10:00 p.m. – Arrival at the Gym
The tires screeched slightly as the convoy of cars pulled into their gym's private lot. Everyone stepped out, exhausted but victorious.
Alex: "Alright, everyone. Let's chill. Ash, turn on the TV."
Ash grabbed the remote, flipped through channels, and landed on the news.
TV Reporter: "Breaking News: Mafia figures Woris and Tages, suspected of running underground operations, have been captured. Sources say the takedown was clean and strategic—"
Alex (with a small smirk): "Let's go home, people. We've got an exam tomorrow. Yeah, life goes on."
The team nodded. No more running, no more killing — just highlighters, pencils, and test papers.
That Night
At home, Alex lay in bed — finally, in silence. The night air was calm. For the first time in a while, there was no blood in his thoughts, no revenge to burn him awake.
He opened his laptop.
Alex (murmuring): "Let's see… Business class to Rome…"
He clicked "Book Now."
Just then, his phone rang.
Sean: "Hello… brother."
Alex (chuckling): "Oh, look who's still alive. What's up, Sean?"
Sean: "How the hell did you take out all my secret dogs?"
Alex: "Maybe they just liked the leash I offered better."
Sean: "I know you're going to Italy. For that Global Boxing Championship, right?"
Alex: "Yup. So what, you planning a welcoming party?"
Sean: "Just remember... not everyone claps when you win."
Alex: "Yeah? I'm not going there for the applause."
Click.
The Next Morning – School Exam
Outside the school gates, Alex spotted Mark, John, Liana, and Hanah waiting.
Mark: "You ready, champ?"
Alex: "More ready than my pencil."
They walked to the exam hall. The teacher stepped up.
Teacher: "Okay, class. Settle down. This exam determines your future. Who you'll be, what you'll become — everything starts here."
The clock ticked.
Silence.
Pens scratched.
Alex answered with ease — formulas, essays, trick questions… child's play.
Hanah breezed through, top student as always.
Liana pouted, tapping her pen. "Not my thing, but let's gooo…"
Mark? He looked like he was sweating in a sauna.
Mark (whispering): "I'm not writing, I'm fighting for my life!"
John stayed chill. Some blanks, but he worked smart — skipping the hard ones first.
After the Exam
Mark: "Phew! That exam cooked my brain. I swear I left half my soul on the paper."
Liana: "Oh, please. I may not be Einstein, but you looked like you were solving NASA's satellite codes."
Mark: "At least I can hack. That's something, right?"
Hanah: "Honestly? I found it pretty challenging… but manageable."
Everyone: "Of course you did, Miss Top Student!"
John: "I just did my thing. Easy ones first. Save the brain cells."
Alex (smiling): "Y'all arguing like this… feels nostalgic. Like we're back to being kids again."
Mark: "Dude, we've only known each other since last year."
Alex: "Except you and me. Since Form 1."
Liana: "Yeah… this is what peace feels like."
Mark (teasing): "Hey, Liana, you're not the most popular girl anymore, huh?"
Liana (rolling her eyes): "Yeah, and I don't care. Love? Meh. Friends are enough."
Mark: "Right. Speaking of love, remember when you and Alex were all blushy around each other?"
Liana: "Excuse me?! When were we a couple?!"
Mark: "Oh, come on! That championship locker room moment? And the 'accidental' gym room meet-up?"
Hanah (laughing): "Liana!! Seriously?"
Liana (blushing): "Ugh. Shut up!"
Later – Alex Visits the Grave
Alex stood quietly at his mother's grave. A soft wind passed through the cemetery trees.
Alex: "Mom… Thank you. I'm sorry for everything. I know you didn't want me to follow dad's path. But… blood is blood. I can't change that. It's in me."
As he turned to leave, he noticed a man sitting on a bench nearby.
Stranger: "Alex Hunter. Long time."
He extended a hand. Alex shook it, cautiously.
Alex: "Do I know you?"
Stranger: "No. But you'll know this."
He handed Alex a black plastic packet. Then walked off, vanishing into the fog.
Alex (quietly): "...Stranger."
Joe's Place by the Lake
The boys were chilling — Zairo and Wellburgh punching bags like madmen, Abdullah and Jack watching the lake, and Joe grilling some meat.
Zairo & Wellburgh: "ALEX!!"
Abdullah: "Yo, what's up bro?"
Joe: "What's up, my little blood-soaked boxer?"
Alex: "Hey Joe… you got a tape player?"
Joe: "A what now?"
Alex: "Cassette. Got it from a stranger."
Joe: "Come to my van. I still have the radio from 1985."
They all gathered. Joe inserted the tape.
Tape Voice:
"Hey Alex. If you're hearing this… I'm still alive. I'm your father, Adrian. I've been watching you. Give this tape to Zayn — your grandfather. Tell him to open minute 30. That's all."
Joe: "Wait what the hell— your dad?!"
Alex: "Yeah."
Abdullah: "Who gave you this?!"
Alex: "Old guy. Looked ex-military."
Joe: "This is getting wild."
Alex: "Anyway, gotta pack. Flight's tonight."
Airport – Farewells
At the terminal, everyone came to see Alex off.
Joe: "Don't act tough in Italy. Mafia there will chop your fingers before your first punch."
Zairo: "Gonna miss you, bro."
Mark: "I'm still your actual bro!"
John: "Keep your head low."
Ash: "You need anything, call me."
Wellburgh: "Make 'em bleed!"
Abdullah: "I'll be praying."
Mark: "And hey, we had a deal, remember?!"
Liana hugged Alex and kissed his cheek.
Liana: "Love you."
Hanah followed, hugged him tighter, and kissed his lips.
Hanah: "Love you, babe."
Everyone stared in shock.
Mark: "WAIT WHAT?!"
Alex (walking away quickly): "BYE!"
Mark: "I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS!!"
As the flight was called, Alex entered the gate, feeling the weight of two kisses, a family legacy, and a global tournament waiting across the sea.
Alex: "Business class… finally, peace. Grandpa, wait for me. And please — don't die yet."