Intro:
Two powerful families. One arranged marriage. One hitman who never fails. And one ghost nobody knew existed — watching from the shadows, closer than anyone imagined. Simeon left home at fifteen and became something his family could never have predicted — a covert government operative who infiltrated terror networks and survived wars that never made the news. Now he is back in the country for one assignment, and his brother's fiancée has just been kidnapped by the most reliable killer in the business. Simeon has a plan. The hitman does not know he is already being hunted.
The Two Families
The Johnsons and the Jeremys had been business partners for generations — nearly five decades.
On this particular day, both families were finalizing the wedding plans for their children, Sam and Shelly.
Sam, the eldest son of Mr. Johnson, was in line to succeed his father upon retirement. Educated at some of the world's finest institutions, he was a brilliant economist through and through.
Shelly, on the other hand, was a beautiful, shy woman — sharp as her father, Mr. Jeremy — and currently head of logistics at the family conglomerate.
That afternoon, the Johnsons arrived at the Jeremy estate to settle on a wedding date. As they stepped inside, Mr. Jeremy noticed Mrs. Johnson's troubled expression.
"Is everything alright, my dear?" he asked gently. "This should be a joyous day for both our families."
Mrs. Johnson forced a smile. "I'm sorry, Jeremy. It's nothing."
He pressed softly, "If there's anything I can do, please don't hesitate to ask. I'm always at your family's disposal."
"Oh, Jeremy, you're too kind. Thank you."
He turned to Mr. Johnson with a pointed look — one that asked every question without a word.
Mr. Johnson sighed. "Don't mind her, Jeremy. It's about our son, Simeon. He ran away from home at fifteen. Today marks ten years. The last we heard from him was five years ago — just a note: 'Don't look for me. Don't worry. I'm doing great.'"
"And you stopped searching?" Mr. Jeremy asked.
"No," Mr. Johnson admitted. "I used every resource at my disposal. But the little bugger hid himself well — or he's out of the country."
"Aren't you worried?"
Mr. Johnson shrugged. "When he was around, he caused nothing but trouble. I never had peace. Always police calls, court dates… The kid was a hard nut — pure chaos."
"Johnson, that's our son," Mrs. Johnson protested.
Mr. Jeremy raised an eyebrow. "I don't think I've ever met him."
"Yeah," Mr. Johnson muttered. "Juvenile court, two years in a correction center. The moment he got out — he vanished."
Mr. Jeremy nodded slowly. "We'll talk later. Let's focus on today's business."
The Next Generation
They moved inside to plan the wedding. Both families wanted it to be the talk of the town — a bold statement to their rivals: united in business and blood.
Shelly sat with her younger brother Justin, alongside Sam and his sister Vera. The parents handled the details; the younger generation had their own conversation.
"I overheard something earlier," Justin said, eyes flicking to Vera. "And I'd like to know more."
Vera raised an eyebrow. "About what?"
Sam leaned in. "Go on."
Justin lowered his voice. "Your brother — the one who ran away. We've never seen him. Never even heard his name until now."
Sam exhaled. "Simeon's a sore subject. Dad loses his temper just thinking about him. Says he doesn't know where the kid got his bad streak — always blames Mum. Even when Simeon's not around, he starts fights."
"Walking trouble," Vera added with a laugh.
Shelly tilted her head. "So where is he?"
Sam spread his hands. "Who knows?"
Justin grinned. "Got a picture?"
"Vera does," Sam said.
She pulled out her phone and showed them the only photo she had: a teenage Simeon in faded jeans and a loose shirt, crooked smile, eyes like cold steel.
Shelly took the phone. "He's handsome," she murmured. "But his eyes… no warmth."
Vera smirked and shot Sam a look: *You gonna let that slide?*
The Story of Simeon
Sam chuckled, a distant sadness in his gaze. "Simeon's got the kindest soul you'll ever meet. Rough exterior, sure — but full of heart." He stared into memory. "That picture? Taken right after he saved a thirteen-year-old girl from her father. Beat the man bloody. Told him, 'Remember me every time you look in the mirror. Lay a hand on her again, and I'll come back for justice.'"
Shelly's eyes widened.
"That girl?" Sam continued. "Carolina — Dad's secretary now. She refused to let Simeon go. Only one who could ever calm him down. Dad kept her close… just in case Simeon came back."
"But he still left," Justin said.
Vera nodded. "True. But I've always suspected Carolina's the only one still in touch. She'd deny it if you asked."
"Do you think he'll come back?" Shelly whispered.
Sam's smile was faint. "Oh, he will. Might even be watching us right now."
The Rival
A sudden commotion erupted at the entrance — raised voices, shouting. Sam stood as Mr. Dean, head of Jeremy security, rushed in.
"It's Mr. Bull — the Viper Family head," Dean reported. "Forcing his way in with his men."
Mr. Jeremy frowned. "Why would he cause trouble now?"
"He says if you don't meet him, he'll do something drastic."
Sam's jaw tightened. "Let him try. I've had enough. I'll go out there and —"
"Calm down," Mr. Johnson said. Then, to his friend: "Let's see what the old goat wants. He can do nothing but bleat."
They headed out — Sam and Dean in the lead. Mr. Johnson chuckled at the fire in his son's eyes. "Easy, boy. That man's not called Viper for nothing."
At the gate, Mr. Bull was raging — shouting, gesturing wildly. He turned as the group approached, eyes blazing.
"What is the meaning of this?" Mr. Jeremy demanded.
"You dare ask?" Bull snarled. "As if you don't know."
"Know what?" Mr. Johnson shot back.
"I hear you're sealing a new alliance — marrying off your kids!"
Sam stepped forward. "You're just waking up. The engagement's been public for six months."
"How dare you speak to me, you little runt?"
"Say your piece and go," Sam snapped.
Mr. Johnson raised a hand. "Quiet, son." To Bull: "My apologies. But the boy's right — speak, or leave."
Bull's face twisted. "You two own every deal in this town. Now this marriage? You're trying to bury me!"
Mr. Jeremy shook his head. "You came here to whine like a child who lost his candy?"
Mr. Johnson sighed. "Let's go, Jeremy."
"You're turning your backs on me?!" Bull roared, spit flying.
Sam smirked. "It's called progress. Our parents invested in education. You invested in thuggery. Now you're mad we built something legitimate?"
"This isn't over," Bull hissed. "Mark my words — that wedding will not happen."
Mr. Jeremy frowned. "We should report this threat."
Mr. Johnson waved it off. "Barking dog. He's just bitter about his failing empire."
"Dad, we need to report him," Sam insisted.
"Quiet, kid. Did you have to mock him?"
"He deserved it."
Mr. Johnson chuckled. "Cheer up, old friend. Everything will be fine."
The Plan
Back at the Viper estate, Mr. Bull was drunk and furious — slumped on the sofa, bottle in hand, hurling insults and threats. His speech slurred as his son Diago approached.
"Father, we have to stop this wedding," Diago said. "And I want that girl — Shelly — married to me."
Bull blinked. "And how do you propose we do that? She's in love with that Johnson runt. And she's no fool."
"I'll force her," Diago growled. "Even if I have to kidnap her."
The idea sparked something dark in Bull's mind — but he kept it hidden. "Don't talk like that, boy. Be patient. Let me think."
He was seething. Those soft, inherited brats had humiliated him. He hadn't clawed his way to the top by playing nice. Blood had been spilled before — and would be again.
Alone now, he opened a locked cabinet, pulled out a burner phone, and dialed.
"Trigger here."
"I've got a job," Bull said, voice low. "Special. No mistakes. Can't trace back to me."
"Got it, boss."
"Good. Here's the target." He gave Trigger Shelly's details — and what to do once she was taken.
Hanging up, Bull grinned wide.
Simeon
Simeon had always been stubborn — determined to be his own man. Trouble followed him like a shadow. Even his parents called him "walking trouble." No one knew why he ran away at fifteen. They assumed it was their fault.
Now, he sat in the dark, thinking of his old master.
Master Chu — a hardened bastard who'd drilled discipline into him until the sun came up. China hadn't been his choice. Circumstance had dragged him there. Recklessness had pulled him into covert government work.
Jobs that should've killed him. Thrilling. Exhilarating.
Iraq. Infiltrating the Caliban. Nearly exposed — but he pulled it off. Smooth. Clean.
Now? Back in the country one week — and his family's drama was about to blow his cover.
*Damn it.*
His handler had sent him to New York to watch Mr. Bull — terror links, big plans, no inside man. Simeon had worked hard to earn a spot in Bull's inner circle.
And now? He'd been in the room when Bull cleared it to call Trigger.
Simeon's plan: let the kidnapping happen. Intercept Shelly after. Kill Trigger and his crew. Protect his identity.
He couldn't contact his family. Too many questions. Too many tails — his father had tried that before. Only his handler had saved him then.
It all started years ago — trying to kill a man as a teen. Arrested. Defeated. But determination pulled him through.
He had a job to do. No time for the past.
Every night, when Shelly closed up at work — he would follow.
The Guardian and the Hitman
Trigger had never failed in any task given to him. That is why he is the best and the first point of call for everyone who wants a clean job. He had been given the details of a young beautiful woman named Shelly and an instruction on what to do to her. He grinned as he looked at her picture.
"What a shame this fine babe will have her young life ruined."
Shelly had always been a quiet young woman. She was glad about getting married and starting her own family, even though it was an arranged marriage and a business one at that. She hoped Sam would come to love her with time. She closed early that day from work and stepped into the parking lot to get her car — and that was the last thing she remembered before waking up tied to a chair with a man standing in front of her, grinning.
"Who are you?"
"I was paid to kill you, but your beauty gives me pause. I want to admire the beautiful work of the creator before making it a mess."
"Please don't kill me! I will give you anything."
"Hmm, and what would that be?"
"Money. Lots of money."
"And what if I don't want money, but something more pleasurable?" Trigger asked.
"Please don't. Not that. I beg of you," Shelly said.
"I'm in charge. I can collect it when I want to. You can do nothing."
"Will you be happy if this is what someone does to your sister?"
Trigger laughed hard. "You think you can play morality games on me?" He pulled out a knife. "Don't beg me. It infuriates me. I have no morals. I have sold my conscience, and I have come to terms with the fact that I would face my Waterloo one day — but not today."
"What if it is today?" a cold voice asked behind him.
The Intervention
Simeon had followed Shelly and watched as Trigger kidnapped her. He had tracked them to the location and listened from the shadows until Trigger pulled out the knife. Trigger's turn was fast — he swept the blade in an arc hoping to catch whoever was behind him — but he was not fast enough for Simeon, who had trained with the best and built reflexes beyond ordinary.
As Trigger turned, he came face to face with a masked man who blocked the knife sweep and landed a punch that broke his nose. The next thing Trigger saw was darkness.
Simeon untied Shelly, who was shaking and crying.
"Thank you — but who are you?"
"Just go home. You will be safe. No one will trouble you again."
"Who are you?" she asked.
"Just a young man interested in making sure your marriage takes place as expected."
The Note
The Jeremy family and the Johnsons were in a sour mood. You could hear the blood boiling in their veins and the tears of Mrs. Jeremy. The two families had come together that morning after hearing Shelly was kidnapped. Mr. Jeremy had received a note saying, "Do nothing and keep silent, wait for further instruction or Shelly dies." He had called his business partner Mr. Johnson and shown him the note. Both of them knew deep down who was responsible, but they had no evidence and couldn't go to the cops.
A Son's Rage
Suddenly there was an outburst. "How dare they think they can kidnap my Shelly! This I will not sit quietly for," Sam roared.
"Calm down, son. This is not the time to be a hothead. Shelly's life is in danger," his father said.
"We know who is responsible — we need to fight now," Sam said stubbornly.
"Yes, we do, but we don't have evidence and the cops will never act. Don't make a rash decision, son."
"If anything happens to her, this world will not be enough. I will burn Mr. Bull in hell too."
Touched by his emotional outburst, Mr. Jeremy could see how much Sam cared for his daughter. "Calm down and listen to your father," he said.
"How can you be calm? She is your daughter!" Sam said furiously.
"Yes, that is why I am calm. One wrong decision will cause more harm than good."
The Call
Sam was about to reply when a phone rang and they all turned toward the sound. It was coming from Carolina's pocket. She hurriedly picked up the call but moved a short distance from the family when she saw the caller.
"Yes," she answered.
"Tell them Shelly is safe. They should go to the Plumpy Hotel and pick her up at the reception."
"Are you sure about that?" Carolina asked.
"Do you doubt me now?" the voice from the other end asked playfully.
"No, sorry. Where are you?"
"Missing me now, are we?"
"Of course. What really happened?"
"I don't have time to give more details. Just know she is safe — it was Bull's work."
"Okay. Will I see you?"
"Of course. Can't miss my brother's wedding." And with that, the call ended.
"Who was that?" Mr. Johnson asked suspiciously.
"Just a friend. He says Shelly is safe and we can get her at the Plumpy Hotel."
Without any further questioning, they hurried to the hotel.
Shelly Comes Home
Shelly was brought home, and she could see the love and fussing from her family. She couldn't hold back her tears as she cried and recounted her ordeal at the hands of her captors. When she told them what had nearly been done to her, you could hear Sam's teeth grinding and his hands clenching into tight fists.
"That monster will pay," he growled. "How dare he."
She assured him that nothing had been done, and that she had been saved by a mysterious man in a dark mask.
"Did he say who he is?" Mr. Jeremy asked.
"No. He just said I was safe and that no one would harm me again."
"Strange," he replied. "I think we need to hurry with the wedding." Everyone agreed.
Mr. Bull's Warning
Mr. Bull had been calling Trigger for the tenth time now with no answer — just ringing and a voicemail saying, "This is Trigger. Happy hour — call back later."
He growled. That fool should know who he is dealing with. How dare he take all the fun alone. He tried an eleventh time and it was answered.
"How dare you keep me waiting, Trigger! Don't forget who you're dealing with," he snarled.
"Trigger is dead. And you're next." The voice from the other end said, and the line went dead.
"Hello! Hello! Who are you? How dare you threaten me!" Mr. Bull shouted.
Diago rushed in with a pistol in his hand after hearing his father's voice. "Who is it, Father?"
"Some fools," Mr. Bull replied. "Get the boys and put them on high alert."
The Wedding
The hall was decorated like a royal throne room. Two huge gilded throne-like chairs sat at the far end, and flowers filled every corner. The high class of society were seated everywhere — you could tell from their expensive perfumes alone. Some of those men's shoes could feed a small community for a month.
Mr. Jeremy and Mr. Johnson were beaming with smiles. This was their moment — the ultimate union of their two families. They stood at the entrance of the hall greeting every guest with wide smiles. It was a great honor to have such guests at their son's wedding, a show of power that no one wanted to reckon with.
Mr. Johnson frowned when he noticed his assistant Carolina standing at the door, studying each guest as if expecting someone. "What are you doing here?" he asked her. "Go and make sure all is ready."
"Yes, sir," she said and hurried away.
That girl has been acting strange, he thought. But this is my moment. I will have a word with her after the wedding.
The Reunion
Everything went smoothly with no drama or delay. Even the Bull family had not come to cause trouble. When the couple made their vows and were pronounced man and wife, the two men heaved a sigh of relief. They had feared trouble would come, but it hadn't — and so they all proceeded to the reception, where things continued to go well. Food was everywhere, people were drinking and celebrating, and the two men sat together, happy, watching with keen eyes everyone who came and went.
When the master of ceremonies announced it was toasting time, both men raised their glasses in expectation. But before either of them could pick up the mic, a voice beat them to it. They looked around, unable to see the speaker.
"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for honoring this couple by coming. I have known Sam from when we were kids. He has always been a young man with a purpose — always the one with brains..."
The voice paused, and a few people parted to let a young man step into the center. He looked young and handsome, with steel-like eyes, and when he smiled, it was as if your troubles would simply wash away.
Mr. Johnson froze. His hands trembled. He couldn't take his eyes off the young man, and tears began spilling down his face. He stood there, emotion as high as the Empire State Building, held upright only by the firm hand of Mr. Jeremy as he listened.
"I have always been the one with trouble — my father even nicknamed me Double Trouble. But Sam? He is a leader, an elder brother who is ready to carry any burden he takes on. He loves and he defends. He is the reason I always caused trouble, knowing I had a brother who would protect me."
At that, he laughed and shook his head.
"Growing up with Sam is the most beautiful thing — my happiest memories." He turned to Shelly. "Dearest sister-in-law, you have chosen the best in a sea of millions. I wish you more love and happiness — and you are safe." He winked.
Shelly's eyes widened when he said those words. She knew then and there that he had been the one to save her. Before she could say a word, a loud cry drowned out everything as someone crashed into Simeon with a wail.
"My son! Oh, my lovely son — you are here! You aren't dead, you—" And she fainted. It was Mrs. Johnson.
Simeon caught his mother before she fell. He hadn't expected it to come to this. He knew she had been inquiring about him, but this — this he had never expected.
A pair of arms embraced him from behind, clutching him tightly. He turned his head to see his father sobbing against him. Damn. I never wanted to cause such emotion, he thought. I didn't think it would come to this.
Then he received a stinging slap. He took a small step back and looked at who had hit him. Vera. Ha. What have I done.
"I'm sorry," he said sheepishly.
"Sorry? After everything you have put us through," she said, tears in her eyes. "You dare say sorry?"
"Well, what can I say?" He turned to his father, who was still holding him. "Father, I'm sorry."
"All those years. No word, just silence. How can you be this cruel?"
"I have always been there, Father — not in person, but through my actions."
"The hell with your actions. I want my son, not his actions."
"This is not the place to talk about it. But my actions saved Shelly. My actions saved your business and dropped a load of contracts at your feet. I have been watching — I just didn't make myself known."
He spotted Carolina looking at him from a few meters away and carried his mother to Simeon. "Be right back," he said with a grin at Shelly.
Sam followed his gaze, saw Carolina, and simply nodded. "We've got a lot to talk about."
"Sure, bro."
The Night's End
Simeon hurried over to Carolina. "I hope you're not angry too?"
"There's blood on your cuff. What did you do?"
"Damn it — grab a red wine and spill it on the spot," he said, his mind flashing back to what had happened.
He had slipped into Mr. Bull's house and enacted justice. The green light had been given by the government, and Mr. Bull was there, surrounded by his security — which had suited Simeon just fine, because he had no interest in a chase. He had eliminated them all, watched as Mr. Bull begged, and been trained not to show mercy — so he had ended it before hurrying to the reception.
"Yeah," he thought, as a cold splash of wine hit his face. "There is much to be said before this night is out."
"Damn it, I said the cuff!"
Moral of the Story
This is a story that teaches us about family values and how our actions always have consequences.
Mr. Bull is the typical criminal who fears doing legitimate work, and in the end, he meets his Waterloo — which brings to mind the popular saying that crime doesn't pay, and that our actions will always carry consequences, for better or for worse.
This story also highlights the value of family love. Simeon was absent from his family, yet for ten years he kept watch over them and protected them. It shows that no matter what we do or where we go, family is all that matters.
The Machinery of War
// Archive Series 2025 // System: Operational
The Fight →
Raw, visceral, and uncompromising. When words fail, the only truth left is found in the dirt.
The Machines →
Cold logic and steel. In a world of moving parts, the most dangerous component is the human heart.
The Agent →
Operating in the shadows where the law doesn't reach. Every mission has a price that never gets filed.
The Orphans →
Left behind by a world that moved too fast. A haunting look at the children the system forgot.
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