After the mass, we headed straight to the cemetery. As we stepped out of the car, our friends greeted us.
“Hey.” Ace and Stephen exchanged a manly hug. Oliver and Riley joined them, and their usual banter began once again.
“Hello, Thalia. It’s been a while,” Shantal greeted me with a smile before giving me a tight hug.
“Yeah. How’s your trip, anyway?” I asked her as we broke our embrace. I then smiled at Ryza and Amelia, who also greeted me.
“It’s fine. I’m a bit sleepy. But I can manage.” She chuckled.
“Hello, godparents!”
We all paused when Nathan suddenly spoke up, and our attention shifted to him.
“Oh, time really flies. Our godchild is growing up so fast.” Shan affectionately pinched both of his cheeks.
“Yes, indeed. Don’t worry, because when I become a big boy, I’ll take care of the organization, and you can just relax.” He patted his chest confidently.
I was taken aback and glanced at Stephen. We hadn’t realized that Nathan was already contemplating the future.
At just four years old, Nathan was already aware of the kind of family we were, and I was relieved that he understood that his parents were both mafia bosses, as were his godparents.
However, even so, I wanted him to enjoy being a child and a young man for now. We introduced him to the organization, and he’s been to the headquarters as well. But, as much as possible, we won’t involve him in the entire operation until he finishes his studies.
After recovering from our surprise, Ace chuckled and gently tapped Nathan’s head.
“You really are a kid! It’s still a long way off, so don’t think about it too much, okay? We’re still strong, and every move we make is calculated, so don’t worry about us for now.”
“Um, let’s go?” I changed the subject, and I breathed a sigh of relief when Nathan nodded in agreement.
We let him run ahead to the graves of Cole and Belen. He sat on the grass between the two adjacent tombstones.
I let out a deep breath before we followed him. I looked at Stephen, and he suddenly gripped my hand tightly.
“Don’t worry. Everything will be alright.”
I nodded to him, and he gave me a reassuring smile.
“Hello, Uncle Cole!” Nathan greeted warmly before turning to the other gravestone. “Hello, Grandma Belen! How are you? We just came from church. You know, I prayed that you’re happy in heaven.”
Tears welled up in my eyes upon hearing those words from my son. Stephen gently squeezed my hand.
Even though Nathan never met Cole and Belen, I still managed to introduce them to him. I often told him stories about them and showed him all the photos we had of them in their youth. So he had memorized their appearances, and their images were deeply ingrained in his young mind. He could even draw their faces from memory without any reference.
I didn’t inherit my biological mother’s talent for painting, but it seemed my son had taken on that trait.
I made sure he knew how brave Cole and Belen were and how they sacrificed themselves to protect me.
Even though Nathan didn’t get the chance to meet them, he held high admiration and respect for the two of them.
Our friends also regularly pay their respects to Cole and Belen. The kind housekeeper became like a second mother to the entire group, and despite Cole’s betrayal, he ultimately chose to do what was right in the end. Despite everything that happened and all he did, he remains our friend and is forever in our hearts.
Unfortunately, Liam, Ash, and Rhyz had some matters to attend to, so they couldn’t join us today. They might come to visit later in the afternoon.
“Mom, you’re crying again. You haven’t even said hello to the two of them yet.”
Nathan’s words made me blink back my tears. Quickly, I wiped the falling tears from my cheeks and sat down beside him.
I gently touched their engraved names. “How are you two? I hope you’re doing well now. We’re doing okay here too. But even though years have passed, I know you continue to guide us, especially Nathan.”
I closed my eyes as a sudden gust of wind blew, as if they were just around, happily watching us. Even though we’re not physically together, I believe they’re still watching over us.
“Our firstborn with Stephen is four years old now. Honestly, I don’t know who he takes after in terms of being kind and mischievous. He’s quite the opposite of both me and Stephen.” I chuckled.
“Wifey!” Stephen groaned from behind, while our friends laughed.
Nathan smiled. “Mommy, I will not be like this if it’s not with you and Dad.”
Stephen gave Nathan a high-five. “That’s my boy! You really know the right words to say!”
I rolled my eyes and continued to speak.
“We miss both of you. I miss both of you. No one tells me cheesy jokes anymore. No one sings off-key. I don’t have a bodyguard who follows me around and always stands in front of me whenever I open a door. The bodyguard who patiently stands outside my room to watch over me. The bodyguard who indulges me in the things I want to do.”
I bit my lower lip to keep from breaking down.
“I don’t have someone patiently teaching me how to cook anymore. Some of the dishes I know now, I learned from watching the internet. I don’t have anyone who I’m forced to eat with, especially when I’m eating alone. I don’t have someone to talk to at night. No one rebels against me when I try to help with household chores anymore.”
“Don’t worry, Mommy. Daddy and I are still here to do all those things. I can still sing off-key even if I actually have a good voice.”
Laughter once again filled the air. I couldn’t help but join in, forgetting about my earlier dramatic moment. Nathan always manages to lighten the mood whenever I’m feeling sad and lonely. He’s my source of comfort and joy.
We offered a heartfelt prayer before finally leaving that place. But before getting into Stephen’s car, I entrusted Nathan to Mads. He would be riding in their car as they headed home earlier, along with some of the other mafia guards.
I bent down slightly to align my face with Nathan's. “Son, promise me you won’t stay away from your godparents, okay? Just behave at the mansion when we get home and don’t go out. We just have some things to take care of with your Daddy. But we’ll be back before it gets dark.”
His face instantly grew sad. “Can’t you please take me with you? I promise to behave. I really do.” He raised his right hand as if taking an oath.
I sighed and gently caressed his cheek. “No, sweetheart. You know why, right? Your safety is our top priority.”
This time, he nodded in agreement.
“Okay, Mommy. I’ll just wait for you and Daddy at the mansion.”
I smiled. “Good.” I stood up and accompanied him as he got into Mads’ car. Stephen joined us, and the father and son exchanged a fist bump.
“We’ll take care of him, Thalia.” Damon patted my shoulder reassuringly.
“Alright. If anything happens, just give us a call immediately.”
They all nodded before finally driving away. As they disappeared from our view, we also got into our respective cars.
I let out a deep sigh as we started driving. “Are Liam and the others there yet?” I asked Stephen.
“Yes. He sent a text earlier before we left. They just arrived.”
I gazed out of the window. “I hope their transaction with the other group went smoothly.”
“It seems like it. I also heard from Ace that the Sarmientos and Lewis handled the negotiation just well,” Stephen replied.
I felt relieved upon hearing that. “That’s good to know.”
After a while, we arrived at our final destination for the day. We all disembarked from our cars almost simultaneously. Our vigilant guards met us outside and bowed respectfully.
My attention turned to the castle-like mansion in front of me. We started walking, and as we reached the entrance, our eyes met with the eye sensor security system that was placed outside. Once our access was approved, the massive wooden doors swung open. We continued inside and entered a spacious hall.
I spotted Liam, Rhyz, and Ash waiting, along with several others. When they saw me, they quickly stood up and bowed their heads.
I smiled in acknowledgment before making my way to the chair placed at the center of a long wooden table. Stephen and the rest also took their respective seats.
“Good day, Lady Nathalia,” greeted the members of the mafia organization.
I smiled as I settled back into the wooden chair, crossing my legs.
“Shall we start?”
This is now my world. I promised my parents that I would continue their legacy by ensuring the smooth operation of the organization and preventing any conflicts among its members. So I accepted the offer to lead them.
The mafia boss may have once kidnapped me, but now I stand as the mafia boss myself—the queen and leader of the entire underground society.