Bodyguard's Secret

Father and Son Breakfast

Sicily

  It was early morning when Electra went to visit Nicholas in his chamber. As usual, she was wearing her signature red suit. Once she came into the room she immediately saw Nicholas on the bed leaning against the headboard and looking out towards the balcony.

“Buongiorno capo.” Electra greeted, and Nicholas turned towards her with a weak smile.

(Good morning, boss)

  She approached him and stood just beside the bed.

“It’s such a beautiful morning. I just wish I could once again take a stroll down in the garden.” Nicholas said and Electra smiled.

“I would love to take you there but I have work to do, boss.” She said and then Nicholas looked at her.

“What is it?” He asked her.

“There has been an attack on one of the transactions last night. I have to look into it and take care of whoever messed up. But you don’t need to worry about it Nicholas, I will take care of it.” She told him.

  Nicholas let out a sigh of frustration.

“These attacks make me anxious that I don’t know what will happen to the family once I am gone.” Nicholas blurted.

  Electra sighed and she sat on the edge of the bed.

“Nicholas, focus on yourself and stop speaking like that. I don’t want to hear you thinking about problems. I am here; I will take care of those bastards that tried to mess up with our family.”She told him.

  Nicholas smiled at her and squeezed her hand.

“You are a blessing.” He said and Electra snorted.

“And a nightmare at the same time.” She said and then she paused and smiled.

“I want you to relax Nicholas. I will have your caregivers help you change into something suitable for your stroll in the garden. I heard Nikolai arrived early this morning and he is currently sleeping in his room.” Electra told Nicholas who looked surprised.

  Tears welled around his eyes when he heard about his son.

“Do not worry about anything and just enjoy your time with him. I won’t be reaping your soul until you are ready.” She told him, and Nicholas nodded.

  Electra smiled and then she stood up.

“I’ll be going now. If you need anything, Revel will be with you and he’ll be watching like a hawk.”Electra said and then she bowed her head and left the room.

  Meanwhile, Nikolai was on his way down the staircase when he saw a figure in a red suit rushed towards the door. He found himself following that person, and when he got to the door, the person just got into a shiny McLaren and drove away.

  Somehow, something about that person caught Nikolai’s interest. Who is that person and why was he so curious? He asked himself.

“Buongiorno, giovane maestro Nikolai.”

  Nikolai then was startled to hear the voice. When he turned around he saw the man that pick him up from the airport, Revel.

(Good morning, young master Nikolai.)

“Good god! Why do you have to sneak up on me like that?” Nikolai exclaimed, with his eyes wide as saucers.

“Mi dispiace per quel giovane maestro.” Revel said.

(Sorry about that young master.)

  Then Revel cleared his throat.

“Il padrone ti ha chiesto di unirti a lui per la colazione nella sua stanza.” Revel told him and Nikolai frowned.

(The master has requested that you join him for breakfast in his room.)

“English dude, English,” Nikolai whined.

  Revel nodded.

“The boss requested that you join him for breakfast in his room.” Revel told him.

“He’s awake?”Nikolai asked.

“Yes.”

“Shouldn’t he be resting more? He could’ve slept in, it’s not like he’s still working. Is he?” Nikolai blurted.

“Do not fret young master. The consigliere is the one doing all the work for your father. Shall I take you to his room?” Revel asked.

  Nikolai sighed and nodded. Then Revel leads him towards the boss’ bedchamber. When they got in front of the door, Revel knocked twice in a particular pattern. When they heard a ‘come in’ that is when Revel opened the door and then stood to the side and let Nikolai went in.

  As soon as Nikolai walked inside the room, Revel closed the door and then Nikolai looked around and it brought him memories of his childhood. The two doors that lead towards the balcony were the place where his mother loved to stand as she watches him play in the garden.

  But now instead of his mother standing there, it was his father sitting in a wheelchair. Looking at him, he looked like time hasn’t been good to him. His hair turned gray, his skin was filled with wrinkles and his body that once looked buff now is frail.

  When his father turned towards him and smiled at him, Nikolai cannot help look down and sniffle.

“I am home papa,” Nikolai mumbled.

  Nicholas smiled hearing his son called him papa once again. He cannot help but tear up seeing him standing before him, looking at his toes like he used to do when he was a child.

“Come and join me for breakfast, figlio.” Nicholas said pointing at the table prepared right on the balcony.

  Nikolai looked up and nodded. Then he walked towards his father and he wheeled him towards the balcony. He placed him in front of the table and then he went towards the chair across his father. 

“Did you have a good flight?” Nicholas asked his son.

  Nikolai nodded as he took a sip of his coffee, and Nicholas smiled.

“That’s good. Alarie just told me earlier that you have arrived. That’s why I asked you to join me for breakfast.” Nicholas said.

  Then Nikolai looked at his father. His face did age, but seeing him smile at him he looks really happy.

“You look really good Nikolai. I am really proud of everything you have achieved on your own. I am sure your mother is very proud as well.” Nicholas said and once again, Nikolai was lost for words as his father praises him.

  Nikolai just listens as his father talks about him knowing all his achievements. Nicholas sounds enthusiastic as he speaks of his son’s achievements in business, ignoring the fact that he finds it hard to breathe. But Nikolai noticed the sudden change in his breathing pattern.

“Are you okay? How are you feeling?” Nikolai asked and Nicholas was taken back.

  His father’s smile dropped but he still tried to smile for his sake.

“I am still alive to see you again –“

“But you chose to hide your condition!” Nikolai snapped cutting off his father’s words.

“If that Con-whatever that word is didn’t emailed me, I would’ve been kept in the dark. Are you planning to just notify me when you are already dead? Or are you going to keep that from me too?” Nikolai blurted out what he feels about everything.

  Nicholas heaved a deep sigh and looked at his son.

“I wasn’t a good father to you Nikolai. I wasn’t even present most of your life, I can’t burden you –“

“I am your son and you are still my father!” Nikolai cut off his father and stood up.

  Then he walked towards his father and crouched in front of him.

“Papa, I am not as clueless as you think I could be. I know what kind of family I was born in. I know you shipped me to America for my own sake after mama was killed in that ambush. I know everything papa, and I understand that’s the only way you can think to protect me.” Nikolai paused and grabbed his father’s hand.

“I am old enough to understand everything. And I would really appreciate it if you are not going to hide anything from me from now on.” He added, and then Nicholas stared at his son and nodded. Then he smiled and cupped his cheek.

  Nikolai smiled.

“That’s good.” He said and then he stood up and gave his father a light pat on his shoulder before returning to his seat.

  As the father and son started eating their breakfast, a nurse in white scrubs came in and bowed her head. Then he plays a small tray on the table before excusing herself out. Nikolai looked at the tray and noticed that there are at least six kinds of pills on it.

“Is that your medicine?” Nikolai asked.

“It’s just my morning pills,” Nicholas said and started taking one pill at a time.

“I know a lot of excellent doctors back in New York. Let’s ask for a second opinion or another set of treatment for you.” Nikolai told his father but was waved off.

“I have been to different specialists but their diagnoses are all the same. The prognosis just varied on how long I will last.” Nicholas said and Nikolai frowned.

“I am still not convinced,” Nikolai grumbled but his father just smiled at him.

“I am just grateful that I was still given time.”