Un/Traditional ( dark mafia romance)

BITTERSWEET.

Unedited.

Guilt.

Guilt was like a piece of chewing gum stuck on your boot. Incredibly hard to get rid off.

Father's words kept ringing in my head. He's going to die.

Die.

Lucky Bastard.

I clench my fist around the handphone.

"Nanette" Chloe whispers touching my shoulder. "You look pale. Are you hurt? Did he..?" Concern laces her voice as she touches my face.

Her hands are warm and soft unlike Leon's. Her's are familiar, delicate and somehow help to make me calm.

"I'm fine." , placing my hands on her, "father didn't hurt me" I lie reassuring her with a smile.

She doesn't look like she believes me but knows better than to insist.

"Would you like to eat with your brother" She questions, trying to make me happy.

My answer is instant "I would love to".

"Come , he is in his room. You both can talk and eat there". She explains.

I nod smiling genuinely. I missed my brother so much. He was the only one who understood me.

His room is extremely clean. No mess not even a thing out of place.

"You're here", he exhales . His voice has gotten heavier and his face has matured but it still has that kindness and purity that I have lost long ago.

He smiles so do I. It feels like an eternity has passed since I saw him. I stare at him as he pulls me into a hug. Chloe left without saying anything or maybe she did but I was too focused on Blake to care.

Being in his arms it's the only home that's permanent.

"You have lost weight", i frown pulling out of his hug partly. "Don't you eat anything or have you been sick?" I ask.

"Sit first, nag later", he teases.

" Okay fine . I'm sat, now tell me, is everything fine! How have you been? Look at you all skin and bones. Don't you eat?"

"I'm eating just fine, Don't worry. I'm a big boy , i can take care of my self ." Blake assures me with a smile.

"You have always been mature for your age but it's my job to worry about you, do you understand ?" In explain pinching his cheek as he tries to get away.

"Are you okay though? You are the one living with another monster now"? His eyes focused on mine.

The pure concern in his eyes makes me feel loved. No one in my family will love me as much as him. My heart has known this the moment he held my hand as a five year old, how and when did he grow up so much, I am unable to fathom. But he has and looking at him makes my heart light.
"Your brother had his first kill tonight".  I couldn't help but think about what Leon had said.

Damn him. He should be dead by the time I get back.

"There isn't a monster in this world that I couldn't handle". I assure Blake. He looks unconvinced but relents as a maid knocks on his bedroom door.
"I'm famished!" I exclaim as the maid set out the food on Blake's bed. I grab a plate and start to fill it. "Were you up painting again last night?" I question still looking at my plate. There was no need to follow any etiquettes between the two of us. "Yeah... I felt like it".  He mutters shoving eggs into his mouth. "That's great, I would love to see it when you're finished," I say, referring to the painting he had been working on.

Blake hesitates a little before asking "Do you ever wonder what life would be like if we hadn't been born here as his children?"

I stopped eating, surprised by my brother's question. Did I ever wonder about a life away from this hell hole? Of course I did. I had dreams and hopes, but now I knew that they could never be. But I didn't dare say this to him. I didn't dare taking his dreams away.

I took a deep breath and forced a smile on my face. "Yes, Blake," I said. "I do wonder about that sometimes. I think we all do."

Blake smiled back at me. "I like to think that we would have carefree smiles like in the movies," he said. "That we would live in a world where everyone was happy and safe."

I nodded, but I didn't say anything. I knew that Blake was just a child, even though he was quite mature for his age. But he didn't understand the reality of the world. He didn't understand that there was no such thing as a carefree life, and that there was no such thing as a world where everyone was happy and safe.

But I didn't want to take his dreams away from him. He needed his dreams to survive.

"I think that would be amazing," I said finally.

Blake smiled even wider. "Me too," he said.

We finished our breakfast and then For a few hours, I was able to forget about the harsh reality of our lives. I was able to pretend that we lived in a world where everyone was happy and safe.

But when it was time to go back, I knew that I had to face reality again. I knew that I had to go back to the hell hole that was just another prison.

But I also knew that I had to keep Blake's dreams alive. I had to give him hope for a better future.

Because without hope, what did we have?

I couldn't let him know that I had given up on my dreams. I couldn't let him know that I had already lost hope.

I had to be strong for him. I had to be his light in the darkness.

I had to keep his dreams alive.

I entered the penthouse. It looked just as impeccable as it has when I left in the morning. But so much had changed.

I was now going to be a widow. But we didn't get married yet. So a girl with a dead fiance then. This would be my new tag.

I'll wear it well. I try to convince.

"Pretend like you know nothing", father had warned me before I left. "Cry this time...I don't want it like to be the time your mother passed. No tears at all. I want you to be the saddest person. Make it seem like you loved him. Am I making it clear?" His eyes commanded.

"Yes father" I smoothly complied.

I stare at the watch in the wall. It's almost seven. Dinner is served as a maid has already cooked for two. But I know only one of us will be eating tonight. I laugh stupidly

However, the front door opens. I freeze mid laugh. So the news has come. I look up and see..."Leon"

How?! What is happening? I feel shocked and relief? Why?

He stands near the door and stares at me. I stare at him too trying my best to not show the shock on my face.

"Your early. I am so glad, come sit and let's eat together". I say trying to get up from my seat.

But Leon beats me to it, yanking me from the seat and hugging me from behind. Placing his nose on my nech he takes a long breath, hugging me harder. I hug him my back melting into his chest. Not because I want to but because that is what I am suppose to do or atleast that is what I tell myself.

I can feel his heart beat. It makes me feel relief maybe it's because of the guilt.

His hands gently squeeze my breasts and I try to get away. "Is..is everything ok?" I ask while millions of questions run in my mind.

How is he alive? Does he know about the watch??

"Yes it is..now" he answers sighing in relief as his body relaxes and he kisses my neck slowly.

And I wonder will it be?

And... That's a wrap. Please guys if possible support me by buying me a Kofi 🙏🙏🙏. And remember to have a wonderful day or night.