Chapter 2 — Hidden Moves
One hour later…
Maya collapsed onto the gym floor, breathing heavily.
Sweat soaked through her clothes as her chest rose and fell rapidly. Every muscle in her body burned from exhaustion.
Meanwhile, Krist stood across from her looking completely fine.
She glared at him.
"When will I get as fast as you?" she asked between breaths.
Krist laughed softly.
"Probably never."
Maya narrowed her eyes.
"And what makes you so sure?"
Krist grabbed a bottle of water before answering casually.
"Do you know when I started martial arts training?"
She shook her head.
"No."
"I was five," he replied. "My dad taught me discipline while my mom handled combat training."
Maya blinked.
"At five?"
Krist nodded.
"Speed, reflexes, footwork… those things take years to build. Martial arts isn't just about techniques. Experience matters more."
He looked directly at her.
"Even if you learn more moves than me, I'll still probably beat you."
Maya scoffed.
"That confident?"
"I'm nine years ahead of you," he said calmly. "If you want to catch up, you'll have to work very hard."
He grabbed a towel from a nearby rack and tossed it toward her.
"Go freshen up."
Maya tried standing immediately—
—and regretted it.
Pain shot through her legs.
"Ahh… damn…"
Krist smirked slightly as she struggled to her feet.
"You'll survive."
She glared at him before taking the towel and dragging herself toward the guest room.
Krist grabbed another towel and headed toward his own room.
A while later, Krist sat comfortably in the living room eating a light meal while watching football on the massive television screen.
The commentators shouted excitedly as the crowd roared through the speakers.
Maya eventually walked into the room with wet hair and fresh clothes.
Without even looking away from the television, Krist spoke.
"There's food in the kitchen for you."
She stared at him for a moment before walking off silently.
A few minutes later, she returned carrying a bowl of oats and sat beside him on the couch.
Krist barely noticed.
His eyes remained fixed on the match.
Maya looked at the screen with visible confusion.
"I still don't understand men," she muttered.
Krist hummed absentmindedly.
"What?"
"How do you people enjoy this?" she asked. "It's just a bunch of grown men chasing a ball while screaming."
Krist stayed silent.
Maya slowly turned toward him.
"Were you even listening to me?"
Krist blinked and finally looked at her.
"Oh… you were talking to me?"
Maya stared at him in disbelief.
"No, Krist. I was obviously talking to myself."
"Sorry," he replied shamelessly before pointing toward the television. "You just don't understand football yet."
Maya rolled her eyes.
"Almost every guy I know likes football. It's literally the only thing you and Billy have in common."
Krist nearly choked.
"That fraud?" he said with visible disgust. "I'm way better than him."
Maya burst into laughter.
"There it is," she said proudly. "Now you're activated."
Krist looked away with a scoff.
"At least support me since you know I'm better."
Maya grinned mischievously.
"You really expected football banter from me?"
Krist muttered something under his breath before turning back to the match.
A few moments later, Maya suddenly pointed at the television.
"Wait… who's that guy wearing number eight? He's actually good."
Krist smiled slightly.
That was how it always started.
One player.
One match.
Then suddenly football became interesting.
"Which team do you support?" Maya asked.
"None," Krist replied. "This match is just too big to ignore."
Soon enough, the two of them were quietly watching the game together.
And before Maya realized it…
She started cheering.
Later that afternoon, Krist walked Maya toward the estate gate so she could head home.
The streets outside were quiet.
"So," Maya began, "what are you going to do about the situation at school?"
Krist's expression darkened slightly.
"My parents taught me to respect authority and obey my elders," he said quietly. "But lately…"
He paused.
"I think I misunderstood what they meant."
Maya listened silently.
"For the past year, I've been acting weak while calling it obedience."
A bitter smile appeared on his face.
"My dad used to say something all the time."
Krist looked ahead as memories flashed through his mind.
"Patience and cowardice are not the same thing."
"And being a coward," he continued softly, "isn't the Stark way."
Maya stared at him.
"So what are we going to do?"
Krist's eyes sharpened.
"I don't know yet," he admitted. "But I'm done letting people throw me around inside my father's own school."
Resolution burned in his voice.
Then Maya suddenly stopped walking.
"Wait… can't you just fire her?"
Krist frowned.
"Fire who?"
"Bellatrix," Maya replied. "You're the heir to Stark Industries. Legally, doesn't that school belong to you now?"
Krist's expression immediately darkened.
"No."
"Why not?"
"Mr. Adams."
The name alone made Maya's face twist in irritation.
"My father's lawyer," Krist explained coldly. "According to him, I won't receive authority over any Stark assets until I turn eighteen."
Maya clenched her fists.
"That bastard is obviously trying to take control of Stark Industries."
"He can try," Krist said calmly.
For a second, something dangerous flashed behind his eyes.
"But as long as I'm alive…"
"He won't get anything."
Maya fell silent.
"Thankfully," Krist continued, "my father never gave him access to the company's most important documents."
"You know where they are?"
Krist shook his head.
"No."
Then a faint smile appeared on his lips.
"But I'll find them."
When they reached the main road, a taxi was already waiting.
Krist gently patted Maya's head.
"Don't worry," he whispered. "I'll figure this out."
Maya looked at him quietly.
"Call me when you get home, okay?"
She nodded before entering the taxi.
Krist paid the driver and watched the vehicle disappear into the distance.
The moment it vanished—
His gentle expression disappeared completely.
Coldness replaced it instantly.
"Fire her, huh…" he muttered.
A dangerous smile slowly formed on his face.
"I can definitely do that."
He turned toward one of the massive pillars beside the estate gate and pressed his palm against the stone surface.
The pillar suddenly moved inward.
A hidden screen appeared.
Palm recognized.
ACCESS GRANTED.
Krist selected:
LOCKDOWN MODE.
Deep mechanical sounds echoed across the estate as hidden security systems activated.
Then he crossed the street toward the mansion opposite the Stark Estate.
He rang the bell.
A beautiful young girl opened the door moments later.
She looked around fifteen, with shoulder-length brown hair, athletic features, and sharp eyes filled with curiosity.
She wore a white crop top and a short skirt.
"Oh—Krist?"
Krist gave her a small smile.
"Good to see you too, Luna."
Luna rolled her eyes playfully.
"You look tired."
"You look hot like always," Krist replied casually.
She blinked before laughing.
"Still shameless, I see."
She stepped aside and allowed him inside.
The smell of food drifted through the house immediately.
Krist walked into the living room and dropped onto the couch before shouting:
"HARRISON!"
Heavy footsteps thundered from upstairs.
A boy rushed down holding a game controller.
Unlike Luna, his hair was bright gold, almost glowing under the light, matching his sharp golden eyes.
"Krist," he groaned dramatically. "This better be important because you just interrupted the most important match of my life."
Krist looked at him seriously.
"I need your help."
Harrison instantly noticed the change in his tone.
"…What kind of help?"
Krist took a slow breath.
"I want to do something."
His eyes became cold.
"Something even I think is impossible."
For a second—
Silence filled the room.
Then Harrison smiled.
A dangerous smile.
"You already know my answer," he said.
"I'm in."
"You know I like a challenge"