20. Mafia King

"I will, thanks, mom," Lucien kissed his mom before he got into the backseat of his car. His loving parents walked him all the way to his ride like he was a toddler to be sent to a preschool. He smiled at the thought as he buckled his seatbelt. This scenario had happened many times during those days. Both of them would send him to the car that would drive him to school and would normally be worried. The mother was worried her son would not make friends there, while the father worries about him being abducted or harmed by the enemies of the boy's grandfather. But all those days are gone. They are now part of his childhood memories. 
"Drive safely," Sandra peeked inside the backseat window to see Tatum as the windows were so tinted she could not see anything from the outside.
"Yes, Ma'am," the driver politely answered. 
Sandra wanted to ask why Lucien did not mention Tatum Elliot in his story about the road accident, but when she saw the car started to move, she decided to ask later. His son is a busy man. And as long as they are safe, she can settle for later. 
"Boss?" Driving slowly out of the Michaelson Mansion's gate, Tatum called out.
"Let's go visit the legendary old man," Lucien understood what Tatum wanted to ask about. "We might need his help."
Lucien called his grandpa's personal assistant.
"Enzo, is the old man home?" He asked right away. 
"Yes, Sir," answered the man on the other line. "Would you like to talk to him?"
"Will he be leaving home soon?" 
"I am not sure if he would, but his itinerary today does not have anything needed to be done outdoors," Enzo was looking down at his notes to be sure he was giving the right information. Lucien is a significant person in Leandro Michaelson's life. He will cancel any meeting ad would even prepare a feast whenever Lucien would announce his visit. The old man treasures even a phone call. He cannot make a mistake that involves his boss' grandson if he wants to keep his job. 
"Great then! Would you please tell him I will be joining him for lunch? I am heading there now." Lucien stated. "Oh, and please tell him, I only want a simple lunch, do not prepare too much food." Lucien hurriedly added. 
"Yes, sir," Enzo answered politely and waited for the young Michaelson to cut the call before he went to report to Leandro Michaelson.
Leandro Michaelson, also known as the Lion in the Mafia world. 
He is feared. He is respected by his men but hated dearly by his enemies. He started as a gambler when he was younger. But he is outstanding in cards that no one can defeat him. He became respected and idolized by fellow gamblers and created a small group of thugs. A capitalist found him and sponsored his games with huge amounts of money. Leandro was able to win a lot and wisely kept his money. The capitalist agreed when he asked for a contract and ended their connections as his sponsor but stayed as allies. He would play for the man in only the biggest deals, with him earning ten percent of the jackpot money. The capitalist was more than happy even with all Leandro's conditions. He was a businessman, and he understood that the God of Gambling Michaelson is not a fool. Their relationship became deeper with common respect and understanding. Later on, he returned the favors by helping Leandro establish the most successful Casino Royale in the capital, with each branch on the country's biggest and most lively cities. And as he rises up, he did not let his men stay where they were. He brought them all up with him and treated them even better. When Lucien asked him as he shared the glorious stories of his youth, Leandro answered:
"My boy, always remember, blood makes people-related, but respect and loyalty make create a family."
And he was right. His men would die for him as he would for them. He lived in abundance. His men never suffered hunger or slavery. No one among his trusted men ever betrayed him. He hired skilled individuals to train his men into combat fights as he prohibited guns in his men. He has a few licensed firearms, but he would only use them for protection. 
Until he found and fell in love with an Escort Girl from his own Casino, she was a young lady fresh grad from the University, but she needed to find a job so urgently due to her family needs that she desperately applied to be an Escort. Leandro saw him from his monitoring screen, and he was so fascinated with her that he ordered for her to be brought to his office. 
"What's your name?" Leandro asked as soon as she was seated in his office. 
"Sara Gilbert, Sir." She answered politely even though she was obviously fidgeting.
"Are you scared of me?" He frowned. He has heard rumors about him being a beast around his employees. But he did not correct them. He wanted them to fear him. So no one would dare cross him.
"Not at all, sir," Sarah replied. "It's just the clothes. I am not very comfortable with them, I'm sorry." With all honesty, she explained.
The girl was a BMA graduate from a local University, so she had to undergo a lot of pressure applying for a decent job, and it took time, but when the Casino owner, her boss, asked him if she wants to be his secretary, she did not hesitate to accept. She was not comfortable working with a body-hugging dress, even if she only sits with her clients at the play table. 
As days went on, she took the initiative to assist Leandro in dealing with the other paperwork that she was confident she could handle and reform to better representations, and Leandro admired her more. Their romance started in the office, she became his manager when they got married, and Levi was born. Their happy family did not last so long. Sara Gilbert Michaelson died in a very heartbreaking way. She was abducted, abused, and brutally murdered by Leandro's enemies. The world turned upside down. Levi was only four years old, but he lost his mom, and Leandro lost the only girl he ever loved. His world turned dark. He became a beast, anger-filled all his senses for a good length of time. He did not stop until he finished torturing those that killed his wife. And ever since then, the kind and righteous Leandro Michaelson only relived when Lucien was born. But he was already the King of the Mafia. Although he did not change towards his men, his enemies feared but hated him.