled slowly. "Good. Now, let's see if he's truly as strong as they say."
One of the fighters at the table, a muscular man covered in scars, chuckled darkly. "That man embarrassed you in the last fight, Shen. Do you really think he'll take the bait?"
Shen Tao's smile didn't falter. "Oh, he will. He won't be able to resist."
He raised his glass. "This time, he won't walk out unscathed."
The Fire of Jealousy
Back at the hotel, Linet watched Ochieng's expression carefully.
"You're going to accept?" she asked.
Ochieng didn't reply immediately. Instead, he walked over to the mini-bar, poured himself a drink, and took a slow sip.
Then, he met her gaze. "You tell me. Should I?"
Linet felt a wave of frustration. Why was he so unreadable?
She stepped forward. "Ochieng, I don't know what's going on between you and Shen Tao, but I do know one thing."
She reached out, gripping his wrist. "You don't need to prove anything to anyone."
Ochieng's smirk deepened. "Who said I'm proving anything? Maybe I just enjoy a good fight."
Linet shook her head. "No, that's not it."
Ochieng raised an eyebrow. "Then what is it?"
She swallowed hard. "It's pride. It's revenge."
Ochieng set his glass down. "And what's wrong with a little revenge?"
Linet took a deep breath. "Because revenge has a price. And I don't want to see you pay it."
For the first time that night, a flicker of softness crossed Ochieng's face. But it vanished as quickly as it appeared.
He stepped back, putting distance between them.
"You should go, Linet."
Her chest tightened. "Ochieng…"
He didn't meet her eyes this time. "Goodnight."
Linet bit her lip, holding back the emotions threatening to spill over.
Then, with one last glance at him, she turned and walked away.
The door clicked shut behind her.
Ochieng exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair.
Then, without hesitation, he tore open the invitation.
It was time.