NEW LIFE : A SECOND CHANCE

Nitocris slammed his hand on the table loudly.

"You dare?!"

"Boss, it's too dangerous," Yuri said, "They're already targetting you and if you go there, it's like handing yourself on a silver platter to them."

"You'll be in their territory," Zack said, "What is it that you need to do? You don't have to go. I'll go."

"You really think I'm stupid enough to get myself killed like that?!" Nitocris roared.

"No, Boss, of course not!" Yuri replied quickly.

"But ..." Zack began hesitatingly.

"But what?!"

Zack flinched visibly, even though he's one of the Black Dragon's top assassins.

"Boss, let's face it," he said, "You've not been yourself lately. You're moody, out-of-sorts and even now, you've not stopped shouting."

Nitocris was about to shout a denial when he stopped.

Only Yuri and Zack dared to tell him the truth in his face, and that was one of the things he valued. He needed people who were competent and honest to him. If Zack said he wasn't acting normally, then he wasn't.

He stared back at his broken phone, conflicted.

Nitocris wanted nothing more than to rush over to his little puppy, make his presence known and fill in the void that was in his heart. He had even actually been considering telling Kyle of his plans to woo Xing Han.

Yuri and Zack were wondering what was so special about that broken phone. Each time he looked at it, he got angry. Or was the phone making a decision for him? Not literally, of course.

"I know the dangers," Nitocris said finally, sighing, "Fine."

Nitocris put his broken phone in his drawer then threw a thumbdrive towards Zack, who caught it deftly.

"Latest intel on Country I," Nitocris said, "They found our mole. He was stupid to get caught."

"Zack," Nitocris continued, "Make sure you let the others know the consequences of being so stupid. Even if they're not caught, they still have to answer to me."

Zack nodded, understanding and left.

"Yuri," Nitocris said, as he pointed to some files on the side, "I need you to handle the more urgent matters here. I'll be away for a couple of days."

"Boss, you're not ..?"

"No," Nitocris said firmly.

Yuri nodded as well, not asking any further. As long as Nitocris wasn't going to Country M, then it was fine.

Nitocris got up and took his jacket.

"You're going now?!" Yuri asked in surprise. Too many surprises today.

"Why else would I call you guys over?" Nitocris answered, with a raise of his eyebrow.

Yuri looked at the pile of files on the desk, and then at Nitocris's retreating back. With a deep sigh, he took the pile and went to his own office.

Outside, Nitocris stopped by Iris's desk and asked, "My phone?"

Iris quickly handed him a phone, which was the same type and model as his old one. Nitocris was impressed. It hadn't been long, yet she managed to get it replaced - and she had known his previous phone model.

Efficient, even though she was a bit skittish.

Hardly glancing at the woman who had her cleavage out there in the open, as she used her arms to subtly push the sides of her breasts so that it made it 'pop' out more, he then grunted, "Cancel the tickets."

He walked away, while putting in his sim card into the new phone.

Iris pouted a bit in disappointment at Nitocris's lack of interest in her assets. She looked down and wondered whether it was because it wasn't big enough? She began squeezing them at the sides more, thinking of making it look bigger.

Suddenly, she saw a hand cupping her left breast and squeezing it.

She screamed, jumped back while placing both of her hands across her chest.

"Not bad," Yuri said as he leaned on the desk, looking at her intently, "At least they're real."

"How dare you!" she screamed, pointing a finger at him.

He grabbed that offending finger then pulled her, bringing her face right next to his, "If you're going to flaunt it like that, then be prepared for someone to accept your invitation."

Her face flushed red, completely embarrassed that her actions were called out like that.

Letting her go, he picked up the files he had placed on the table while she had been busy 'plumping up her breasts' to even notice him.

"One word of advice. Give up on the Boss," Yuri said, "He's not interested in you and never will be. Annoy him, and you'll be gone."

He turned to go, took a step then stopped. He gave her a sexy smile as his eyes roamed all over her body, "My brother and I, though, wouldn't mind."

He whistled as he left, leaving her with her mouth wide open.