Mafia's Second Chance Love

Chapter 14: Cat and Mouse

The man who had been smirking confidently just a minute ago was now a picture of despair. His name had escaped his lips with a hint of desperation. He was petrified of the 'Irishman,' a fear so consuming that he seemed ready to answer anything, but only at the right moment.

''Ethan, huh?'' I muttered as I returned to him, taking a seat on the couch. In front of me sat a half-filled cup of coffee, likely Kira's, as the second cup remained untouched on the man's desk.

''And why have all my attempts to find information about you proven futile?'' My curiosity had grown immensely. I had employed private investigators, individuals with connections to the local police, and even a hacker who had given up after just two days of searching. Yet, my efforts had been in vain.

''I know you have been trying for some time now.'' he admitted, his voice quivering with bitterness.''I can't figure out how you found me.''

His hands brushed his messy black hair away from his eyes, gaining a better look at me. He seemed to have sweaty palms, an unusual sign of fear for someone with ties to the mafia.

''I'll answer your question if you answer mine.'' I said, his eyes focused on me. His trembling hands stopped for a second as he nodded, and after a moment's hesitation, he stood up, dragging his black and bright blue gaming chair to sit across from me. It was time for a serious conversation.

''I knew you had a contact in the police. It was the obvious choice. And when you know who is searching for you, you know how to hide. It was easy.'' his words were cautious, as if he was wary of revealing too much. His analytical mind was unfolding in front of me. ''The real estate agent was also an obvious choice. He searched for the history of the building, the address, the neighbours, everything. But again... I knew it.''

How could he predict my every move? How could he have known who was searching for him?

''And then, you made a surprising move. An odd one coming from your part. You hired a hacker!''

His eyes sparkled with excitement, and the man who had cowered just moments ago seemed to be relishing this exchange.

'''Tarantula87' was her username. She's a good woman but not a good hacker.''

I was trying to understand how everything connects. Before he could continue, I finally understood. A realization dawned upon me.

''Anything done digitally, I can track, I can know, I can counter.'' he finally said with a smirk.

He laid back on his chair with a little bit more confidence than before.

''There is honour among thieves. And I'm a damn good hacker, Ace. The best one if I can brag about it, so countering your last attempt to find me, was easy too.'' he finally said with a self-assured smirk, leaning back in his chair with newfound confidence.

I told everyone not to come in contact with this man. Search in the shadows. Technology does wonders. He must have known anything searched close to him. He had monitored everything from the start, making it nearly impossible for me to unearth any information about him.

''Your turn,'' he urged, crossing his legs as he waited for my response. Our conversation was taking an intriguing turn. Despite my strong urge to eliminate him, the desire for answers kept me talking. I still wonder how I should do it. Slow? Make him suffer as he made me? Or fast and be done with it?

"I had a tough day, 8 years ago," I began. Ethan's eyes widened, shocked by how I chose to respond. "I took a rare walk downtown. As I was waiting to cross the road, I locked eyes with the most precious person in my life."

"Kira," he whispered, his voice laced with shock. I nodded.

"We locked eyes, you know?" It was as if I could see her right in front of me—her hair tied back, her headphones framing her face as she nodded along to the music. "But she didn't recognize me."

Was it because I wear suits now? Or because my hair is shorter and combed to the side? I was no longer a teenage boy with skinny jeans and vintage hoodies, holding a book or a sketchbook.

"I wanted to run to her. I wanted to talk with her. The cars kept on coming so I waited for the lights to turn green. And when it did, I saw her coming right towards me. She was smiling so broadly I thought my heart would burst. She opened her arms, and then..."

I could smell her perfume again as she passed right next to me. She always smelled like vanilla. I opened my eyes and I saw Ethan looking shocked. "She walked straight into you. Into. Your. Arms." I could no longer hide my anger behind my words. My hand clenched the gun that I was still holding for dear life. I just wanted to plant a bullet through his head.

"I called my men. For 8 years now, I've followed her. In the shadows."

Ethan's face reflected a mixture of shock and fear, and his eyes glistened, almost on the verge of tears. His face was now lowered as he buried it in his hands. He went to all that trouble to protect himself, making sure nobody would find him, only to be found by luck.

"You were just... lucky?" His tone was desperate.

I can't blame him. I only smiled at him in response, something that further agitated him. His trembling returned as his confidence started to evaporate. I could hear the busy street from below, the cars honking and screeching. It's late. It's time to finish here.

"Are you and Kira..." The words did not want to leave my mouth. My stomach immediately felt like it was tied in a knot. "Together?"

Ethan was whispering and muttering to himself. He wasn't here anymore. The despair must have taken him. As much as I wanted to enjoy this sight, I couldn't as my question lingered in the air. I usually love witnessing my enemies in this state. Helpless, desperate, terrified...

"Ethan!" A bodyguard of mine shook him back to his senses. His eyes were begging for this to stop. Patience, dear Ethan. All will be done soon.

"8 years," he kept whispering and murmuring to himself as he was brushing his hair with his fingers. "So you..." He kept coming back and going away. As if this room could no longer contain his thoughts. "YOU!" he shouted as he suddenly stood up from his chair. My men immediately drew their guns out. He kept walking left and right. He was at a loss.

"The men! The hospital! YOUR MEN!" he shouted. There goes my pleasant evening. "The men that took care of Kira, the men who were always at the hospital! Those were your men?!"

I see... He is trying to figure out everything. How could something happen without him realizing it? I nodded with a smile.

"And and a-and the... the..." he was pointing left and right. "Th-the donations! The last-minute anonymous do-donations?!" He also has ties with Kira's organization. "It was you!" I nodded again as he knelt on the floor looking at me. "How could I not see it!?"

His head was now lowered, looking at his own two hands as he dived deeper into his despair. It's time to end this. I stood up and buttoned my suit.

"You might control everything digital. But the real world? London? I'm the one who controls it." I loaded the gun and directed it right at his head. "Are you and Kira together?"

Ethan slowly raised his head to look at me. Instead, he gazed right through the gun's barrel. His face turned even paler, and the trembling in his body intensified as the gun remained fixed on him.

"You... don't understand," he stammered, his voice quivering. "Kira and I... We're just friends! It's not what you think."

The uncertainty in his eyes was palpable, and I couldn't help but wonder if he was telling the truth or just trying to save himself. Still, I had to hear him out. Or not? Should I just pull the trigger? I longed to make him suffer. When I witnessed Kira in his arms, I felt like my heart was stabbed. I've spent countless sleepless nights thinking and reminiscing about Kira landing in his arms.

''I must let you know. I came here with the intent to end you.'' my tone was harsh. I don't lie. The truth is that I wanted to make this man suffer. But now, with the few words we exchanged, I can't even imagine Kira being with him. This relationship is all too weird. Kira likes reading books, she always gets lost in literature. I doubt this man even read a single sentence from Macbeth. I not only feel betrayed but now I'm also confused. What does she have in common with a man like him? This man isolates himself in this apartment while Kira enjoys fresh air and the smell of rain on the grass. This feels wrong. Maybe I'm wrong?

''Wait wait! Just let me explain!'' his voice now raised.

"Explain," I demanded, my finger inches away from pulling the trigger. "And remember, the truth is your only lifeline now."

Ethan hesitated for a moment before continuing, his eyes filled with painful memories. "You should know, Kira and I first met at the hospital. It's where everything started.

I sat at the arm of the couch listening to his words, not sure if it was the truth or not. But, based on the confused feelings I had, I owed myself at least that. To clear the situation. Even if it might hurt me more than before. Even if Kira has unknowingly betrayed and hurt me. The truth might be painful, but I must hear it. I must know.