Sylvie smirks. “So you work for Hanz now? That's lame.” She says with a chuckle.

Taylor groans. “Don't start. I have enough on my plate as it is without Hanz's bullshit on top of it. I feel like working for him is going to drag me to the abyss…” He says, not expecting good things.

Sylvie gives Taylor a worried glance. “Do you want me to say something to the family?” She asks, hoping to lighten the burden.

Taylor sighs. “No, it's okay. I doubt it would do much good. Hanz won't hesitate to kill me even if the family says something, and I doubt they’re going to offend Hanz for a son-in-law.” He says, knowing how things stood.

Sylvie furrows her brows. She approaches Taylor and pulls him into an embrace. “You know I’ll always be here for you, right?” Sylvie asks with heavy eyes. One day… She thinks with determination. One day we won’t have to worry about these things… She thinks, plans already beginning to form.

Taylor smiles. I really can’t say shit about my life… The world has already blessed me… He thinks, wanting to complain but having no reason to.

…

…

“I hear you’re moving in.” The man with dark hair and a purple shirt says with an amused grin. “I heard they kicked out Raphael to make room for you.” He says with a laugh. “You’re going to have to watch out for him. He’s just on the fifth stage right now but he’s ambitious and he’ll be coming for you. A territory in Oceanview requires a certain status and you robbed him of it.” He explains, curious how it will play out.

“Fuck him.” Taylor says before taking a chug from his soda can. “I’d give it back to him if I could, but I can’t. I’ve been enrolled as Hanz’s bitch and I can’t do shit.” He says, dreading the future. “You got any beer, Raz? I’m tired of drinking soda; I feel like a child.” Taylor asks, shaking his can with mild disappointment.

Taylor had gotten to know Raz during his previous stay in Oceanview. He seemed like the calculating type but Taylor didn’t care. It seemed well-intended so Taylor felt free to be frank with him. Taylor was stopping by today to greet the neighbors.

“Don’t drink in front me. Alcohol is boring; it’s for making friends. I prefer drugs that increase the tension. Do you want some coffee? Or how about some cocaine?” Raz says with a wave of his hand before offering a suggestion.

Taylor opens his eyes wide. “Fuck, Raz. You’re wild." Taylor says with a chuckle. "I’ll have some coffee, I guess. I’ll pass on the cocaine.” He says. It's better than soda. He thinks to himself.

A pot of coffee and a cup appears in the air. Raz catches them in the air and he pours Taylor a cup of coffee and leans over to hand it to him before the pot of coffee disappears. “It’s from a coffee shop nearby. It isn’t bad.” He says casually.

Taylor smiles, amused. “Do you just steal random things from the area?” He asks, curious. If Taylor could do it, he would too.

Raz shrugs. “What’s the point of studying the dao of space if you’re not going to put it into practice?” He says without a care.

“Anyways, back to Hanz. I wouldn’t worry too much. From what I know about him, he understands how the machine works. He’s not going to push when the tension could break you, and there’s no point. For everything you say no to, there’s a line of henchmen ready to do his bidding. If anything, this is an opportunity. He’s giving you a chance to be part of his inner circle.” Raz says, offering his view.

Taylor smirks. “Fuck his inner circle. I know what it means to be a Mountain Climber. If I could spit in his face without risking what I care about, I would.” He says, making his stance clear.

Raz smiles at Taylor’s brutal honesty, a little impressed. “I’m telling you, Taylor. This could be good for you. A lot of people would kill to be in your position.” He says, amused at the circumstances.