CHAPTER VII: The unexpected...

Stepping out of the car, his hazels eyes hidden with blue contact lenses, his caramel blond hair died black and his tan skin pale with makeup, Tae was ready... Ready to take down Rutik Dyavol Sokolov... At least that's what he thought.. 

"Father..." He greeted Sergei with a bow

"Ah... Alexiei... It's so good to see you again son.." Replied Sergei.. On the surface, it looked like a wholesome father-son reunion but anyone who was present there would know that this wasn't a sweet greeting... It was a bait and a warning for Alexiei to act as the perfect son. 

Rurik Dyavol Sokolov wasn't just a mafia, he was a man of honour, the Khladnokrovny Sokolov. The man was feared by nations, so it's only right that even a man as powerful as Sergei was scared of him...

His leather shoes clanked against the wooden floor, the atmosphere around them somehow turned cold... Was it just Tae? Or was it the fear in the hearts of all of those present there? We won't know... 

Tae–now Alexiei Sergeevich Baranov, stood beside his now ‘father’, his heart pounding loudly in his chest.. It was so loud, he was sure the director could hear it back in Seoul...

He would be so disappointed... 

But now wasn't the time to dwell on that.. 

The dim lights against the weirdly green, velvety walls created an eerie look.. It just didn't felt right for some odd reason, being an overthinker sure did have it's fair share of troubles for Tae.. But before he could look more into it, entered Rurik, like a shadow slicing through the gold of the many old oil paintings hanging there, no guards announced his steps, they didn't need to... His aura was enough to announce his presence...

According to some legend, the type of aura he has is unmatched and the one who dares to approach him, ends up in ruins.. 

His crimson eyes gleamed perfectly under the dim lights as if that's how it was supposed to be, they swept across the room before landing on Sergei.. He didn't nod in acknowledgement.. Nor did he smile... Because he didn't need to.. His eyes were enough to tell you that he knows your presence...

After all, you can't possibly hide anything from The White Raven.. Can you? 

After a brief moment of silence, Sergei–from a wheelchair, gestured towards the man standing beside him–"This is my son... Alexiei.." 

Then finally, Rurik's gaze slid to the figure standing beside the blonde old man on the wheelchair.. 

Tae. Controlled, had a stoic expression, eyes lowered, gave away nothing.. The scar spreading across his face somehow made him look more ethereal under the dim lights... Nobody dared to say it, but Alexiei Sergeevich Baranov was indeed the most ethereal man that walked on Sergei's legacy.. Or at least he used to.. 

Nobody noticed the slight shif of discomfort on his shoulders, but Rurik did.. He always did..

The moment "Alexiei" looked up and their eyes met, his blue eyes that looked emerald under those dim lights weren't helping much for Rurik felt a strange jolt, not of recognition, as he already knew, but of something older.. Although Rurik refused to acknowledge it.. 

A heartbeat passed before Rurik smiled.. Because he knew that he had already won.. Or so he thought at the moment..

"So, this is your infamous son known more for his beauty da?" Asked Rurik, his voice thick with his Russian accent, smooth as silk.. Any normal mafia would've thought twice before even commenting on Alexiei's looks but Rurik didn't need to hesitate.

Tae didn't flinch, at least not yet, he just looked away.. Trying his best to not show any emotion that could possibly give away his identity.. Although Rurik knew it already, but Tae didn't.. He didn't need to, at least for now.. 

Sergei just chuckled at Rurik's comment, clearly not oblivious... But then again, he was quite good at pretending..

{AN: Hey guys, sorry it took so long to publish the next chapter!! I was sick and by the time I got any better, the deadline had already passed away (TдT) I had accidentally submitted this novel to a monthly writing challenge, hence the author's note.. So I couldn't edit the book after March 7th and that's why I couldn't upload a chapter of apology, I'm so sorry!! But I reassure you all that Handcuffs and Bloodstains is back into action guys!! <3}