NIKAELEON***When we arrived home, Manolo wasn’t back from work yet, which I suspected would be the case when I was making my plans. He was new to the job and he was an overachiever so I made sure there was more than enough paperwork for him to file before I took him to work today. I also told the driver to notify me when Manolo was ready to leave, just in case he finished early and I haven’t received a message yet so he was definitely still at work.Antonio has already gone back to his own house, since he no longer stays here. Though I told him to delay his planned retirement trip with his wife for a few days. I wanted him to be aware of Sophia before he travelled. As for Marcel, he wasn’t here because he had to deal with some of our business middle men. Since I didn’t want anyone home when I brought Sophia back, I had to find a reason to get him out of the house without seeming like I was trying to actually do so. Luckily, an issue came up in one of our illegal ventures, and the pe
NIKAELEON***“Father, is there a problem? Are you feeling okay?” I asked as I answered the call.“All is well with me, my son. I’m not calling because of me, I’m calling because of you. Who is the little girl you brought home with you today?” He asked and I was stunned into silence.My father was several miles away on a private island. He was recovering and also living out his retirement there, everything he needed was delivered to him and there was twenty four hour security. He only went out of the island a few times to do some private things. And when he went out only one security personnel went with him. Only very few people know he’s alive so moving around with a lot of security would only attract unnecessary attention to him. People don’t go looking for dead men, so he was relatively safe in the outside world now, though he still went with a disguise under a fake name just in case. You can never be too careful in the Mafia, death was everywhere just waiting for you to make one s
NIKAELEON***The doctor checked Sophia and reassured me that she was okay. The journey had only tired her out but her vitals were stable. She also recommended a meal plan that Sophia would need to follow for now to build up her blood levels in order to avoid a relapse that would require going back to the hospital. The nurse wanted to bathe and change Sophia while she was sleeping, but I told her not to. Like the Doctor said, Sophia needed rest. I had to leave to make arrangements with the kitchen staff so Sophia would have a private chef to prepare her own meals. The Doctor was no longer needed after checking on Sophia so she retired to the room I had prepared for her after I gave her directions. I told the nurse to stay in Sophia’s room just in case she wakes up, then I left the room.After giving the staff instructions concerning Sophia’s meal plan for the next week, I returned to her room only to find Aina in a robe, bent over one of the arm chairs with her hands bound behind her
NIKAELEON***“Meet me in my study in five minutes and we can talk.” I said to him and then disconnected the call.“I hope nothing is wrong?” Aina asked.“I don’t know yet, Armando says he found something concerning Sophia. It sounds important, but I don’t know if it’s good news or bad news. I’ll find out after speaking to him.” I replied to her.“I’ll come with you to meet him.” She said.“There’s no need for you to come with me. You said you wanted to take a shower, go back to your room. Whatever he tells me, I’ll let you and everyone else know later tonight. I’ll message Antonio to join us as well, he should also know about Sophia. Though, if my father already knows, then he has probably told Antonio by now.”“You told your father about her? I thought you said you wanted to wait for more information before informing anyone else.” She asked.“No, I didn’t tell him about her… well, yes actually, it was through me that he knew that Sophia is my daughter.”“No and yes? I’m confused now
NIKAELEON***Antonio was the only one that wasn’t present at dinner, but he arrived about five minutes before we all finished eating our meals. When it was time for the meeting, I sent away Eli and the other man on Armando’s work team. They were staying at the house for now because of the work they were doing with Armando but they weren’t part of my inner circle. They can join meetings where strategy and plans are being discussed, but they don't need to be present for this private meeting. After the meeting, I may permit Armando to inform them both that Sophia is my daughter just in case they see her around the house, so they would know to treat her properly.“Only two people seated at this table know the reason why I called for this meeting. You may be wondering why I sent the other two away and one or two of you that don’t already know the purpose of the meeting, may have already guessed that they were sent away because this meeting is not to discuss business but something else. Wh
NIKAELEON***Me and my big mouth. I stared down at Sophia. She had tears in her eyes, and it made her look even more adorable especially as she pouted but fuck, I don’t want to see my daughter cry for any reason. And I especially don’t want to be the reason why she cries. I crouched so I wouldn’t tower over her.“It’s okay, Uncle Nik, you can tell me the truth, I’m a big girl. Mummy says to always say the truth no matter how hard it is. I trust you, I know you won’t lie to me, you’re my friend, right?” She said as she sniffed and a tear rolled down her eyes.Sophia seemed more like a grown up than a child most times, and now was one of those times.“I just found out, baby. I wasn’t going to tell you yet, I wanted you to stay here for a little while first.”“Is that why daddy is mean to me sometimes? Because I’m not his daughter? A lot of my friends in school always tell me that I don’t look like daddy. But if you’re my real daddy, where have you been? Why will mummy lie about who my
NIKAELEON***After dinner, I carried Sophia up to her room and tucked her into bed. She wanted me to tell her a story first before she slept. I sat on the edge of her and tried to remember any children stories I may have heard but as I began to tell a paraphrased version of Goldilocks and the three bears, Sophia shook her head.“No, Uncle Nik. Not that kind of story, a real life story, something interesting.” She said and blinked at me with those adorably irresistible eyes.I tried to think of anything exciting to tell her about my life, something that would interest a child of her age, but my mind was blank. I couldn’t exactly start telling her about my victories in a board room or the latest merger or acquisition I acquired. I realised then that my life was pretty boring, I couldn’t remember the last time I had any fun. My life revolved around work, security concerns, revenge and more work. I’ve achieved a lot in my short time as Don and will still achieve more but the monotony of
NIKAELEON***As we stepped into my room, I took a seat on one of the chairs facing the closed balcony windows. This sitting space was arranged for nights when I wanted to work in my room, or I invited someone in for a chat, or I wanted to eat in my room. I took off my jacket and folded it across the arm of the chair as Aina came up behind me.“So, do you want to go first or should I?” She asked as she put her hands on my shoulders and began to rub.“I'll go first, mine isn’t that big of a deal, really. I don’t even know why I’m telling you this, I haven’t discussed this with anyone.” I said to her.“Okay, now I’m curious.” She said and I sighed as she eased a tight knot in the area she was kneading.“Like I said, it’s not that big of a deal, it’s just a minor incident that happened before dinner. I wanted everyone to focus on Sophia so that’s why I didn’t mention it, and also because I don’t think it’s really important. I received a call from an unknown number earlier, it seems like
EPILOGUE *** NIKAELEON * I thought I understood nervousness when I was about to get married, or fear when Aina had been held at gun point, none of that compared to the feeling of watching my child being born. Aina and I had already agreed before hand that I would be inside while she was giving birth. She needed my support because this was her first birth, and I wanted to watch , it would help me treasure her sacrifice to have our babies. Yes, babies. It seemed Sophia's prayer for a brother and sister came to pass. We found out we were having twins when we went for a late ultrasound scan. She screamed as another contraction hit her and her grip on my hand almost crushed my bones but I just stroked her hair with my other hand. "I don't think I can do this anymore." Aina sobbed and my heart broke for her. I wish I could take her pain away even if just a little bit and I hated being so helpless because at this point, there was nothing I could do for her. "Just a little bit more, Mr
NIKAELEON *** I never expected to be nervous today. It was usual to be nervous when you’re getting married, but I didn’t expect to be nervous, I expected to go through it calmly like I usually did everything in my life. Instead, I was fidgety, checking my reflection in the mirror a hundred times even though I looked perfect physically. “You look great, son. Stay still before you make a hole in the floor with your pacing.” My father chuckled as he walked into my room. “I don’t know why I’m even nervous. I was fine yesterday.” I said to him as I adjusted my tie again. “I was the same way when I married your mother. A lot of people no longer value marriage, but it’s supposed to be sacred. A lifelong vow of commitment to the one person you choose to live the rest of your life with. And you love her, you’re afraid of making a mistake and ruining what you both have.” I was about to protest and tell my father that this marriage was just an arrangement, after all, as a mafia boss, love w
NIKAELEON *** It has been weeks since Connor was arrested along with the leaders of the Black Knights. Some other lower ranked members had also been apprehended these past weeks. Connor and the leaders had already been tried in court and sentenced to life imprisonment. The others were still awaiting trial but it didn’t matter, they were just pawns, the main players were already in jail. Last I heard, Connor had been nearly paralysed and had to be hospitalised for almost two weeks. I had no sympathy for him and neither did the government, he was still sent back to prison on crutches to continue living with his assailants. My revenge on him was complete. Uriel had also been tried for illegal possession of a firearm and threatening people’s lives with it, but she hadn’t been sent to jail because I didn’t press charges to add to these ones. She was on house arrest for a year, with community service and court ordained therapy. I went to visit her occasionally so she could video call Soph
NIKAELEON***A FEW DAYS LATER*The courtroom buzzed with tension as the arguments echoed through the room, each side presenting their case for Sophia's custody. It was Manolo’s turn to speak now."Your Honor, We have substantial evidence to establish that Ms. Uriel is mentally unstable and unfit to provide a stable and nurturing environment for Sophia. We also have expert testimonies from qualified mental health professionals who have evaluated Ms. Uriel and have concluded that her mental state poses a risk to the well-being of the child."We gave the court a video clip from the security footage from the mansion showing the moment Uriel had grabbed Sophia roughly after Sophia announced that she was having a sibling. There was no sound because it was CCTV, but it was evident that Uriel was being aggressive to Sophia. That was enough to help our case.Uriel's lawyer countered with equal enthusiasm.“Your Honor, I assure you that my client is mentally sound. Those reports were taken wh
NIKAELEON***“I know what you’re going to say, Aina. You want me to release them without punishment, but I can’t do that. Yes, I know they’re in love and no one is above mistakes, I also know that this crime isn’t as bad as it would have been if he had been the traitor.” I said to her as we stepped out of the interrogation room and began to walk towards the back entrance to the house.“If you know, then why can’t you just release them?” She asked.“I’m sure you already know why. I set my rules for a reason, and if someone breaks any of my rules, no matter how justified they are, there has to be a consequence or no one will respect my rules. That’s why there are laws, and prison is the consequence if those laws are broken.”“Can’t you make an exception just this once? She’s pregnant, Nik.” She said and I sighed.“I’m not sending them away if that’s what you think. For their own good and mine. If they aren’t here, they’ll be easy to kill by my enemies or captured and tortured for infor
NIKALEOEN***“Fine. You can come along. But don’t interfere.” I said to her and the look she gave me said she would definitely interfere.“Don’t interfere too much.” I acquiesced with a sigh and she smiled.“And you better not cry.” I said to her and she huffed.“I’m not a baby.”As much as I wanted her by my side, I knew the path that lay ahead would test the limits of her resolve. "I never said you were a baby, Aina, this won't be easy. I may have to resort to violent means, and I may do things you may not approve. I don’t want you to resent me for it and begin to see me as some kind of monster. I really don't want you to witness what might transpire in that interrogation room. It could get ugly." I admitted.“I’ve always known there is a dark side of you, Nik. And I’ve made my peace with it. I know you don’t just go about torturing or hurting people on a whim or for fun, and when you do anything, it’s for a reason. I won’t blame you for anything you do today, you’re trying to pro
NIKAELEON***“And I also wanted to apologise for the scene I caused, it wasn’t my intention to let Sophia know that you’re my baby’s father. I just wanted to get her mind off seeing you both fighting so I told her I was having a baby and showed her the sonogram. When she asked me who the baby’s father was, I just replied without thinking and then she bolted out here to tell you before I could stop her.” Aina explained.“It’s fine. I know you didn’t have an ulterior motive for telling her, and I could see the look on your face when she ran here with the sonogram, I knew it was just a mistake and I don’t blame you for it. In fact, I think I’m relieved, I’ve been thinking of a way to tell Sophia that she would have a sibling soon, wondering how she would react. Now I know that I was just worried for nothing.” I replied to her.“Yeah, she’s so excited to be a big sister. She has already told me in detail all the things she plans to do, and by the way, she says she wants two siblings, one
AINA***I led Sophia away and she followed me, her tiny hand clutching onto me tightly.I took her to my room and sat down on the bed with her in my lap. I put her small hand on my tummy.“I have a baby in my tummy now.” I said and her eyes widened in surprise and childish delight.“You swallowed a baby?” She asked incredulously and I burst into startled laughter.“Oh! Heavens no! I can’t swallow a baby, I’m not a cannibal. The baby is growing in my tummy.” I said to her and there was a look of childish wonder in her eyes.“Babies grow in tummies? I thought they were sent from heaven by storks, I watched that in a cartoon. All the animals were on a train and when it was time for them to have babies, the birds carried the babies in white cloth and dropped them off one by one in the mummy and daddy’s cages.” Sophia said and I laughed again.I definitely wasn’t having the talk on where babies come from with her. It had been awkward when my own mother had ‘the talk’ with me, and I wasn’t
NIKAELEON***“We need to talk, Nik. That’s why I’m here.” She replied to me and I nearly chuckled at the audacity she had to show up at my house to demand an audience with me.“We have nothing to talk about, Uriel. Or rather, I have nothing to talk about with you even though you may have something to say. I have no interest, nor do I have the time or patience to listen to whatever nonsense you want to say to me. So leave before I have you arrested for trespassing.” I said to her.“You can’t do that.” She said and I scoffed.“You have no idea what I’m capable of, Uriel. I suspect it’s the reason why you dare defy me so often.” I said to her. “If the police come, I’ll just tell them that I came to see Sophia and you denied me entrance. It will look bad on you while the custody case is still being deliberated on by the court.” She said.I was about to tell her to go fuck herself when Aina put a hand on my forearm. I turned to look at her and she didn’t need to speak to communicate her