Death And Love Poems (2) Mafia Romance

30. Balance

Marco

H: Yamato is annoying. He should just break into the damn warehouse and drag Makoto out by the hair.

Makoto is the last living leader of the Yakuza clans. If he dies, Yamato will have undisputed supremacy in Japan. This didn't happen in a long time...

M: I think it would not help his reputation.

H: Who cares about reputation if you have power?

M: That's very dictatorial of you, Hitomi. I don't think it's a good idea. Yamato will be in the line-light and that will also make him a target. Remind me to give you a book to read when we meet again.

H: I don't like reading books but if you read it to me, naked, I might be swayed.

I bite off a chuckle.

M: *smirk emoji*

H: I still need to stay here a few weeks.

M: I know.

H: When is the party?

M: In two days. But Grampa is acting strange even for his normally odd behavior. Something is up.

H: Ignore him; he is a pain. Hopefully, he won't live long.

M: He is not that bad just peculiar. I miss you.

H: *eyeroll emoji* cringe. But fine, miss you too.

Certainly peculiar and I am not in a period of my life when I just trust people.

Two weeks ago, he met Stefano. He only said that Stefano proposed business but he would not engage. But since then he is more brooding than usual, in his very subtle way.

I was trained as an assassin; I am supposed to read people well. And unalive...

So what is happening with him? A chat with Stefano is also overdue. I have no idea how and what he is doing. I hope he saw reason and sought treatment after all. 

Later I join Grampa for dinner. He is sitting at the table staring out the window.

"Do we need to go over any details for the party?" I ask. 

He is looking out at the sunset and does not answer. 

"Grampa?"

He shakes his head. Where's your mind at?

"No. Everybody will be there. I invited also Stefano."

"How come? You were explicitly against inviting him."

"Well, I suppose he can be useful. And you were nagging that he is your brother and all that." 

Yeah, my feelings about Stefano are still mixed but in our last interactions, he seemed so candid, as never before. Now I know better than anybody that the imminence of death does change some things. 

Bur Grampa, Grampa rarely changes his mind. He is very convinced that being a good judge of character kept him alive for so long. 

"I need to travel tomorrow."

"What? Where?"

"Some business."

"Which business deal is so important that you leave now?" Shady. 

"Don't question me, boy. I am still your elder. It's nothing you need to concern yourself with. Marco, I have always your best interest at heart. Always." 

Yeah, just that our opinions about the best don't always align. 

"Will the Yakuza girl be there?"

"No, neither will her brothers. They are planning a coup in Japan. Actually are in the middle of it."