Chapter 48

Tsubame closed her eyes as the facts sank into her mind.

"Isame-" she bit her lip as small tears crept out of the corner of her eyes. I could tell that she was holding it in and she hissed when blood started to seep out of her lower lip. Beside her, Miyara was fully weeping, her face buried into Tsubame's cushion as she slammed her fists into the ground.

Tsubame and Miyara had not known that Isame was tangled with the Mafia. The only fact that they only knew that Isame quitted school because she wanted to continue with her online shop. Of course, they met each week, but I had specifically told Isame to lie about her situation.

"I'm sorry," I said gravely. "Isame-if she hadn't-"

Tsubame held her hand up to silence me.

"What is done is done," she snarled out not at me, but at the person who killed Isame. Tears plopped down her face as she sniffled twice before jerking up and leaving her own room, slamming it behind her.

I fell silent as Miyara's cries filled the hallowed room. The death of Isame was so abrupt that I knew what it felt like to them. Just a few weeks before the Mafia thing, they were still chattering at the cafe, waving to each other and scheduling a meeting next month.

They never knew that was the last time they would see her.

Not to mention that Light had burned the place down so that there were no traces of me being kidnapped or tortured. DNA would leave lethal evidence in the scene.

We didn't bring Isame's corpse back. The only thing we could do was to create a burial for her in the cemetery. I felt my jaw tighten at how much I had disappointed Tsubame. It felt terrible and rose inside my chest guilty before turning its back against my face to show how much I had destroyed in our circle of friends.

Knowing that I could've prevented Isame's death by refusing to bring her on the trip with me had dawned heavily across my face. Yes, although I did try to persuade her to stay in Japan, she persisted so much that I didn't object to her tag-along.

But what was done was done.

Tsubame was correct.

Isame was gone.

Forever.

"My daughter, that was indeed a reckless but wise thing to do," Henrik covered his green eyes with his hand, rubbing the sides of his temples before lifting it off to show his fatigued eyes.

"The good thing is that Xzar is completely burned away from history," the triumphant grin grew wider on his face before turning towards me. "I'll make a note to change all the names of our members in our database."

"Please do that," I crossed my legs before leaning back onto the couch. "How much did you gain from Xzar?"

"Oh, we gained much more than you can imagine," Henrik chuckled before signalling one of his guards to bring in the files. 7 yellow folders were placed neatly before me as I opened each one. The first one was the bases that Henrik had gained control over, and built on top of the previous Xzar.

2 were stationed in France, 3 in Spain, and 4 in Singapore.

The second file contained the illegal trading routes that Xzar mapped out.

The rest of the files were about the connections and goods from the war of spoils.

"I'm surprised," I slapped the last file shut before glancing at Henrik who was blowing on his coffee. "To this the Black Dragons, aside from helping us, did not accept even half of the spoils."

"It is their payment for their lives," Henrik smiled generously. "They are currently rebuilding their base."

"Mhm, also, you'll need more people in your group from now on."

He grinned before sliding me another file on the corner of his desk.

"This is...?" I looked up expectantly at him as I opened it. Shock filled my mind before I hastily flipped through every single page, looking at the members and the Death Note pages that were placed carefully behind all the data information.

"It concerns me that we have missed your 16th birthday," Henrik chuckled before extending his hands. "Consider this as a late present from me."

It was truly ironic.

My own family had not even celebrated nor mentioned my birthday since it was the day L kidnapped me. I had missed all my birthdays from the day I woke up as Sayu.

You would have thought that Sayu was properly taken care of since I had taken over her body and the parents favoured me more than their previous daughter.

But habits were hard to break.

Sayu was originally neglected in the first place.

And here I was, with an adopted father from the mafia who cared more than the actual family.

A small smirk plastered across my lips before I lowered my head at the man.

"Then I shall humbly accept papa's birthday present."

The present was no small one, in fact.

It was a transfer invitation to Harvard university located in America.

Not only that, but Henrik had also given me complete control over one of his bases in America.

The transfer was probably the use of the Death Note on the president, and Henrik had supplied me with the Death Note pages in case anything had happened to me there. On the list of names, I saw a couple of Henrik's close guards that were coming with me to America.

Henrik had known that I was trying to leave Light's grasp ever since L had died. Being with him did ensure my safety, but it had limited my actions so much that it was suffocating. I couldn't make friends in University since Light was intimidating them off, nor could I come frequently to meet Henrik because of the GPS Light had installed.

Every time I wanted to meet Henrik, I had to pass my phone over to Miyara and tell her to wander the streets of the nearest shopping malls.

It was not healthy for a bird who loved freedom.

Not to mention giving me his base was also an indirect way of allowing me to learn the basics of combat and weapons.

And, since I had complete control, I was probably able to create some real-life battle royale.

"Hehehehehe..." My grin widened maliciously.

In hindsight, this was probably a cover-up to send me to America to steal some blueprints and the data of larger companies. Henrik was probably also trying to get me to start a company with my future knowledge, maybe buy some upcoming brands that would make it big in the future.

But he was the mafia, it was normal for him to take advantage of me. Not to mention that leaving Light was one of the most attractive things about this present. And also-

Harvard.

I would kill to get into that institute.

Henrik's eyes sparkled before showing the laptop that lay beside him from the beginning of our conversation. I raised my eyebrows at the number on the site.

"We have started mass production of dolls and plushies. Your friend left several designs that we hadn't started making yet." Henrik opened his palms as he explained his plan.

"Controlling people shouldn't raise any suspicion, Alyona."

I nodded in agreement, the smile on my lips never faltering.

"Just be aware, Light will be keeping tabs on all Mafia movements," I hummed. "Also, you better find a fashion industry worker to help you expand on the designs in the upcoming future."

"Not to worry, my daughter," a sly smile crossed Henrik's face. "Also, Anthony will come and visit Japan after a few months to finalize the engagement. He bids you well."

"Of course," I returned his expression with one of my own. "I'm the one who saved him after all."

It was mid-April when Anthony's plane landed in Japan. He was invited to Henrik's mansion beside the beach for a 2-day vacation, flying to America to check on his newly founded bases that linked an illegal trade route with China.

"Alyona," he greeted with a grin before rushing up to me. It had only been months, yet this boy had a growth spurt. He was now a head taller than me and grew out his hair compared to the style he wore before. His black hair cut handsomely into a natural but casual style as his glimmering eyes shone with the same stubbornness that he had when we first met.

He turned 17 last month.

"Anthony!" I waved before pulling him into a tight hug. He chuckled before jabbing his finger on the side of my stomach and causing me to yelp back and cackling at my priceless expression.

"How is your arm?"

Although the question was a harmless one, Anthony's face fell a bit before shaking his head and giving me a small frown.

"Don't worry, Anthony. When technology advances, hopefully, we'll find a way to heal it."

Anthony shook his head, shrugging.

"I doubt that will happen in the next couple of years, and it's not like my left arm is completely immobile." He raised up his arm and wiggled his fingers like they were worms. I flicked it as he turned to me with a dramatic gasp.

"You! Have damaged my thousand-year cultivation!" He accused me and I rolled my eyes.

"Anyhow," I walked through the hallways and led him outside of the first-floor balcony, opening the gate that linked directly to the shores of the beach. It was a cloudy yet sunny day. The skies were blue as the warm wind of June blew in our faces, messing his hair up as I smugly grinned at my tied upbraid. He made a face.

"Are you done with your work here?" I asked while walking deeper into the beach, the sand sliding in between my toes as I crossed my arms before turning to glance at Anthony who was grinning mischievously.

"What are you-hey!"

I yelped as his fingers slipped through my hair and yanked down the hair tie which held my braid together. I gasped as my own hair whirled around like the helicopter from movies, slapping me in the face and flying into my open mouth. Both Anthony and I glanced at the hair tie in his hand before he looked back at me with cocky twerk of his head and made a sprint for it.

"You fucker!" I screamed before picking up sand and whipping it in his direction, only to have the wind splatter the sand into my mouth as I coughed it out.

"Catch me if you can!" I heard his voice from afar before I grinned and threw my blouse into the sand.

"Challenge accepted!"

"Get ready to RUUUMBLEEEE!" I shrieked before launching my weight at him, flying towards his body and twisting my hands around his waist to bring him down with me. Cackling, I threw sand in his face as he slapped my hands away, hollering at me to stop with a never leaving grin.

"Hah! And that's what you get from ruining my hair!" I smacked his arms that were in front of his face as he coughed out the sand, staring at me with a crafty smirk.

"Will you marry me?"

"If you do that again, and I will- wait what?"

I blinked before searching through my ears to make sure I was hearing correctly. Anthony grinned angelically before taking his thumb and wiping away the sand that was on my cheeks.

"Will you be mine?"

Aw shit, that was romantic.

But inside my mind, my heart didn't move.

"Anthony, do you like me?" I narrowed my eyes as he sat up with me on him. The spark in his eyes dimmed a bit before shaking his head with a laugh.

"Let me be completely honest with you, I don't."

"Oh," was all I could say as I stared at him with confusion.

"Don't give me that look, Alyona," he snickered before placing both of his hands behind his body and gave me a bemused crinkle in his eyes. "You know how arranged marriages work."

"...Do you have anyone you like then?" I lowered my hands before glancing carefully over his face, his tall nose stood out as well as his handsome cheekbones that were angled so perfectly that it was like he was a photoshopped model.

"No, but..." his eyes glanced over to the ocean before shifting back to meet mine. It was slightly weird because his gaze almost seemed a bit guilty. But what could he be guilty of? Maybe because he thought that he was the reason that threw me onto Hugo?

"I would die for you, Alyona."

Excuse me?

"Anthony, you should know about the girl that was captured with me," I frowned as he nodded. The mention of Isame almost made me frown before Anthony nudged me in the stomach. My eyes twitched at his action to distract me.

"I do, but Alyona, no matter if you saved me because of Henrik's reputation or your mission, I see you as a precious friend." His voice rang out with sincerity as the spark in his eyes lit up like fireworks in the night sky.

"I would not hesitate to give my life to you."

I froze at his words and my lungs felt extremely stuffy as if something had clotted it. Taking my hand that was clenched into a fist on my lap, he intertwined it with his before he commented on how sweaty my hands were. I headbutted him in the face.

"Fuck! That hurt, Alyona!" He whined before rubbing his nose with a scrunched face.

"Serves you right, Anthony," I frowned before squeezing his hand back and cracking a small grin.

This boy...I didn't deserve him.

"You already know my response then," I giggled according to Henrik's guidance as Anthony made a pout.

"Do you have anyone you like then?" He asked as Light's face flashed through my mind.

"If I had to be honest, I don't know," I gave a wry smile as the expression on his face didn't falter.

"Do you wanna talk about it?" He asked carefully as I paused at his words.

"He is someone..." I trailed off as the waves reached out closer towards us. "He is someone I need to kill."

Anthony blinked.

"Star Crossed lovers, eh?"

I flicked his forehead at his comment. He grinned foolishly.

"It's-" I sighed as I felt Anthony rub my hand with his thumb, looking down at the soft skin that had been pampered with for the past couple of months from my salon ever since I came back with Hugo's session.

"I'm acting as a spy for Henrik, and I know the guy I like is the type to get suspicious of anyone who comes close. I...even if I decide to betray Henrik for him, once he finds out that I am in the mafia..."

I swallowed bitterly.

"Is..." Anthony trailed a bit before giving me a half-hearted smile. "Are your feelings for him strong?"

"I've never been in love before," I replied with my own bitter smile.

"And the thing is, I've manipulated so many people that I can't even forgive myself for obtaining happiness." I shook my head.

"I am selfish, Anthony." I stared at him hard at his eyes, searching for any signs of disgust. It was so strange because, with him, I felt that I could share anything. Everything about my knowledge and my past.

But for some reason, my heart didn't move for him.

Why?

I knew that I had something for Light, but this...

Anthony was perfect for me, I knew.

I knew that so clearly that it hurt me to see myself hurting the boy.

"I will manipulate anyone if it benefits me. You are no exception either." I paused with moist eyes before the numerous deaths flew through my mind.

"I am cruel too. I am so cruel that I think that I might have urges to hurt people just for fun."

I choked.

"Do you really want to throw your life for me?"

Anthony swallowed thickly before touching my wet cheeks.

"Alyona, first love never works out," His frank tone made me giggle before he smiled himself.

"We are the mafia. Our mission is to manipulate people and kill," his eyes softened before looking at his own hands. "I've killed thousands of people only at the age of 12, and it twists us, Alyona."

He tilted his head and gave me a grin.

"I don't blame you for delving into the world of torture."

"I've manipulated allies," I whispered. "I've done things worse than you."

Anthony took a deep breath before glancing up at me with a frown.

"Do you regret it?"

I furiously shook my head. "I cannot, it is a waste of time."

"Then there you have it," he flicked my forehead as tears continued to drop out of my eyes. "If you don't have someone you can't betray, then make it me."

My wide eyes stared at him in shock.

Who the hell- he's so blunt!

"You already told me something that you've never said to anyone, haven't you?" He asked before wiggling his brows.

"Pft," I chuckled before nodding slowly. "You're correct."

"Then let me tell you something too," he paused. "My marriage to use is a tool to manipulate you for access to the Kira power."

He cocked his head to the side.

"You already know, don't you?"

I nodded hesitantly at his words.

"Then let's make a vow," he held up his pinky finger and looked at me dead in the eye. "From now on, we will be honest with each other. I will be there if you break. I won't betray you or judge you if you ever find killing people as fun."

"And how do I know that you're not using this to secure my loyalty to you?" I purred with a smug smile despite my red eyes. Anthony scoffed.

"There you go, mafia blood right there in you." He jabbed his finger accusingly at me before forcibly grabbing my pinky and sealing our deal.

"You do know that Henrik isn't my father, right?"

He laughed at my confession.

"I don't care, Alyona. You are perfect for me, and you know it too."

"Perfect is for one," I pursed my lips before tearing my hand away from his. "Heart is a different thing."

His eyes glimmered before grinning.

"Then I will try my best to make you fall for me."