Rico stared at the phone screen, a deep frown creasing his brow. He had just tried calling Kai—but the line didn't even ring.
Blocked.
He exhaled heavily, tossing the phone onto the desk. His fingers clenched into a fist, guilt gnawing at him.
"I did something really wrong… to that kid," he murmured to himself, haunted by yesterday's confrontation.
---
Flashback – Yesterday, Rico's Apartment
Rico sat alone on the couch, dabbing his busted lip with a cotton pad soaked in antiseptic. The sting barely registered—his thoughts were louder than the pain.
Ding-dong.
He groaned. "Who the hell now?" He stood up, annoyed, and swung the door open.
His eyes widened in surprise.
"Bast?"
Standing in the doorway, Bast didn't say a word. His eyes scanned Rico's face, settling on the bruised cheek and split lip.
Rico clicked his tongue. "Why are you here?"
Bast stepped in without invitation. "What do you think? After what you did to Kai, did you think I'd stay silent again?"
