Mafia's Second Chance Love

Chapter 9: Resurfacing Memories

I sat in my spacious office, a realm of polished mahogany, gleaming leather, and the quiet hum of productivity. Rows of contracts lay neatly arranged on my imposing mahogany desk, each one representing a different facet of his multifaceted empire. I leafed through the paperwork, scanning the numbers, clauses, and agreements that would propel my vision forward.

As my finger traced the lines of a particularly intricate merger proposal, Amanda, my secretary, entered the room with the day's schedule. She approached my desk with a purposeful stride, her heels clicking softly on the polished marble floor.

"Good morning, Mr. Ace," she greeted with a professional smile, her brown eyes focused and attentive. "Here's your schedule for today. You have a meeting with the Anderson Group at 11 a.m., and then—"

I nodded, only half-listening as I continued to study the proposal. The business world flowed around me, and the ebb and flow of deals and negotiations was the heartbeat of my existence. Amanda's presence, though always welcome, felt almost like a distant echo as I delved into the intricacies of the contracts.

Once Amanda finished listing the appointments, she retreated from the room, closing the door softly behind her. I couldn't help but return to the matter that had occupied my mind for the past several hours.

Kira.

I thought Mr. Harrington would talk to her in order to call me. Sebastian sent the contact information. It's been hours and I've heard nothing from her. It felt like the walls were closing in on me and the amount of paperwork I had to attend to was drowning me.

After another hour of waiting, my patience dwindled, and I finally decided to step out for some fresh air, leaving the contracts behind. The grandeur of my office contrasted sharply with the prospect of facing Kira, bringing a wave of trepidation and uncertainty.

I strolled down the corridor, the heels of my Italian leather shoes clicking with each step. My thoughts were a tumultuous mix of memories and expectations, the past merging with the present in a way that was both exhilarating and disconcerting.

As I ventured further, my ears picked up the sound of Amanda's voice. She was speaking on the phone with an unmistakable sarcastic tone, and as I drew nearer, her words cut through the air.

''Listen hon. I understand your excitement about working with a company as established as ours, but you didn't really believe you would be meeting with THE Mr. Ace, right?'' Amanda hissed.

The mention of "THE Mr. Ace" elicited a wry smile from me. Many people often harbored the illusion of meeting me in person, believing that I would be directly involved in every business transaction. In reality, I relied on a team of reliable and loyal employees to manage most interactions. If everyone who wanted private access ever succeeded, I'd scarcely have time for rest. That person must be persistent for Amanda to take such a rude way of answering. I continued walking to the elevator in order to get to the roof and grab some much needed fresh air and clear my mind. But just as I was about to step into the elevator, Amanda's words made me pause in my tracks.

"I didn't mean to belittle your organization, Miss Kira," Amanda's tone had a more measured quality, her apology indicating a shift in her approach. "I'll have to get back to you with more details for your request."

The mere mention of her name took me by surprise. I couldn't comprehend that the person Amanda spoke so rudely was my own person. My own sanctuary. Kira!

As soon as I was ready to intervene, Amanda hung up the phone. Her eyes were looking at me confused by the sudden turn to approach her.

''Are you mad?!'' My voice was cold as ice. The surprise that was written in her face was now gone, replaced by the profound fear looking at me.

"I... I didn't expect—"she stammered.

''Were you talking to Kira?!'' I asked, clearly irritated and furious.

Amanda swallowed hard, her previous bravado evaporating in the face of my unwavering determination. "Yes, Mr. Ace," she replied, her voice far more deferential now.

I fixed Amanda with a cold, unyielding stare. "And how did you treat her, Amanda?" I demanded, my voice laced with a dangerous edge.

"I... I didn't mean to..." she began, but my icy demeanor cut her off.

"Intentions don't matter. Kira is my person," I stated, my words measured and deliberate. "I will not tolerate anyone mistreating or belittling her, under any circumstances."

Amanda nodded vigorously, her fear palpable. "I understand, Mr. Ace. I didn't know she was so close to you. It won't happen again."

"See that it doesn't," I warned her, and without another word, I turned and left her office. The urgency to rectify the situation gnawed at me. Kira was too precious to be kept waiting or subjected to such rudeness.

I called Amanda to connect me again with the phone number Kira called.

The phone rang, and I couldn't deny the tension that gripped me, as though I were balancing on the edge of a precipice. I didn't know what to expect. The voice on the other end could shatter my world or, perhaps, hold the key to a future I never dared to envision.

Finally, Kira's voice answered the call, and I couldn't help but take a deep breath to steady myself. "Hello, Amanda?" she said, with her calm and collected tone.

"Hello, Kira." Her name escaping my lips effortlessly, as naturally as water flows through a river and wind rustles through a forest.

She knew it was me. The mere sound of her name on my lips sent a shiver down my spine. My heart raced as I spoke, "It's been a long time, hasn't it?"

No answer came from her. I'm sure she must be shocked. Calculating maybe what she should answer. I don't want to pressure her.

"I heard you're working with the SafeHaven organization, and you want to discuss the event. I find that quite intriguing. Why don't you tell me more about it over dinner?" I continued, giving her time to process my sudden reappearance in her life.

A minute passed, and I could only hear her distant breathing. Perhaps this was too rushed, and I shouldn't have called. But then, her voice, almost like a whisper, broke the silence.

"S-Sure."

The relief that washed over me was immeasurable. It had been years since I'd heard her voice, and it brought back a flood of happy memories. "Perfect!" I exclaimed, perhaps a bit too ecstatically. "Celestial Hotel Restaurant tomorrow at 8?" I suggested, wanting our reunion to be special. The hotel's restaurant was top-notch, and the view of London's skyline was too good not to share with Kira.

"Got it. See you tomorrow," she said, and before I could say another word, she hung up the phone. As the call ended, I couldn't help but smile, feeling a mixture of excitement and nostalgia. Kira was reentering my life, and I was determined to make the most of this second chance, whatever it might bring.

After the call with Kira ended, I leaned back in my leather chair, contemplating the unexpected turn of events. A chance to see Kira again, after all these years, felt like a surreal dream. As I was lost in thought, my office door creaked open, and Sebastian, my trusted confidant and right-hand man, entered.

"Mr. Ace," he greeted me with a nod. "You seem to be in a good mood today."

I glanced at Sebastian, my thoughts still filled with the upcoming dinner. "Sebastian, something unexpected has come up. I'll be having dinner with Kira tomorrow."

He raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised. "Kira? The same Kira from your past?"

I nodded. "Yes, the very same." I couldn't help, but smile. Sebastian looked at me puzzled.

''It's nice.'' Sebastian stated, earning my curiosity. When he noticed my expression, he continued. ''It's nice to see you smile again. I was afraid you had forgotten how to.''

''There was no reason to.'' I know Sebastian understood what I meant.

''Sir, If I may.'' I nodded. ''With Kira re-entering your life, I just want to be sure that we won't have any... other things re-entering too.''

Sebastian's words were carefully chosen and were told with the outmost care. He raised me when my father was too occupied with the family business. He was there from the start of my life and he still is. When Kira left so abruptly, she left a void in my life that no matter how much I tried to feel, it seemed bottomless. I became a shadow of myself and started drifting away.

I tried sending messages to Kira. I tried calling her but nothing. She left and never came back. I was young and my mistakes had grave consequences. With the family business, drugs were abundant. I got addicted. Day in and day out, I started losing myself in time and place. My years of youth slipping away into doses of whatever I could find. Plenty of drugs, plenty of alcohol and plenty of women. Plenty of distractions. Yet nothing... Nothing in this world replaced her.

Sebastian's observant nature and deep concern was moving. He was the one to pull me out of the abyss and for that I am eternally grateful to him.

''I promised you, my dear friend. And I keep my promises. Never again.'' I stated, earning an honest smile from Sebastian.