Mafia Trouble

I was awaken by my mobile vibrating in the late evening. I reached out and pick it up.

"Huhloh", I answered sleepily, my eyes still closed.
"Sleepyhead.", the other end said with a laugh. I opened my eyes slowly.
"Gareth?", I asked in surprise.
"Chéri.", Gareth drawled in his strong english accent. I looked at the clock, it 10pm here. London was 8 hours behind, so it was 2pm, Wednesday afternoon.
"Had your lunch yet St Claire?", I asked him sleepily.
"Alone. It's not fun when you're not around to have it with me.", he whined. I laughed.

"Were you sleeping? I'm sorry chéri. Maybe I should--", he apologised.
"It's ok. It's good you called.", I interupted him.
"Sure?", he asked concerned.
"Yeah. I'm glad you called.", I said softly and smiled.

We talked for another hour or so and hung up as he had to get back to work. I got up and took a quick shower. My stomach growled. Oh yeah, I have not had dinner yet. I went down to the kitchen, there was no one. Pris and Nicholas were probably tired looking after Aemee. I smirked and helped myself to a packet of instant noodles. I looked at it and sighed. Looks like I got to eat this stuff.

After supper, I hung around and watched cable. It was then my mobile rang. I looked at the number and answered immediately.

"Richard?", I answered the phone.
"Qiuru. Are you back in Singapore?", Richard asked.
"How is God-Dad?", I asked Richard seriously.
"He's been a little edgy.", Richard warned me.
"I'm coming down now.", I said and hung up.

I went up, got changed and left the Manor in my Cooper. I arrvied at God-dad's home. Richard answered the door.

"Qiuru. He's in the study.", Richard said and led me in.
"Thank you Richard.", I said and followed him in.

"God-dad.", I greeted him as I stepped into the study.
"Qiuru! You're home!", he exclaimed and got up and walked towards me. I gave him and hug and smiled.
"It's been awhile.", I said softly.
"No matter, as long as you come by once in awhile. You should drop by more often. I have missed you.", God-dad said and motioned for me to sit.

We settled in while Richard brought in the tea. God-dad updated me on the going-ons of the group, and how things have been lately in the neighbourhood. I listened attentively and made some suggestions to help things along.

"We need you back Qiuru.", God-dad said after a moment of silence. I almost choked and my tea, Richard came up and pat my back gently. I looked up to him in thanks. I noticed God-dad smiling an approval of Richard's actions.

"But God-dad, I can't. I'm running the Manor now.", I said gently.
"You have Richard, and he swore to serve you. Richard is the best that I had.", I added.
"But he is not family.", God-dad said.
"What do you mean?", I asked God-dad.
"I've been meaning to retire. I'm getting too old for all these action. Richard will never do. Qiuru, you must take over. I will not hand this group to anyone else except you.", God-dad said firmly.
"God-dad I--", I tried to explain.
"No more! No one else but you!", he said out loud, banging his hand on the coffee table.

Richard and I looked at each other. I frowned. I had to think this through.

"I will consider what you have said God-dad.", I said softly.
"Good. The group is comfortable with the way you work and you know this group inside out.", God-dad said, softening his voice and gave me a small smile.
"So does Richard.", I said softly.
"Richard will continue to be by your side.", God-dad said as he looked up to Richard, who stood by me. I looked up to Richard, uncertainty and sadness in his eyes.

It was not that Richard wanted the group for himself, but by far, he is the best candidate after me.

Richard was 3 years older than me. Richard and I grew up together in the group. We did everything together. From negotiations to fights, Richard was always by my side. I knew for a long time he had this crush on me, but we never went any further than being the bestest of friend, buddies and brothers. We looked out for each other.

When I ran my own sub-group from God-dad's group, Richard was my right hand man. I have not seen Richard in a long time after I left the group to finish my studies and went on to being a financial advisor.

"I'm turning in. Qiuru, stay for the night. I'm sure you and Richard have alot of catching up to do.", God-dad as he stood up. I stood up as well and reached out to God-dad to help him.
"No need, I can manage. I'll leave you two youngsters.", he said as he waved me off and left the study.

I sighed when God-dad was out of sight. I slumped into the couch. Richard came to sit by me.

"We'll work something out.", Richard said gently. I smiled at him. It was then I took a good look at Richard.

In the years that I have not met Richard, he had flourished. He was always handsome young man, but hardened by the ways of the mafia. But I knew, he was still a softie inside. He had always been. Richard had matured and looked handsome, his features more defined and musculine. Girls always swooned when they saw him. I bet he still had a tons of admirers. I've never really thought Richard to be handsome before, but there was something about him that had changed. For one, he was dressed impeccably in a fitted suit.

"Qiuru?", Richard called out.
"Huh?", I snapped out of my thoughts.
"I'll bring you up to your room.", he said as he stood up and held up his hand. I took it and stood up and followed him out of the study.
"Things have been pretty crazy lately.", Richard began.
"Boss has missed you, and has been rather grumpy of late.", he added.

We reached my old room. Richard opened the door and I walked it. It was kept the same.

"I'll leave--", Richard began.
"No, let's catch up. It's been how many years Rich?", I asked him and smiled.
"3? or 5?", he said softly.
"I lost count.", I said. We laughed.
"Wanna head out for some coffee?", I asked him.
"Let me change into something more comfortable. I'll see you downstairs in abit.", he said as he unbutton the buttons of his fitted jacket and left my room.

Half an hour later, clad in t-shirt and jeans, Richard came down the stairs. He looked different, more like a regular 28 year old guy now. We hopped into my Cooper and headed to the nearest 24 hours Starbucks.

After ordering our drinks, we settled in.

"You look different Qiuru.", Richard said.
"I'm still the same me. But you look different. There's just something I can't put my finger to.", I said with a laugh as I set my drink down. He laughed and rested his arms against the edge of the table. It was then I noticed the scar on his right arm.

I reached out and gently traced my finger along the scar. Richard looked at me. I looked up and noticed his face straight, but pain in his eyes.

"I never said how sorry I was.", I said softly. Richard grabbed my hand and squeezed it.
"I already knew.", he said softly.
"It was my fault. If I had not--", I began softly
"It was not your fault. That guy was nutcase to start with.", Richard explained.
"If I had listened to you in the first place, and not look for that bastard, he would not have found the opportunity. You did it to protect me.", I said softly.

"It was my job as your right hand man.", Richard said nonchantly and leaned back into his seat.
"13 stitches? 4 weeks off the job? And I had to look after you! Imagine a boss looking after her own right hand man.", I exclaimed.
"Well, 4 weeks off the job was alot better than having to live with the guilt if you were raped.", Richard said seriously. I sighed.
"Turn off the mafia mode. We're off duty.", I said with a laugh.
"I swore that I will protect you and I did.", he said with a small smile.

I said nothing and sipped my drink, but Richard was right. I was still a girl after all. My brothers looked out for me even more than each other because I was a girl. My boys were loyal to only me. Richard was my number one fan. I studied Richard as he sat there and watched the peoply walk by.

I trusted this fella with my life.

It was several hours later when we left. Richard insisted that he drove. I was too tired to argue and allowed him. I fell asleep on the drive back. I slept like a dead log. Richard tried to wake me up, but to no avail. I felt Richard lift me off the seat. I wrapped my arms around his neck and rested my cheek on his shoulder.

"I'm going to put you on the bed now.", he said gently. I nodded and relaxed as he laid me on my bed. I snuggled in and went back to sleep. Richard gently stroked my hair.
"Goodnight Qiuru.", he said softly as he got ff my bed.
"Thank you Rich.", I mumbled and fell asleep.