Separated

Chapter 42 - Minori

New Chapter!!!

Warning: blood, and violence is used and mentioned within this chapter. Please read what is most comfortable for you.⛓️⚠️

A reminiscence of the past? What will happen?

Happy Reading.🌬️🫧🌱
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Who knew happiness could feel so good?

I know what it means to be happy, but I have never felt the emotion in such an intense way. It feels like nothing else matters, like I was invincible in this moment.

And all this was made possible thanks to the man whole runs the Bratva. The man with the deepest pair of blue eyes, a sexy eagle tattoo on his chest, and a soft side that he only shows me. Just me.

All these years I have avoided the notion of dating or having a partner in general with the pretence that it was too tedious and such idea was a world away from where I exist. But truthfully, I was just afraid. Somewhere within me, I have always wanted someone to see me as a whole. Not just the girl who was the Oyabun's daughter, or the girl who can shoot and kill. But to also see the girl who preferred to pretend to be unaffected than to show pain, the girl who has fractured and tainted parts within her, the girl that loves sweets, deep conversations, and now a bit of intimacy here and there. Okay, perhaps we do that more than a bit.

But regardless, these blissful days and nights have been going on for now almost two months. Two months of days filled with excitement, nights filled with a mixture of exhilaration and calm and the other odd days waiting to experience it all over again. Sure, I was yet to get rid of nightmares but that was to be expected and I have come to understand that they may never go away, besides, I always had someone to comfort me when they arise.  

I wasn't quite sure what has made my brother lenient with me spending so much time with Nikolai but whatever kind of magic Nik sprinkled, it was working wonders.

"You're smiling." Kaya points out almost in a whisper. Like she was in awe.

"Huh?" I can't believe I was daydreaming. In front of this sunshine. Except this sunshine wasn't really shinning much these days. Whatever is going between her and my brother, they need to sort it out. Starting with my brother. He was the one who forced me into this lunch with Kaya after all.

"Oh, sorry, it's just I've never seen you smile often. Like a genuine one I mean." Kaya explains, fiddling with her napkin. This poor woman hasn't even touched her coffee or pasta. Was she always like this? Always on edge?

"Oh." I say dumbfounded. Maybe I'm the problem. She gets along with everyone else just fine.

"I apologise if that was rude."

"No, no. It's not. I'm smiling because, I'm happy. Actually happy." I say then sip on my tea.

"I'm glad to hear that. You do seem to act a lot like your brother you know. At first it was adorable but now it felt a little forced so seeing you be the true person behind that mask is refreshing."

"Do you like me better like this?" I ask genuinely curious what she thinks of me. She was number one most likely candidate to be my sister-in-law after all, but I can bet my entire fortune she doesn't see it that way even if she wants it to be.

"Of course. So much more. The smiles suits you."

"Thank you." I say, remembering when Nik also told me the same thing. But I divert my attention, to the most important topic at hand when it came to her. "Can I be honest with you right now?"

"Okay." She reples, now getting nervous. Seeing her like this, I probably should learn more about social cues and more preferable words and ways to communicate.

"Whatever it is that's going between you and my brother, the both of you need to figure something out. You look depressed, he looks like a bomb about to explode. And you probably know that better than I do."

She gives me the 'how did you know' look. "Then you would know that he doesn't show that side of him. The rattled unsettled side."

"That's exactly why I am asking, no, pleading you to reach out. You know how he's like. He leaves behind all his personal problems until it smacks him in the face. Hence, a bomb about to explode." I have another sip of my tea.

"I don't even know where to start. You know he's not much of a talker."

That was part was unfortunately true. I dig a spoonful of tiramisu, the taste delicately spreading throughout my mouth. Sweets were a godsent gift.

"But he won't turn you away. If you call him, you know he's going to answer and be on the line until you end the call." I offer.

"I guess so." She finally, gently stabs her fork into her pasta and take a bite. I hope it's still semi warm. Cold pastas are not appetising.

"I'm guessing my brother is probably 85% in the wrong so- Kaya!"

"You need to come with me little crane." The masked man with a knife to Kaya's throat and a gun to my head demands. I could guess who these people were but why are they nicknaming like that?

"I don't know if you know but this place is surrounded by our people. Let her go." I say enunciating every word.

"You're sorely mistaken. All those people are now gone. Chasing more of our people." He doesn't forget to emphasise the words.

"Let her go. Then I'll go with you."

"Don't do anything stupid. We now surround this place."

I take a look around. The terrace café that was filled with endless chatter, clinking of utensils and plentiful of smiles and laughter were now replaced with silence and fear plastered on their faces. I stupidly let my guard down.

Kaya and I were somewhat used to these scenarios, it was the only reason why she isn't screaming her head off like I imagine normal people would.

"Keep your word."

"No, Minori you can't. Minori no." Kaya protests even as the blade digs into her pale skin, leaving a trail of blood down her neck.

I ignore her and stand-up walking over towards the man who held Kaya hostage. He slowly releases her.

"Kaya, go."

"No." She adamantly says like any well mannered mob princess, stubborn and prideful.

"I mean it, this is an order." I switch to Japanese. "The faster you get out, the faster all of this finishes, go."

A flash of realisation glows in her eyes and she gets to her feet and leave. I track her as she leaves making sure these idiots keep their words. Surprisingly, they do. I suppose they didn't want another Yakuza princess to deal with.

"Now you-" He's cut off as I disarm him, grabbing the knife and slitting his neck. I can't leave in their hands without a fight, that was equivalent to being a disappointment for my father. More of them comes rushing towards me. And screams from civilians pierce my ears.

Using the gun that used to be in the hands of the now dead man, I shoot a few in their legs. One approaches close enough to which I swing my legs high enough to drop a lethal kick. More and more come. I use their power to enhance my own and throw them over my shoulder.

But as I get up, something hit my head.

The last thing I see is the masked man that I ended with a knife to his neck with empty eyes, staring directly at me.