A mafia's obsession

CHAPTER 31: MORE THAN BUSINESS

The following afternoon, Kelvin arrived at La Fontaine, a quiet restaurant overlooking the Crystal Lake of Noctis.

Unlike the extravagant restaurants often associated with him, this one was elegant without being overwhelming.

He checked his watch.

Right on time.

A few moments later, Mackenzie walked through the entrance wearing a simple cream-colored dress paired with a light blazer.

Kelvin couldn't help but smile.

"You look beautiful."

A faint blush crept onto her cheeks.

"Thank you."

"You look handsome yourself."

He chuckled.

"I was hoping you'd say that."

She laughed as they took their seats by the window.

---

"So," Mackenzie began after the waiter had taken their orders, "how has your week been?"

Kelvin sighed softly.

"Busy."

"Business?"

"And family history."

She looked at him with concern.

"You've been thinking about your parents again."

"I have."

He gently swirled the water in his glass.

"I discovered the name of someone who was very close to my father."

"But it's as if the entire world has forgotten he ever existed."

Mackenzie listened quietly.

"I know you'll find the answers."

"You sound very certain."

"I am."

"Why?"

She smiled warmly.

"Because you never give up."

For a moment, Kelvin simply looked at her.

Then he smiled.

"You always know the right thing to say."

---

Their meals arrived, and the conversation drifted to lighter topics.

Mackenzie spoke about the wedding she was organizing.

Kelvin shared a funny story from his university days when he accidentally locked himself inside the university library overnight while studying for an exam.

"You?"

Mackenzie laughed.

"The famous Kelvin Lawson?"

"I was much less impressive back then."

"I don't believe that."

"Oh, it's true."

"I even had to climb through a window the next morning."

She laughed so hard that several nearby diners glanced in their direction.

Kelvin couldn't remember the last time he'd enjoyed such an ordinary afternoon.

And somehow...

It felt extraordinary.

---

Across the restaurant...

A young girl shyly approached their table.

She couldn't have been older than eight.

"Excuse me."

Kelvin looked up.

"Yes?"

The little girl smiled nervously.

"My mommy says you're the man who helped pay for my operation last year."

Kelvin looked momentarily surprised.

"You must be Emily."

The little girl's eyes widened.

"You remembered my name!"

"Of course."

Emily wrapped her tiny arms around him.

"Thank you."

"My heart doesn't hurt anymore."

Mackenzie watched the exchange in silence.

Her eyes glistened.

Emily's mother approached, slightly embarrassed.

"I'm so sorry."

Kelvin smiled kindly.

"There's nothing to apologize for."

She thanked him again before leading her daughter away.

Mackenzie looked across the table.

"You never told me."

"There was nothing to tell."

"You changed that little girl's life."

Kelvin shrugged modestly.

"I simply did what anyone should do."

"No."

She smiled.

"You did what very few people actually would."

---

Meanwhile...

Ricardo DeLuca stood inside his private office.

A file was placed on his desk.

One of his men spoke.

"Our search of the abandoned church is complete."

"And?"

"We found the wooden chest."

Ricardo's expression sharpened.

"Was it opened?"

"No."

"The lock is still intact."

Ricardo leaned back slowly.

"So..."

"It really does exist."

Vincent stepped forward.

"Should we retrieve it?"

Ricardo smiled.

"No."

"If we take it now..."

"Kelvin will know someone is watching."

He folded his hands.

"Leave it exactly where it is."

---

Back at the restaurant...

Lunch had ended, but neither Kelvin nor Mackenzie seemed eager to leave.

As they walked beside the lake, ducks glided peacefully across the water.

"It's beautiful here," Mackenzie said.

"I used to come here whenever I needed to think."

She looked at him.

"And today?"

He smiled.

"I didn't come here to think."

"I came here to enjoy your company."

Her heart skipped a beat.

They continued walking in comfortable silence until they reached a small wooden bridge.

Mackenzie leaned against the railing.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Anything."

"What's your biggest dream?"

Kelvin looked out across the lake.

"I've spent so much of my life protecting what my family built..."

"...that I forgot to ask myself what I wanted."

He turned to her.

"But lately..."

"I've started imagining a life that's quieter."

She smiled.

"What does it look like?"

He looked into her eyes.

"It looks peaceful."

"And..."

He hesitated before adding softly,

"It has you in it."

Mackenzie's breath caught.

Neither of them spoke.

Neither of them needed to.

The answer was already there.

---

Far away...

Inside the abandoned church...

Moonlight filtered through broken stained-glass windows.

The old wooden chest remained untouched beneath the stone floor.

But hidden in the shadows...

Someone else had arrived.

A gloved hand brushed dust from the lid.

Then quietly whispered,

"Not yet."

The figure disappeared into the darkness.