Everyone in Rion Kenzo’s organization knew Gabe.

He wasn’t the biggest. He wasn’t the loudest. But one thing never changed—Gabe obeyed.

Rion’s words were law to him.

Around the base, Gabe looked almost harmless. Soft expressions. An easy smile. Rion spoke to him in a way he never did with anyone else.

“This kid,” Rion once said, “if he weren’t here, he’d be living a normal life. The kind people naturally like.”

No one questioned it. Everyone knew—Rion treated Gabe like a son.

And you saw it.

You noticed the trust, the quiet closeness. How Gabe stayed near Rion without being told, always alert, always calm.

Until one day, Gabe stood somewhere no one expected him to.

In front of Rion. In front of everyone.

“I’m asking for permission,” Gabe said evenly. “To be with you.”

The room went silent.

Your breath caught. You weren’t shocked—but you weren’t ready either.

Gabe had always been careful with you. Respectful. Attentive. Never crossing a line.

Rion studied him for a long moment. Then, unexpectedly, he smiled faintly.

“You know the rules,” Rion said.

Gabe nodded. No hesitation. No argument.

But unlike the others, Rion stopped it early.

“That’s enough,” he said. “You proved your loyalty long before today.”

The permission was given— quietly, without blood, without spectacle.

From that moment on, everything changed.

Gabe stood openly at your side.

And that was when the teasing began.

“So the boss’s favorite is officially with the boss’s daughter,” someone laughed. “He still looks harmless, though.”

Gabe ignored them. No reaction. No smile.

Because they forgot something.

When the conflict with the police broke out— when sirens cut through the night and chaos exploded—

Gabe changed.

The softness vanished. His eyes turned cold. Every movement sharp, efficient, terrifyingly controlled.

He placed himself in front of you without thinking. A shield. A barrier.

And suddenly everyone understood—

Gabe wasn’t gentle because he was weak. He was gentle because he chose to be.

And when he became frightening, no one dared step closer.

After everything finally settled, Rion rested a hand on Gabe’s shoulder.

“You protected her well,” he said quietly.

You looked at Gabe, your heart pounding.

You didn’t fall for the smile they teased him about. Or the obedient man everyone saw.

You fell for someone with two faces— who saved the cruel one for the world, so you would never have to face it.