An open gun wound was traceable on her belly. She was bleeding a lot.Jordan placed his two fingers on her nose. His heart degaged a little when he felt the slight ticklish sensation of her labored breathing. He took her left hand and felt the pulse. It was there, but a faint one too, but it was enough to relax everyone.“She is breathing.” He announced, and even the policemen signed in relief.“They are all dead.” A policeman reported after checking all the five bodies of the gunmen.“We were still in the area when we heard the gunshot and decided to check where it came from. Are you all okay?” The officer who had given Jordan the right to kill Martin if he ever escaped asked.The officer was assessing Jordan and wondering who he really was. It seemed like doom was on his trail. He had just fought a gang, and another one attacked them right after. Too much of a coincidence.“We are all okay. Thank you, officer.” Jordan replied. “But she needs immediate help.” He added as he looked at
Jordan’s eyes kept scrutinizing Ana as she was fighting for her life under the support of the oxygen machine. Her innocent face as she lay on the bed caught Jordan’s sterling attention. He admired her spirit amidst all that she was going through in her parent’s hands.“How is she?” Liya asked as she walked in.“The doctor said she will take two or three hours to wake up.” Jordan responded with his eyes still fixed on Ana.“She will be fine.” Liya assured, rubbing Jordan’s shoulder friendly.Aside from Jordan’s perturbation for Ana’s condition, there seemed to be something else running through his mind that Liya could not tell what it was. He seemed deep in thought.“I hope so.” He answered.Liya joined Jordan in staring at Ana. The girl was still a closed book to Liya and Mr Jonathan. She had betrayed Jordan and yet he was helping her. Was he that fond of her? Why?“What do you intend to do with her when she wakes up?” Liya asked. She did not want to be so direct with her questions.“
Just when Jordan was about to roar at Mr De’Luka, the police officer who had helped them arrived. He walked over to Mr De’Luka who had his boduguards standing a safe distance behind him, and greeted him with honor and courtesy.“Greetings, Mr De’Luka! I am the one who called you. We found your details on your daughter’s documents. She has just been operated on.” The policeman explained.The ice-coated man nodded his head slightly, taking off his eyes from Jordan for a second. “Thank you, officer. And, about those bastards who almost killed my daughter? Did you catch them?” Mr De’Luka asked, throwing a glance and Jordan again.He wondered whether Jordan had thrown him under the bus. He was not so apprehensive though, because he had ways of covering his crimes, but he wished the man had remained mute. He did not want to be embroiled in such a scandal that would taint his icon as the bona fide business guru that he had painted himself as in the country.Jordan felt suffocated by the ma
Mr De’Luka started shivering with wrath. He was anything but a loser and a nobody like the man before him had no right to insult him.Right there and then, he wanted to pull a gun and rip the man’s skull with bullets. Or maybe ask his bodyguards to break all the bones in Jordan’s body.“What is going through your head now, Mr De’Luka? You want to kill me right here in the open? I want to believe that you are a bit wiser than that.” Jordan walked closer, closing any gap that separated them.They were now bleeding their wrath on each other’s faces. Mr De’Luka felt the footsteps of his bodyguards coming to his rescue, but he raised a hand to stop them to which they obeyed. Jordan had a point. He could not afford to do anything to the daring, galling man in the open. That would be too much of a gamble.“I will get you soon, Mr nobody. And when I do, you will wish you never crossed my path.” Mr De&rsq
“I want you to stay the fuck off Ana!” Jordan said in a faint but a hilarious echo that drew the both of them into obfuscation.“Excuse me?” Mr De’Luka spoke with disbelief after recovering from the shock.Actually, he had not recovered from it. Just like his wife, he was thinking that he perhaps did not hear Jordan right the first time. The foolish man had no grounds whatsoever to even hint they stayed from their adopted daughter, not to talk of acting all serious like he meant it.“Speak up, young man! What did you just say?” Mrs De’Luka added.“You heard me loud and clear. I want both of your faces as far from Ana as possible until she asks to see you. Not even your useless bodyguards should stick their noses around unless you want to sacrifice them.” Jordan emphasized.“You can not just do any of that young man. Ana is our daughter. It is you who needs to get your pathetic self from this place and disappear into thin air if you can. You are digging your own grave with your hauteur
“OMG! Just what the heck is the problem with you, Jordan? Can’t you just stay out of trouble? What have you gotten yourself into this time around? You have blood on your clothes. Did you kill someone in an attempt to steal a meal or some coins?” Diana screeched as they closed the safe gap that was between them.On Diana’s side was the man he had cheated on him with, Edwin, with their fingers intertwined as if mocking someone. But that wasn’t Jordan. If at anything, he felt sympathized for the soul that was going to spend even just a couple of days with the impossible woman. But the man seemed well deserving of the torture he was getting himself into in the name of marriage.What worried Jordan the most was the other man on Diana’s side and the way he acted like he had a relationship with the two.“I am not surprised if someone tried to kill him in the streets. Look? Aren’t these the same clothes he was wearing three days ago? That means he is in the streets where he belongs. You ain’t
The faint reverberant rustling of Adrew scraping his head could be heard through the lull engulfing them. His eyes looked everywhere but his father whose face conformed to a charcoal with dark curtains of disbelief and anticipation. That corroborated Jordan’s actual facial visage because he was at a loss to ace the unforeseen turn of events. He also didn’t understand why it astounded Mr Jonathan that his son was getting married to some lady who once married before. Didn’t he know?Dianna, on the other hand, had her eyes firing deadly arrows at Jordan. If she was asked to make just one wish at that moment, she would have wished for Jordan to vanish from the face of the earth by all means. The guy seemed like he had made a vow to the devil to humiliate her every single time they crashed ever since she threw him out.First, he hooked himself with that arrogant, loaded girl who slapped Diana on the coat. Second, he beat up her lover in the hotel and humiliated them in front of everyone. A
“Well, Endy? I am freaking waiting! Don’t keep me waiting and don’t try my patience by acting like a coward like always.” Diana hissed after a long moment of silence.Diana could not cloak her perturbation from how her walls were crashing with fear every passing second that Edwin remained mute. She was growing anxious wondering what the dimwit was thinking about. Would he fight for her or it would be the same old cases?Edwin cleared his throat, deciding to try his luck, but deep down he knew there was a limit to how far he could push his luck. He would do anything other than jeopardize his relationship with his father. He could not risk losing the fortune he was entitled to just because of a woman who could not humble herself to anyone.“Dad, please! I rescued her from that torturous marriage with her useless husband. That is what you always taught me, right? To defend helpless people! This man you are praising so much had nothing to offer her. She was miserable. You should at least
Three months later!Anticipation and enthusiasm surrounded the grand opening ceremony as it took place. In addition to officially opening The Rivers Group of Martial Arts' newest location, the ribbon-cutting ceremony signified the end of a journey that had passed through darkness and emerged into the light of mutual empowerment and progress.Jordan stood proudly in front of the assembly and spoke to them. "Our slogan stands true today as it did when we started: The Rivers Group of Martial Arts is not just a school to teach martial arts, but a community for empowerment and growth, both as a community and individually." His statements reverberated with authenticity, capturing the spirit of their group's objective."And so, ladies and gentlemen, here I present to you the last, as of now, branch of The Rivers Group of Martial Arts." Jordan handed the scissors to Ana, symbolizing the transition from the shadows of the past to the bright possibilities of the future. As Ana cut the ribbon, t
The following day, Ana woke up in his old home, the De’luka mansion. Ricotchetting her eyes. Memories lingered—a combo of both good and bad memories. She had slept off there with her entire crew to prepare for the burial.“Are you ready? You can stay back if you want. I will bring the body here.” Jordan said, giving her a morning hug after strolling into her room.Ana sampled everything that Jordan’s body was bleeding on her—the solace, the heat, the comfort. Everything. She appreciated his comfort and his gesture. She then pulled away, and Jordan kept her hands in his. “I appreciate this, Jordan, but I have to do this.”“Are you really sure?” Jordan emphasized."Come on, Jordan! Do I look like I am showing signs of a mental breakdown or something? I am perfect. Besides, you and I know the story behind this man. I'm all good.” She said.Jordan nodded his head. “Alright. I never said that you were about to break down, by the way. I know you are strong. Even more than I am.”‘Yeah, yeah
“I guess so. We can all say that.” The officer affirmed.A few chatters filled the room for a long time. Who would have thought that a once vigilante group could be saluted by the government, huh?Jordan cleared his voice, speaking to the officer, although everyone was keen. “Whether the government recognizes me or not, I don’t care. But I know how much you loved your job. I also know that you like it, and it is my hope that you have no regrets whatsoever for those few days that you and your boys have been members of this family. I want you to know that I cannot hold you back. If they want to give you back your position, please don’t feel obliged to remain with us. You deserve that position.”Officer Adamson looked at Jordan with so much appreciation and gratitude. “Regrets? What is there to regret about being part of this great community, Jordan? I felt honored that I was lucky to have a chance to meet you all and to partake in your just missions. But, like you said, I feel the need
The group, which had now become a family, pushed itself into the audacious project of opening martial arts schools in the following weeks, their unwavering dedication transforming dreams into concrete accomplishments. With incredible vigor, resolve, and a sense of purpose that permeated each movement they took, Jordan's vision came to life in that brightly illuminated room.Securing a central location for their flagship martial arts school was the crew's initial action. They converted a large warehouse, which had previously served as a symbol of corruption, into a center for empowerment, training, and discipline after extensive reconnaissance and planning sessions. When they held their first courses, the sound of kicks and swishing-trained moves filled the air inside those walls.With her excellent organizational abilities, Sarah oversaw the administrative side, making sure that all licenses, registrations, and marketing campaigns were completed. She proved to be the mainstay of the o
As the soft hues of morning began to seep through the windows, the room, once ablaze with celebration, now held a serene stillness. Jordan and his crew, draped in the comforting shadows of a night well spent, found themselves resting on makeshift seats, their weariness a testament to the battles fought and won.The sunlight painted a gentle tableau, revealing the subtle lines of fatigue etched on each face. Yet, amidst the quietude, a sense of unity prevailed. Jordan, observing the camaraderie that had evolved in the past hours, felt a renewed purpose bubbling within him. This wasn't just a crew; they were a band of individuals who had weathered storms together and emerged stronger.Looking at Major, he knew that he had a question to tackle. They looked somehow confused about what to do next, and he knew he owed them an explanation, at least for the sake of their sanity. He remembered how he and Major’s group became participants. Initially, they were just his hired bodyguards, but ove
‘‘Huuu!” Noises crackled in the house of Jordan as the members heaved out their tiredness, sampled in the aura of victory, and rested their weapons on the tables as they took their seats. It was almost 4 in the morning, but the night echoed with sounds for the next few hours. Their faces were smeared with soot and sweat from the tough battle they had fought and, by God’s grace, won.“This calls for a big celebration!” Jordan spoke, pulling Ana beside him as he rested on his signature seat of authority. “Mariela? Could you make us something delicious for us?”Mariela nodded in agreement. “After emerging triumphant, you all deserve a special treat. I had made arrangements before we left. I will be back in a sec.”They all made sweet sounds of appreciation that sent Mariela off to the kitchen with a smile on her face.Soon enough, she was making hasty back-and-forth tours to and from the kitchen with trays of mouthwatering shawarmas. Then the drinks followed, and everyone wanted nothing
As Jordan and his group crouched in the shadows, staring at the far-off warehouse where the covert conflict had taken place, the night sky hung thick with an oppressive still. An overwhelming feeling of unease permeated the air as they anticipated reaching the pinnacle of their unwavering quest for justice.Abruptly, a menacing gleam illuminated the horizon, illuminating Jordan's team members' features with elongated shadows. From the warehouse, flames shot up, licking the darkness with an abysmal embrace. The blast echoed through the still air like a mighty cry of vengeance.Jordan clinched his hands and tensed his jaw, watching the conflagration with a bleak determination mixed with joy. The warehouse collapsed under the weight of its own secrets; it had previously been a center of corruption and dishonesty. His transgressors were being burned into charred souls. He could imagine them weeping in pain as the wildfire mercilessly devoured them.Jordan whispered, "That's it," his voice
“Names? What names, Jordan?” Mr. Elias asked in confusion.Jordan, with a steely gaze, had no time to waste. He needed to get to the heart of the issue as fast as he could. His voice was firm as he spoke. "The names of your supporters. The high-ranking officials who are protecting."The alliance members exchanged uneasy glances, a palpable scent of impending doom slapping at their nostrils. How could they comply with Jordan's request? Revealing the identities of those wielding formidable power felt like signing their own death warrants. And death was what they were trying to escape by all means. How could they negotiate for survival and sell themselves to the devil in the same way?“Jordan, please understand that we cannot do that. It is too dangerous for us. Besides, why do you want the names?” Mr. Elias replied, attempting to mask the tension in his voice.Jordan's eyes narrowed, his frustration bubbling beneath the surface. "I need those names to expose the corruption that is eatin
Jordan looked at Elias and his meanness. He could read through their minds. He knew exactly what they wanted. And he loved their stupidity.Elias gazed at Jordan and spoke with a stern voice without a single tinge of wavering in it. “You are wiser than this, Jordan. I know you know what I mean.”Jordan shook his head and read a memo that said, ‘I know, but I want to hear that crap from your stinking mouth itself’! “No! Please enlighten me, Elias! I might be getting carried away.” Jodan spoke.Elias even managed to smirk, even though he could not tell whether Jordan was toying with his mind or not. He spoke. "Jordan, all I am suggesting is that we can settle this amicably. You don’t have to betray your noble parents by becoming a bloody murderer. Well, if it is revenge that you want, your parents are gone, and you can’t bring them back. Don’t even kill us. I have got something that will surely interest you."Jordan, unmoved, eyed Elias with a steely gaze, his expression portraying no