wait for me [illumi zoldyck]

47. Heedless

Illumi

Father has been very busy.

He's been occuppied with finalizing of our alliance to the Akagi while arranging our family's clients, but he has made time to see me today.

I step into his private quarters, making my way over to his room. My footsteps echo in the empty halls, almost dauntingly. I know that he will bring up my sudden absence, probably quite upset with me for leaving Anika Akagi here by herself so abruptly, and without a word. Nevertheless, I have other things to discuss with him. Things that are much more important than Anika's feelings.

I've been absent for almost three weeks, helping the Hano family search for Rene, Mia's great-grandmother. We've made tremendous progress, figuring out that she went into hiding in a very secluded part of the world. She's the only remaining family member of the Federov lineage to survive, excluding Mia's siblings.

Father is waiting for me, as I step into his room. He sits on a massive cushion chair, watching me intently with a stern gaze. I stand before him. Our family dog laying just to the side, in a deep sleep.

"So, Ill. It's nice of you to finally return home. You were avoiding my calls."

His voice is harsh, disappointed in me for leaving so suddenly without any warning. I anticipated such a reaction from him.

"Yeah."

He narrows his eyes, "Your fiancé was very upset. No doubt she'll relay every detail back to her parents. How do you expect them to take this? You're actions discredit our willingness to work with the Akagi family."

That's the point.

"Father, I am very aware that my actions undermine your efforts."

A bitter aura envelopes every inch of the room. Father's expression morphs to one of anger, his blue eyes burning. "Watch your mouth, son."

I sigh, coming to sit on the chair before him.

"I came to discuss other matters with you, father," I start, finding the chair a short small for my long legs. "I think we should end this alliance, it won't work well in our favour."

Father's eyes flicker with a hint of confusion, wavering for only a moment before returning back to his usual intense gaze. "And why is that?"

"For generations, we've exclusively had an alliance with the Hano family. They are very respectable and well-established, despite the rumors that may be circulating around them currently. We've affiliated ourselves with them because it was mutually beneficial and ensured both our success. I can't say the same for the Akagi family, with all the negative controversies surrounding their undistinguished habits. I think agreeing to partner ourselves with them would be a drastic misstep," I explain thoroughly. Father does not interrupt and instead listens attentively from where he sits.

"Ill, is this about Mia?"

All the anger in father's eyes has dissipated. His gaze is gentle, almost sad.

My breath slows at the mention of Mia. I have never truly spoken to father about the events that followed her death, or anything regarding my feelings towards it.

Despite never outwardly expressing it, father always liked Mia. I learned from Riku Hano that father had been planning my engagement to her from the moment we were children. He'd even arrange for us to take jobs together, even when he knew I could handle them on my own.

"I will never love anyone else," I tell him, clenching my fists softly over my thighs. "I cannot marry Anika Akagi."

Father watches me for a long moment without saying anything. An array of emotions sweep over him, deep in thought.