The next morning, Peter stepped outside, taking a deep breath of fresh air while casually sucking on a lollipop.
Across the street, he noticed something—or rather, someone.
His instincts kicked in immediately. He pulled his hoodie down lower, adjusting his face mask to stay hidden. His piercing blue eyes scanned the surroundings, sharp and alert.
With his backpack slung over one shoulder, he subtly pressed his earpiece and spoke in a low voice.
"Zunafets, do you copy?"
There was a brief static before Zunafets' voice came through. "Loud and clear. What's wrong?"
Peter kept his gaze locked on the mysterious figure across the street.
"I think I'm being watched," he muttered, keeping his movements natural as he turned a corner. "Stay on standby."
Zunafets' voice was calm but firm. "Roger that. Keep moving, but don't engage unless necessary."
Peter exhaled slowly, his grip tightening around the lollipop stick.
"Let's see if they take the bait."
Peter tossed the lollipop to the ground and casually stepped on it, crushing it beneath his foot. His expression remained calm, but his mind was racing.
He walked forward at a steady pace, pretending not to care, yet his sharp eyes kept scanning his surroundings. The figure across the street was still there—standing as if they were just another passerby. But Peter knew better than to trust appearances.
Speaking softly into his earpiece, he murmured,
"One person. Across the street. Could be an agent or an informant."
Zunafets responded immediately, "Don't react just yet. If they follow, we'll handle it."
Peter gave a small nod, slipping his hands into his jacket pockets as he continued walking. Every now and then, he glanced at the reflections in the store windows along the sidewalk.
The person moved. They were following him.
A slow smirk spread across Peter's lips.
"Alright… Let the game begin."
Peter led the pursuer into a narrow alleyway, keeping his pace steady as if unaware of being followed. Then, in a split second, he spun around, using a swift move to disarm and pin the person to the ground.
Before the man could react, Peter had already drawn his pistol and pressed it firmly against his head. His voice was cold and sharp.
"Who are you, and what do you want?"
The man, breathing heavily, hesitated before speaking. His answer made Peter narrow his eyes.
After a moment of silence, Peter smirked. "If I return to the capital, you're going to help me break into the presidential palace."
The man tensed, eyes widening slightly.
Peter continued, "Or… you'll assist me in eliminating the president directly. Or better yet, you'll make sure he confesses the truth to the media before getting arrested."
His grip on the pistol tightened slightly.
Peter stared at the man, his gun still pressed firmly against his head.
"Are you in or not?!!!" His voice was sharp, almost threatening.
The man swallowed hard, hesitating for a moment before finally answering.
"Alright… I'll help."
Peter narrowed his eyes. In one swift motion, he grabbed the man's mask and pulled it off.
THUD!
Peter froze. His eyes widened.
It was Optimus. His best friend.
A traitor?!
Peter stared at Optimus, his breath caught in his throat. His own best friend… had given away his location?
Optimus lowered his head, his face filled with guilt.
"Explain." Peter's voice was low, but the restrained anger was unmistakable.
Optimus let out a long sigh. "I had no choice, Peter. They forced me."
Peter remained silent, waiting for more.
"I was never trapped like Odlan. I… was forced to cooperate. If I didn't give them information about you, they would destroy my life."
Peter clenched his fists. "So, you were the one who told them I moved to this city?"
Optimus met Peter's gaze, his eyes full of regret. "Yes… it was me."
Peter took a deep breath, trying to suppress his anger. He stared at Optimus, searching for any trace of a lie on his face.
"And you think I'll just forgive you?" Peter's voice was cold.
Optimus clenched his jaw. "I'm not asking for forgiveness, Peter. I just want you to know the truth. I had no choice."
Peter stepped closer, grabbing Optimus by the collar. "There's always a choice!" he growled. "You could've run. You could've come to me. But instead, you handed me over to them!"
Optimus didn't resist. He just looked at Peter, exhaustion in his eyes. "And if I ran? They would hunt me down. Just like they're hunting you. I'm not like you, Peter."
Peter held his gaze for a long moment before finally letting go. He exhaled sharply and took a step back.
"So now what? Are you here to capture me? Or to prove that you can still be trusted?"
Optimus swallowed hard, then answered, "I'm here to fix my mistake."
BANG!
The gunshot shattered the tension. Peter and Optimus immediately moved, taking cover behind a nearby car.
"Sniper!" Optimus shouted. "The president hired them to hunt you down!"
Peter peeked from behind the car, trying to spot the shooter. "Damn it, they're not messing around."
Another bullet whizzed past, slamming into the hood of the car just inches from Peter's head. He quickly ducked, cursing under his breath.
"We need to get out of here, now!" Peter said, rummaging through his backpack.
Optimus pulled out his gun, scanning the area. "Got a plan?"
Peter pulled out a smoke bomb and tossed it into the street. As thick smoke engulfed the area, he grabbed Optimus's arm.
"Run!"
They sprinted down a narrow alley, gunfire still echoing behind them.
Peter and Optimus kept running until they finally disappeared into the maze of narrow alleys.
Peter turned to Optimus. "Listen, we have to split up."
Optimus frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Go to Zunafets' hideout. Grab my phone and follow the location I send. I'm heading to the port—I'll escape using a jet ski."
Optimus hesitated. "Alone? That's too risky."
Peter smirked. "Since when has my life not been risky?"
Without waiting for a reply, Peter turned and sprinted toward the docks. Optimus let out a deep sigh before hurrying toward Zunafets' location.
Peter and Optimus kept running until they finally disappeared into the maze of narrow alleys.
Peter turned to Optimus. "Listen, we have to split up."
Optimus frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Go to Zunafets' hideout. Grab my phone and follow the location I send. I'm heading to the port—I'll escape using a jet ski."
Optimus hesitated. "Alone? That's too risky."
Peter smirked. "Since when has my life not been risky?"
Without waiting for a reply, Peter turned and sprinted toward the docks. Optimus let out a deep sigh before hurrying toward Zunafets' location.
Peter hailed a taxi and got in, keeping his head low beneath his hoodie. As the vehicle moved through the dimly lit streets, he kept checking his surroundings, making sure he wasn't being followed.
He exhaled, gripping his bag tightly. "Just a little longer," he muttered to himself. He needed to reach the port before they tracked him again.
Meanwhile,Optimus finally arrived, but instead of relief, frustration weighed heavily on his chest. He ran a hand through his hair, pacing back and forth.
"Damn it, Peter…" he muttered. He felt guilty—no, responsible—for putting Peter in even more danger.
Sitting down, he buried his face in his hands. He had betrayed his best friend, even if it wasn't by choice. And now, Peter was out there alone, being hunted like an animal.
Aitnys noticed his distress and approached. "Optimus, what's wrong?"
Optimus looked up, his expression grim. "I don't know how to fix this."
Peter finally arrived at the port and quickly looked for someone who could rent him a jet ski. After a brief negotiation, he secured one and sped off into the open sea, leaving the shore behind.
The waves crashed gently as he rode, the night air biting at his skin. But before he could feel any sense of safety, suddenly—BANG!
A bullet sliced through the air and struck his shoulder. Peter gasped, losing control of the jet ski. In an instant, his body was thrown into the water.
Pain surged through him as he struggled to swim to the surface, but a hail of bullets rained down around him, tearing through the sea. Shot after shot barely missed him.
His blood mixed with the waves. His breath grew ragged. His consciousness began to fade.
Within seconds, everything went black. Peter passed out, his body sinking into the depths of the ocean.
Meanwhile, at Zunafets' hideout…
The tension in the room was thick. Zunafets and his team were already making moves, preparing for the worst. Suddenly, Peter's phone started ringing.
Celya.
Optimus hesitated before picking it up. "Hello?" His voice was hoarse, filled with guilt and unease.
"Optimus?" Celya's voice was sharp, concerned. "Where's Peter? I've been trying to reach him!"
Optimus swallowed hard. "He's… not here."
"What do you mean he's not there?" she snapped. "What happened?"
Optimus exchanged glances with Zunafets. He gripped the phone tighter. "He—he went to the port. He was trying to escape through the sea."
Silence.
Then, Celya's voice came through, quieter, but filled with urgency. "And?"
Optimus hesitated. "We lost contact."
Celya's breath hitched. "You mean… he's missing?"
Zunafets, standing nearby, clenched his fists. "We don't have time to wait. We need to track him down—now."
Optimus closed his eyes, guilt weighing down on him. "Celya… Peter's in danger."
Zunafets, Optimus, and Aitnys rushed to the port. They couldn't afford to wait any longer—Peter could be in danger, or worse… gone.
When they arrived, a man sitting in a taxi waved them over, watching them carefully. "Are you looking for this?" he asked, pointing to the back seat.
A bag. Peter's bag.
Optimus quickly grabbed it and opened it. The laptop, some documents, and a few personal items were still inside. There were no signs of a struggle, no blood.
"He left it here on purpose," Zunafets said coldly. "Peter must have planned for someone to pick this up."
Aitnys turned to the taxi driver, her eyes sharp. "Who was supposed to take it?"
The man shrugged. "I don't know his name. He just said someone would come for it in an hour."
Optimus stared at the dark waters, his mind racing. Peter wouldn't leave his bag unless he had another plan.
Just then, Celya arrived at the port, stepping out of her car, her face filled with worry. "What did you find?"
Zunafets held up Peter's bag. "Proof that he was still alive… at least when he left this behind."
But where was he now?
They searched the coastline using a boat, scanning every inch of the water. Nothing.
But then, Optimus spotted something. Blood. Small traces of it mixed with the waves. And floating nearby—a bullet casing.
Zunafets didn't hesitate. He dived into the water, searching desperately beneath the surface. His heart pounded as he pushed himself deeper. No sign of Peter.
He resurfaced, frustration clear on his face. "He's not here."
Aitnys clenched her fists. "Then where the hell is he?"
Meanwhile, far in the distance, a boat sped away.
Zunafets didn't see it.
But farther out, a fisherman's boat drifted in the opposite direction, moving away from the scene.
And on that boat… was an unconscious Peter.
Suddenly, Peter regained consciousness.
His eyes slowly opened, his vision still blurry. The sound of waves echoed in the distance, mixing with the salty sea breeze. The sharp scent of saltwater filled his nose. He tried to move, but pain shot through his body—especially in his shoulder, where the bullet had barely missed him.
"Don't move too much," a gentle voice said nearby.
Peter blinked a few times, finally seeing clearly. An elderly man and woman sat beside him, carefully tending to his wounds with a clean cloth. They looked simple, their faces filled with warmth, though concern was evident in their eyes.
"You're lucky we found you," the old man said. "If not, you might have drowned."
Peter swallowed, his throat dry. "Where am I?" he asked, his voice hoarse.
The old woman gave a faint smile. "A safe place. We're fishermen. We found you drifting in the sea."
Peter flexed his fingers, ensuring his memories were still intact. Yes, he still remembered everything. The gunfire at sea. The chase. Optimus. Zunafets.
He was still a fugitive.
Slowly, he tried to sit up, his body feeling heavy. "I need to go..." he muttered.
But the old man shook his head. "Not yet. You still need to recover."
Peter exhaled sharply. He didn't have much time.
Peter took a deep breath, then looked at the old couple. "Can I borrow your phone?" he asked, his voice firm but not demanding.
The elderly man hesitated for a moment, exchanging glances with his wife. "Who do you need to call?"
"A friend. He needs to know I'm alive."
The woman sighed, then stood up and disappeared into another room. Moments later, she returned with an old mobile phone and handed it to Peter.
Without wasting time, Peter quickly dialed Zunafets' number. The call rang a few times before a familiar voice answered.
"Who's this?" Zunafets' tone was sharp, cautious.
"It's me."
There was a brief silence on the other end. Then, "Peter?! Where the hell are you? We've been searching everywhere!"
Peter leaned back, glancing at the couple. "I got lucky. Some fishermen pulled me out of the water. I'm safe... for now."
"Damn it, Peter. We found your bag at the port. Optimus and I thought—" Zunafets stopped himself, exhaling sharply. "Listen, we need to regroup. Where are you?"
Peter looked at the old couple again before replying. "Somewhere near the coast. I'll send you my location soon. Just be careful. They're still hunting me."
Zunafets' voice hardened. "They won't stop until they have your head. Stay low. We'll come for you."
Peter nodded, even though Zunafets couldn't see him. "I'll be waiting."
As he ended the call, he handed the phone back to the old woman. "Thank you."
The old man crossed his arms. "I don't know who you really are, but trouble seems to follow you."
Peter smirked slightly. "Yeah… that tends to happen."
Peter took a deep breath and dialed Enimsya's number. The call rang a few times before she finally picked up.
"Hello?" Enimsya's voice was filled with worry. "Peter?! Where are you? What happened? I saw the news—they said you were shot!"
Peter gave a small smile, though his body was still sore. "I'm alive, but barely. An old couple of fishermen saved me."
"Oh my God…" Enimsya exhaled, relieved yet still tense. "You're insane, Peter. They really want you dead."
Peter gazed up at the sky for a moment, enjoying the brief calm before responding. "That's nothing new. I just need to keep moving."
There was a brief silence before Enimsya spoke again. "Peter… I need to tell you something. I finally filed for divorce from Eduardo."
Peter was slightly surprised, though he had seen this coming. "Are you sure?"
"Yes." Her voice was firm. "I've suffered enough. He betrayed me, manipulated me… I can't keep living under his shadow."
Peter nodded slightly, even though she couldn't see him. "You're doing the right thing."
"I just want to live in peace, Peter. But I also want to make sure you're safe. I don't want to lose you."
Peter gave a faint smirk. "I don't plan on dying just yet. I still have unfinished business."
"Don't be reckless. Promise me, Peter. You'll be careful."
Peter sighed. "I'll try."
"Peter..."
"I have to go, Enimsya. I'll call you again when it's safe."
"Alright. Take care of yourself."
After hanging up, Peter clenched the phone tightly. Enimsya's divorce from Eduardo might bring new consequences, and he had to be ready for whatever came next.
On the other side, Enimsya sat in the living room of her parents' house, her face tense and her mind full of questions. Her father, usually calm and wise, appeared worried.
"Enimsya, you should try to talk things over with Eduardo. This isn't something that can be solved quickly," her father said, trying to remain calm.
However, Enimsya couldn't hold back her emotions any longer. She glared at her father with eyes full of anger. "Is that what you think, Father? I should talk things over with Eduardo? Wasn't it you who arranged this marriage between us for the sake of your shares, huh?"
Her father fell silent, his face showing frustration that had been buried for a long time. "You know my reasons, Enimsya. This isn't just about you or Eduardo. It's about the future of our family, about the business. I only want what's best for you."
Enimsya stood up and walked toward her father. "What's best for me? Sacrificing my happiness for business? I've lived long enough with this lie. I want to live by my own choices, not yours."
Her father lowered his head, feeling the weight of guilt, but still trying to justify his actions. "I only wanted to protect you, Enimsya. Sometimes we have to make sacrifices for the family."
"You don't understand, Father," Enimsya replied, her voice soft but firm. "I've been controlled by others enough. I won't let you control my life too."
With that, Enimsya turned and left the room, leaving her father in silence. He knew this was the beginning of a major change in her life—changes that couldn't be avoided any longer.
Enimsya paused at the door, shocked by her father's words. "Is it because of Peter? That hacker?" Her father's voice was full of frustration, but there was also a hint of concern. "I know you two used to date, right?"
Enimsya looked at her father with eyes full of emotion. "Peter... it's not just about him, Dad. This is about my life, my freedom, and the choices I make. I can't keep living in the shadow of decisions that were made for me."
Her father stepped closer, trying to touch her shoulder, but Enimsya pulled away. "Enimsya, you're too caught up in your emotions. Peter... he's just a temporary problem. You need to think about your future."
"Future?" Enimsya laughed bitterly. "What future are you talking about? A life controlled by someone else? I want to choose for myself, Dad. And Peter... he's not the problem, he's part of my life that I chose."
Her father fell silent, his face turning worried. "I want what's best for you, but you need to be careful. Peter's not the right person, he will bring trouble."
"I'll decide what's best for me," Enimsya said firmly before turning and walking out of the room, leaving her father standing there, his face filled with deep concern.