For a while...

The bicker between Michael and Mikey continued as people murmured keeping out of the road. They made their way to the elevator still bickering and laughing as the elevator door slide open and they quickly shut up. It was Mikey’s grandfather who was standing in the elevator. He took a glance at the trio{ Michael, Mikey and the little sleeping girl.} who looked terrified as they gulped.

“Well boys, aren’t you entering the elevator?” He asked as Mikey and Michael glanced at each other. Shit! They may be grown up ass men but there is that fear when the ex mafia who is feared for generations to come just happens to be angry at you and cordially invites you to share the elevator with them. That only meant one thing, only the grand father would be walking out of there alive. But there was no way, he was going to sacrifice his own blood right….right?

Mikey and Michael decided to brave it and entered the elevator as the doors dinged closed, as the place went totally silent, as the elevator went up. They were heading to the highest floor which meant 11 floors of tension.

“It seems my sons have failed in their jobs of teaching their sons how to greet.” Mr Hale said as Mikey and Michael quickly chorused.

“Good morning sir.” They quickly chorused as Mr Hale tried not to laugh at the scared CEO’s. It was really fun riling them up especially when they know how wicked and harsh he can be.

“Oh good morning boys… I almost didn’t see you there. I suppose either of you have a watch so why in hell are you two coming in by 11am. Have you taken a damn bloody look in the mirror? Look at your clothes, you guys looked like what just came out of an accident?” He said getting angry a bit as they chucked nervously not knowing what to say.

“Boys, I am expecting my answer. Unless you want to leave the elevator being carried out.” Mr Hale said as Mikey quickly started talking,

“Um, grandfather, we infiltrated the base of Mr Gadreel, that rival gang. Actually I was taken hostage last night and I managed to tip Michael here on my location so he came to get me. We took down the entire base together and killed everyone there, and rescued the girl who had being held captive. I did see corpses of a couple and I believe that they are the girl’s parent. We couldn’t leave her there, so we took her with us. We are coming straight from there.” Michael on the other hand was nodding his head eagerly to what Mikey said as Mr Hale glared at them.

“Did you kill Mr Gadreel?” He asked instead as Mikey replied,

“He was the first person that I put a bullet through his head,” He replied as Mr Hale quickly brightened up and said,

“Finally a birthday present. Fine I will condone your lateness this time. Now make sure the both of you get changed fast, into the spare suits and leave the girl with the PA. She will take good care of her, until we can think of what to do with her. I would have suggested you put her out of the misery….He was interrupted by Mikey’s gasp and Michael’s subconscious to protect the girl as he quickly turned, hiding the girl from him.

“.…But ever since Mikey is going to get married and bear me a heir, I have gotten quite sentimental so the kid stays alive. Hurry, we are meeting with the bride to be.” He urged them as the door slid open and Mr Hale walked out leaving them behind as they heaved a sigh of relief.

“ That was so fucking close.” Michael muttered as they walked out of the elevator, Luckily for them the 11th floor was being deserted as it was only the CEO’s office that was up in this floor and their personal assistant’s table.

“Yeah it was, and what is worse, I am meeting my future wife today. I simply can’t meet her. I don’t even know her. Why would I agree to an arranged marriage. Michael help me out!” He said as Michael shook his head.

“Sorry man, I am just your best friend. Your grandfather scared the shit out of me earlier and this time around he won’t hesitate to put a bullet through my head. She can’t be that bad.” He said as Mikey’s PA walked up to them breathlessly as she said,

“Sir Hale requested I take the child away from you while you both shower up and have a change of clothes. The suits and everything else you need have been prepared in the bathroom cubicle.” She said taking the girl from Michael before bowing her head in respect. The girl had woken up as the transfer was being made and started to cry but Mikey quickly shushed her.

“Hey kiddo, you are safe okay. She is going to get you the biggest ice creams and cake that you can eat. You won’t even miss us again and we will be right back. We just need to get changed, okay?” He said as the girl nodded her head.

“What is your name by the way?” Michael asked. It had occured to him that they didn’t even know her name yet.

“My name is Tiki, I am 7 years old.” She said in her baby voice speaking for the first time as Michael smiled and ruffled her hair,

“That is a beautiful name. My name is Michael and this big doofus over here is Mikey. That is his nick name, let’s go with that. The PA Stella is a nice lady. She will make sure that you are in the most comfortable clothes okay and you can eat anything you want, okay? Promise me you will be a big girl and not cry.” Michael said as Tiki nodded her head.

“That is my girl.” He said signaling to Stella that they can go as Mikey clasped his hand around his shoulder and said,

“Wow, you sounded just like a dad right now! You should be the one getting married in my place eh?” He said as they laughed walking to the bathroom, which was located on the other side.

***********************

Black was seated in his study as he watched his mother and Fiona talk about whatever it is women gossip about as they sat in the garden. Earlier he had just finished taking her out on a tour of the mansion while his mum book their tickets and two hours later, they were there sitting outside having a hearty laugh. He noticed that Farah was more free and livelier when she was LITERALLY with anyone else but him. Was it marriage jitters? Or the way he had spoken to her roughly in the bedroom. He didn’t mean to, but he knew that as the Head of the House, he had to take charge. Probably that scared her away. He didn’t know what to do. He sighed as he picked up a picture frame that laid on the study and smiled,

It was a picture of him, his mum and another girl…his little sister Casita. Yup, he had a little sister who didn’t want to follow in the family footstep and had estranged herself, taking no money or any form of special privileges. According to her, she wanted to experience the world and know how it is, being an average person.

An average person…. that was how Farah was behaving at the moment, she didn’t behave like the usual spoilt and confident version of herself, when they had met at the party. Rather she was more calm, and kind and passionate. Casita would love her. They were practically birds of the same feather. He wondered what she was probably doing by now.