BLOODLINE CHRONICLE: A MAFIA FATHER'S JOURNEY

CHAPTER 10: MORALS OR FAMILY

The sun barely peeked through the clouds as Akashi sat at the breakfast table, his plate of food untouched. Hakimi and the younger siblings, Amira and Khadija, chatted animatedly, but Akashi's silence loomed heavy over the morning meal.

"Are you okay, Akashi?" Amira asked, concern etching her beautiful features.

"Yeah, I'm fine," he mumbled, his gaze fixed on his water glass.

Hakimi shot him a worried glance. "Maybe the weather is getting to him, he said, trying to brush off the tension. It's a bit gloomy today."

Khadija nodded, but Akashi merely poked at his food, the fork clinking against the plate. "We should hurry. I need to drop you guys off," he said abruptly, his impatience cutting through the conversation.

Once they finished eating, Hakimi pulled Akashi aside, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Look, he began. I need to plead with you on something. You can't tell them about what you saw last night. I know you're still very mad at me. But you should keep it away from them. They don't need to know; I don't want them to worry."

Akashi frowned, confusion mixing with concern. "But it's important. What if something happens to you?. Maybe something ugly. If they know at least I won't have much explanation to do. They have the right to know!"

"Nothing is going to happen to me. I'm always very careful. Just promise me you won't mention it, Hakimi insisted, her eyes pleading. Please. I don't want them to panic."

Heaving a long sigh, he finally spoke. "Fine," Akashi relented, though the knot in his stomach tightened. He glanced at hid sisters, who were obliviously finishing their meals, and then turned away.

As they gathered to leave, Hakimi offered him some money for transportation. "Here, take this."

He shook his head, irritation flaring. "I don't need your money. I can pay for it myself. I've got a job now; I'm not going to burden you Dad."

Hakimi sighed, frustration simmering beneath her surface. "Just take it for Amira then. She can buy snacks on the way. You know they'll want something."

Akashi took the money reluctantly, handing it to Amira. "Just don't spend it all on candy," he said with a half-hearted grin, which earned him a playful punch from his sister.

Once they were outside, he escorted his sisters to school, feeling the weight of his own anxiety pressing down on him. After dropping them off, he hurried home, skipping school against his better judgment.

Hiding in the nearby bushes, he changed into a darker outfit, adrenaline surging through him as he prepared to follow his father. 

-_-_-_-_-_ Later that day -_-_-_-_-_- 

As Hakimi stepped out of the house, Akashi trailed behind, careful to keep his distance.

But his father, keenly aware of his surroundings, noticed he was being stalk. 

Moving briskly, Hakimi made sure he glanced at the side mirrors and windows of every vehicle he passed, as he tried to get a reflection of the person that kept on stalking him. Almost reaching his destination, he decided he has had enough. He suddenly stopped and turned, eyes narrowing. "Akashi! What are you doing? Why aren't you at school?"

Akashi felt a mix of fear and determination as he stepped forward, the words tumbling out before he could stop them. "I wanted to know what you're really doing, Dad!." 

"What?! I can't imagine. You call this work? Why are you putting yourself in danger?"

"Danger? You skipped school for this? Hakimi's voice was low but laced with anger. He grabbed Akashi's arm, dragging him back toward the house. You need to understand, I'm doing this to protect you." he kept his voice low as he kept on pulling his boy

"Protect us? Akashi cried, his voice rising with desperation. How can risking your life protect us? What if something happens to you? I can't lose you!"

Tears threatened to spill from his eyes, his heart pounding. The thought of losing his father was unbearable. "You're doing something dangerous! It's not just a job-it's a risk!"

Hakimi paused, his expression softening momentarily. "I have to do this. I can't let us go back to how we used to live. This is survival, Akashi."

"Survival?" Akashi spat, frustration boiling over. "If you keep doing this, I swear I'll report you! I won't stand by and watch you throw your life away! You're also throwing us away as you aren't considering us"

"Reporting me won't solve anything! Hakimi's voice was sharp, cutting through the tension. This is my decision. I'm doing this for our family, whether you understand or not."

"Maybe if you trusted me, you wouldn't have to do this!" Akashi shot back, his voice trembling with emotion. He turned on his heel, storming away, his heart racing with anger and fear.

As Akashi paced the empty hallway of their home, he felt the weight of uncertainty settle over him. He didn't want his family to fall apart because of this, yet he couldn't shake the feeling that his father's choices were leading them down a dark path.

Just then, his father's phone buzzed on the table. Curiosity pulled him closer, and he glanced at the screen. A message flashed: Location for tonight's job: Warehouse on the outskirts.

Panic surged through his spine. They were planning to rob a rich man's warehouse. He felt a chill creep up his spine. This was deeper than he realized, and if he didn't act quickly, he might lose everything.