It's been exactly 170 hours since I've been forced to leave everything behind.
170 hours since I've seen my people's faces.
170 hours since I've been stripped off of my empire.
170 hours since... Since I've felt at home.
But no amount of time can put out the fire building inside of me. It's been 170 hours but those 15 mere minutes still play right in front of my eyes.
The most dreadful 15 minutes of my life.
_____________________________________
I leave the wine cellar upon hearing a commotion out side only to see my butler, Mr.Kane completely restless. He's usually a well composed man, just like my father. But the man i was seeing now was far from composed. He was terrified.
"Mr.Kane" I called out with much alert
"Oh no Young master.. We're done for.. We..we don’t.. They-"
"Mr. Kane.. Step out of it. Tell me properly what's going on"
"Awhile ago i got a message from your father Mr. Sokolov. He only said to send you away along with the Key. He said we must protect you with all we have. I've been trying to contact him. But i can no longer reach him or any of the subordinates "
Mr. Kane blurted it out. His small figure shaking like a leaf.
"Wasn’t he supposed to meet the Sartonis today? Then what could go wrong?"
"It's the Sartoni family! Ever since Mr.Sokolov stepped into their office we haven’t been able to track or contact him!"
My ears rang as he said those words.
No
No It can't be
The Sartonis had given their word to mend things between the two families.
"So... What's happening now?" i ask with much caution. As if afraid of the answer i would not like to hear.
"They've got to know about the key. There's at least a dozen cars approaching the mansion as we speak. The Mendez and Sartoni families have joined hands! They're coming here to take over the vault! Young master you must escape before they make it here. We have already wasted enough time. We can't risk anymore! "
Key, Mendez, Sartonis, the vault...escape
"No. I'm not leaving anything behind. Gather everyone around-"
"STAND GUARD IT'S CODE BLACK!!"
"TEAM 1 I NEED YOU AT GATE 4 NOW!"
"WE'RE SHORT ON MEN!!"
"SECURE THE GATES! GET THE ARMS!!"
Before i could even process what was happening, chaos broke through. All i could see was my men in black running all prepared for the upcoming storm.
"MOTHER!!! MOTHER PLEASE OPEN YOUR EYES!!! MOTHER IT'S ME!!! MOTHER!!!!!!!" Gun shots everywhere while men in black ran here and there Some on the floor who had no response, while some seeking refuge behind the destroyed furnitures.. While a small boy's body shook while holding his mother's bloody body. "Run...escape from here.. You must run" said the woman with the last ounce of her energy. So that's exactly what the boy did. He ran.
Like a coward.
"Young master!!"
I snap out as Mr. Kane pulls me out of the memory i, for so long can't let go of.
"Young master you shall not waste any time! You must get away now! Everything is already ready you just need to go!"
"I'll be a fool to run away again. You know better than anyone Mr. Kane.. What running away had done to me.. I'm not leaving "
"The future of the Sokolov family lies in your hands young master! You must survive. It's not running away. It's surving. Which you must do! I know what's holding you back. But your mother did not sacrifice herself for you to give yourself up like this! "
I stare at him. He's never mentioned my mother before.
Mr. Kane pulls a small velvet box from his coat and puts it in my palm
"Go. Kinn will show you the way.. GO!"
And that was the last thing i heard before turning away.
__________________________________
I look at the clock.
3:36 am.
My right hand holds my wine glass. While my left hand caresses the key hanging by my neck.
It's become my daily routine. Drinking until i knock myself out. Cause otherwise i can't bring myself to sleep. Each night i spend it my constantly checking my burner phone for any update, drinking and looking at this key which holds my fate.
KNOCK KNOCK
KNOCK KNOCK
KNOCK KNOCK
I open my eyes almost instantly when i realized someone was at the door. I shouldn’t have any visitors.
I'm not meant to have any visitors.
Tugging my gold plated gun behind my back i approach the door.
But i was rather relieved to see who was at the door.
Or was I?
"Um good morning!"
My neighbour chirped forcing herself to sound enthusiastic.
"Do you need anything?" i ask even though all i wanted was to slam the door shut.
"Wow. You really are straight forward aren’t you? Haha...." she said with an awkward lopsided smile. Her wavy black hair unexpectedly well styled today. Unlike the other interactions I've had with her.
"If you don't need anything I'll excuse myself" i said as i tried to close the door.
"Wait wait! Well actually there's a charity event at the church today. Mrs. Smith told me bring you"
Ah.. That explains the sundress she was wearing. The dress hugged her body as if it was made for her. And the gold accesories she wore made her look completely different from other times, where she was either in crumbled shirt or pajamas. She looked... Appealing..
"I don't pray" i say and close the door.
Or so i thought.
"Wait!"
"What now?" i looked down at her feet that's preventing the door from being closed.
"Well...i'm not a devotee either.. But It's for Mrs. Smith.. She likes to enlighten others about God. Even if no one likes to pray everyone in the town knows so i think you should too.."
"Know what"
"Mrs. Smith has dementia.. She's at the early stages. The only thing that makes her happy is when everyone gathers at the church with her. She doesn’t have any family in this town either. So It'd be very appreciated if you made some time for her..no pressure though"
"I'm not her family though. And I've also just moved in. I'm pretty sure one person not making it there Won't make a difference. Greet her for me"
"But.. It's not blood that makes a family though... It's a small town. If you have others back they'll have yours too. If you get to know them You'll see how easy it is to form a family without blood connection"
"Let me make this one thing clear. I'm not here to make family. Or to please others. Can't you just leave me alone? I've my own matters to take care of too"
I laid my words out right infront of her. She stared up at me, for a second i thought she pitied me.
She openes her mouth to say something but stopped and turned around before leaving.
Good riddance.
Just as i close the door i hear a ping. I immediately grab my phone to check the text.
- 12pm , red phone booth , St. joseph Church
YOU ARE READING
Gangster next door
عاطفية"Who really are you?" "Your last chance at survival" . A reporter falls for her cold yet considerate new neighbour. Though she hardly knows him, there's something about him that keeps her drawn to him. But would she be able to maintain the same feel...
