Relationship Status: Mafia

Chapter 36

_________Matsuo POV_________

Wake up, work, and sleep. This has been my daily routine for years, and now, it's gotten even more difficult to complete each day. It became boring and mundane dealing with the same issues, fighting the same battle time after time without end. Among the physical battle I fight, there is an internal battle. Emotions I've never felt before creeping its way into my mind, surfacing so suddenly in this point of my life. Now, I find comfort from a strange woman who, like no other, understands me.

I tried to deny this comfort I found, but I couldn't stop thinking about her day and night. She didn't fear me like other simple-minded people. This woman actually stood her own even when the odds were not in her favor, an admirable trait not found in many.

Pushing her away didn't ease my conscience as I haf hoped it would, but it instead distressed me.

Sleep eluded me at night and left me to my never-ending stream of thoughts. I was exhausted during the day and wide awake during the night. This week dragged on for what felt like an eternity. I even noticed Alice avoiding me in the penthouse, not once have I seen her step a toe out of her bedroom. This highly annoyed me, and on top of my list of annoyances; I lost my cell phone.

When I arrived at the penthouse at a late hour, close to ten, I walked straight to the cop's bedroom. As I stood in front of her door, I loosened my tie only to adjust it back into place. I nervously comb my fingers through my hair, most definitely looking worn out from the lack of rest. After assessing my appearance, I knock on the door three times.

Nothing.

I open the door, and there it is, an empty bed. Instinctively, I check the bathroom that is also empty. I proceed to check every room, closet, and bathroom to find her. She is nowhere to be found. My heartbeat quickened with each empty room I came across. Once, I was in the living area after finishing my search when my heart sank to my stomach; she escaped.

Somehow, this woman managed to slip through my fingers. Alice will regret ever leaving me. Once I find her and drag her back to the penthouse, she never sees the light of day again.

I rush upstairs, thankful for once, that I have an office phone on my desk. Without out skipping a beat, I call Zhen.

"We're sorry, but the person...."

I hang up and redial his phone once again to be met with a disconnection. How can this be? He always answers every time I call. I call Len, and within five minutes, he's in my office standing in front of my desk.

"Who's turn was it today to watch Alice?" I asked him as I leaned forward in my chair.

"Zhen." Len quickly answered.

"Where is he?" I can feel myself becoming more and more angry.

"He is supposed to be here." Len looked as confused as I felt.

With each word, passing through Len's mouth makes it harder and harder to contain my anger. I am just about to send over the edge until my office phone suddenly rings.

The phone rings a few times as I look at it in disbelief; no one ever calls this phone, only my cell. I finally pick it up, holding it to my ear.

"Hello, son."

I nearly break the phone in my grasp at the sound of his voice. Time has slowed down as I listen to the tics of my wristwatch. He better pray that I am wrong about the reason for Alice's sudden disappearance.

"Father." I answer coldly.

"I was wondering what it would take for you to speak with me, I guess now that you're no longer distracted, we can resume our previous discussion." His voice was coated with spite.

I stare blankly ahead of me as a million thoughts bombard me at once. There was only one thing, one person I could concentrate on, and that was Alice.

"Where is she?" My voice remained steady on the verge of threatening.

There was a long pause on the other end of the phone. I sat frozen as a rock, unable to move from the anticipation of his response. My next move varies by my fathers answer.

"Who?" He said mockingly.

I sit back in my chair as a chuckle escaped my lips almost maniacally. This old fool wants to play games, then fine, I'll play. I'm his son, which means I know how my father operates, I know the ins and outs of his dealings, and I know how to destroy him. My father will regret toying with me, this will be the last time.

"Son, you may not know it now, but I've saved you from making a big mistake." My father said with fake concern.

"And now, no one will save you from the mistake you've made." At that, I hang up.

Len stood motionless throughout the duration of the phone call in front of my desk. I completely forgot he was even here listening at that.

My chair squeaked as I stood up, storming out of my office and into the elevator. Len trailed behind me into the elevator, watching my calm composure.

"What are we gonna do, boss?" He asked.

"We're going to find my cellphone."

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