Filed to story: Bring It On My Mafia Life Novel (Rhea & Lukas)
Akim broke out in a cold sweat when he came outside to realize that not only was his uncle, Niklaus, here to take him away, but his parents were present too. Of course, it shouldn’t have surprised him that Niklaus would inform his parents of the development after he narrowly escaped being sent back to his kingdom.
He couldn’t help but stare at his parents. Although it has been months since he left the kingdom of Lincolnshire, his parents looked the same. His mother, Queen Emily was flawlessly dressed as usual, with her glowing skin unlike his father, his royal majesty, King Kai who stood beside her with a severe expression.
Akim’s stomach dropped and for a moment there, he wondered if he could still go ahead with this, however, he squeezed Winter’s hand in his and he knew that it was now or never. No matter what he told his parents here today, they would never believe him nor accept Winters. And that was why he had to do this.
“Akim, dear!” His mother was the first to speak out and wanted to step out but his father put out a hand and stopped her. His father wanted him to come to them. They were mere meters away from each other and yet there were a thousand walls between them.
“Mother,” Akim called, taking a step only to realize that Winters did not make a move. He turned and gave her a reassuring look before walking forward and this time, she followed.
The tension in the air was so thick that one could slice a knife through it. All that kept Akim going was the thought that Winters was by his side and with her support, he could do this. She was his world, his everything and he wasn’t about to lose her all because his family didn’t like her. They would have to get used to her.
Akim stopped at a safe distance from his family. He couldn’t help but eye the bodyguards his parents came with and had the horrible thought of them taking him away and separating the both of them together. He wasn’t going to let that happen.
“What is this madness, Akim?!” His father Kai roared at him, not caring about the audience. He was so angry that veins bulged from his temple and throat while his eyes flashed. “All of this because of a girl?” He pointed at Winters, eyes full of disdain.
Akim swallowed, “I thought you of all people should understand, father. You were once in love with her, the same way I am in love with her,”
…..
“Love,” His father snorted, “What do you know about love? You’re young Akim and your duty should be towards our kingdom! Even if you were going to fall in love, you should have chosen someone more….”
His father didn’t have to finish the rest of his words because he got the point. They didn’t like Winters, none of them ever did, because she was a hacker, a profession they considered dirty and improper.
Indignation filled Akim.
How dare they judge her! They know nothing about Winters! If they knew her well enough, they should be in awe of her ability. She was a natural genius! A raw talent that hadn’t even been tapped into yet.
If Winters was trained the right way, she was a golden talent that would benefit their kingdom immensely. Imagine the kingdom of Lincolnshire having a queen like her in the future, it was brilliant!
“You have to end this now and come home with us, Akim.” His father concluded without giving him a chance to defend her.
“You have to listen to your father, Akim,” His mother was the next to speak, “We have missed you greatly already.” She emphasized her point by stretching her hand, wanting him to take it.
His uncle Niklaus snorted a laugh by the corner and it was obvious to Akim that he never believed that he was serious with Winters in the first place. But then, he was going to show him. He would show them all.
“I’m getting married to Winters.”
“What?!” A shout erupted from his mother’s mouth, the blood draining from her face. His father’s reaction was not far from his mother’s except he had better control. And as for his uncle, he looked like he just slapped him on the face.
“Dear God….” His mother groaned before sliding to the ground in despair and her lady in waiting came to her rescue.
Akim’s heart clenched in pain watching the scene, he didn’t want to hurt his mother but this had to be done. It was the only way for them to accept Winters.
“Akim!” His father boomed, attempting to lunge at him but the guards held him back. With the amount of anger coursing through him, he might as well kill the young prince.
“You must have lost your mind! What has that girl done to you?!”
“She did nothing! This is just me proving to you the length I would go for her….!” Akim was still saying when he felt Winters withdraw her hand from his grasp.
With a frown, he turned to give her a questioning look. He could sense this was too much on her, but she had to endure and soon it would be over. Akim was just about to open his mouth and tell her that she had nothing to worry about when he heard three shocking words.
“Let’s break up,”
Bam!
It felt like a bomb went off in Akim’s head and he took a step, nearly stumbling back from the shock.
“N-no….” He shook his head in disbelief, “What are you talking about? You’re joking, right?” He laughed, hoping to God that this was some shock. It had to be a joke.
Winters lifted her head and looking him straight in the eyes, she said it firmly,
“Let’s break up, Akim. “
Akim didn’t want to believe it, but it was the reality staring right at his face. Even his parents had stilled, staring at the drama going on.
No, Winters wouldn’t do this to him, not after all of his efforts to keep them together. He was fighting for their love, for the both of them!
Why then, did she abandon him?
It’s Over
Music recommendation:- While you’re at it – Jessie Murph
“Winters…..” Akim stepped towards her but she moved back at once. She didn’t want his hands on her knowing how confusing her emotions are. She wanted to do this with a clear head.
“They don’t like me,” Winters told him.
Akim sighed, rubbing his throbbing temple, “That is why I’m doing this,” He argued, “They don’t like you because they haven’t gotten to know you yet, but when you spend time with them, I’m sure their opinion of you would change!”
“You don’t get it, do you?!” She retorted, “They don’t like me and would never accept me! Your parents already have an impression of me and no matter what I do, I would never be good enough for them! For you! It’s all useless!”
“You haven’t even tried!”
“What’s the use of trying when it’s not going to work? You’re merely twenty and I’m eighteen! How long are we going to last, huh? How long do you think we would stay in love with all of the persecution around us? To your parents, I am a nobody who confused their son, hence I should save myself the heartbreak rather than join a wrecking ship!”
She continued, “Also, you don’t decide for me! I have my future, you know! Dreams! Aspirations! And you don’t just get to whisk me away to Lincolnshire to be a good queen! To suck up to your pompous parents who would never give me a chance for crying out loud.”
…..
By the time Winters was done, the blood had completely drained from Akim’s face and his lips trembled. At that moment, it felt like he was staring at a different person and he hadn’t known Winters at all. It wasn’t until a tear slipped down Akim’s face that Winters realized that she might have taken her word a little too far.
“A-Akim…” She approached him but he avoided her. His head was reeling and her words felt like arrows that pierced through his chest. No, she practically ripped his heart out of his chest and God, it hurts.
“You’re right,” He finally acknowledged it, “We should break up,”
While she had been the first to suggest it, hearing Akim acquiesce to it shattered her heart into pieces. Suddenly, Winters didn’t want it anymore. Couples fight and make up all the time, right?
Winters opened her mouth to tell him that she was sorry, that she didn’t mean any of those words she spoke. But yet, she couldn’t bring herself to say it knowing that it was true. Winters didn’t want to go to Lincolnshire and bootlick his biased parents, her pride wouldn’t allow that, but she didn’t want to break up with him either.