California is a state of the United States of America. In 1850, it was admitted as one of the states of the country. California is the most populous state in the U.S. and the third largest by area. It is often called the Princess of Nature's Kingdom. People here live closely connected with nature. Every year, countless tourists from different countries rush here to enjoy its breathtaking beauty. Yet, despite the luxurious mechanical lifestyle of this expensive city, the people themselves live like machines. Their hearts, too, seem mechanical.
The largest airport in America is Denver International Airport, located in the state of Colorado. It is the largest airport in the United States by area and the second largest in the world. The airport is famous for its architecture. Its roof resembles Tibetan tents, designed in imitation of the Rocky Mountains. The airport has more than a hundred gates and three terminals—A, B, and C—for both international and domestic passengers.
Richard stepped out through Terminal C. Behind his tall, well-built figure, the bodies of two men were partially concealed—Richard's loyal men, Kala Chan and Manik Chan.
As they crossed the terminal's main gate toward the parking lot, an excited male voice echoed from behind. The man poured all his enthusiasm into his rough masculine tone. Yet Richard's expression remained perfectly calm. Even in a foreign land, hearing his name called out by a stranger caused not the slightest anxiety on his face.
Richard slowly turned around.
A man dressed in an expensive coat suit stood there, grinning widely while holding a huge bouquet of black roses. Beside him stood nearly a dozen men in black clothing, guns hidden beneath their shirts. The suited man spread his arms and eagerly walked toward Richard, his jaw almost dropping from the extent of his smile.
But before the man's shadow could even fall upon Richard's shoes, Richard raised a hand, stopping him immediately. His clean-shaven sharp jaw gleamed like polished steel under the light. The man halted awkwardly, his face falling slightly, though his cheerful tone didn't disappear.
"Welcome, welcome, Crime Lord."
Then he glanced toward Nasso and Lucas, who stood like shields on both sides of Richard, watching sharply like hawks. Smiling politely, the man handed the bouquet to Lucas.
Richard immediately showed irritation—not at the man, but at Lucas for taking the flowers.
In a cold, rigid voice he said,
"Don't you know that I don't like flowers?"
Seeing Richard's lightning-fast gaze, Lucas's throat dried instantly. Without wasting a second, he threw the bouquet into the nearby trash bin.
Though the man felt somewhat insulted inside, he ignored it. Just seeing Richard in person had already made him extremely happy. Still, he discreetly checked whether the guards had noticed his embarrassment. As soon as he looked at them, the guards lowered their heads respectfully, making him even more awkward.
"Where is the car?"
The humiliated man immediately transformed his inner pain and frustration into excitement again. Smiling brightly, he pointed behind him.
"There, boss. Your favorite Black Shark."
Following his finger, all three looked toward the vehicle.
Near the main gate stood a luxurious BMW X6 sports activity coupe, known for its aggressive design and powerful performance. Darkness had already covered the earth. Under the sodium lights, the iconic kidney grille of the BMW gave it a dangerously fierce appearance. Its LED headlights glowed like the eyes of a black panther waiting behind bushes for prey. The modified streamlined body reflected upon the steel buckle of Richard's black leather belt.
Richard walked impatiently toward the car.
The man hurried ahead to open the door for him. Richard got into the passenger seat immediately. Nasso approached the driver's door and glared at the driver sitting inside.
"Out."
The driver instantly got out. Nasso took the driver's seat while Lucas sat on the opposite side. Richard observed something on a tab resting in his tattooed dragon-marked hand.
Nasso started the car.
Within seconds, the vehicle shot away like the wind. Its thunderous exhaust sound announced its departure loudly. The man stood with a shriveled face, staring at the disappearing car. Then he entered another vehicle, and the driver immediately followed behind Richard's car. The guards entered separate vehicles as well. One after another, eight cars exited the airport.
The man was none other than California's biggest underground drug dealer—Aladdin William. Extremely short in height, he imported all drug shipments in Italy directly from Richard. Richard also had links in six other countries, helping Aladdin expand his business enormously. That explained all the excessive flattery.
Meanwhile, Richard purchased all kinds of weapons from Aladdin. From a single shipment, Aladdin earned profits greater than an entire year's income. In short, Richard and Aladdin were both customers of each other—but the difference between them was like that between a king and his subject.
The BMW accelerated from 0 to 60 miles in just 5.2 seconds. Powered by a twin-turbocharged inline 6-cylinder engine, the car soon stopped in front of a resort.
From the outside, the resort showed little sign of modernity. One after another, the remaining seven cars arrived behind Richard's vehicle. The one-story resort, built in an L-shape over a vast area, reflected Egyptian craftsmanship throughout its design.
Aladdin quickly got out and opened the door.
Richard stepped out and entered directly without looking anywhere else, his broad jaw clenched tightly for no apparent reason. No staff approached them because Aladdin had booked the entire resort beforehand.
Everyone had already been warned not to appear before Richard unnecessarily—especially female staff. Therefore, nobody dared approach with formal greetings. The rooms had already been prepared and opened beforehand.
Though the resort appeared ordinary from outside, inside it overflowed with luxury. Every corner carried a royal touch.
Aladdin walked behind Richard while practically holding his breath. Richard's long strides forced him to almost run to keep up. Some female staff secretly admired Richard from hiding. They gazed at him as though staring at an enchanting oasis in a burning desert.
From afar, the ocean always appears beautiful, but only those living beside it know its terrifying storms. Richard's beauty and personality were just like that.
Reaching the room directly, Richard sat on the couch facing the open balcony, crossing one leg over another. He picked up a glass of red wine from the small table and began drinking.
His expression was empty, but beneath that emptiness lay mountains of rage slowly consuming his body. As time passed, the monstrous soul within him stirred even more violently. He stared fixedly at the restless sea waves outside the glass walls.
Aladdin finally breathed in relief when Richard showed no negative reaction toward the resort.
They had been associated for a long time.
Aladdin knew Richard's tastes very well. Even the smallest mistake could bring disaster upon him. Mafia bosses and gangsters live only for influence and control. They have no place for morality or sympathy; brutality and cruelty are the keys to their success. Crime is merely a profession to them, and they willingly accomplish tasks through inhuman methods.
And Richard Kayanat was so merciless that he never hesitated to eliminate even close associates or rivals if they stood against him.
Aladdin cleared his throat softly before asking respectfully,
"Boss… how can I make you happy?"
Standing at a distance, Lucas and Nasso looked slightly irritated by Aladdin's excessive flattery.
Richard's gaze still rested upon the sea.
Swirling the wine glass slowly, he laughed darkly and muttered,
"I want complete control of Hotel Bel-Air."
Lucas's eyes narrowed suspiciously. Nasso remained expressionless; he had already guessed something like this would happen. But Lucas still knew very little. When he looked questioningly at Nasso, Nasso explained everything with a single gesture.
Lucas froze in shock.
Curiosity sparkled in Aladdin's eyes too, but he lacked the courage to ask questions. Instead, he stepped aside and made a quick phone call. After a minute, he returned respectfully beside Richard.
"It's done, boss."
Richard smiled in satisfaction.
Suddenly, Nasso's phone rang.
Looking at the screen, Nasso swallowed dryly. Moistening his lips with his tongue, he approached Richard carefully and handed over the phone in a low voice.
"Boss… Father."
Richard exhaled heavily before receiving the call.
The wildness in his voice softened instantly. Their conversation couldn't be heard clearly. After speaking briefly, Richard handed the phone back to Nasso without disconnecting it.
As Nasso moved to end the call, he faintly heard a furious voice from the other side:
"Richard, come back to Italy. It's my order."
"Ala."
"Yes, boss."
Aladdin immediately rushed forward and knelt beside Richard's feet.
Flames of destruction blazed inside Richard's ocean-blue eyes. Grinding his teeth, he asked darkly,
"Is everything done?"
"Yes, boss."
A crooked smile appeared on Richard's lips. Horrifying conspiracies filled his corrupted mind. Suddenly his entire demeanor changed, like a starving beast preparing to attack.
With one violent strike, he smashed the small glass table in front of him. Fresh blood dripped through the torn skin of his hand onto the white tiles.
Grinding his teeth, he growled,
"You are fucking welcome to hell, Red."
The moment Nasso heard it, he turned toward Richard. His sixth sense warned him that something terrible was about to happen.
No one had the courage to speak against a gangster boss, but Nasso still gathered some bravery.
"That girl married someone else willingly and came to America, boss. There's no love story here—only destruction. Then why are you disobeying Father and taking such a huge risk? Why are you diving into this game of ruin?"
Richard's already unstable mind erupted again into monstrous chaos.
Like a wild animal, he roared.
The blue veins in his neck bulged violently. His eyes became volcanic with rage.
"Because I'm addicted. I'm obsessed. I will never let her go. Richard Kayanat never releases his prey. I don't need anyone—I alone am enough to take back what belongs to me. America itself will tremble at Richard's roar."
Standing up, Richard loaded bullets into the revolver tucked at his waist and walked out. Blood still dripped from his injured hand.
Aladdin understood nothing.
He looked once toward Richard's departing figure, then angrily toward Nasso. Lucas merely bit his lips and closed his eyes.
The cars sped down the highway.
Richard had switched the car into autonomous mode while wrapping a handkerchief around his bloody hand. Beside him rested the fully loaded revolver.
Under the streetlights, the dark-colored BMW gleamed brilliantly. Every corner of the car shined like sunlight itself.
The road stretched endlessly ahead. Apart from the sound of speeding vehicles and distant headlights, nothing could be seen in the silent outskirts. One of the windows remained half open, letting the cold air of the busy city rush inside.
Suddenly, another engine roar echoed loudly across the empty road.
Richard looked through the side mirror and smirked.
Two cars suddenly emerged from both sides of his BMW like wings spreading open.
Through the half-open window, Richard looked toward the car beside him.
Nasso, while driving, glanced at Richard and gave a crooked smile.
Richard then looked toward the other side where Lucas gave the same smile.
Three predators drove their BMW X6s together through the deserted road. All three wore identical crooked smiles. Their eyes held a cold, merciless glow—as though they knew nobody would dare oppose them tonight.
The aggressive roar of the three engines shook the surroundings. Under the blue headlights, they looked like three black panthers out hunting.
And even during the hunt, they enjoyed themselves.
A competition began among them.
Within seconds, one car overtook another repeatedly. The road markings blurred backward at incredible speed. The engines roared like battle cries. Bound together by speed and adrenaline, the three cars raced like storms.
The tires clawed against the asphalt as if the road itself could no longer endure them.
Richard rolled the window completely down.
One hand rested on the steering wheel while the other controlled the emergency brake as he displayed his unmatched driving skills.
With a sharp signal change, Richard surged ahead, leaving Lucas slightly behind. But Nasso skillfully drifted forward and overtook Richard briefly.
Still, Nasso couldn't keep up for long.
Within moments, Richard disappeared ahead, leaving behind only smoke trails and terrifying speed.
As always, Lucas and Nasso exhaled in defeat.
Bel-Air is California's largest continental hotel. From cooling and heating systems to airflow control and acoustic comfort, every service there is specially designed to provide guests with maximum luxury and convenience. Such hotels usually include everything—from personal swimming pools to bars and lounges. There are arrangements for single rooms as well as complete apartments.
Elizabeth and the others checked into the hotel during the evening. Thinking about Elizabeth's insecurity, Takbir rented a large three-room apartment.
After traveling for twenty-seven hours straight, Elizabeth's body had become completely exhausted. As soon as she entered the room and freshened up, she fell asleep without even eating. Takbir himself was tired too, yet he still knocked once on Elizabeth's door from outside. Receiving no response, he eventually went to sleep as well.
Elizabeth woke up around eleven o'clock.
After waking, she searched the entire apartment but couldn't find Takbir anywhere. She didn't even have a phone to call him. In an unfamiliar city, surrounded by strangers, panic slowly gripped her.
Suddenly, her eyes landed on the dining area.
She walked toward it.
There she found several shopping bags and some light food kept beside them. A crease appeared on Elizabeth's forehead. Curious, she picked up one of the shopping bags.
Inside was a soft golden silk saree.
Elizabeth's eyes widened in astonishment. The saree was unbelievably beautiful. One after another, she checked the remaining bags, and the more she saw, the more shocked she became. Among the minimalist jewelry, she found a small note.
The moment she read it, a peaceful smile faintly appeared on her lips.
"For some reason, I felt that a golden saree would suit Elokeshi's red hair beautifully. I'm waiting downstairs."
A strange warmth filled Elizabeth's chest, making her eyes wet.
How much patience and love must a person possess to choose so many things so carefully—matching jewelry with the saree too—and that as a man?
In eight years, perhaps Elizabeth had never received such effort from anyone. All she had ever gotten were her younger sister's old clothes. Even her uncle had never dared buy her anything because of fear of his wife.
But suddenly, sadness dimmed Elizabeth's heart.
The last time she wore a saree was eight years ago. Her mother used to dress her up lovingly. But now… how could she refuse the wishes of someone who had arranged all this with such care?
In the middle of her thoughts, the calling bell rang.
Elizabeth looked through the peephole and saw a female staff member standing outside. Feeling reassured, she opened the door.
The staff member smiled politely and said warmly,
"Hello ma'am. Sir sent me to help you."
Elizabeth felt both surprised and happy at once.
That man somehow understood everything even without being told.
The staff carefully dressed Elizabeth in the saree beautifully. Elizabeth wore almost no makeup at all—she never really needed it. She already looked like a heavenly fairy naturally. She only applied dark red lipstick.
The saree doubled her beauty.
She brushed her hair and left it flowing freely down her back. Because the saree's anchal rested loosely, her bow-shaped waist remained slightly exposed, though most of it became hidden beneath her long hair.
Her golden hair seemed to spread light around her.
From the jewelry Takbir bought, she wore a diamond neckpiece and stud earrings. She slipped two thin stone bangles onto her wrists.
Standing before the mirror, Elizabeth stared at herself strangely.
She looked at her true form, her true beauty—something buried under ugliness for so many years. Fate had taken her far away, only to bring her back again.
How much longer would fate continue spinning its wheel like this?
Since she hadn't worn a saree in years, walking felt slightly difficult for Elizabeth. Thankfully, there was an elevator nearby. In such a huge hotel, there were two elevators on every floor, and one stood right beside their apartment.
Following Takbir's instructions, Elizabeth pressed the button for the twelfth floor.
As soon as the elevator doors opened, dazzling lights struck her eyes, forcing her to close them momentarily.
The place was crowded beyond imagination.
The entire floor glittered beneath luxurious lights. Everyone seemed lost in celebration. Almost every hand held a glass of wine. For them, one in the morning was the perfect party time.
After spending eight long years trapped indoors, suddenly seeing so many people made Elizabeth's head feel heavy.
Blurred flashbacks returned before her eyes—
Her father's coffin.
Their garden overflowing with police officers and journalists.
Tears welled up in Elizabeth's eyes.
Suddenly, amidst the chaos, a warm ray of comfort touched her heart like sweet winter wind flowing through a dry summer.
Someone's warm breath brushed against her shoulder.
"There's nothing to be afraid of. I'm here."
Elizabeth instantly turned around.
A small spark of fascination entered her eyes as she looked into the dark abyss of the man standing behind her.
Takbir.
Elizabeth breathed in relief.
Standing so close, even Takbir's heartbeat seemed frozen. Without realizing it, one of his hands moved toward his chest. He could hear the loud drumming inside him refusing to stop.
Completely captivated, he stared stubbornly at the mesmerizing woman before him.
"You…"
Takbir was still staring at her like a man enchanted. Elizabeth's voice finally broke his trance, though his gaze didn't move away.
In a deeply affectionate voice, he replied,
"Yes, me. Your 'you.' Only yours."
Today, Takbir too wore a golden Punjabi matching Elizabeth's saree.
For the first time, Elizabeth truly looked into Takbir's dark eyes. His Bengali features carried an indescribable softness. His hair was curly. Normally Elizabeth didn't like curly hair, yet somehow Takbir looked good with it. He was tall as well.
"Come this way."
Elizabeth looked away and started walking ahead in the direction Takbir showed. Takbir followed behind her.
The end of Elizabeth's saree dragged across the floor. Without hesitation or embarrassment, Takbir gently picked it up in his hands.
Holding his wife's saree didn't diminish the dignity of a respected minister's son. He followed comfortably behind her, carefully guarding the anchal.
Some foreign tourists frowned while watching Takbir, but he ignored every gaze.
Eventually, they reached the open rooftop.
Elizabeth turned back toward Takbir with wide eyes.
"There's nobody here."
Takbir smiled softly.
"I booked the whole place."
Elizabeth's eyes nearly popped out in shock.
"This entire place?!"
"All of this… for our first night special."
The moment those words reached her ears, Elizabeth's chest tightened instantly. The excitement on her face disappeared into darkness.
Takbir bit his tongue immediately, angry at himself.
"I mean… our first candlelight dinner."
Elizabeth smiled faintly, though uneasiness still lingered on her pale face.
Decorated with rose petals and small candles, the table looked beautiful. Elizabeth sat down in one chair while Takbir sat opposite her.
As always, a gentle smile remained on his lips.
Suddenly, all the sodium lights turned off.
The entire rooftop sank into darkness.
Tonight, even the silver moon was absent from the sky.
Then suddenly—
Lights began glowing beneath the rose petals.
Glow sticks had been hidden underneath them. As darkness covered the surroundings, colorful lights illuminated the rooftop beautifully from below.
And under those glowing lights, Elizabeth's face shone like magic.
"When did you arrange all this? Didn't you sleep?"
Takbir rested his cheek against his palm, elbow on the table, staring only at Elizabeth.
In response, he smiled lazily.
"I couldn't sleep."
"You're strange."
"Hm… very strange. Just like this garland of love."
"What do you mean?" Curiosity filled Elizabeth's eyes.
Once again, Takbir gifted her one of his warm smiles.
Looking unwaveringly at the breathtaking woman before him, he answered softly,
"You look extraordinarily beautiful in a saree, Elokeshi."
Elizabeth blushed slightly.
No one had ever praised her like this before.