The Mafia; Torn Between Power And Love

LINA'S PERSPECTIVE I was having trouble breathing. I was not affected by the crowd, the lights, or even the tight corset that pressed against my ribs. No. He was the one. Niklas. He stood there as if he hadn't simply vanished from the world four years prior. It was as if he hadn't spent years imprisoned in a cell, one that my father had helped to construct. As if he wasn't meant to be dead, or at the very least irreparably damaged. I blinked in the hopes that he would disappear. He didn't. Calm as a storm before it bursts, he stood on that stage. They referred to him as "the miracle doctor," his hair combed back, his suit impeccable, and his voice smoother than ever. It was the same voice that whispered against my flesh. Now it was making people clap. “He looks familiar, doesn’t he?” whispered Jasper, leaning over. Slowly, I nodded. Known? He was everything once. Cameras flashed, and people clapped. As they waited for my approval, people turned to face me. I was, after all, engaged to Berlin's medical prince, Jasper Vogt. The König empire's daughter. I was expected to cheer, nod, and smile. However, I was unable to. Niklas gave me a direct look. through me. It felt like ice on my legs. He didn't even flinch. You weren't meant to live. This is not who you were meant to be. "Are you okay?" Jasper's tone became piercing. He pressed his fingers into my elbow. He saw. Everyone took notice. I pretended to cough. "Only the champagne." He bent in. "You abstain from alcohol." It's too late. Niklas left the platform. He walked slowly and confidently, as if he owned the entire place, with his hands in his pockets. Perhaps he did now. Everyone was there to surround him. The same people who abandoned him when he fell were reporters and board members. Now they were complimenting him. Grinning. Cheering. They were unaware of what they had assisted in burying. And he had returned. God, please. I stayed at the room's edge. My feet were immobile, but I needed air. It screamed in my head. He is present. He is present. He is present. Jasper said, half-jokingly, "You ought to go say hello." "What?" "Didn't your father once work with him?" I chuckled. The chuckle was brief and chilly. "I used to." Niklas's gaze remained fixed on me. His eyes remained fixed on the person he was speaking to. I stepped back. He moved forward. "Are you alright?" Jasper repeated the question. I grinned as I glanced at him. "Obviously." Untruthful. The crowd moved. Niklas passed through them as if the shadows had stopped touching him. As if they knew better, they parted for him. As if ghosts allowed him space. He came to a stop directly in front of me. Not a word. Sharp as a blade, his voice fell low. "Did you miss the power I used to give you, or just me?" Jasper's hold on my arm became firmer. I didn't respond. I was unable to. I had a dry mouth. It burned my skin. I wanted to give him a slap. Or give him a kiss. Or shout at him. Or tumble into him. I desired— "Dr. Weber," Jasper said, smiling artificially. It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Jasper Vogt. Niklas ignored him. He continued to observe me and asked, "Is she yours now?" Jasper's smile wavered. "My fiancée is her." At last, Niklas turned. "Congratulations." It wasn't advantageous. It served as a warning. Jasper continued, "I've heard you're taking care of my father." "We appreciate it." Niklas's expression remained unchanged. "I don't treat people to get their appreciation." He left. It was as simple as that. As if my whole world hadn't just been shattered by him. Jasper looked over at me. "What on earth was that?" I tried to smile as I looked at him. "Nothin'." "Are you acquainted with him?" "No longer." ** It was chilly outside. Even though I hadn't touched a drop, I staggered into it like a drunk. I had trembling hands. I had numb lips. He has returned. He is still alive. He is aware. I was breathing heavily as I leaned against the wall. Four years. It's been four years. There, we left him. My dad told lies. I told a lie. We claimed to be clueless about his whereabouts. We allowed the police to fabricate the story. We allowed him to decay. And now— "Lying still makes you freeze." I leaped. Niklas was standing close behind me. Too near. I pivoted. "You're not supposed to be here." "However, I am." "You should be—" "Gone?" "Yes." He took another step. "Why? since it's more convenient for you? "No. Because if people discover— "Discover what?" He c****d his head. "You sold me out?" "I didn't!" "Did you not?" He lowered his voice. "You vanished. left me in silence. And now you belong to someone else? I took a deep breath. "I had no other option." "Lina, everyone has a choice." "I believed you had passed away." "And you wish I was still there now?" I didn't respond. Eyes burning, he stepped forward again. "Tell me something." "What?" "Did he touch you the way I did?" I felt my stomach tighten. "Avoid it." "Why not? Fearful of the response? He took a step closer. He touched me with his hand. I retreated. I remarked, "You're playing a risky game." "Good," he muttered. "Danger has passed me by." Heart pounding, I took a step back. "This isn't finished, is it?" "No," he replied. "Not even close." ** I made an effort to remain composed during the hospital board meeting the following day. However, it was pointless. Niklas entered as if he were the owner. The chairman declared, "Dr. Weber will be in charge of the Vogt Neuro Research Wing." Jasper sat next to me, his jaw clenched. "This is crazy." Another person remarked, "He's the best." Sitting right across from me was Niklas. Once more, our gazes locked. No grin. There was no hint of kindness. Silence, knowing and cold. His expression said, "I'm going to burn everything you built." And I had faith in him. ** I discovered a note in my office later. *We're not finished yet. Midnight. The East Wing No name. No signature. However, I was aware. Still, I came. The lights flickered in the empty hallway. Each step reverberated. Here, the shadows seemed more dense, as if the air held secrets. He waited. "You arrived." "I shouldn't have." "However, you did." We gazed at one another. We exchanged many words. Nobody said anything. His hands seized mine quickly and roughly. Like a storm, our lips crashed. I didn't halt it. I had no desire to. My back struck the wall. He put his mouth to my neck. I felt his breath in my ear. My dress is slipping. He muttered, "You still taste like guilt." I whispered back, "And you still feel like revenge." A door then creaked. Voices. We stopped. He withdrew. "They're observing." "Then allow them." He grinned. "Dangerous girl." Footsteps approached. He disappeared into the shadows. My chest heaved as I stood there. The kiss caused the lip to bleed. Pieces of heart. ** I sat in bed later that night and gazed up at the ceiling. Jasper is sleeping next to me. His arm weighed heavily on my waist. I remained motionless. It buzzed on my phone. Unknown figure. Just one text: *You still care about me. Your biggest lie is that. I let the phone drop. God, please. What did I do? What is it that he desires? Why now? Why me? What if this time? Doesn't he get burned?