Beneath the Surface: Secrets of an Obsessed Heart-Chapter 115 - 114

Hiro’s mind reeled. How could Shoji say Raiden never left? He had personally dropped Raiden at the airport. He had seen the plane ticket, and they made video calls every night. Raiden even introduced him to his foreign business partners over those calls. How could Raiden do all of that if he wasn’t in America?

Hiro shook his head, his voice firm and steady. "You’re lying. I don’t believe you."

"Come with me and see for yourself first," Shoji insisted. "I’m only trying to help you Hiro. Just come with me this once. If I’m lying, I’ll drop this and leave you alone forever. I promise."

Hiro hesitated, fear and doubt gnawing at him. For all he knew, Shoji could be planning to kidnap him so he could use him as leverage to force Raiden into giving him Project Aegis. Or worse, Shoji could be a killer, trying to eliminate him to satisfy some dark desire.

Shoji noticed Hiro’s hesitation and scowled. "Stop looking at me like I want to kill you. I only want to show you the truth. I want you to see for yourself who Raiden really is."

Hiro’s heart pounded in his chest as he weighed his options. He thought there was no way Raiden could have been lying to him all these while but he also had to ask himself; why would Raiden’s best friend go through all these trouble if what he was saying wasn’t true? Could it really be possible? Could Raiden have been deceiving him all along?

His body shuddered just thinking about it. If Shoji was right? What would he even do? How would he face Raiden?

Still terrified, Hiro knew he had to be smart. With a shaky breath, he decided; "Fine. I’ll go with you. But you’ve already promised. If you cannot prove to me that Raiden has been lying to me, you will leave me alone."

Shoji’s face softened slightly, a faint smile tugging at his lips, but the dangerous glint in his eyes hadn’t faded. "Good choice. And yes, I will keep my promise."

********

"Why are we in my old neighborhood?" Hiro asked, frowning as he took in the surroundings. A wave of unease washed over him as he glanced out the window at the familiar streets and buildings.

"You’ll see." Shoji said, his eyes focused on the road.

Hiro remained quiet, watching as they passed by his old home. He wondered if Sora was home.

Soon enough, they arrived at a large, abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the neighborhood. Shoji drove around the far back, parking the black car in an inconspicuous area covered with thick bushes.

Hiro scrunched his face as he opened the door, only to spot a small pile of dog poop on the grass. "Why’d you park here?" he asked, covering his nose from the putrid smell.

Shoji shot him a sharp look, as if the question were ridiculous. "Do you want Raiden to find out that we’re here?"

Hiro’s lips pursed in irritation as he muttered, "No..." Realizing the situation, he pulled his legs back into the car. "Fine. I’ll go out through your side."

Shoji stepped out, and Hiro awkwardly climbed over to the driver’s seat, sliding out of Shoji’s door. Once they were both outside, Shoji motioned for Hiro to be quiet and follow him.

They made their way carefully around the back of the warehouse, avoiding the guards and dogs stationed at various points around the property. Hiro’s heart raced, and a sinking feeling settled in his stomach. The place seemed far too secure for an abandoned building. Was Raiden inside the warehouse? If he was, what was he doing inside?

At the back of the warehouse, they found a small opening near the door, just large enough to slip through.

"Here," Shoji whispered, crouching down and motioning for Hiro to follow him through the gap. "Be quiet and stay close." freёweɓnovel_com

Hiro hesitated for a moment before nodding. He crouched down and squeezed through the opening behind Shoji, his breath catching as they entered the musty building and hid behind large wooden crates and boxes.

In the silence, Hiro’s heart was pounding so loudly he feared it would give them away. He started to regret following Shoji. His actions only proved that he was doubting Raiden and he didn’t like it. What would Raiden think of him if he came to know? He could already picture the look of disappointment on Raiden’s face and it made his heart twinge in pain. He began to sweat due to guilt. He should never have followed Shoji. He grabbed Shoji’s sleeve, about to tell him they should back when he heard a chillingly familiar voice and he froze.

"Is that all of it?"

Hiro’s heart raced even faster. No. He didn’t want to believe it. It couldn’t be him. It couldn’t be Raiden. Raiden was in America.

He slowly raised his head above the crate, his eyes widening in disbelief when he saw his boyfriend standing in the middle of the warehouse, surrounded by Ginro and several other men Hiro recognized from Ginro’s circle.

His mind struggled to process what he was seeing. What was Raiden doing here? Why was he with Ginro and his gang? Was Raiden in trouble?

"That’s all of it. I swear." Ginro said, shaking as he placed a bag on the rusted metal table between them. "It’s all intact. You can check and see for yourself sir."

Hiro watched as Raiden opened the bag and rummaged through it before nodding. "Looks good." He then zipped it closed and smiled. "You’re lucky this time, Ginro. I was prepared to take a limb or two with me today."

Ginro nervously wiped the sweat that had accumulated on his forehead on a dirty handkerchief. "I’m sorry sir. Thank you so much for your mercy. I will deliver on time from today henceforth. I promise."

"Don’t bother." Raiden sneered. "You’ve done enough work these years. I think an early retirement is suitable for you. Natsu will take over from today."

Ginro immediately fell to his knees, about to start begging when Raiden held up a finger, silently ordering him to shut up which Ginro did. He was shaking and sweating profusely as he stared at Raiden with pleading eyes.

But Raiden’s heart held no mercy for a lying thieving thug. "I gave you many chances Ginro, yet, you chose not to reform. I don’t want to hear a single word from you." He then looked at a guy with cropped white hair. "Kill him if he refuses to step down. The next time I call, I want you on the phone, Natsu."

Natsu nodded and with that, Raiden carried the bag and walked out of the warehouse.

As Raiden walked away, Hiro’s eyes, which were wide in disbelief, suddenly went wider for he recognized the bag. He felt his heart pound painfully and he clutched his chest, groaning softly in pain. Shoji had to quietly help him sit on the floor before he gave them away.

That was Sora’s bag!

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