The Mafia Boss' Heart

CHAPTER 9

NICOLO massaged his temple as he leaned on his swivel chair. It’s been one week since he finished the Ajello family, and until now, his father hasn’t answered his question.

“Young Master,” Alonzo entered his office.

“How often do I have to tell you just to call me by my name?” Sabi ni Nicolo.

Ngumiti si Alonzo. “My father would skin me alive if I dared to address you by your name only. I apologized, Young Master, but I couldn’t agree to your request.”

Everyone respects the Young Master of the Parisi Family and was already engraved in their mind to treat him with the utmost respect. They are not allowed to disrespect the heir of Parisi Family.

Nicolo just sighed and gestured for Alonzo to leave. “Just leave.”

Ngunit hindi umalis si Alonzo. “Young Master, I couldn’t leave. I have something to report.”

Nicolo looked at Alonzo. “Make sure that it will pique my interest.”

Alonzo smiled knowingly. “Young Master, this will really pique your interest. It’s about the thing you asked me the other day.”

Mabilis na umayos ng upo si Nicolo. “Tell me.”

Napailing na lamang si Alonzo. Nicolo seemed to be very tired because of work pero mabilis na bumalik ang lakas nito dahil sa sasabihin niya. He opened the folder and read the content. “Name, Haze Manzano. Age, twenty-four. Her mother had already passed away due to blood cancer, leaving her with insurance that she used for school. And there was no record about her father. After her mother passed away, she moved into her mother’s sister’s house. Then after she graduated college and got a job, she moved out.”

“That’s it?” Nicolo asked.

Nodding, Alonzo closed the folder and put down the folder on Nicolo’s desk. “That’s it. I don’t dig up personal information though what I have told you was personal,” he said. “If you really wanted to know about her, then get to know her,” he advised Nicolo.

Nicolo looked at Alonzo. He sneered. “I didn’t know that you’re such a good adviser. You’re really taken after your father.”

Nagkibit ng balikat si Alonzo. “And you also took after your father, Young Master.”

Nicolo lost his smile and looked at Alonzo flatly. “You mean being crazy and weird?”

Alonzo cleared his throat. “I didn’t say anything. It’s you who said it.” Depensa niya sa kaniyang sarili.

“Forget it,” Nicolo said and looked at the time in his wristwatch. He stood up and took his coat that was hung on his swivel chair. “The Boss is going home. You can also go home now.”

Alonzo slightly bowed his head. “Thank you, Young Master.”

Nicolo left the company and went home. Arriving in the mansion, he went to his father’s study room but he saw his father and his Uncle Ramon arguing. He stood outside the door and listened to his father and his uncle’s argument. They were arguing about what happened to the Ajello family.

“Ramon, why are you mad about what happened to them? They sabotage our business,” Rafael said calmly.

Ramon blew a loud breath. “You asked Nicolo to do the job but he massacred the whole family! Now the whole Mafia Organization was talking about him, saying that he wasn’t fit to be your successor because he was ruthless!”

“I don’t care what other people think about my son. But I agreed with what he did to the Ajello family. You should be happy that he eliminated our enemies.” Rafael said and looked at Ramon in the eyes. “Or you’re being angry at me because Nicolo’s scheme failed your plan.”

Ramon suddenly became uneasy. “What plan? I didn’t know what you’re talking about, brother.”

Ramdam ni Nicolo na naging balisa ang tiyuhin niya.

Rafael sat on his swivel chair. “Ramon, I know what you did these past days and I know what you are planning to do. You had a secret meeting with the Ajello family.” Ramon lost the expression on his face. Rafael continued, “But I won’t let you ruin our family.”

Ramon’s hand fisted. “You don’t trust me?”

“It’s not that I don’t trust you. I just don’t want my son to get harmed.” You nearly killed me once and I let go of it since you are my brother but I won’t let you harm my son. Nicolo is my only son and I would do everything to protect him.

Ramon chuckled coldly. “Looks like you don’t trust me anymore, brother. Don’t worry, from now on I have nothing to do with the Parisi Family anymore,” he said and turned his back.

Mabilis na nagtago si Nicolo nang marinig niyang may yabag na patungo sa pinto. The door opened and his Uncle Ramon came out. Nicolo put his hands in his pockets and when he heard his Uncle Ranon’s footsteps getting away, he came out of his hiding place and stared at his Uncle Ramon.

“Son, come inside.”

Nicolo looked inside his father’s office when he heard his father’s voice. He entered his father’s office. “Dad.”

“I know you heard about our argument. It’s alright. We argued a lot.”

It was Nicolo who sighed. “Dad, is Uncle Ramon trying to turn his back against our family?” he asked.

Ngumiti si Rafael upang ipakita na maayos lang ang lahat. “You already know the answer, Nicolo.”

“No. I don’t know,” Saad ni Nicolo sa seryosong boses. “Now I know why you sent me to visit the Ajello family. It was a warning to other family who wanted to fight against us and also, it’s a warning to Uncle Ramon to stop what he was planning to do against our family.”

Rafael smiled proudly. “Nicolo, you really deserved to be the next head of the Parisi Family. Not only because you are my heir but you are capable enough even if you’re still young.”

Nicolo rolled his eyes. “Dad, I’m already twenty-six years old. I’m not young anymore. By the way, Dad, do you remember your promise? You have to answer my question.”

Natawa ng mahina si Rafael saka napailing na lamang. “Son, as you had said, you’re not young anymore. And you’re already old enough to woo the woman you like.”

Nicolo suddenly felt embarrassed and scratched the back of his neck.

Rafael saw his son blushing and couldn’t help himself from chuckling. “You like her? Then follow her.”

Nicolo was stunned for a moment. “You won’t stop me, Dad?” he asked in surprise.

“If you're happy then I am happy for you, son. I want you to follow your heart.” Ngumiti si Rafael. But behind everything, he wants his son to be safe. Right now, Italy was not safe for Nicolo.

“Thank you, Dad.” Nicolo was grateful. Then he came to realize something. “But why do I feel like you’re pushing me away.”

“I’m not pushing you away. I just want you to pursue your happiness.”

But Nicolo felt something was off but he ignored it. Maybe he was just overthinking. After he left his father’s office, he called Alessio. “Alessio, find me a place to stay in the Philippines.

“Yes, Young Master.”

THREE DAYS LATER…

“Here, Young Master,” he handed Nicolo the folder in his hand. “It’s a good thing that your family was powerful and you have connections in the Philippines. Miss Grace agreed to use her name so you could buy a condo unit where you can stay since you’re not a resident in there.”

Binuksan ni Nicolo ang folder. “Thank you.”

“You do know how to be grateful,” Alessio chuckled.

“Get lost.” Nicolo throws the small on the sofa to Alessio.

Laughing, Alessio dodged and smiled teasingly. “Good luck in pursuing the woman you like. May you be blessed and have a great stay in the Philippines, Young Master.”

“Do you want to die?” Nicolo glared at Alessio.

Alessio shook his head. And he quickly ran outside the CEO’s office before the Young Master beat him.

Tiningnan ni Nicolo ang laman ng folder. A small smile appeared on his lips. He doesn’t know if what he is doing is something crazy and weird thing to do.

“Nicolo.”

Nicolo quickly looked at the door when he heard his mother's voice. "Mom, why are you here?" he asked then greeted his mother with a hug, and kissed her on the cheek. “Mom.” He guided his mom to sit on the sofa. “Do you want any refreshment, Mom? I’ll get it for you.”

Umiling si Nikola. “I’m just passing by. Your father had told me that you’re going to the Philippines.”

Ngumiti si Nicolo saka tumango. “Yes, Mom.”

“How long will you stay there?” Nikola asked. If ever, this will be the first time that her son will be away from her.

“I don’t know, Mom.”

Nikola sighed. “Your father and I promised each other that whatever your choice will be, we will support you.”

“Thank you, Mom. I promise,” Nicolo raised his hand, “I’ll give you a good daughter-in-law.”

Nikola chuckled. “Alright. Be careful while you are in the Philippines. This will be the first time you will be away from us.”

“Mom, I’m already old enough. No need to worry about me.”

Nikola pinched his son. “You brat, you’re my only son. Of course, I will get worried about you. You just don’t know, your father was also worried about you. He’s more worried than you me.”

Nicolo smiled. He was fortunate that he had parents like his mother and father. They loved and cared for him very much. They always supported him in his decisions which made him respect them even more.