"Have you ever seen a plant grow inside a rock?

I have and trust me when I say

I have also seen it split the rock to two with just some patience and persistence."

...................................................

"Sir! We are ready to strike!"

I nodded, making my men to proceed inside.
The gun,nicely tucked in my pockets as I preferred my hands to first break that bast*** jaw myself.
To be followed by his bones and furniture.

A big meeting was going on,I could see clearly.
Top men of mafia were seated on chairs all around the table,and  soon my men surrounded them and I entered.

They stood up in respect and fear.

Some were scared to be caught meeting hands with my enemy ,others just accepting the situation.

My eyes fell on David,his mouth open in shock at my audacity to not only raid his place but also distrupt his very important meeting.

My men surrounding him,as I sit on his table in boredom and pick up the papers on his table.

"Vincenzo my son..long time no see. What a pleasant surprise!"

He faked his cheer and I just looked at one of my men and nodded.
They attacked him without a warning as all others stood there taking in the scene.

The paper weight in my hands,as I turned my attention to others while my men handled David.

"Anyone who has to say something? I guess you forgot what happens to those who betray me?"

"Apologies Sir! We just came here to hear him out!"

I smiled sarcastically,rotating the ball in my hands.

"Hear him out ? Well tell me later if it was worth it to hear him out after what my men will do with you."

Fear crosses his features.
Eyes taking in the forces that surrounded him.

"I just came...I didn't intend to boss! Please! I would never go against you!"

I didn't pay heed to him, looking at others.

"Anyone else?"

"He was offering us a better deal so we decided to listen to him. What's wrong in this?"

I looked at the confident one,one of my ally's son.
Newly joined his father's business.
Ignorant of my ways.

Stepping closer to him,I looked down at his 5'8 frame.
His eyes refusing to back down in fear.

Cleaning the imaginary dirt on his coat collar,I looked into his green orbs.

"Such naiveity topped with stupidity."

Moving my hand higher,I held his neck from behind.
Daring anyone to interfere.

"You still haven't grown your beard fully ragazzo ,but your courage...commendable"

His eyes refuse to look down,arrogance evident in them.
The reason for this arrogance ,still unknown to me.

Suddenly gripping his neck tighter,I made his back to touch the wall.
His arms moving helplessly to free from my grip,his nails clawing my wrists.

"But what a shame,you forgot to check the rules of the game you are learning to play , the rules which I set in my territory"

He started choking but my grip didn't loosen.
Moving closer,I spoke  my last words

"And this is my territory"

No one dare to interfere,once satisfied I moved back leaving his neck .He fell down on the floor immediately,coughing while holding his neck.

Everyone had their eyes downcasted.

Good

Turning my back,I looked at David lying on the floor screaming in pain.
Blood covering the creme tiles beneath.

"Take them away"

And that's when they all left the room . Making David's eyes to widen.

Blood was running down his broken nose and he still tried getting up.

"You are...doing..a mistake interfering in my business.. it's nothing like you think. We were-"

Throwing a punch at has disgusting lieing face,I made him go silent.
Holding his jaw he groaned in pain.

Lifting him up from his collar,I made him land on the table.
Landing punch after punch.

"You disgust me David Rousseau...it it wasn't for my father and his trust in you,I would have emptied my bullets into your fuc*** up brain!"

His expression changed, holding my fists,he was ready to show me his true colours.

"Tired of the drama, aren't we?"

He tried to get up,his fist meeting the air as I held his wrist.

"You love doing this ,don't you? Interfering in my plans and ruining them all?"

I could clearly see the anger he had for me now,bringing down the veil of innocence and sweetness he usually carried along.

Smirking ,I move back.
Allowing him to get up and speak.

"What can I say Rousseau,I just love people begging me"

His expression changed,his next words hitting my soft spot.

"Ya ofcourse you do. I bet you loved it when my daughter begged at your feet for forgiveness "

My anger skyrocketed at her name.
The audacity of this man.

"Are you happy now? After killing her for loving a heartless man as yourself?"

Grabbing him by his collar again and smacking his head at the wooden table,I roared at him.

"Don't you fuck*** dare talk about her when it was you who used her to play those sick games! When it was you who made her betray me!"

He was  smirking through the blood coming from his mouth ,his eyes refusing to lower down.

"Betray you? You sick assho** ,she refused to listen to me after this imaginary love game you played with her.She truly loved a bast*** like you!"

His words were doing something.
The probability of his words being true,making my heart to beat faster.

"Stop lying! I have had enough!!"

I pushed him back with full force,making his body to land on the ground.

"Lie? Yes she did lie because I told her to. She lied about a lot of things but she never lied about her love!"

"You are again lying"

I said,coldness seeping my words as I saw him trying to get up again.

Motioning my men to finish this nuisance,I turned my back on him.

"Wasn't her death alone enough to prove she couldn't live without you? What else fuck*** proof did you needed?
I lost my daughter because of you and trust me....I won't go down alone"

Smiling,I turned around and  stared at him with no emotion.
He thinks he can manipulate me again,no not anymore.

"So you seek revenge on me?"

He smiled, showing me his ugly face.
My men stopping as I motioned them to.

"Give it your best then"

With this I left,leaving my dirty deeds onto my men.
Placing my hands in my pockets,I left the warehouse.

...................................................

I enter to have Aiden come running towards me.
My arms opening to pick him up.

"I missed you V! You know I have a gift for you!"

I smiled at him,just how can a kid lighten my mood like this,he truly has a way with things.

"Gift? Well I don't remember the last time I got a gift"

He held the button of my tuxedo,playing with it while looking down shyly.

"It's in your room...I didn't know what you liked..so I made it"

Moving towards my room,I adjusted him on my hip.
Opening the door to see a piece of paper on my bed.

Confused as to what it was.
Moving closer,I picked up the drawing sheet.

And I just stared

There was a drawing.
A beautiful drawing as I would say.

In the centre was a small figure,his hand held by two persons on either side.
I looked at Aiden and he smiled at me.

"This is me"
He said pointing to the small figure in the centre.

"And this is you...and this my Amara"

I kissed his small hands,praising his drawing.
Even though it was just sticks and circles,but still was a way in which he expressed himself.

"Did...did you found her?"

He asked all of a sudden,tracing his fingers on her drawing.

"I am finding her young man,just few days more and she will be with you"

I can't tell how happy he looked,like I have given him the most precious thing in the world.
Hugging me he kisses my cheek.

While holding him I look at Shelly standing in the threshold.
A smile present on her lips as she watched us.

She approached and Aiden greeted her.
They have grown fond of each other since past few days,he liked her company in my absence.

"Elly!! See what I made!!"
She looked at the picture and then at me.

"Is this Amara ?Aiden!"
He nodded in enthusiasm,showing her his broken teeth smile.

"Wow this is beautiful!"

"Can we talk "

I say ,making Shelly's smile to vanish.
Nodding she gets up handing over the drawing to Aiden

"Why don't you colour it Aiden"

He nodded in excitement and left to get the colours,leaving two of us alone.

I stood there awkwardly,I was very rude to her last night.
I need to apologize,she was just trying to help.

"Yesterday I-"

I started but she cut me off,her eyes trying to show her unwillingness to talk.

"It's fine. You don't need to apologize. If you could please excuse me"

She was hurt last night,I could clearly see it now.
She was going to leave when I held her wrist and stopped her.

She refused to turn around,making me to step closer.

"I was angry and  irrational. I am really sorry if my words hurted you"

"It was me who invited you here to live ,so that we can get to know each other but then I myself behave like this. I admit it was wrong on my part.I sincerely apologize."

My voice softened till the end,I could see her heavily breathing listening to my words.
And then she turns,her eyes staring back at me.

"Why are you even apologizing? What you said yesterday was true.I am just someone your family want's you to marry,not your choice of course.It was wrong of me to think that you considered me a friend atleast and I could suggest you something. But don't worry...you have made it clear that we can't have anything between us..not even friendship..you sai-"

"Shelly"
I said,looking into her beautiful blue orbs.

"No..no it's fine..I am fine..I completely understand-"

She was thinking too much,tears were visible in her eyes.
She showed she is strong,but her heart is as delicate as a glass.

Pulling her wrist ,I pull her body along ,making her to land on my chest.
Placing my arms around her,I hugged her tightly.

Her body stood still in my arms ,too shocked to react.
Placing one hand behind her head,I whispered in her ear.

"You are my friend,the only one I have made in a decade.I apologize for yesterday,it won't happen again"

And that's when she placed her hands on my back and hugged me as well,accepting my apology.

She moved back a minute later and I rubbed my neck in awkwardness.
It's been so long since I hugged someone,but it felt good.

My phone ringed and I excused myself,the name on the screen making me sigh in frustration.

He always gives bad news,and today was not going to be an exception.

"Yes"

"Sir there is a bad news"

I ran my hand through my hair,before replying in my cold voice

"I already know that dammit! Just speak! "

"The shipment which travelled the west to east axis....it was raided and we fear that..."

Not him,anyone but not him.
I was not ready for this,I already have so much in my plate.

"He is back after 2 years Sir...and this time much stronger.His territory claim is non questionable and he has someone with him...the person is rather  exceptional."

I had creases on my forehead as I interpreted his words.

"Who is this person?"
I asked,interested in this new person who is doing the dirty deeds of that bas****.

"Don't know Sir...just that he is referred to as Shadow in the underground world. No one has seen his face but he is very swift and imcompetable."

"His whereabouts at present?"

"Unknown Sir,I am telling you the person is impossible to locate or defeat."

"What to do next ,Sir?"

I was lost in my thoughts for few minutes before replying.
My fists clenching.

"I always get my things back,no matter the consequences. Get my men ready ,we are visiting him"

"But Sir,he is not expecting visitors..how can we-?"

"Tell him I am visiting"

"But Sir-"

"Tell him Vincenzo Giordini Accardi is visiting ,and he better be ready for it"

The line went silent .
The coldness in my voice making him gulp.

"Yes Sir"

Ending the call,I looked up at the ceiling.
Life was going to change from here,but the question remained.

If it was going to be for good or bad.

He was my other half,my only friend for 16 years of my existence.
But who knew our families would start a war one day and it will cost us a hefty price.

He was the past I could do anything to forget .

He was Marco Black

My ex best friend.