LAYLA

Chapter Four

After two hours, I got to the base. One of the men came to help me with taking the bought food items inside the residential building in the base built for the men. I told some of my men to go bring to go bring the man out. Afterwards, I went to sit after being forced out of the kitchen by the men cooking. I decided to watch some videos of the K-pop boy group I am stanning.

Few minutes later, those that went to bring Matteo Santoro, the rat sent by Marcelo. I invited him to sit, to which he complied to , hesitantly. He’s right to feel hesitant, after all , he was standing on the opposite side of me before.

“Non avere paura, siamo amici ora, fintanto Che non mi tradisci.” Don’t be afraid, we are friends now, as long as you do not betray me. I said, lightly patting him on the back. I sat down to continue watching the video clips I was watching before.

Noah, the youngest one among my men threw a cushion at me when he saw the videos I was watching.

“Hey!” I shouted, rubbing the spot the cushion hit.

“What? Why are you yelling?” He asked.

“You know what you did,and you are asking me why was I yelling. It’s ridiculous, you know?”

“I did nothing wrong. You keep laughing to yourself when watching those videos, like, what is so funny about them?” He said sarcastically.

“How is that any of your business?”

“I am worried about you, so, I had to do that to reset your head.”

“You …” Right now, I am speechless, this little kid talking to me like this.

“Kids,that is okay, stop bickering and come over to eat.” Romano said in an effort to stop our fight.

When I got to the dining hall, I noticed that Matteo was not present. I looked back and saw him watching us in a daze.

“What is wrong, Matteo?” I asked even though I already had the idea of why he was being quiet.

“ You are so close? It is strange.”He snapped out of his daze and replied. I just smiled in reply.

“The initiation will take place after dinner.”Before we started to eat dinner, I informed them. After saying Bismillah, I started to eat. We all sat quietly during the meal, with only the sound of cutlery hitting the plates. After dinner, the dishes was cleared and washed. When everything was done, we went to the conference room at the back of the house, keeping Matteo blindfolded,since he isn’t to be trusted,yet.

The outside of the room looked like any other room in the house,until it was entered. When we got in, everyone went to sit down, well, apart from Matteo, since he isn’t one of us yet.

After getting seated, the initiation process started. After taking the vow of loyalty and taking the oath of Omertà, he wrote down his name in the register. After everything was done, I declared him a member of the Dark Knight. He was looking a little bit confused and I asked for the reason.

“Are you not like, meant to let me sign my name with my blood?” He asked. I smiled in response. I’m not surprised at all , since it is not the first time I was asked that question.

“No, I don’t do that. When I decide to trust you, then, I don’t need any blood oath to keep you in check.”

“You are not afraid that you will be betrayed?” He asked.

“No, I am not. I could be so nice to you, but, do not forget how I got my reputation in the crime world. I could also be very ruthless. Very very ruthless.” I said with a wink and left the room.

It was already eleven p.m when everything was done. I bade everyone goodbye before getting in my car. Along with three of my best men to take me back home, after Romano literally insisted on it ‘ for my safety’ to which I had no choice but to agree with, because he was looking out for me.

The driver drove out of the base after getting in the car. The car was silent apart for the sound coming out of my phone till we got on the highway. Suddenly, the car came to halt.

We got our guns ready, but the driver said we hit a man. Two of them got down to check on the man that got hit after confirming that it was safe. They searched his pockets and found a gun in it. They took it and searched other parts of him,just to make sure, before getting him in the car.

The driver sped up while I tried to stop his wound. He had lots of stab and gunshot wounds on him. I really wonder what his identity was. After applying first aid on him to stop him from losing too much blood , I called the family doctor that I was bringing someone to the hospital and it is an emergency.

Within one hour,we got to the hospital by driving fast and running the red lights. Since I called already, the nurses were waiting for us with a stretcher. He was quickly rushed to the operating theatre.

Dad called me, while I was waiting for the operation to be completed. Currently, I am really tired. I picked up the call and he asked in a panicked voice,

“ Are you okay? I was told that you are in the hospital. Do I need to come? I’m on my way.” He said.

“No,papà. You don’t need to be here. I’m not the patient.”

“Then, who is it? If you are not the patient,then what are you doing in the hospital?” He asked, his voice sounding a little bit relieved.

“On my way back home,a man ran into our car and got hit. We brought him to the hospital.” I replied. I was still scared a little bit. I didn’t want to kill or hurt anyone innocent. When we brought him to the car, his face was covered in blood, the clothes he was wearing were also covered with blood. Though, I think he was trying to escape an attack, but his cause of death shouldn’t be caused by me.

“Okay, be safe. When he is out of danger, call me, okay?” He said. I could hear mamma’s relieved voice through the phone.

“Sì, papà. Tell mamma that I am alright. You guys shouldn’t wait up for me. Go to sleep, okay?” I told them before cutting the call when their reply of affirmation came in.

The surgery was still ongoing after one hour. I prayed to Allah that he should survive. One of my men came to me and gave me a cup of steaming coffee and also adjusted the temperature in the waiting room. He patted my back, trying to reassure me that everything will be alright.

After four more hours, the light in the operation theater turned green to show that the operation was successful. I could finally breathe well. The man was pushed him out of the room to the V.V.I.P floor which is reserved for my family.

I went to the medical chief’s office when I was called. I knocked gently on his door when I got to his office. After hearing his hum of approval, I went in. I took my seat in front of him and he started talking.

“Layla, the man you brought, is he one of your men?” He asked.

“No, he got hit by my driver. I do not know who he is. I didn’t find any means of identification on him. But is he alright now? What is his health status now?” I asked.

“Well, he was shot six times, but he managed to protect his vital organs, which is quite impressive, coupled with the hit he got from your car. We had to medically induce him to coma. This should help his body heal faster while he recovers.”

“Ok zio. Thank you.”

“I think his identity is special. You should be careful around him, because, who knows why he came in front of your car.” The doctor warned.

“ I also think so. But, do not worry. I know what to do. Let me go check on him, then I’ll let you know what I will do.” I responded.

We left his office together and headed to the ward where the man was put. My men were standing in front of it, guarding it. I entered and walked slowly to the bed, trying not to make any sound with my shoe.

On getting to the bedside, I saw his face. The blood and dirt on his face has been cleaned. I was met with a stunning and extraordinarily handsome face. I was baffled, real time, even after being surrounded by handsome faces everyday. He has a small scar on his cheek, probably from a knife cut. He has pink heart shaped full lips,high cheekbones , monolid eyes framed with long,thick lashes ( I am jealous) and thick eyebrows. ‘Perfecto’. I was thinking of getting a nurse to take care of him and parting ways before, but with this face of his, I guess I could keep on checking on him till he wakes up so as to try signing him as a model in my company.

After thinking of that, I told the doctor of my decision. It’s time to go home, I guess. I’m so tired. After getting my men , we went home. It was five a.m in the morning already. Yesterday was really stressful.