Bodyguard's Secret

Death

“Death has been in my doorway for some time now. But before he comes in, I would like to ask you to take over my position.”

Nikolai gaped at his father after hearing words.

“I know what I ask of you is too much, especially you know nothing about the kind of life I’ve been living. To be honest, I thought of passing my position to my consigliere.” Nicholas paused and sighed.

“Alarie knows the in and out of the business. And I think Alarie is the best person to be the next boss.”

Nikolai looked away as he somehow felt jealous when his father mentioned the Alarie person as his best choice to be a successor.

“Alarie refused and the reason was right,” Nicholas said and Nikolai looked at him.

“Alarie is not my child, but you are. Alarie made me realize that I already robbed you of a chance to grow up with me; I shouldn’t rob you of your birthright. Familia Rosso has been in our family for centuries, I shouldn’t break that.” Nicholas told him.

Nikolai was about to speak but his father stopped him.

“I know that you might feel that you are just a second choice for succession, but hear me out.” Nicholas paused.

“The reason was that I don’t want you to leave the life that you were used to; the life that you chose for yourself. You grew up in a normal environment, and I thought it’ll be selfish of me to drag you into this world when you know nothing about it.” He explained.

Nikolai heaved a deep sigh and looked away.

“You are right; I know nothing about this life. But I am a businessman, I take risks and I am also your son.” Nikolai told his father.

Nicholas smiled at his son.

“Yes, you are my son; my only pride and joy.”

“Do not worry papa, there’s no need for you to pass your position to me. I will make sure you will live a long life.”

******************************.

After the father and son’s stroll in the garden, they went back inside as Nikolai still has a video conference. In the afternoon, Electra came to visit Nicholas.

“I hate that I will be bringing you terrible news Nicholas, especially that you are resting,” Electra said and Nicholas waved her off.

“Nonsense. As consigliere, you ought to report everything to me.”

Electra lowered her head.

“Tell me.”

“It seems like Famiglia Vipera was the one behind all the attacks. It’s a demolition job, Nicholas.” Electra said.

“They must’ve heard that I am on my death bed, and they are taking advantage of the rumors that I won’t have anyone to inherit the position,” Nicholas said and let out a humorless chuckle.

“It seems like the Vipera boss is really hell-bent on destroying us. I told your grandfather that I should’ve just killed him when we caught that bastard years ago, but he let him go.” Electra hissed.

“They were friends once. Bisnonno still cherished the friendship that they had.” Nicholas told her, but Electra scoffed.

“They were friends, we weren’t and what kind of friend would betray the person that treated you more like a brother? Now look what’s happening, his great-grandson is targeting us.” She sneered and Nicholas looked at her, arching his eyebrow.

“Great-grandson?” He asked and Electra nodded.

“Almos found out that the current boss of Vipera was his great-grandson. He is slowly growing his turf, and if we don’t do something he’ll be gaining more, and taking what was ours.” She told him.

“Hmmm...”

“What do you want us to do about them, capo?” Electra asked.

Nicholas heaved a deep sigh and looked at Electra.

“Ignore him.” He said and Electra looked at him like he grew another head.

“Scusa?”

“I said to ignore him. I don’t want you to focus on him at the moment.”

“But why? We should strike now.” Electra whined but Nicholas just gave her a serious look.

Electra huffed and asked him.

“Why?”

Nicholas looked at Electra for a good couple of seconds before talking.

“I want you to prepare everything that is needed in transferring all my assets, properties, and position to Nikolai.”

Electra was kind of surprised by what she heard.

“You already discussed it with him?” She asked.

“I didn’t get a direct answer but he is my son. He deserved to be in my position.” He paused and looked at Electra intently.

“And I want you to help him get used to this life; teach him everything that he needed to learn, and most importantly... I would like to ask you to protect him at all cost.”

Electra stared at Nicholas and she knew he is really serious. She pursed her lips before letting out a sigh.

“I will continue to do the job that I have been doing for the past centuries, Nicholas. I will make sure that Nikolai will be the boss that this family needed. I will protect his life with everything I can, and I will make sure that he won’t get sick so he’ll live a long life.” She vowed and Nicholas smiled.

“Grazie mille, Alarie.”

(Thank you very much, Alarie)

Electra smiled and bowed her head towards Nicholas. Then she suddenly felt something. She looked up to Nicholas and saw a shadow looming over him.

“By the look on your face, I can tell that my time is up,” Nicholas said.

Electra sighed and nodded.

“You only have until midnight Nicholas.” She told him.

Nicholas sighed and smiled.

“Have I ever thanked you enough Electra?” He asked and she gave him a questioning look.

Nicholas took a deep breath with a smile.

“You helped everyone in my family to become the best capo that the organization deserves. You mold us to what we are today, and I am very grateful for everything you have done.” Nicholas paused and patted the space on the bed beside him.

Electra then walked towards it and sat beside Nicholas. She took his hand and held it lovingly.

“You were my mother when I lost mine. You became my friend when I needed one. You become my teacher when I needed someone with patience to teach me what I know now. And I am more than grateful that you will be the one sending me off.” Nicholas told her.

Electra couldn’t help as tears roll down her cheeks, as she squeezed Nicholas’ hand.

“And it hurts me to see you like this Nicholas; to see you go.” She said.

Nicholas patted her hand.

“I have come in peace with this. I hope you are too.”

“How can I when I am about to lose another person that I loved as my own child?” Electra cried.

“My wish is for you to finally find peace and the love you deserve.”

Electra then wrapped her arm around Nicholas’ shoulder and pulled him towards her. She didn’t say any more words and just cried.

After spending more than an hour with Nicholas, Electra decided to leave and let him sleep. When she came out of the room, Revel was there waiting. He gave Electra his handkerchief, and she took it to wipe her tears.

“No matter what, get Nikolai to stay with his father until midnight,” Electra told Revel who nodded and left.

Then Electra looked back at Nicholas’ bedroom door before she bowed her head and left as well.

Just like what Electra ordered Revel, he got Nikolai to spend time with his father in his room. They chatted; Nikolai told him stories of his life in New York and in exchange, Nicholas told him stories of his mother.

Time passed so fast for the father and son; Nikolai didn’t leave his father and just fell asleep on the lazy-boy chair next to his bed while Nicholas weakly smiled as he watches his son sleep. A few minutes before midnight, a figure stepped out of the shadows and it’s none other than Electra.

Her eyes were glowing red as she approaches Nicholas’ side of the bed. Nicholas looked at her and gave her a weak smile before looking back at his son.

“I promise to keep him safe Nicholas.” Electra paused and bit her inner cheek to stop herself from crying.

“I-It’s time.”

Nicholas looked at her and nodded. Then he mouthed ‘thank you’ towards Electra, and then she gave him a tight lip smile and went to sit at the edge of the bed. And as soon as the clock strikes twelve, Nicholas took his last breath.

Tears rolled down her cheeks and then she raised her hand, opening it up and held it upward. Then a yellowish light came out of Nicholas’ mouth and it formed into a small ball of light and flew into the center of Electra’s waiting palm. Then she clasped her hand close before opening it again and the light disappeared.

Electra choked on her tears as she cried, the same time the time stood still. Then a hooded figure appeared behind her, with its boney fingers laid on Electra’s shoulder.

“How many more?” Electra started.

“How many more of those who I raised as my own will I be watching take their last breath?” She asked.

Then she turned towards the figure behind her who was death himself.

“Haven’t I suffered enough?” She asked.

Then Death helped her stand up, and face him.

“Suffering is not your punishment, but a lesson.” A deep gruff voice resonated from the hooded figure.

Electra looked down and cried. Then Death had his long arms wrapped around Electra and both of them vanished into thin air.