The Mafia Boss' Heart

CHAPTER 7

NICOLO was smiling while walking in the living room of their mansion. He was thinking of how his day went. He was happy being with Haze even though Haze looked like she was shielding herself from him. Hindi naman niya ito masisisi dahil ganun naman talaga ang ibang babae. Their past experiences made them too protective of themselves, which is a good thing for him. Haze was reserved, and she looked like she didn’t trust strangers. But about that thing, he doesn’t know if it was a good thing or a bad thing for him. Abala si Nicolo sa pag-iisip sa mga nangyari at hindi niya napansin ang kaniyang magulang na nasa salas. They were looking at him with confusion in their eyes. They are probably wondering why their child is smiling. And his smile is even weirder. Looks inspired.

And Nicolo didn't notice his parents in the living room because the light was off.

“Son.”

Nicolo was startled when he heard his father. The lights in the living room suddenly opened, and he saw his parents sitting on the sofa. “Dad, Mom, why are you sitting in the living room with the lights off?” he asked. Pero hindi nila pinansin ang kaniyang tanong.

“Why are you smiling like that?” his father asked.

“Your smile was different today, Nicolo,” his mother said.

Hindi nawala ang ngiti sa labi ni Nicolo.

Nikola, Nicolo’s mother, sighed, “You looked like an idiot smiling like that.”

Pero kahit sinabihan siya ng ganun ng kaniyang ina hindi pa rin nawala ang kaniyang ngiti. He sat on the sofa opposite where his parents were sitting. “So, I believe that you’re waiting for me to tell you something.”

Nikola cleared her throat and smiled. She looked at her husband. “I’m going to sleep now, Hon. Just talk to our son.”

Rafael nodded his head. “Take a rest.”

Nikola smiled and looked at her son. “Night, son.”

“Night, Mom.”

When his mother left the living room, his father looked at him with a serious face. Nicolo immediately knew that what his father was going to tell him was serious. “Dad?”

Rafael sighed. “Son, I have something to tell you. Don’t get upset. I know that you’re chasing the love of your life, but this is important. Don’t worry, after you make this deal, I will let you do whatever you want.”

Nicolo frowned. “How did you know I was with Haze?”

“Alonzo kept on complaining about you, saying that your work was also added to his work,” said Rafael and shook his head. He pointed to his son. “You really love to make trouble for him.” But in Rafael’s mind, you fell that hard on that girl, huh?

Natawa na lamang si Nicolo. “Well, he was the next Chief Adviser of our family. Aside from being a Chief Adviser, it was also his job to make my work easier.” He said with so much confidence.

Napailing na lamang ang ama ni Nicolo.

“Dad, what was the deal you talked about earlier?” tanong ni Nicolo.

“Oh, about that, I think you should deal with the Ajello family. They wanted to force a deal, and you know me, son. I don’t like being forced.”

Kumunot ang nuo ni Nicolo. “They have been against us since I refused the offer from Mr. Ajello to marry his only daughter.” He sneered. “I would never marry his daughter. I know what he is up to. He wanted to use the marriage to take down our family but I would never let him have his way.”

Rafael smiled and couldn’t help to feel proud of his son. His son was really one of a kind. If his son was a womanizer, their family had been destroyed a long time ago. Many people inside the Mafia Organization want to take down their family because of the power they hold, but fortunately, his heir thinks the same as him. “Yeah, and since you refused their offer, they used that to work against us, saying that we disgrace their family. Now, they are sabotaging our business.”

Napabuntong hininga na lamang si Nicolo. “Don’t worry, Dad. I’ll handle this thing personally. But you have to remember your promise, Dad.”

“Sure, son.”

Smiling, Nicolo went to sit beside his father. “Dad, can I ask you something? You’re experienced, and I wanted to learn from you.”

“What do you want to learn about me?” Rafael asked his son, even though he already had an idea what his son was going to ask him. Pero gusto niya pa ring marinig ito mula sa sarili niyang anak.

“Dad, you told me before that mom doesn’t like you and doesn’t trust you. How did you make Mom fall for you?” tanong ni Nicolo.

“Really? That’s what you are going to ask me?”

Napakamot si Nicolo ng batok. “If it’s not you, then who will I ask? I can’t possibly ask Uncle Ramon. He doesn’t have a wife. He just loved being a womanizer. It’s useless to ask him,” he said while grimacing.

“Then how about Alonzo and Alessio’s father?”

“Dad, they’re not you.”

Natawa ng mahina si Rafael. He picked up the magazine on the center table and said, “After you deal with the Ajello family. Come and ask me again. I’ll answer you.”

“Was my question hard to answer, Dad?” Nicolo asked as he stepped away from his father.

“No, but I think you should finish your job first before you face your love life.”

Nicolo groaned in annoyance. “Fine. After I’m done with the Ajello family. I’ll come to you and ask you. Old man…”

Rafael tsked and rolled the magazine in his hand. “I heard that, Young Man. Do you want beatings?” He pointed the magazine to his son.

Mabilis na tumalilis ng takbo si Nicolo palayo sa ama.

Rafael just chuckled and shook his head. Then he received a call from Marcello, his Chief Advisor, “what is it?” he asked.

Marcello sighed. “I think your brother will be against you.”

Kalmadong ngumiti si Rafael at hindi siya nakaramdam ng takot. “I already expected that. I know his character and I know that things will turn out chaotic one day,” he said. “Where is he?”

“He was with the head of the Ajello family.”

Sighing, Rafael leaned on the sofa. “Just let him then. I have already asked Nicolo to deal with the Ajello family. As for Ramon, I’ll deal with him.”

“Will the Young Master be safe?” Marcello asked with concerned voice. “I’ll ask Alonzo to keep him company.”

“Just let Nicolo deal with this matter on his own. We all know that he’s already capable enough,” Rafael said.

“You’re right, Boss. By the way, Boss, should I still tail Ramon?” Marcello asked.

“No need. Just let him,” Rafael asked and stood up. Napabuntong hininga na lamang siya. “I’ll deal with him.”

“As you say, Boss.”

Rafael ended the call and ascended to the staircase. As he walked towards the bedroom, he saw his son’s room. The door was slightly opened, and he heard his son talking with someone. Naka-loud speaker ang tawag kaya naman naririnig niya ang pag-uusap ni Nicolo at ng kausap nito sa telepono.

“Alonzo, do me a favor.”

“What favor?” Alonzo asked from the other line.

“After three days, I’m going to visit the Ajello family. Send them a message for me,” Nicolo ordered as his voice held with authority.

“Alright. I’ll do it.”

“Be nice with the message,” said Nicolo. “Don’t let them feel that they are being threatened.”

Alonzo let out a sigh. “Now I know why you are ordering me to send the message to them. If it’s you, they would only feel that they are being threatened. Don’t worry, they will welcome you with a warm smile when you visit them.”

The corner of Nicolo’s lips curled up. “Good to hear that.” He said and ended the call with Alonzo, then he called Alessio.

Alessio answered his call. “Yes, Young Master?”

“Accompany me to the Ajello Family after three days.”

Alessio chuckled excitedly. “What? Are you going to propose to marriage?” he asked jokingly, though he knew that Nicolo wouldn’t do that.

“No, we’re going to kill someone.” Malamig na saad ni Nicolo.

“Alright!” Alessio quickly replied. Parang wala lang rito ang lamig ng boses ng kausap. Sanay na kasi siya na marinig ang ganoong boses ni Nicolo. “If it’s killing, I’m on it. Should I bring you wine so you can enjoy yourself while watching us killing them?” he asked.

Nicolo rolled his eyes. “You’re really weird.”

“Oh, come on, Nic. You’re weirder than me,” said Alessio.

Nicolo had just ended the call. He sat on the edge of his bed and stared at Haze’s stolen photo on his phone. He made Haze’s photo as his wallpaper. “What was happening to me? Did I really like her that much? I only met him a week ago but here I am looking at her picture like an idiot,” he said to himself.

Rafael just smiled when hearing his son and left. A young man that was whipped in love.

Two days passed and Haze was leaving Italy. Nicolo went to see her off but didn’t show himself. He just looked at her from afar.

Meanwhile, Haze felt that someone was looking at her, so she looked around. Her eyes met Nicolo’s eyes. Ngumiti sa kaniya si Nicolo.

Haze suddenly felt an emotion she didn’t understand. She felt sad but happy at the same time. It was a mixed feeling. May kung anong tumambol sa puso niya nang makita niya ang binata. She didn’t know why she was feeling happy and sad. Nicolo waved his hand at her. She didn't realize that she raised her hand and waved back at Nicolo.

“Haze, come on!” Janine said.

Haze nodded. She looked at Nicolo and smiled, then she entered the boarding area.

Nicolo smiled, seeing Haze smile at him. That was the first and he felt happy. After Haze disappeared from his sight, he walked out of the airport. Then he called Alonzo. “How was it?” he asked.

“They’re expecting you tomorrow.”

Nicolo smiled coldly. “Good,” he said coldly, then walked towards his car.

It was time to do his job as he belonged to the Mafia Organization.