ALESSANDRO'S POV

As if it has been a second, as if I've slept for one moment, one blink of an eye, my eyes open and gaze out of the window where the sun rose, where the last time I would wake up here, the last time I wake up in my world, one last day.

The thoughts kick into my head and push my body up, I haven't changed, I'm in yesterday's clothes. I came into the room and immediately passed out.

With that being said, I get up and lead myself straight to the bathroom. I take all my clothes off and step into the shower with an empty mind, too empty to be considered sanity, too empty to be considered calmness and peace.

I turn the water up and feel it against my skin, feel it burn off the pain, the sweat and shake. The water hit the floor, it gathered to one side and went down the shower pan. I review the many times I took a shower here, alone, with Akila, all of it.

It gets sucked up, it gets transported away, far away where I can't reach, I can't relive it again. I grab the bottle of shampoo and squeeze some in the palm of my hand, I slam it onto my head and crub my hair. I wash the shampoo out of my strands and take the loofah and body soap to clean my body properly.

After I finish and make sure my body parts are well washed and clean, I hop off the shower and wrap a towel around my lower waist and catch my reflection in the mirror. I look normal, I look like myself, same messy brown hair, deep emerald green eyes and extra long eyelashes as my mother would tell me, my full dark lips and jawline. I turn slightly, observing that one tattoo I got when I first took the lead. I have numerous tattoos here and there, each with a different meaning, a different story and journey but this, this seems to shine the most as if it knows, as if it's aware and reminding me, pulling back memories from the dead in case I forgot, in case I'm trying to forget.

The tattoo is simply a tree, a lonely tree with no leaves, brown branches left with no green to cover it, to protect it. Between the branches, over the very top there's a crown, there's the crown I wore on my coronation day, the day I became who I am today, the day I became a mistake.

I let out a shaky sigh and drove my gaze away from the mirror and walked out of the bathroom. I enter my closet and stand in the middle of thousands, millions of euros spread all around my room, all around my custom closet filled with my favorite brands, my favorite clothes to fulfill my hidden sense of fashion.

So many things about me have changed, so many things about I discovered once I left my parent's house, once I was set free from my father's grip. I learned a lot, I found out I have something or two for fashion, I found out I lean more to cats rather than dogs, I found out I like riding horses but not stay around them, I found out I enjoy and find so much peace in books, reading and studying fiction, I found myself attached to a woman, I found myself heartbroken by the same woman and I found myself in love.

I really wish she was here, I really wish she's doing okay because no matter how much I know Akila is capable, she's able to handle anything and everything, she can protect herself and the entire world if she wants to, it still worries me. Why wouldn't she show up, how could she not show up. The idea of her not knowing, of her seriously having no information about this doesn't make sense in my head, it doesn't make sense to the Akila I know.

The Akila I know, I've known Akia for almost a year now, a whole year, one only year. It doesn't sound right, it doesn't sound enough but it is, it was enough for her to ignore me, to bail on me for years and blow one of my warehouses when I tried to kidnap her, it was enough for her to accept my offer and work with me, become my alliance and forbidden partner; it was enough for me to linger around her, to get attracted to her and go out of control, it was enough for me to find out her secret, to feel betrayed and distant myself from her, it was enough for her to open up, to tell me her story and what lays in the depth of her past life, it was enough for me; it was enough for her, it was enough for us to fall in love.

And it came to this end, the year is almost over and the way it brought us together is ending with it, fading away and never coming back, it will rest as a memory, as a time we both had to go through, just to end up here.

This year, this is the year, this is the last year. I never thought, in an entirety it would be this early, this rushed and sudden. I once believed six years was a lot, I believed that I have so much for the future, so much waiting for me and here I am, running out of time.

I run my hand on the clothes hanging on each shelf, I admire them and let the darkness go away for just a moment, just a minute for my lungs to breath, for my heart to rest.

I ended up wearing a suit without its jacket which is simply a dress shirt with a pair of trousers. I slid on my leather shoes and didn't bother to fix my hair, I didn't bother to help the ache in my heart, the sadness of my soul. I chuckle, I allow myself to laugh at him, at the person I chose to be, the person I thought was right to be.

I tie the buttons all the way up and leave the last one at the top, I flex my arms in front of the mirror and fold the sleeves to my forearms. I make sure the dress shirt is well tucked in and leave my sight. I walk out of the closet and close the doors. I glance at the clock hanging in the wall, the click that had been helping me for years. A weak smile made it to my lips in honor of the clock, in honor of an object that doesn't feel nor live and appreciate it because now I'm thankful for everything, even one and every object for dealing with me, no matter what or how, I appreciate it.

The clock helps me one more time and let me know it is eight in the morning, it lets me know I have one hour left.

One hour. That's how it ends, in one hour while I always thought it would be my near or far death, turns out it's neither, turns out it shouldn't have been an option from the beginning.

I force the thoughts away and they listen for the first time in a while. I gather my things, I gather my car keys, my nothing else and go to the door. I swing it open in my grip and step outside. I stand in the frame and look back, I look back and see memories, I look back and see myself laying on the bed, I look back and see myself on the desk surrounded by papers, I look back and see Akila, I see myself, I see her in my arms, I see her laugh, I watch her smile and I stare, I watch her for so long, I listen to her and nodd, I listen to her and admire, I look at her and fall deeper, deeper than it's possible, deeper than space and the whole universe because they're not enough, it's not enough and it will never be.

My eyes get heavier and my breath slows down, my body is fighting, it's hesitant and waiting, waiting for the images to come true, waiting for the memories to repeat themselves and bring me Akila to make this better, to make it so much better.

I swallow on air and hold the knob tighter as time passes, as time increases, leaving me with no choice but to close the door, to close the world, to shut me out.

And I do. I do it because I will either way, I will now or later, I will whether I like it or not. For the first time, I'm doing something based on someone else's will, based on the law, the right and not wrong, the world and not me.

The hallways are empty, every room is closed and quiet. I take in a deep breath and walk. I press my legs on the ground to go forward and take full notice of the room carefully. It's not normal, it's not their normal to be this silent, something is going on.

I storm into Dante's room and find nothing. I go to the next room that belongs to Emilion and find no one. I open a door, a room after another and find it empty. I reach my office and stand sure that this time, no one will be in there.

I walk in on air, I roll my eyes in confusion and grab the bag I packed yesterday. As I slid it up, a piece of paper falls to the ground.

Why does everyone communicate with me through secret codes and messages. The little note is from Adriano, he's telling me not to worry, they will come for me.

I throw the paper back on the floor and tell myself I have no time for this, they're probably there already. I snatch the bag back in my hand and leave my office easily and don't look back, I don't need to be late.

I stand in the kitchen, the fridge is open and my head is stuck inside of it. I haven't eaten a proper meal in days, I only had that sandwich with Adriano for almost the whole week and now my body is shutting down, I'm feeling dizzy and seeing my beloved black spots.

I always wonder if it's something serious, if I should check it up but I never made a move. I don't like doctors, I don't like sitting down to do tests, I have better things to do and waste time on. Seeing black spots and my eyes turning color blind for a moment doesn't mean anything, as long as I'm not dying, not having a heart failure or something then I'm good and totally fine.

I take out some leftover pizza and shove it in the microwave. I went from eating homemade pasta, with fresh ingredients to microwaved margarita pizza. I think I'm losing my title right now or already did.

I laugh at my own self, I laugh at my current state, my miserable figure and at the sloppy looking pizza. I giggle alone in the kitchen, I lay myself on the back and laugh it out because no one else will, no one else is here to accompany me.

I bite into my special slice and chew quietly, it doesn't taste bad after all. I chuckle again and continue my food calmly, I don't forget the time and constantly check the watch hanging on my left wrist. Forty seven minutes to go, forty six, forty five and minutes keep ticking, they keep counting down with no mercy, with no chance for me to stay still, to control my nerves and not break down.

I finish the pizza, I leave the plate in the sink and tug on the bag. My eyes fall on it for a split second and my mind betrays me, it wonders what would happen if I lose this bag, what if I lose those files and papers, if I throw them in water, if I set them on fire and burn them.

I give my head a little shake as a no, refusing this crazy idea no matter how badly I want it, no matter how badly I crave and wish for it to happen when I still won't.

If it's true, if it's true that this is all wrong, that this is all a huge mess up then I will do one thing right, I will do one right thing, one last thing for my mafia.

[V]

I pull the keys out of the ignition and open the door handle. I step out of my car and look around, look at the court, look at the place I last visited six years ago, the place I thought I would never have to go back to.

But one day you wake up and find one of your men is your brother, you wake up and find out your father is even more of a dickhead and that you deserve nothing of what you have.

I walk up the few stairs with the bag still attached to me. The security guards bow for me and push the doors in, revealing the inside of the court. It looks the same, same luxurious beige entrance with dozens of glass windows, in the end stands a dark brown wooden door, the coronation room.

Run. A voice is my head whispers and I ignore it when a gentleman approached me and take the bag out of my grip. He knows, they know, everyone knows.

I let him take it and don't fight back. "Thank you" he tells me in a low tone I almost couldn't hear but I was certain when he thanked me again "Thank you, for everything"

I look into his eyes for a second before he disappears out of my sight. He tried to be quick and unnoticed but on who?

I know this man, I met him six years ago, same place when he first got a job here. He was clumsy, he was new with bright brown hair, icey blue eyes and young. He was still learning and lucky him, he got into the hands of my father. He angered him and of course Enzo threatened to take his new job away, he threatened to kill him and destroy everything he loved.

I caught them from a distance and rushed to him. I called for my father and told him I will take care of it. I assured him with a grin and he nodded before leaving us alone. I looked back at the unfamiliar worker and his eyes flashed with fear. I told him it's okay, I told him he will be okay and no one will touch him. I promised him safety and none of what my father said. I made sure he got himself back and left without knowing his name.

And today, he remembered me, he remembered and reminded me of one of the things I've done. I felt a smile sneak it's way on my lips and I surprisingly don't hold it back, in fact, I stand in the middle of the court and smile like an idiot, I smile at where I'm located, I smile at what this court gave me six years ago and what it's taking from me six years later.

I smile through the bad, I smile through the worst and most unexpected because sadness won't bring me back, tears won't wipe away the lines and the screams won't save me. So I smile, I smile because there's no one else to make me smile, I smile because as I stand here, stand straight in the place where it all began, I smile and realize it's the same place where it all ends. I smile. I grasp it was not a mistake, it was never a mistake. It was not my fault and it was not wrong. I smile and my smile grows, I smile and my dimples deepen, I smile and my heart warms because it feels, it touches and makes contact with the decades, it realizes this was a blessing, this was a journey and this is my story.

I am proud, whether it continues or ends, whether it was meant to be or not. I made it fit, I made it meant to be by being a good leader, by taking care of my men, by making sure everyone around me is happy, comfortable and protected. Portected. That's what I'm best for, that's what I try my hardest at and some of us may have gotten hurt, some of us may have lost another but we're learning, I'm leaning even if I walk away today, even if it's my last day, even if it's the last moment of my dream. At least I got the chance to live it, I got the chance to have it come true for six whole years. They're enough. I will make them enough.

The watch catches my gaze and it alarms me, five minutes.

I take my time, the time I wished for more of and now I don't care. I take all the time on earth, I take every second in those last five minutes and walk myself to the doors for the second time in my life, for two very different reasons.

I'm positioned in front of it, a few feet taller than me, almost twice my height. I wait for the clock to hit and for the doors to open, to allow me in and meet with my friends and family, my father and brother to start a new day, a new history in our book.

And time ends. The five minutes came to a stop and another five started, the five when I walk in, the five when I settle in and sign my leadership away, I take a step back and bow to my new leader, our new leader, our true leader.

I bite on the inside of my cheeks as those words spread into my body, between my bones and run through my blood. Bow. My new leader. God. I will never be able to get used to it.

I may have never supposed to take the lead, I may have never supposed to rule but I did and I thank myself for making a good image, for sacrificing everything as a true leader because even if I'm not the right one, I still made the best one.

The large doors thrust for me, they open from both sides and expose the room. It's dark, no light seeking in from any source. The doors keep gradually shifting and lay in their right places. When they're fully opened, each lamp on each side of the walls turns on one by one until the very last one, the end of the room where Enzo and Marcello are situated, where my father and my brother stood.

No one else. The other faces are those who witness and make sure the ceremony goes on smoothly. Aside from the guards, there's no one else. No sign of Dante or Adriano, not one of Armando's cracked jokes and Emilion's hectic laugh. Nothing.

But there's no time to react and stop in shock. I keep moving with four armed men following behind me. They guide me forward, they protect me as we get closer and closer, my heart pounds against my chest, my eyes land on the crown, my tattoo, my crown.

A rush of cold air secretly tumbles my body, sending shivers down my spine. Blood explodes in my veins, goosebumps lay on my skin and create a light feeling of high pressure. My heart pumps blood rapidly and stuff my bones with strength, too much strength my body can't handle it.

I remain emotionless from the outside, my face is neutral and my body is steady. I stop in front of the bench and the four men leave my side. I dismiss any mark of stress and let my shoulders relax. I raise my chin high and my eyes land on the many faces ahead of me. The High Commander of the court stands up and bows at my entrance, I make my vows and swear for my presence, I swear for the betterment of our mafia, I swear for doing the right thing, I swear for my loyalty, I swear for my leadership, I swear for my men, my friends, I swear for Akila.

I swear on my life, I swear on the years, I swear on my identity, I swear on my name and soul to serve The Italian Mafia, to serve and only do good for our world.

I swear on my placement, I swear on my title and power. I swear I am The Italian Mafia Don, I swear I am the son of Enzo and Dianna Santoro, I swear I am the second son of Enzo Santoro, I swear Marcello Santoro is my older brother, I swear Marcello Santoro is the son of Enzo Santoro, I swear Marcello Santoro is the elder son of Enzo Santoro, I swear Marcello Santoro is the first born of Enzo Santoro. I swear Marcello Santoro is the right heir for The Italian Mafia, I swear Marcello Santoro to hand him my leadership, to step down and present his place that I took temporarily until he came back.

I swear on true things, I swear on untrue things and go on. I follow their instructions and so does Marcello.

Our father has done his path and took a seat in the court, one of the court members brought out the papers, the files and the contract.

The court questions the audience if someone has anything, any crime against Alessandro Santoro, if he made a faithful and strong leader or broke our laws and caused damage and loss to our mafia. The audience stays still and no one speaks up to accuse Alessandro Santoro of any wrong, of any chaos and failure.

The court asks the audience if they accept, take Marcello Santoro as the next Italian Mafia Leader and they respond with yes. The court asks the audience if they want Alessandro Santoro out of the throne and Marcello Santoro to rule our future, to make the next king and better the land, they respond with yes.

The court rises and falls, the decision has been made, the ceremony is coming to an end with the last motion, the last doing of making Marcello Santoro The King Of The Italian Mafia.

The court orders Alessandro Santoro to advance, to place the crown on top of Marcello Santoro' ahead and give up his ownership of the throne to our new ruler.

Alessandro Santoro crowns Marcello Santoro as The New King, as our new protector and anchor.

The court orders Marcello Santoro and Alessandro Santoro to approach. They order them to take a seat across one another and sign. The court orders Alessandro Santoro to officially sign The Italian Mafia away, to sign his retirement and right for any past life he once had.

The court thanked Alessandro Santoro for his time, his service and accurate leadership. The court thanked Alessandro Santoro for following the law and being trustworthy. The court thanked Alessandro Santoro for being who he is. The court thanked Alessandro Santoro for living up to the expectations. The court thanked Alessandro Santoro for making them proud, proud to call him their previous leader.

The court tells Alessandro Santoro they won't forget his doing, they won't forget his dedication and sacrifice, they won't forget him.

The court orders Alessandro Santoro to sign his life away.

I sit down, I feel the coldness of the chair as my back leans in. I find Marcello's eyes for a moment, my gaze lands on the crown on top of his head and I let out a defeated smile, he will make a good leader, he will take care of it, he will take care of them, I have to believe, I have to hope.

A man set down one paper, one page with the words we spoke, the swears we oathed and the future. At the end two empty places are found, one for Marcello to sign and one for me to sign.

As an honor for the new leader, he must sign first and as an honor for the soon previous leader, he must sign last.

The contact is placed in front of Marcello; he takes out the quill covered in ink and writes down his signature.

A hand moves the contact towards me. I look down and find the empty space calling for me, calling for my name. I get hold of the quill, I stare deeply into the space where I should sign, where I should write my name and hear it call for me once again.

But it's not calling for me to sign, it's calling for me to run.

And for the second time since I've met my dear brother, for the first time since he showed up in my life and twisted every bit, every breath I took in the past twenty seven years, the place explodes, the land blows up on fire and the court collapses in FLAMES.

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