𝐛𝐨𝐧𝐮𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 - 𝐈𝐚𝐧

IAN CAROLINGIAN

29 years old

I gulped down the bitter liquid and closed my eyes. Feeling the burning sensation down my throat.

I slammed the glass on the table and ran my fingers through my hair. The loud noises made my head spin as I pushed through the crowd. This was the reason I hated going to social events.

There was too many people.

They all laughed and talked while I felt my head pound from the suffocating atmosphere.

I needed to get away from the main place. I spotted dad and mom by the bar. They were talking to some of their friends. I needed to flew from their sight immediately because mom was for sure going to question me if she sees me in this distressed state.

The music and chatterings slowly started to fade away but another voices reached my ears.

There were couple of men on the terrace.

The Ancelotti brothers and their two minions. Pedro and Cristian. All of them were gathered by the railing, smoking cigarettes.

I couldn't stand any of them. Ignoring their presence, I walked over to the other side of the terrace and took out my phone. Trying to distract myself, I went over to the emails dad sent me earlier for the company.

Dad gave me a choice if I wanted to work with him or do my own thing. He has done so much for me and mom and I wasn't going to let him down.

I wanted to be by his side.

So I started working with him by from age twenty. Uncle Kieran was his second in command and both of them were my mentors. I was learning from both men that I trusted the most.

Now that grandpa Cillian was retired, he wasn't as present as he was when I was younger.

Both him and grandma lived away now, they wanted to spend their time away from all the madness and have a peaceful life on the countryside.

"Ian, we haven't seen you in a while." One of the Ancelotti's spoke and I fought the urge to roll my eyes. I couldn't risk making a problem because their father was a business partner with my dad.

I don't know how these two rats came out to be this stupid when their dad was an amazing businessman who owned more than any other family besides ours.

I just nodded at him, not wanting to make a conversation.

"How's work going? We heard that you are going to take over." His brother spoke next and they all chuckled while talking a sip of the drinks they had in their hands.

"You heard right." Was the only thing I said.

"I mean you are not even his real son. We're surprised that's all." Pedro said and blew the smoke through his mouth, some of it flowing through his nose.

I turned to them fully and placed my phone in my the inside pocket of my suit jacket. I slid my hands into the pocket of my pants and focused my attention on them.

Not even his real son.

They said that just to piss me off, so I wasn't going to intervene.

My jaw clenched when I saw them mockingly lift their eyebrows.

"Don't get mad, Ian. I'm just saying. There's no shame in that. Your real mom was an addict so I guess it's good that Fenix took a pity on you. You probably would have ended up on the streets." He continued.

I fisted my hands and rolled my shoulders. I tilted my head to the side and I felt my neck crack. The pain was immediately relieved and I narrowed my eyes at them.

Let them talk Ian. It's just words.

Pedro placed the, now empty, glass on the railing and took another cigarette. He lit that one and took a long drag.

"I wonder what your mom, the one with the red, hair did to wrap Fenix around her finger."

Cristian joined and laughed at that.

"She must have been good at sucking..." Before he was able to finish his sentence, I took the few steps toward him and closed the distance between us.

Before I was able to think, I connected my fist to his face and punched him so hard that he fell on the floor.

The ring from my finger imprinted on his cheek and blood was spilling from his mouth. I tackled him down and started punching his face again. He was lucky enough to throw a punch at me and make my lip bleed. I didn't care though.

"Finish that sentence and I'll fucking kill you, you piece of shit." Just before my fist contracted to his ugly face again, I was pulled away by his friends.

Pedro tried to punch me but I hit him with my head which earned him a loud groan. He placed his hand over his nose. I spat on his face and tore away my hand from the other guy.

The Ancelotti's knew not to mess with me because of their father's connection to us.

I fixed my jacket. And pushed my hair back.

"If I hear you say one more word about my family, I'll rip your tongues out." I said to them and turned around to leave.

I made my way down the hall and heard my phone buzz in my pocket. I pulled it out and stared at the name.

Sally.

Tears threatened to well up in my eyes. I fisted the phone and watched it ring.

I wanted to hate her so much. But I couldn't.

I wanted to hate her for bringing me into this world. For leaving me. For choosing drugs over her own son.

When I was young I didn't really understand why she left me. I thought it was normal for kids to move away and be away from their moms. Eli made sure that I didn't feel left out.

She did everything in her power to take care of me.

And then I realised what has actually happened.

Wayne tried to contact me but all I wanted to do was scream and yell at him and Sally. They ruined my life.

Sally was still present in my life. I can't say she doesn't try but it's not the same.

She should have tried since the beginning. She should have tried the moment she gave birth to me. And Wayne... I couldn't even look at his face.

"Are you okay?" A feminine voice echoed from my left and brought me back to reality. The phone was not ringing anymore, just the black screen reflecting my face.

I lifted my head and looked at the woman who was now standing in front of me, her eyes wandering around my face and then stayed on my lips, where the pain was just starting to throb.

My mouth parted as I took a better look at her.

She was dressed in a yellow satin dress that fell over her slim body. Her black hair was down and flowed around her delicate shoulders. Her black eyes were now layered with worry and her eyebrows were furrowed upwards.

There was a line of light freckles over her nose and cheeks which made her look adorable.

"Huh?"

She took a step towards me. "I asked if you are okay? Your lip is split, you should take care of that."

I cleared my throat and shook my head. "It's fine." It's not like I haven't gotten any wound on my face before. The pain was getting more intense but I couldn't think about that right now.

All I was able to think was how beautiful the woman that was standing in front of me was.

She looked into her small bag and lifted her eyes back at me.

"I'll clean that up for you. It can get infected if you don't do it soon." She moved past me and started looking around.

I couldn't tare my eyes off her as she tried to open one of the doors in the hallway. She tried to open couple of them.

The one with a writing that said, only staff, was unlocked. She peeked her head inside and then turned to me.

"This is a room for the cleaning staff I assume. There is a chair, you can sit while I take care of that." She pointed to my lip and then tugged my arm towards the room.

She made me sit on the chair and closed the door after us.

The room was filled with shelves that had all kinds of cleaning products. There was a table, couple of chairs and a few carts.

I leaned back on the chair while she dug into her bag. She took out a small emergency kit. It was tiny with a pink cross on the middle instead of red.

She then took a disposable gloves. She wore them and then opened the kit.

"Why do you have all of that?" I thought she would have makeup in her bag but she had a whole 'surgery' kit.

"I'm a nurse. I have this with me all the time." That makes sense.

She picked up the needed products while I stared at her face. She looked ethereal. The way her hair was flowing around her and the way she scrunched her button nose when she struggled to open one of the items.

Her perfume reached my nose and I closed my eyes for a second when her scent invaded my lungs.

She dabbed the cotton swab on my wound and bit her lip.

"I'm sorry if it hurts." She said quietly. Despite me sitting down, she didn't have to lean forward to reach my face. My eyes were on the same level as her collarbone.

"What's your name?" I asked.

She slowed down with her movements and connected her eyes with mine.

"Aiko." It was beautiful name that suited her.

There was only one Japanese family here and that was the Ikarashi's. She must be Asahi's daughter.

"I'm Ian." I introduced myself as well.

"I know." She spoke. "I don't think there's a person here who doesn't know who you are."

"I'm flattered."

"You shouldn't be. You don't really have the best reputation. I guess people were right." She smiled and pointed to my lip.

I knew I was known only for getting into random fights. It's probably what she has heard about me.

"Maybe I was lucky tonight. My reputation brought me straight to you." I grinned.

She stared to chucked and shook her head. The sound of her laughter making my heart beat speed up.

"Was that your attempt at flirting?" She cocked her head to the side and bit her lip to prevent herself from laughing even more.

"Maybe. Did it work?" I found myself grinning at her again.

"Don't know. I still haven't had anyone try to flirt with me." That sounds unbelievable. I'm sure half of the men out there would have done it if they had a chance. That thought alone made my blood boil.

"Dad would kill any men before they even get close to me."

"Then I guess I should count my minutes."

"I guess so." She continued to grin while she finished up with her job. After that, she disposed of the gloves and threw them in the trash by the door.

She placed all of the things back into her bag and I stood up. I thanked her and looked down at her. The lights were dim and I could give anything to see her in a better light. To see her hair shine and to be able to see the freckles on her nose and cheeks. To see the real colour of her mesmerising eyes.

"One last wish."

"Last wish?" She questioned confused.

"Before your dad kills me." Her lips stretched into a smile and she nodded.

"What do you want?" She asked.

"Your number." She thought for a couple of seconds and then she extended her hand.

"Give me your phone." I quickly obligated and placed my phone in her hand. She began to type on it and soon returned it back to me.

She tightened her hold on the bag and let out a trembling breath.

"I should go now." I nodded at that, not taking my eyes off her face. She didn't move either. I noticed her cheeks turn into a dark pink colour when my eyes went to her full lips.

"Bye Ian." She nervously said goodbye and turned around.

She disappeared behind the door and I scratched the back of my neck while chuckling to myself.

AIKO IKARASHI

22 years old

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