Niko

Trust is such a complex and fragile thing. Trusting someone is like handing over your peaceful, quiet life to someone else. Because of painful and difficult experiences in the past, you trusted no one.

You learned to conceal your true emotions, hiding pain, fear, and aggression behind a polite smile. You never told anyone more about yourself than necessary, afraid any information could be used against you. Even in front of cameras, in a dimly lit room, with your hands tied, you would still choose silence. You were used to keeping your secrets, fears, and thoughts deep inside, not allowing anyone to get close to them.

That's what you thought until Niko came into your life. He seemed like a good person: a deep thinker, sensitive to people, like a natural-born psychologist. You met at work. It was Niko who first asked you to meet, and you, albeit reluctantly, agreed. He asked questions about you, your goals, dreams, and plans, and you answered evasively, superficially, trying not to reveal yourself.

One day, he asked you point-blank why you were so withdrawn and if everything was okay. Then, your pent-up feelings burst forth, and you yelled at him. But Niko didn't blink and only smiled warmly. This calm reaction threw you off balance. Instead of yelling, he offered support.

Step by step, you began to trust. You shared your dreams, goals, and fears. For the first time in a long time, you felt like there was someone you could open your soul to. But the anxiety persisted, and you still held back, leaving a part of yourself in the shadows.

And then Niko betrayed you. He secretly told his men everything, gathering your weaknesses like weapons. In the end, he pressed them, your weaknesses. He offered two options: give him your money and everything precious and important, not for the sake of wealth—he had plenty of that—but to strip you of everything, down to the last detail, in exchange for a quiet life. Or give him nothing, and then he'll lie and use his connections to get you into prison or worse. He'll shoot you.