Ideal | ni-ki

Chapter 47 • Love

Chapter FOURTY-SEVEN

"No."

I respect him as Ni-ki's boss but what he wants from me is absurd. I clenched my fist angrily as I look at him with cold stare. Does he think all I want from Ni-ki is his money? He has no idea how much I love that man.

"...You can drop the formalities if you are just going disrespect me in my own bakery, sir. For your information, I love Ni-ki. If you think that offering me huge amount of money and such will make me leave him, you are mistaken." I added.

Instead of mirroring my reaction, he looked like he was more amused than mad.

"You seemed to be out of touch from reality, Serena. You amuse me with your genuineness but I don't think you truly understand what is going on here." He said, as if were just have a casual conversation.

"I understand. I know what you're trying to do. You want me to break up with him so he can go back to the mafia. That I am just a distraction that you want to get rid of." I snapped, trying my best not to breakdown in tears.

"Well, yes. But have you ever wonder why the group needs Riki? Do you know where he stands in the mafia? He's the ace. Each member of the mafia has potential but Riki is built different. He is lethal and his potential is way beyond expected. That is why every enemy is after him. You don't notice that he is always at his near death situation? I'm sure you have witnessed."

My facial expression softened as I remember the time Ni-ki came in my room, blooded. That time when I was having panic attack because I was so scared of losing him.

"...now why am I saying these to you? Because I won't lose my boy over some girl. And once he chooses you over the people he grew up with, the man who practically raised him, then it's over for him."

My eyebrows furrowed in confusion, "What do you mean?"

"Since Riki already quit, he is no longer under the mafia's care. So he won't be part of any mission, investigations, events and such run by the group. Whoever or whatever he faces, he is now by himself. No Heeseung. No Jay. No Sunghoon. No Sunoo. No Jake. No Jungwon. Just Riki. Even if it will cost his life."

I gulped and looked away, "I need to talk to Ni-ki out of--"

"Go on. You can. Talk him out of it. Tell him that I came here and we had this talk. You think that will make him go back to mafia? Darling, he will definitely leave the group with no looking back and will choose to fight all his enemies alone including our enem--"

I slammed both of my palm on the table and glared st him, "Stop treating him like a puppet! Stop saying these things as if he chose this life! This is the life you gave him! He never wanted to be part of it. He was a young kid, just dancing, trying to be who he wanted to be but what? You trained him to be a killer. To be honest if leaving the mafia will set him free to be happy then I won't stop him. He has me. I will protect him. I won't let you manipulate him thinking that he can just be safe under your care! You are not his father and never will be!"

The Boss kept silence while looking at me in the eyes. His eyes were mixed of both raging and calm but he kept composed.

He then let out a sigh of defeat and stood up, "Love isn't just an emotion nor choosing happiness. Love is also making sacrifices for the good of the person you love. If you choose happiness, be with him. If you choose with is right, then come to me and we'll talk again."

"I will pretty much appreciate if you leave now sir. Respectfully." My voice is now calm yet firm. I stand firm with my decision, I am not leaving Ni-ki. Plus, how sure is he that Ni-ki will choose mafia once I leave him? He will be devastated.

With that, he left. And when he was finally gone, my knees gave up, making me break down on the floor. My tears flowed non-stop. How could he? After everything Ni-ki did for the mafia, he will do this to him? That monster. 

ni-ki.

I heard a door opened as soon as I remove my kitchen mittens and remove my apron. I smiled at myself knowing who it was who just got home.

"Hi love." I greeted her with a smile.

She greeted me back with the same smile she showed me this morning, "Hi baby. I miss you so much."

"How was first day at the bakery?" I asked.

She excitedly walked towards me and wrapped her arms around my waist, "It was good. I had good sales today and my previous customers came back."

"That's good to hear. What about the new espresso machine we bought? How was it?"

"Oh it was so nice. I love it. Thank you my love." She was looking up at me with puppy eyes so before I could lose it, I kissed her forehead instead.

"Come. I cooked us our dinner already. Are you hungry?"

"Starving."

I pulled towards the dining table and she was surprised to see what I had prepared for her. I actually cooked creamy truffle pasta and filet mignon.

"I'm not sure how it would taste like tho. I just hope it's okay."

"You cooked this??" She asked, still can't believe.

"Yours truly, my love."

Her smile widened as she sat down and immediately devoured the food. Her eyes widened, as if telling me that I did a great job.

"Damn, this is good. You really are a good cook." She said, shoving another forkful of pasta into her mouth.

"Practicing to be a perfect husband..." I mumbled hoping she would hear it.

She chuckled and shook her head. We continued eating while we were talking about random stuff and laughing at some silly jokes. Serena and I enjoyed each other's company while we were getting to know more of each other's past and what we wish for the future.

The music in the background shifted to a classic love song ; I think they call this love.

"Wanna dance?" She held out her hand to offer.

I took her hand and gently pulled her to the living room to slow dance. I wrapped my arms her waist as she wraps hers on my nape while playing with my hair.

"Ni-ki...."

"Hmm?"

"My Ni-ki...." Her voice was soothing to my ears as if she was singing me a lullaby. I didn't respond as we both stare at each other's gaze.

"You are so beautiful, you know that?" I said, my voice deepened.

She smiled at me and shook her head, "You make me the most beautiful in the world. Thank you for loving me."

I carressed her face and planted a kiss on her forehead, "No, thank you for loving me. Thank you for being here with me."

"Ni-ki..." Her smile slowly dropped and I noticed her gulped before flicking her eyes from my lips to my eyes again.

"Yes baby?"

She carressed my bottom lip before speaking, "Make love to me tonight."