章 24: Chapter 22
XXII. Consultation.
. . . . .
"How is she?"
"She's doing well, boss. She no longer retaliates and eats her food in peace."
My brows eased from their previously furrowed state as I let out a sigh of relief. "You may go."
The man bowed respectfully before striding out, the soft click of the door echoing in the stillness of my study.
Lucrezia Viviana. . . a name that lingered in the air like a haunting melody. My captive, blissfully unaware of the shadows lurking around her. Despite knowing her father had amassed a multitude of enemies, she wandered through life with an unsettling lightness, seemingly oblivious to the storm brewing since her return and her position as heir to their mafia empire.
Surely, she must comprehend the gravity that accompanied such a title. How carefree can she be?
Knock knock.
"Come in." I said.
Four men walked in with different expression on their faces. One with a wide grin, one looks grim as he looked over the smiling fool with a glare, the other two displays the mask of being devoid of emotions.
As usual.
"Dakari, boss." My foolish assistant, Aiden, greeted me with a grin illuminating his face.
"What is it?" I inquired, moving toward my desk and settling into my chair, my gaze landing on him.
"Mikhail and Lev are finally here," Aiden announced.
"Yes, I can see that."
"I swear— this damned ginger has a beef with me." Laxei stepped forward, directing a fierce glare at Aiden.
Aiden chuckled, retorting, "Oh, I forgot you were there, Laxei. Honestly thought you'd be in the corner plotting to capture your runaway woman."
"I plan to. But not now." Laxei hissed.
Mikhail scoffed at the two bickering idiots and stepped forward, his smug expression moments ago was immediately replaced into a stoic mask. "Boss, I heard that you're holding the daughter of the Viviana's captive."
Lev, remained silent but I can tell he's also anticipating my answer, or rather, the reason why.
"I am."
"Why?" Mikhail asked.
"Yeah, why?" It was Laxei's voice this time.
Aiden only shrugged and walked towards the wall to lean on it, humming in delight. Happy about something that no one knows of, as usual.
"Well. . . Can't I?" Was my only mischievous reply.
The three of them groaned at my response while Aiden remained lost in his own world. I sometimes wonder what's going on inside that brain of his. He's having a moment of his own in that corner. Not caring enough to engage with the discussion then asks why, how, when, what, and then why, again, right after the talk concluded. It's his way of pissing people off.
"Boss, you really shouldn't do that. You're risking for a war to break out." Mikhail complained, narrowing his eyes as he looked at me.
Lev only nodded, agreeing with his statement.
Laxei sighed and asked, "Is her father even making a move to retrieve their heir? I don't have any news of his recent movements nor does he even make any effort to at least make it seem he plans to save Ms. Lucrezia from you."
Now we're getting on the most interesting part.
I leaned back on my chair and simply said, "He's not crazy enough to do that."
"Are you just saying that?" Mikhail said with a raised bro.
"Listen. Her father clearly doesn't care about her." It was Lev that rebutted Mikhail. Finally choosing to speak about the matter. "Silvestre Viviana had always been selfish. It's no surprise why he gave up retrieving the heir of their family. If something happens to Ms. Lucrezia he can easily replace her with the previous heir once again. Ever heard of Lorenzo, Mikhail?"
Mikhail scoffed. "That dimwit? Of course, he's too soft for his own good. I'd say he's not even fit to be part of the underworld. However, the same can't be said to Ms. Lucrezia, she may have came back only recently but she is fierce, alright? She's a fighter. She even broke one of our soldier's ribs with just a kick."
"Yes. She's a fighter and it's also one of the reason why I'm afraid of her. She's the type to go after the head of her enemies." Laxei stated as he seemed to have shivered at the thought. "And right now, guess who she sees as her enemy?"
"Hmmm~ hmm~ mhm~" Aiden hummed loudly. Still oblivious in his own little world.
"Her father!" Mikhail said with a smirk plastering on his face.
"No you psycho! It's our boss!" Laxei replied as he scowled. Brows knitted together.
"What— how come? Her father betrayed her." Mikhail insisted as he crossed his arms.
"Yeah and it's all because of who??"
"Oh." Mikhail went silent. "Damn."
I listened at their banters and remarks in silence. They have their own points and have their own opinions about this issue.
Lev's perspective is only one-sided. His hatred for Silvestre overshadowing his judgement. Leading to somewhat disheartening remarks if ever my goddess heard about it, she'll be so sad and angry. We can't have her hearing that can we?
While Aiden is still somewhat. . . Nevermind. Best to not mind him at all.
The two are busy stressing out on all of the details. Arguing and debating here and then.
"Upon my investigation, I was unable to acquire information about Ms. Lucrezia." Lev finally said, disrupting the two.
Laxei and Mikhail glanced at one another. "That is to be expected. They hid their daughter for years, the moment she was born she was already isolated from the rest of the world. The chances of finding any relevant information about her is close to none." Laxei explained with a heavy sigh.
Mikhail shifted his gaze from Laxei to me. Eyes full of curiosity and wonder. "Boss, do you know why they hid her? I don't think they're trying to protect her from the dangers of other mafias. They are already powerful enough to prevent that from happening, no matter how humble Silvestre Viviana may seem about his influence and wealth."
Pssh. . . That man? Humble? As if. He's far from humble. He's a deceitful, conniving old man. The thought of him pretending to be anything other than what he truly is makes me scoff.
I can only imagine the chaos that would ensue if he ever truly decided to change his ways. Hell would break loose.
"I do." I replied.
"Wait really?"
"Yes."
Mikhail narrowed his eyes at me and complained. "After all the trouble the three of us went through, you actually already know the reason??" He sighed dramatically. "Boss, tell us. We're curious too. Very. Curious."
"It has something to do with an agreement between the two families."
Aiden, who was so lost in his own reverie finally turned his head to look at us, seemingly intrigued with the topic and asked in wonder, "There's an agreement done between your families? How come no one knows about that? Is that how the two became allies?"
"I agree. Shouldn't agreements be known? I do recall the initiated peace treaty between the Dimitri and Viviana family, however, details were excluded." Lev said as well, with the same shock and curiosity written on his face.
"And I assume this agreement or perhaps 'contract' has something to do with Ms. Lucrezia Viviana?. . ." Mikhail carefully treaded.
They're often slow but somehow, in situations like this, they can actually ask sensible questions. Most of the time however, they're all just spewing nonsense.
I nodded. "Yes."
"What's it about?" Mikhail asked.
With a sigh, I began explaining to them. "The contract states that if ever Silvestre Viviana and Caterina Levia Viviana had a daughter, she will be married to the eldest son of the Dimitri's. Which in this case, me."
All their brows furrowed and they angrily growled, as if they had heard the most ridiculous thing in their entire existence.
"Wait what the?— They had their daughter's fate sealed before she was even born??" Laxei exclaimed.
"I told you that Silvestre guy is always up to no good." Lev said with a "tsk."
"What a douchebag. He never thought it through, whatever his reason was." Mikhail said as he shook his head in disapproval. "I never liked that guy, he's just—. . ."
". . ."
I understand their concerns for my beloved. However, I'm thankful for Silvestre's stupidity. Now, his daughter and my revered goddess is in my arms now. Where she rightfully belong.
If it weren't for the contract, I doubt I'll be able to get my hands on her without resorting to any drastic measures. Like drugging, kidnapping and resorting to threats. I don't want to put her in that position where she constantly looks over her shoulder whenever I'm around. But alas, she's already doing that. Always on her guard and ready to bite me whenever she saw an opportunity.
What a vicious woman.
In my current case, I 'allegedly' kidnapped her.
Well. She's not entirely wrong. She's staying under my roof right now and it's safe for her to make such an assumption. "Mikhail, Lev, any findings on your mission?" I finally inquired.
The two immediately straightened their posture and their expression turned serious. "We have found leads on whoever attacked and attempted to kidnap Ms. Lucrezia." Mikhail started.
Finally.
I've waited long enough for this moment.
"We're you able to catch them?"
"We caught the culprit whom hit her. We can bring him to you now." Lev suggested with a grim look on his face. "He won't talk about whoever his master was but a good beating will undoubtedly get him back to his senses. I'm sure he knows a lot more information than his comrade who immediately spew information in the face of a weapon."
Ah yes, resorting to torture. This is Lev's style of making people talk whenever they refuse. Well. . . This is our style. Mafias are just like that, ruthless and cold-hearted. They always get what they want.
"Very well. Lead the way." I stood up from my chair and the five of us walked out of my office.
Time to make them pay for hurting my goddess.
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