The Mafia Boss' Heart

CHAPTER 4

IT WAS A TWO-WEEK VACATION. So, Haze and Janine decided to visit the tourist spot in Italy. Gusto lang naman ng Boss nila na manatili sa hotel pero hiyaan sila nitong lumabas at mamasyal. Sabi ng Boss nila na minsan lang ang oportunidad na ‘to kaya lubusin na nila dahil baka hindi na maulit.

As Haze and Janine were outside, aside from Nicolo, a gang leader caught his attention to Haze.

“Follow her,” the gang leader orders one of his people.

“Yes, Boss.”

Nicolo was following Haze as she had fun outside. He was smiling as he watched Haze with her bright smile and was excited, especially when she saw the street show on a famous street in Italy.

“Young Master, sorry to interrupt the beautiful live drama you were watching but Alonzo had called. “You need to sign some documents.”

“Can’t it be postponed?”

Umiling si Alessio. “No, Young Master. And you needed to sign those documents before five in the afternoon.”

Napabuga ng hangin si Nicolo. Tumayo siya mula sa kaniyang kinauuouan. But froze when he noticed the man following Haze. He frowned. “Alessio, ask one of our men to follow that man. He’s been following Haze since this morning.”

“Yes, Young Master.”

Nicolo was disheartened because he was interrupted by office work. He really wants to get close to Haze but doesn’t know how. Parang nawalan siya ng lakas ng loob na magpakita sa dalaga. Hindi niya maintindihan ang kaniyang sarili minsa. Alam niyang matapang siya, wala siyang kinakatakutan pero nawalan siya ng lakas ng loob na magkipagkilala sa isang babae. He could only sigh in his miserable dilemma.

As Nicolo arrived at the company, Alonzo piled up the papers he needed to sign on his table. He looked flatly at Alonzo. “Too many.”

Alonzo smiled. “Young Master, even if I wanted to compress it, I can’t.” He shrugged his shoulders.

Nicolo snorted and started to sign the paper piled up on his table while looking at his wristwatch. Alonzo noticed it and he asked Alessio.

“Ask him if you have the guts,” Alessio said.

Alonzo was confused, but he didn’t dare to ask.

HAZE AND JANINE were still outside, and they didn’t notice the time. It was already evening, and they were having an evening stroll in the streets. The night was spectacular. It was a beautiful night in Rome, Italy. The sky was clear, with many stars to gaze at night. It was cold but bearable. Even though it was already evening, the streets were still full of people. The people are friendly and Haze couldn’t help but take pictures of the spectacular night.

“Let’s go back later. I’ll inform our boss,” Janine said.

Tumango lamang si Haze habang namamangha pa rin sa paligid. Nagpatuloy siya sa paglalakad hanggang sa hindi niya namalayan na napahiwalay na siya sa kaniyang kaibigan. Tumingin siya sa kaniyang paligid. The street was bustling with people. It was hard to find her friend in the middle of the crowd. She looked at her phone. She was so unlucky because her phone was low battery. Ibinalik na lamang niya ang cellphone sa loob ng kaniyang bag.

She tried to find her friend but suddenly someone from behind covered her eyes and her mouth. Haze struggled, but the set of arms wrapped around her was so strong. She was trying to get away as the man dragged her, covering her eyes and mouth to prevent her from screaming.

Haze started to panic and fear was embracing her soul. Nagsimula na ring tumulo ang kaniyang luha. She was silently praying to God that he would send someone to save her. She was a woman. However, she pushes herself away from men because of the thought that they may harm her, and the fact that she doesn’t know how to fight to save herself.

Hindi niya alam kung saan siya dinala ng lalaking dumukot sa kaniya pero napansin niya na napakatahimik ng ligar. In fact, the deafening silence was killing her.

“Boss, she’s here.” The man who took her away spoke. He removed his hand from his eyes and mouth.

Mabilis na nagmulat ng mata si Haze at napaatras nang makita niyang napalibutan siya ng mga lalaki. Her heart beats fast because of fear, and she starts to feel panic. With her panicking heart, she noticed that she was in an alley.

“Ciao, Bella,” one of the men who surrounded her, smiled. The kind of smile that had an evil intent.

Hindi nagsalita si Haze dahil sa kaniyang panginginig sa takot. The man walked towards her, and she took a step back. She knew that even if she ran away, she couldn’t because the men were all surrounding her.

“Bella, what’s your name?” the man asked.

Haze didn’t answer.

“Boss, I think she’s afraid of you,” one of them said. The men laughed as if they were having the best moment of their life.

The man who looked like the leader smiled at her. “Don’t be afraid. We won’t hurt you. I promise you will enjoy our company.” He grinned evilly.

Napalunok si Haze dahil sa takot. She was silently praying that she could accept her death in any way he wanted, but she didn’t want to die with ruined dignity.

The man was about to touch Haze, but he stopped when, suddenly, a car lighted up its front lights, illuminating the dark alley. Lahat sila ay napatingin sa umilaw na sasakyan. Nasilaw si Haze sa ilaw ng sasakyan kaya natakpan niya ang kaniyang mata.

Then a man stepped out of the car.

“Who are you?! How dare you interrupt our good time?!”

“You’re asking for death!”

The man who stepped out of the car just calmly smirked. “You kidnapped a woman and planned to do something immoral. Of course, I won’t just sit and watch you, animals!”

“Bastard! Who are you?! Die!” the Gang Leader angrily said and attacked the man.

Haze ran to the corner and watched the fight. Though the man who came was outnumbered, she could tell that he was skillful at fighting. The man fights the gang effortlessly. He kicked and punched the men who kidnapped Haze. Then he even broke their arms.

“W-who are you?” the gang leader asked while he was limping in pain.

“You just asked who I am. You’re not worthy to know my name.” The man crouched down. His cold stare made the gang leader pee in his pants in fear. The man held the gang leader’s throat and strangled him tightly. “Rafael Nicolo Parisi,” he introduces himself.

Lumaki ang mata ng lalaki dahil sa gulat. “Parisi? The heir of the Parisi Family?”

Nicolo smirked. “Now. Die.” He said coldly and tightened his hand on the man’s throat. He breaks the man’s bones, including his gang members, and now he wants the gang leader to die. The man struggled in his hold, but he didn’t back down. He even tightened his hand on the man’s throat until he lost oxygen and died.

He stood up and looked at the gang he had fought. He shook his head, seeing them unconscious. Then he looked at Haze. Haze was crouching down with both hands on her head and trembling. I think she was very scared because of what happened.

Nicolo signaled Alessio.

Alessio quickly approached him. “Young Master?”

“Kill them all and throw them in the pit.” He commanded with his cold voice. “Quick.”

“Yes, Young Master.” Alessio bowed his head. Sinenyasan nito ang mga cleaning crew. As they took all the bodies, Alessio could only shake his head, “who told you to touch the woman of the young master of the Parisi Family? You're just courting death,” he said.

They quickly took all the bodies and before Haze could see everything, it was settled and Nicolo was the only one left.

Tumayo si Haze at umatras palayo sa lalaki.

Nagtaas ng kamay si Nicolo nang makita niya ang takot sa mata ng dalaga. “It’s okay. I won’t hurt you,” said Nicolo. His voice became gentle from the cold voice he used earlier.

Tinignan lamang ni Haze ang lalaki. Nagtaka siya nang makitang silang dalawa lamang ang natira at wala na ang mga lalakig dumukot sa kaniya.

“They ran away,” Nicolo calmly said. He smiled. “You’re safe now.”

Nicolo walked towards Haze. “I’m Rafael Nicolo Parisi,” he introduced himself.

Haze felt uncomfortable with the man’s presence, but she needed to be polite because he saved her life. “Haze,” she introduced herself and looked at her savior’s stretched hand. He wanted to shake hands. “I am not comfortable shaking hands with you,” she honestly said.

She’s afraid of men. Nicolo thought after he heard Haze. He said down his hand and put his hands in his pockets. “Oh, I understand. Don’t worry, I won’t harm you.”

Haze showed a lopsided smile. Hindi siya naniniwala sa salitang binitawan ng lalaki kahit pa tinulungan siya nito. “The last time I heard those words, I nearly got…” Haze sighed. “Whatever. My friend is now looking for me. Thank you for saving me. Goodbye.” Then she ran away. She ignored it when a man named Nicolo tried to call her.

Nicolo just smiled. To ensure her safety, Nicolo follows Haze until she meets with her friend.

Then he received a message from Alessio. ‘They’re all dead, Young Master. Rest assured.’

Nicolo smirked. “They deserved it for scaring the woman I like.”