Burning Ties

Chapter Thirty-six

Slater POV
(Two hours earlier)

I always found it strange when my father said he could never live in a world without my mother. I never quite understood how someone could make another person their entire centre of existence.

It wasn't until Iris quite literally hijacked my life that I finally understood - not because of her looks, though she is absolutely gorgeous, but because she stormed into my life, taught me how to live - how to laugh, and suddenly she barely even speaks to me.

I don't know how to get through to her, to make her understand that I won't marry her until she herself agrees to it if that's what makes her happy. I don't even mind just being a friend to her if that's what it takes for her to finally just look at me with any emotion besides betrayal.

Her brothers - Carmine included - have not been very helpful in my quest to get Iris to forgive me for keeping our engagement a secret. If they weren't important to her, I would have already disposed of them for their sheer incompetence. 

I sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose as I try to come up with a possible solution when the door to my room is suddenly thrown open and in walks the very reason for my existence, Iris.

She looks unapologetic as she waltzes into my room as if she subconsciously knows that she owns it because, of course, anything that's mine is hers.

"Hi Slater." She smiles for the first time in weeks, making my heart quite literally skip a beat. Damn I really need to get checked by a psychiatrist.

"Hello, my love." I greet back, sitting up on my bed that I was previously sprawled out on.

Iris frowns at the endearment, which in turn makes me grin because a frown isn't anger which means we're moving forward.

"Slater, be serious, please." She says, her lips forming a slight pout, indicating that she's already upset with me.

The smile wipes right off my face.

"What's wrong, solnyshko?" I ask, patting the space on my bed next to me so she can take a seat.

"It's nothing major - or, well, it is major but it isn't life threatening...  or maybe it is? I dont know, I'm new to all this. Actually, just give me a moment, please." She rambles, taking her seat next to me before covering her face with her hands.

My arms automatically wrap around her, hoping to bring her some comfort as worry pinches my heart. Surprisingly, she leans into my touch instead of pulling away like she usually does.

"Hey, it's okay, Iris. Breathe, think about what you want to say and I'll be here waiting to listen to you, okay?" I speak softly, hoping that my voice is soothing, but I legitimately have no idea how to make my voice sound soothing. I've never had to do this before.

A few minutes later, she moves her hands away from her face. "Slater, I need to ask you something really important, and then before you answer, can you just listen to my reasons first? After that, I promise to listen to what you have to say, okay?"

"Okay, my love. I can do that." I reply, shifting away from her slightly so she doesnt feel pressured by my touch.

"I'll marry you if you agree to leave the mafia with me. I know you can do it, Leo says you'll probably do anything for me and I know that this is probably not what he meant, but Slater, I don't want to live this life. I never even knew my family for the majority of my life because of the mafia. I've been kidnapped, abused returned and then kidnapped again before I witnessed my own father being killed in front of me and then I found out that I was basically pawned off in this arrangement. I don't really want anything to do with it," She pauses, taking a deep breath,

"So, Slater, I'm asking you to please, please abandon this life with me. I know it's really a lot to ask, especially since it's all you've ever known but I can't live like this anymore." She finishes, her eyes shining with tears I know she's fighting against just so she doesnt feel like she's manipulating me in any way.

"Okay, Iris. I'll walk away for you." I agree, not even pretending to hesitate. Iris does a double take, undoubtedly expecting me to disagree with her wanting to leave.

"What? You'll leave just because I asked you to? Are you sure? I want you to be sure because if its not something you want to do, I don't want you to resent me later on, and I know it sounds incredibly selfish and self centered, but I'm tired, Slater." She replies, and while her tone is skeptical, her eyes shine with hope. What kind of monster would I be if I took that look away from her.

"I'm sure, my love. Being in this life makes no difference to me. And you're not selfish for asking this, I promise. But have you thought about your family?"

"Why are you being so sweet after I iced you out for so long? And yes, I have thought about them, they'll be welcome to visit us at any point, and maybe we can have like a yearly holiday or something together? The same goes with your family. Besides, you're graduating this year, right?" She replies, beaming at me.

"Don't ever tell anyone else you think I'm sweet, Iris. It'd ruin my reputation. And yes, I will be finishing my software engineering degree soon." I smile back, unable to help myself.

Iris throws her arms around me, pulling me into a hug I didnt know I needed. My arms automatically wrap around her as well, and thats when I know for sure that I made the right decision.

I never did care for the mafia world anyway, because in the end, the only thing I truly care about is Iris's happiness.

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Hi guysssss, so I know there's omly ever been one other slater chapter and he was soooo unserious but I lowkenuinely wanted you guys to see that he can be serious too (sometimes)

Anyway, I meant to update like a week ago, I think. I started writing it then but then forgot and subsequently did not update.

Guess who's studying Accounting Sciences at an online university thoo? Me, ofc, but guess who also has no idea wtf accounting sciences is! Also me, in case you were wondering. Lol.

Valentines day is soon, I hope yall have the best day.

Bye baeeesss