***
"Ty? Are you there? Oh, my. Did the screen freeze?" I stared at my best friend's face on the screen who had his mouth parted and his eyes almost bulging out from shock. I just told him that Mariano is the father of my child.
"I... I'm still here," Tyler coughed out, still in shock. "I mean... how... what... please explain, Arden, before I go crazy. My brain can only process so much," he asked in desperation and I nodded, giggling softly.
I told him everything I know, while Tyler nodded, analyzing every word I said. "Okay. I'm still in disbelief, but I'm incredibly happy for you. How are you feeling?"
"Um... I'm not sure. I should be happy, but I'm feeling mixed emotions. It feels too easy, don't you think?" Tyler blinked and shrugged. "Am I overthinking this?"
"Maybe, Arden. But I'm curious; how did you get to the hotel?"
"Well, apparently, all the guests are housed there, as per Mariano. Maybe I happened to ask a valet to take me there. I can't really remember, but you know that I wouldn't spend that much money on some lavish hotel, right?"
"Yep. We need to save money," Tyler nodded in agreement. "Okay. Now, let's proceed to the more serious matter."
"What serious matter? I already dropped a bomb that should've been able to make your head explode, you know."
Tyler raised a brow. "Nuh-uh. You can't be truly happy because something's bothering you, am I right?" Tyler leaned back and crossed his arms, throwing me a challenging look. "I am right, Arden," Tyler insisted and he is.
After some internal discussions in my head, I gave in and groaned. "Fine." I told him about my nightmare and Tyler listened intently.
"Listen to your guts, Arden. It saved you multiple times. Just be careful, okay? Will you tell Mariano?" Only River and Tyler knew what happened to me that night, which explained why the both of them are overprotective of me.
"No. There's too much on his plate; maybe this is nothing. But I'll be careful, I promise," I added when Tyler glared at me. "I won't go anywhere. I have a baby to protect." And I mean it. I can't risk my child.
Tyler was finally convinced and he nodded. "I'll hold you to that, Arden. That's my precious godchild you are carrying. I'm gonna smack you a hundred times if something happens to him or her," Tyler warned me and I promised that I will honor my words.
Ten days later, I was praying in the backseat hoping that Tyler wouldn't kill me as Hal and I drove to the headquarters of Il Volo Group. At the same time, I am desperately pleading that Mariano will be safe as I hold my belly, the anxiety coming at me in waves.
"Hal, do we have an update? Did they find Mariano?" As much as I tried to hide my worry, the tremble in my voice showed otherwise.
Hal maneuvered and entered a big, steel gate, and looked at me through the rearview, his eyes hopeful and confident. "No recent updates, but we're doing our best, Arden. I know that it's difficult, but I want you to keep your composure; for you and the baby," Hal requested and I nodded.
I wasn't supposed to be here because Hal was worried that I might feel even more stressed but I begged. I would go crazy in the mansion, being kept in the dark.
Hal led us inside the building. White tiles, glass walls, high ceilings, and wide hall. Every corner has a motion sensor CCTV and everyone in their black suit and pants. Not the kind of environment that I was expecting for a mafia organization, but that's just me and my judgy mind.
We headed to a private elevator which led us directly to the top floor. What welcomed us was a gigantic room with glass walls, floor-to-ceiling glass windows, and a rustic themed room. Some people were already there in what seemed to be a conference room. They were discussing something and when Hal and I made our presence known, they lifted their heads, and one particular person made me take a step back. Those familiar, lilac colored eyes with an air of quiet confidence and strength.
I could never forget him. I grabbed on Hal's arm and he got alarmed and held my shoulders to support me. "Arden, are you alright? What's the matter?" Hal was extremely worried, bordering on panicking, but I never removed my gaze on that man.
He smiled and gazed at me softly. "What a surprise. Arden, it's so nice to see you again."
I swallowed the sob about to burst out and blinked away the tears. "Zee... you're alive..." I mustered breathlessly, my knees weakening by the second.
He blinked for a second and chuckled. "Oh, baby boo. They cannot kill me that easily. Why don't you introduce me, Moreau?" Zee turned to Hal who was sporting a very confused face, looking at me and Zee back and forth, but was able to gather himself.
"Arden, that's Zee Beaufort. The next-in-line to inherit the Yamaguchi Clan, the largest and most powerful Japanese mafia in the world."
Oh, you have got to be kidding me.
****
"How are you, Arden? I am so sorry for surprising you," Zee apologized, both of us in a separate room while Hal and the others form a plan to locate Mariano. All I knew was that Mariano disappeared and he has not come home for three days now, which is the reason why I am so fucking worried and close to having a panic attack, not to mention that Zee, the person who saved me years ago, who I actually thought was dead, is alive.
"I thought you died. You didn't know how much I..." I swallowed hard and Zee offered me an apologetic gaze.
"I'm sorry. Is there anything I can do to make you feel better?"
"Tell me everything. What happened years ago and where in the hell is Mariano? I can't have him dying; I know I can raise the baby alone but there's no fucking way that I'll let him take the easy route because we should raise baby bean together and you better start talking before I bawl my eyes out, Zee!" I cried out, with Zee scrambling to find some tissue boxes and a bottle of water. He ran to the drawers and heaved a sigh of relief when he saw a box of tissue and checked the fridge for water.
I grabbed them, wiped my tears and sipped on the water. "I'm feeling okay now, thank you. Please begin."
Zee nodded. "When we met, I was on a mission. I purposely let myself get captured in order to see the face behind the mask of that ruthless man. You, however, were a welcome addition."
"Hold up; I think it's the opposite. Didn't I ruin your plan?"
Zee shook his head. "I couldn't find the right timing to attack because I was told to be patient. But I was waiting in that warehouse for weeks now, and I was getting irritated. One by one, carriers were dragged out obediently. It was only you who tried to rescue us. Because of what you did, the masked man was lured out of his hiding place. I was able to see who he was, Arden. And it's because of you, so I owe you a huge debt."
I was speechless. That memory was so painful to me that I got nightmares, but for Zee, it was a defining moment for him. It was a good memory for him.
"What happened after?"
"After I threw the smokescreen, I had the others escape and I had to deal with the remaining goons. That masked man escaped but I was able to commit to memory his ugly face. It was a success, in a way. Our clan spread the sketch I drew of him and it turned out that he had a huge bounty on his head, courtesy of my fiance. He still gets mad whenever he remembers this story because I got hurt, but it was only a graze. Nothing fatal," Zee assured me when I threw him a worried look.
"You bled a lot, Zee. Don't try to change the story," someone interjected and a tall man with Japanese descent entered. He looked so serious and dangerous, and I am exposed to a lot of dangerous people, so that's saying something. "Also, you are leaving out the important bits. You left your backup and you went all alone. If what you intend to achieve was suicide, you should've committed seppuku. That way, you'll die with honor and dignity," the man gritted out, clearly displeased with Zee's past decisions.
Zee rolled his eyes and ignored the newcomer. "As I was saying, I am very grateful for you, Arden. You're the missing cog that turned my plan into motion." The man just sighed and glanced at me, but this time, his expression has softened.
"I don't know what to say. I appreciate that. I thought that I just ruin things so..." As much as I try to forget all those painful insults hurled at me by none other than my father, it resurfaces once in a while.
"That's bullshit, Arden. Whoever told you that is projecting himself on you and does not deserve an ounce of your time. Do you want me to kill him for you?" The newcomer asked bluntly, without a hint of playfulness. Zee guffawed and tried his best to stifle his laughter.
"Um, I think he's already dead. He's my father, by the way," I added, prepared to hear that same old litany about how ungrateful I am for talking about my parent that way.
He raised his brow and sat beside Zee. "So what? Who gave him the right to treat you that way and subject you to trauma? That's why he should die. Do you want me to do it for you? I just learned some new techniques and that incompetent man can be my guinea pig. I can tell that he did much more than degrade you."
I blinked slowly, unable to take in what he said, while Zee was just smiling, widely, incredibly proud of the person beside him. His last words were right on the target, and it has something to do with the reason as to why I am repulsed by men. That's a story for another time. I am more curious about the man in front of me.
"Zee?" I turned to him for an explanation.
"Oh, yeah. I forgot. Arden, this is Jin Yamamoto; my fiancé. He's here to help us track Mariano."
"Hi, Jin. It's a pleasure to meet you, and thank you for your... kind words." Jin nodded and swung his arm around Zee, pulling the smaller man closer.
"Not a problem, Arden. Zee has been talking about you for years and he tried to find you, but at that time, there was trouble brewing in the underbellies of Japan and we couldn't have you involved. Now, the situation has stabilized; that's why I can finally get him alone." He dropped a kiss on Zee's head.
Zee grinned. "Now that you are both acquainted, let me give you some details about Mariano."
I gulped hard and nodded. "I'm ready, but before that, can you spoil it for me? Because the stress is not good for the baby."
"You're a carrier?" Jin exclaimed, stood up and rushed out of the room. I looked at Zee in confusion.
"Don't overthink. He's just going to get his medical kit so he can give you a medical check-up and monitor your health status. Jin is working with the Morellis, a huge and powerful clan which focuses on carrier protection and welfare. You are in safe hands, Arden. Also, those carriers that were auctioned off were successfully rescued."
It felt like a huge burden was removed from my shoulders. "That's great. I'm so glad. Oh, no. It's the hormones again," I sniffed and wiped away the tears. I heard of the Morelli family, but I never really looked into them. Since carriers are rare; their operations must also be hidden from the general public.
Jin flew inside, then went to my side and checked my pulse, blood pressure and temperature. "If you feel sick or dizzy, just tell us. We will bring you to your room." After getting normal results, Jin went back to Zee's side and Zee continued to tell me about Mariano.
"Mariano and I met four days ago. He was so happy. I never saw him that ecstatic, and he shared that he finally saw the one he has been looking for all his life," Zee started, looking at me teasingly. The butterflies in my belly fluttered and my cheeks warmed up.
"When he showed me a picture of you, I almost screamed in delight. When he asked how we met..." Zee drawled, unsure if he should continue with his story.
My eyes widened and I gasped audibly. "No, you didn't..."
Zee grimaced and nodded. "I didn't know, Arden. I thought you already told him. When he heard that, the temperature in that restaurant turned a few degrees colder and I saw a monster; the one who the people underground are afraid of." As much as I want to defend Mariano, he does have an infamous reputation. But he's kind and caring and so loving; a side that not a lot of people know about.
"So... he decided to track that masked man and avenge you. Our problem is that he cut off all contact with us. We cannot locate him. But I assure you, Mariano is capable of taking care of himself. I'm not sure about the people who dares to cross him."
At the very least, I was able to keep my anxiety at bay. "Does that mean that that person was forced into hiding?" I referred to the masked man.
Zee hummed in agreement. "He's such a small fry without resources so it was better to let him be. After all, his movements are limited since Jin's organizations have eyes everywhere. Oh, I forgot to mention. The Yamaguchi clan and the Il Volo group are affiliated with the Morellis, that's why I'm here."
It's a good thing. The more, the stronger.
"Arden, if you need any help, in any kind of way, don't hesitate to call me," Jin handed me a black calling card. "That's my personal number. Please keep it. Zee's friend is mine as well."
My chest filled with warmth at his words. "Thank you. I appreciate it." Zee was beaming at Jin and the latter offered Zee a soft smile. They were immediately transported into their own world when Hal bursts in, sweat pooling on his forehead, catching his breath.
"I need Jin. Zee, take care of Arden." Jin went with Hal, both moving with urgency. Zee released a breath and gave me a small smile.
"Arden, why don't I take you to Mariano's suite?"
I blinked and nodded. "Okay." After all, there was nothing I could do anyway, except pray that everything will be alright.
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