...

The Williams family had just finished organizing and packing away the bounty of gifts into their respective rooms. The joy and excitement lingered in the air, but the day's surprises weren't over yet. In his luxurious office, surrounded by screens and the bustling lights of Luminae in the distance, Zastan decided it was the perfect time to connect with his family. He opened the group chat that his family had created years ago, one filled with photos, silly memes, and warm conversations, and initiated a video call.

One by one, the family members joined the call from their respective rooms. First came Lily, her face still flushed with happiness from playing with her new dolls. Then Maria appeared on the screen, her long hair tied back as she fiddled with the new makeup set on her vanity. Finally, Mr. and Mrs. Williams joined, sitting side by side on their bed, their expressions a mix of joy and concern.

The screen lit up with all of their smiling faces, and Zastan couldn't help but chuckle, feeling a warmth in his heart that he hadn't felt in a while. "So," he began, leaning back in his chair, "did everyone like the gifts?"

Lily's eyes sparkled, and she was the first to react. "I loved them all, big brother!" she exclaimed, bouncing excitedly. "Especially since they came from you. Thank you so much! This is the best day ever!"

But Maria, ever the teasing older sister, couldn't let that go without comment. "Oh, really?" she said, raising an eyebrow with a smirk. "Who was the person who ignored our brother for weeks whenever he called us, hmm?"

Lily's cheeks flushed red, and she puffed up defensively. "You're making things up!" she protested, her voice high-pitched with embarrassment. "I never ignored him!"

Maria leaned closer to the camera, sticking out her tongue. "Blah blah blah," she said mockingly, enjoying every second of her little sister's flustered state.

Lily huffed and crossed her arms, turning her face away from the camera in exaggerated defiance. "Hmph! I'm ignoring you now!" she declared.

Mrs. Williams sighed, shaking her head, though her smile remained gentle. "Alright, calm down, kids," she said, her voice soothing but firm. "Let's not bicker."

Mr. Williams chuckled, his deep laugh filling the room. "Yes, you two," he added, "let's not turn this happy moment into a battlefield."

With the room a bit quieter, Mrs. Williams's expression grew serious. She looked at the camera, her gaze softening as she addressed Zastan. "Son," she said, her voice tinged with both concern and gratitude, "all of this... it's too much. We appreciate the thought, but these gifts are a huge waste of money. You've paid for the brand name, not the product itself."

Mr. Williams nodded in agreement, adding, "There are plenty of alternatives that work just as well but are much, much, much cheaper. You didn't have to spend so much."

Zastan scratched the back of his head, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. He knew his mother was right. The luxury brands were, in many ways, unnecessary. "Yeah, you're probably right," he admitted, spreading his hands in front of the camera. His expression turned playful, his eyes wide with mock helplessness. "But I didn't know all about that! I'm not a shopping expert."

He paused, and then, with a mischievous glint in his eyes, he added, "What a shame, though... I guess I'll have to cancel the car delivery for Dad. You know, maybe get a refund and—"

"Hey, hey, hey!" Mr. Williams interrupted, waving his hands frantically. "Your mother was just kidding! We're more than happy to accept the car!"

Mrs. Williams shot her husband a look, but he gave her a pleading smile. "Come on, dear," he said, his voice softening. "Our son is just being filial. He's thinking of his family now that his business is going well."

The older man's face softened even more as he looked at Zastan. "Speaking of which," he said, his tone growing thoughtful, "when are you planning to come home, son? You still have college to think about, don't you?"

A heavy silence fell for a moment, and Zastan took a deep breath. He had been preparing for this question, knowing it would eventually come up. His gaze turned serious, but he tried to keep his voice steady. "I can't come back home just yet," he said slowly, choosing his words carefully. "The business is booming right now, and I need to be present to supervise everything that's happening. There's too much at stake for me to leave Luminae."

His parents exchanged a glance, understanding dawning on their faces. Maria nodded as well, a thoughtful look crossing her features. They could see the weight of his responsibilities and knew how important his work was. "That makes sense," Maria said, her voice gentle. "You're doing so much, after all."

But Lily's face fell. Her eyes grew watery, and she looked down, her lower lip quivering. "So... so you're not coming home?" she asked, her voice breaking. Tears began to pool in her big, round eyes. "I knew it... you don't love me anymore, do you, big brother? You don't want to come back..."

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Mrs. Williams sighed, her voice tinged with exasperation. "This kid..." she muttered, though her heart ached at seeing her youngest daughter so sad.

Zastan's expression softened, and he felt a pang of guilt seeing Lily's tears. He couldn't bear to see his little sister hurt. "Alright, alright," he said, letting out a resigned sigh. "I'll try to clear up some work and make time to come back home. Just for a little while."

Lily's eyes lit up instantly, the tears still clinging to her lashes. "Really?" she asked, her voice full of hope.

Zastan nodded, though his heart grew heavy with the truth of what he had to do. The "work" he needed to clear up wasn't about routine business. It was about dealing with the threats lurking in Luminae—threats he needed to eliminate or scare off to ensure the safety of his family. It was a grim task, but one he had already committed himself to.

"Yes, really," he said, forcing a smile. "I'll do my best to visit."

Lily wiped her eyes, a wide smile breaking across her face. "Yay!" she shouted, her happiness returning in full force. "You promise?"

"I promise," Zastan said, his voice gentle but firm. "I'd never break a promise to you."

The call continued, and the family shared more laughter and warmth. They talked about their favorite gifts, Maria teasing Lily, and their parents reminding Zastan to take care of his health. Mrs. Williams, ever the motherly figure, gave him a stern warning not to overwork himself.

"Don't push yourself too hard," she said. "Money and success mean nothing if you're not healthy to enjoy it."

Mr. Williams added with a chuckle, "Yeah, son. Take care of yourself. We can't have you collapsing on us, or your mother will come and drag you back home herself."

They all laughed, and Zastan felt a deep sense of love and belonging. Even though he was miles away, surrounded by the pressures of his business and the dangers of his new world, being connected with his family made everything feel more manageable.

After exchanging a few more words of love and gratitude, the call came to an end. Each family member said their goodbyes, and as the screen went dark, Zastan leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful expression on his face. The warmth of his family's love lingered, but so did the heavy weight of his responsibilities.

He knew what he had to do next. And he'd make sure his family remained safe, no matter the cost especially before his return.

...

The next day dawned bright and clear, painting Luminae in hues of gold as the sun climbed higher into the sky. For Zastan, it was another day filled with responsibility, as he moved between his various business operations. The routine was familiar: overseeing shipments at the warehouse, ensuring his employees followed protocol, and then heading back to the mansion to monitor other aspects of his growing empire. Everything had to run smoothly, and he left no detail unchecked.

But as the afternoon wore on, a subtle unease began to creep into his mind. It was small at first, a mere whisper at the edge of his senses. He was standing outside the warehouse, giving final instructions to one of his subordinates, when he felt it—a prickling sensation at the back of his neck, as if unseen eyes were observing his every move. He glanced over his shoulder, but the bustling street behind him appeared perfectly normal. Workers loaded crates, pedestrians moved about, and nothing seemed out of place.

He frowned, trying to shake off the feeling. "Must be overthinking," he muttered under his breath. But the sensation wouldn't go away.

With each passing minute, the unease grew stronger, like a cold hand pressing against his heart. As he wrapped up his tasks at the warehouse and climbed into his car, the feeling of being watched became almost tangible, coiling around him like an invisible serpent. Zastan couldn't afford to ignore it any longer. He grabbed his phone and issued a quick command to his biochemicals stationed at the mansion.

"Everyone," he instructed through the secure communication line, "make sure you're ready for business inside the mansion. Stay alert and be prepared for anything."

The biochemicals acknowledged his command, their voices sharp with understanding. Zastan knew they were always ready, but he wanted them on high alert. Something felt off, and he couldn't shake the sense that danger was closing in.

As his driver navigated through the streets of Luminae, weaving between cars and passing by towering skyscrapers, the sensation only intensified. Zastan sat in the back seat, his fingers drumming against his knee as he glanced out the window. The city buzzed with life, oblivious to the tension that gripped him.

The car turned down a quieter street, lined with trees and quaint cafés, but that's when the feeling became nearly overwhelming. His heart pounded faster, and he could almost feel the weight of the gaze pressing down on him. It was as if someone—or something—was following his every move, watching him from the shadows.

"Driver," Zastan called out, his voice steady but laced with tension. "Take the scenic route back to the mansion."

The driver didn't question the order and smoothly changed direction, taking a longer route through winding roads that skirted the outskirts of the city. Zastan's eyes scanned every building, every alleyway, searching for a hint of who or what might be trailing him. His hand drifted to his side, where he kept a discreet weapon, his fingers brushing the handle as he prepared for any sudden threat.

But even as they passed through quieter areas, the feeling didn't fade. It was as though the unseen presence was keeping pace with him, shadowing him like a ghost. Sweat prickled at his temples, and his mind raced. Who could it be? The Dragon Talon, perhaps, seeking revenge for the attacks on their headquarters? Or maybe it was a rival business entity, one threatened by the rapid rise of his empire?

His senses were on high alert, and every detail in his surroundings felt amplified. The rustle of leaves in the wind, the distant hum of a passing motorcycle, even the echo of footsteps from a nearby sidewalk seemed suspicious. The world around him appeared normal, but to Zastan, it felt like a trap waiting to spring.

Finally, the car approached the outer gates of the mansion. The tension that had been building inside him peaked, and his heart pounded as he felt the presence pressing closer, almost suffocating in its intensity. He clenched his jaw, forcing himself to stay composed.

"Open the gates," he ordered into the car's intercom system. The gates slowly swung open, and the car rolled into the driveway. The moment the vehicle stopped, Zastan stepped out, his movements quick but controlled. His biochemicals were already waiting, stationed discreetly around the property, their expressions alert.

"Everyone, keep your eyes peeled," Zastan said, his voice low but firm. "Something's not right."

The biochemicals nodded, spreading out to secure the perimeter. Zastan stood in the middle of the driveway, the feeling of being watched still gnawing at him, stronger than ever. Whoever was out there, he knew they were close.

....