Stacey's Letter

"Nicholas, I'll let you have some quality time with your friends. Also, refrain from doing unnecessary movements while you're still resting. Since you are friends with a doctor, I'll just let her handle your recovery. Well, I'll be taking my leave now. Please do everything you can do cease Nicholas from leaving this room," Oji-san left the room and went with his men to talk about the emergency that happened.

"Xavier, you should take care of yourself. Your body is not made of steel, and eventually, you'll grow weaker day by day. We'll be taking our leave also. Catch some plenty of rest and return to your old self soon. Before I forget, some of your fellow former inmates visited the hospital yesterday. They're worried about you," Dr. Gizelle was the person whom I think handled my recovery throughout my coma. At this point, I would be the scoundrel if I refuse to acknowledge their concerns.

After all the atrocious things I have said, they still treat me as their friend. However, their lives will only be in danger if they keep on being involved with me. Now that I am deeply affiliated with an organization that deals with many criminal acts. The more dangerous will it be for their life to be associated with the likes of me. Yes, somehow, I have this feeling that I dont want to let them go.

But this is the only way to protect everyone that I deeply care about. And also, I still dont have the ability to control my full potential. And I'm afraid that the moment I lose myself again, I might hurt them or much worse. Pushing them away is the only solution I can think of.

"Leave my room, and never return," Even if I dont meant what I said. This is probably for the best.

"Xavier, I have known you ever since we were still children. And I've been the person to witness every change that happened within you. That is the reason why I would never let anything ruin our friendship. Did you remember that back in the day? You were the only friend I could rely on when things don't happen the way I wanted them to be? No matter how many times you push us away. We'll always be right here waiting for the moment," Augustine really is one of a kind because our relationship cannot be demolished by something so simple.

"That's right!" Emmanuel chipped in.

"Dont let me repeat what I said twice! Leave my room, and never return," I can see their faces filled with sadness as I ordered them to leave the room. However, the woman named Stacey ran towards me and gave me a tight hug while whispering something in my ear.

"We're also adults now, Xavier. You dont have to worry about us anymore. Just follow what you want because whatever that may be. We will always support you."

"Okay, thas enough. We should let Xavier have his rest," Dr. Gizelle invited the others to leave.

To be honest, some of my memories are still in pieces that I couldn't recognize some of those who claim to be close to me. Maybe because of the betrayals in the past. My own mind created its own defense mechanism to cope up with the horrors of the past. It's interesting how our mind acts without the need to be told to achieve its goals.

"Young Master, your friends have already left. One of them left something," I didn't notice, but they already left the mansion.

The butler handed me an envelope with my name written on the outside. When I looked at what was inside, it was a letter addressed to me. The one who wrote the letter was Ms. Stacey.

"Xavier, It has been six years since the last time I saw you. And just right at the moment when I was able to see your smile again, you saved me from the verge of being caught in an accident. Ever since then, I blamed myself for putting you in that position. If only I wasn't careless three months ago, maybe you wouldn't have to suffer being in a coma.

Let me tell you everything that happened while you were in prison. Although your half-siblings didn't leave us alone after you were imprisoned. Augustine and I were able to gain the confidence to fight back because we knew that you sacrificed yourself for the sake of our freedom. Every day I remember the first day the two of us met.

You were wearing your school uniform. And the moment you entered the door, your vibrant smile was the only thing I took notice of. You smiled at me while asking for a part-time position in the convenience store. I thought at first that you just needed extra money to use for your leisure. However, the moment the interview started. Everything became much clearer.

Xavier, you are not like those other students that I've met. From a young age, you have already experienced reality. Because of you, I met friends whom I can be fond of. Although I am only a year older than you. You're already much matured than me. Without you, I wouldn't be able to survive handling the convenience store. This letter cannot express everything that I have felt since the day I met you.

So I hope that if you're reading this, I hope that someday we'll have our own private conversation with just the two of us. And yes, I think I know what you are thinking. But through this message, I am asking you out for a coffee or anything. However, I just have one condition, I want us to be alone for just a day or something. Writing this letter is so embarrassing, but this is the only way I could think of for me to reach you."

"Can I make a request?" I asked the butler who handed me the letter written by Ms. Stacey.

"Yes, Young Master. What can I assist you with?" The butler replied, eager to follow my request.

"Prepare a car for me and a formal outfit. Dont inform the old man about this," The butler immediately left the room to prepare my request.

To my surprise, the housemaid who was terrified last night heard about my favor.

"Young Master, shouldn't you be resting in your bed? Why are you requesting the butler to prepare a car and a formal outfit?" The maid questioned, appearing to be worried about what might happen to me.

"Oh, it's you. Although it has only been two nights since we met. I think I still haven't had the chance to ask for your name.

"Young Master, I believe that I am not entitled to you to be asking my name. Someone as lowly as I shouldn't even be allowed to talk casually towards you," She responded. Although personally, I thought that everyone in this mansion was at the same level.

Maybe because this woman seems to think that because she serves this household. That made her believe being friends with the owner is out of her league.

"Everyone in this household is part of the family. Whatever your position may be. Housemaid, butler, or members, as long as I stand tall within this mansion. Everyone is part of the family. Although it's only been two nights, I know for sure that the old man values everyone in this household just like his own family. So again, may I ask your name?" Because of what the woman stated, I blurted out a few expressions I never thought I would ever have in my entire life.

"No one has ever told something like that to me, Young Master. My name is Aiko, Suzuki Aiko, Young Master," With a teary eye, Aiko, the housemaid who tended to my wounds, finally opened up.

"Alright, Aiko. I have a favor to ask of you. Would that be alright?" After hearing my response, she nodded, and it can be seen in her face that she was also eager to help.

"What is the emergency meeting all about? Do you have any idea what happened?" Before Aiko could answer my question, the butler I requested to prepare the car and formal clothes already arranged everything and knocked at the door.

"Aiko, let's resume our talk later. Tell the butler to enter once you leave the room," Aiko left the room, and the butler entered.

"Young Master, I have prepared the car, and this is the formal suit you requested," The butler handed me a black coat, a white shirt, and fitted black slacks.

"Leave the car keys at the table. I'll be traveling alone. And remember not to inform the old man of my whereabouts," After taking a few minutes to bathe and prepare, I head out to the entrance and leave the mansion.

Just when I was about to enter the car, the old man suddenly appeared behind me.

"Where do you think you're going, Nicholas?" Ojii-san questioned my actions, asking where I was headed.

"I need to head somewhere quick," Ojii-san wasn't pleased with my answer but gave a condition before allowing me to leave.

"Some of our men will escort you to your destination. And remember that your life is now hanging in a thread. Because of your stunts last night, the whole mafia in Japan will plan to end your life. Even the gangs overseas have now started to plan on taking your life. You are strong, and I know because I have witnessed it with my own two eyes. However, this is not a matter of who is the strongest," The warning of the old man didn't scare me even one bit. However, it might be better to follow his commands.

"You'll be facing hundreds of thousands of mafia families now because you are considered as the most dangerous threat to all existing mafia families. Don't feign ignorance about this situation. Because even though you seem to be immortal, there is a limit to your strength. This family is now your family, and everyone in here will support you with everything," Oji-san added to his warnings.

"I'll keep that in mind, but I can handle things on my own," After listening to the conditions of the old man. I refused and entered the car, then went on my way.