Unraveled Ties

Erald's pov

Who does she think she is to challenge me? I do as I please. I have no patience for some deluded little girl.

Walking out of the classroom, I stood in the corridor just outside, unaware when I started walking down memory lane.

The first time I saw Mela was at the museum with her friend, or at least I assumed she was her friend. She was different, not like any girl I had ever seen before. I felt something when I first laid eyes on her, something I couldn't quite explain. Throughout my life, my only real friend has been Jake, and I never considered having female whatsoever in my life. Besides, I had far more important things to do than worry about making friends or having lovers.

And honestly, I don’t keep women around—I use them and discard them. They’re just objects to me. Never in my life did I think I would see her again, not until the day I got admitted to St. Luther's University of California. On my first day there, I was stunned to walk into the classroom and see Mela sitting there. She looked like a ghost in clothes, silent, wearing headphones, keeping her distance from everyone.

When I ran into her on that street yesterday, it was pure coincidence. I had gone out to clear my mind. I didn’t even recognize her at first. That is, until she turned and started shouting like the crazy girl she is. I gave her the response she deserved.

That street doesn't belong to her. I don’t care what she thinks. If she stands in my way, I'll burn her alive.

I don't care who she is. Right now, I have more pressing matters than dealing with some insignificant person.

I walked toward the school garden. When I arrived, I saw a group of girls sitting together. I made my way over to sit, ignoring their stares, though I knew they were all watching me.

As I sat down, lit a cigarette, and took two drags, one of the girls approached me. She stopped in front of me, winking flirtatiously.

"Hey, handsome." She said, her smile wide.

I didn’t respond, just glanced at her, then turned my face away.

"Can I sit?" She asked, not waiting for my answer as she took a seat next to me.

"Get up." I growled quietly. I saw her shiver before she stood.

"Leave, and don't come near me again, or I'll make sure you disappear without a trace. Now go." I warned in a controlled calm voice, but the threat was clear. She ran back to her friends, and soon enough, they all left after she whispered something to them.

Not long after they left, I spotted Jake walking toward me. I needed to leave this place and head to my father’s.

My father is a mafia king, and he’s told me that I must be the one to carry on his legacy because he believes I'm the only one who can continue his empire.

He said I need to be formally introduced to the Cosa Nostra so they know I've taken over. Being a mafia king is dangerous, there’s so much at stake, but what is life without taking risks? I know it’s a perilous path, but if my father could control the empire, why can’t I? I am Valentino Balencentra’s son, and my father never taught me to back down.

Jake knows everything about me, and I can tell he’s worried. Speaking of Jake, I realized I saw him a few minutes ago. Where the hell is he now?

I lifted my head and saw him talking to someone, so I left him to it. I knew that when he finished, he’d come to me.

I’d already told Jake I was heading to my father’s, and he begged to come along, despite me refusing him countless times. But, in the end, I gave in to his pleas. This is my best friend, crazy as he is, and despite knowing the kind of person I am, a cold, heartless killer he still chooses to be by my side.

I’m heading to meet my father, to start taking control of the empire. To do that, I’ll need to drop out of school, but honestly, who cares about this place?

"Erald," Jake called out.

"What's up, man?" he asked.

"I'm good. And you?" I responded coldly.

"I'm fine, bro, but why did you storm out of class like that? I tried calling you, but you were so lost in thought, you didn't hear me?" Jake asked, concern in his voice.

"It’s nothing. We need to go." I said emotionlessly.

"Alright, let's go. Uncle must be waiting for you," Jake said as he looked at me.

I gave him a cold stare, but he wasn’t bothered, he knew I didn’t like showing emotion. I stood up, grabbed my bag, and we left.

Arriving at the company, I entered without acknowledging any of the employees who greeted me. Soon, I was standing at the door of my father’s office.

He knows who I am a brutal, merciless killer and that's why he has so much confidence in me to take over his legacy. After all, it’s always the prince who succeeds the king.

I opened the door and saw my father with a group of men and two women, who I assumed were part of his Cosa Nostra.

"Hey, Dad." I said, not looking at the others.

"Erald, wait a minute. I'll be done soon."

"Okay."

When they were finished, they left, and my father came up to me with a smile. He was clearly pleased with my arrival.

"Son, how are you?" He asked.

"I'm fine, Dad. And you?" I replied.

"Oh, my boy, I'm doing well." He said with a smile.

"I'm glad you came." He added.

I didn't know what to say, so I just nodded.

"Let’s talk business." He said, his tone turning serious.

He began to explain the details of the business, and I absorbed everything. I had been learning about the mafia world from his personal assistant, so I understood the lingo.

I was confident in my ability to lead because I’d been trained for this, and my father trusted me with the empire’s enemies, people to destroy, lives to ruin. I had to fight my own battles. It’s dangerous being the son of a mafia king.

*****

Hours later, we finished the discussion, and my father said, “Go home and get some rest. We’ll continue tomorrow.”

When he said that, I remembered that I had come with Jake, but now he was nowhere to be found. I didn’t even notice when he left.

I excused myself from my father’s office.

“Dad, I’ll be back in a minute.” I said before he could ask any questions. I went out looking for Jake, and to my surprise, I found him talking to my father’s personal assistant.

I didn’t know they had become so close. Was this why Jake had begged to come along with me? What’s going on between them? I couldn’t help but notice Josh smiling. That bastard never smiled when women approached him, but now he’s grinning like an idiot because of my best friend.

I left them and returned to my father’s office to say goodbye. Then, I went out.

“Jake, it’s time to leave.” I said.

“We’re leaving, Jake,” I said in a chilling tone, seeing he wasn’t ready to go.

Jake said his goodbyes and followed me to the limo, and we left.

As we drove, Jake was unusually quiet, which struck me as odd. He usually talked non-stop, but not tonight. I wondered if it was because I had separated him from Josh. I wasn’t sure, but I didn’t really care.

Fifteen minutes later, I dropped Jake off at his house and headed home.

When I arrived, Aunt Anabelle was there. She had been the one taking care of me since my mother passed away. She’s like a mother to me, and I love her, even if I don’t I hardly show it.

“Hey, Erald!” She called out as I walked in, and I immediately hugged her. I missed her more than I realized. I hadn’t called her all day, and that made me miss her even more. I rested in her arms, letting the weight of the day drop.

She eventually pulled away, and I noticed her smile had faded. Something was wrong.

"Erald, he’s back." She said.

“Who?” I asked impatiently, a knot forming in my stomach.

“It’s Caryl.” She replied.

Hearing his name made my heart drop. Anger, pain, anxiety, and hatred all flooded me at once, suffocating me. I couldn’t breathe.

Aunt Anabelle knew exactly why I was reacting this way, so she tried to calm me down.

"Erald, please." She pleaded softly.

But all I could think about was Caryl. I remembered the day he killed our mother, how he stabbed her in cold blood. She begging for her life while he showed no mercy. I was there, in the corner of the room, watching him turn our mother into a corpse.

The memories flooded back, leaving me breathless, consumed by rage. I stormed into his room, but he wasn’t there. I prayed he wouldn’t return, because if he did, I might just kill him in the same way he killed Mom or worse.

I left his room and headed downstairs. The maids greeted me, but I ignored them. I needed to get away, to clear my head, so I decided to head to a nearby bar.

Just as I was about to step into my car, two guards approached.

"Boss, we were told to ensure your safety." one of the guards said.

“Don’t,” I said coldly, emitting an aura of danger. They knew better than to ignore my orders. They stepped back, and I got into my limo, driving off at high speed.

I just needed to forget, even for a little while. I headed to a bar, hoping the alcohol would numb the pain.

I arrived at the bar and began drinking. After an hour, I’d downed ten shots of vodka. I was on the verge of pouring another when I started feeling dizzy. I tried to stand, but I was too drunk to balance myself. I reached for my phone to call Jake to come pick me up, but my vision blurred, and I couldn’t even make out the numbers clearly.

I cursed under my breath. I had definitely overdone it.

When I looked up, I saw Mela sitting across the room with her friend, Mira. What the hell? Of all the bars in LA, why did she have to be here?

I tried to leave without drawing attention to myself, but I stumbled and fell flat on my face. Only a few people noticed, and they stared at me. I didn’t care. My only concern was that I didn’t want Mela to see me—I didn’t need her thinking I was stalking her.

I got up and tried again, but once more I fell. This time, I was close to the exit. As I struggled, Mela appeared in front of me.

For some reason, seeing her triggered something in me—a strange sensation in my chest. At the same time, my anger flared again.

I had come to this bar to forget my past, even for just a moment, but seeing Mela brought it all back. She had the same icy blue eyes as Caryl. And in that instant, my fury took over.

She saw me and gave me a confused look, clearly noticing that I couldn’t stand properly. She came over and wrapped my arm around her neck, surprising me. I tried not to show my shock.

"I’m not kidnapping you," she said. "Give me your address."

I didn’t want to argue, and I needed to get home, so I gave her the address.

She and Mira helped me to the car. The ride was silent, and I couldn’t focus on anything. My mind was a blur.

"We’re at your place," Mela said, breaking the silence.

They helped me out of the car, and one of the guards rushed over, surprised to see me in this state. Mela and the guard exchanged a few words, but I didn’t understand them. He took me inside, where Aunt Anabelle was waiting. She looked concerned but didn’t say anything.

The guard led me to my room, and as soon as I hit the bed, I passed out.