My Artistic Mafia Man

Chapter 1: The New BossEltan StormIt had been two years—two fucking years since my parents were killed in a bomb blast. Their funeral was something I would never forget; not that I would ever want to. I needed to remember exactly what I felt when I was standing in front of my parents' burned corpses so that the fire of my vengeance never dimmed.I was their youngest child—the most adored and spoiled one. I used to be the goofy troublemaker among my siblings. I had been the only one who didn't go down the family business path. That's why my parents were protective of me and almost never let me out of their sight. Not like they would restrict me a lot. In fact, they would let me get away with stuff that they normally wouldn't allow Elian and Lance. Even when they sent the two of them out of the city, Mom and Dad made sure I was always within their hands' reach, whether it was their impromptu dinner plans or dragging me to their boring business parties.Mom and I were like besties; we

Chapter 3: Stranger talkEltan Storm"Capo, you can't lock yourself inside your room forever!" Denver hollered from outside my bedroom."Tell me to come out once you have located those bastards," I replied, my eyes fixated on the canvas in front of me.After two whole years, I had taken out my painting kit. I couldn't stop thinking about Faith. I wanted to go see her. But I knew I shouldn't. I needed to stay away from that girl for my own sanity's sake. Because if I saw her beautiful smile with dimples one more time, I would be a whipped man. And I couldn't afford that. I had more important goals.Since I couldn't go meet her, the next best thing was to paint her. My fingers were itching to pick up my brushes for her, but I resisted. However, I finally gave in to the temptation on the third day.Since I remembered every detail of her perfectly, I had been busy stroking colors on the canvas for two days, trying to create a perfect masterpiece of Faith.I smiled to myself in satisfactio

Chapter 5: FriendsEltan StormIt was like it was just the two of us at that moment, boring into each other's eyes until Faith broke it by letting out a meek, "Sorry?"I realized that I was far too close for her comfort and backed off. I sat back on the bar stool and lied, "I mean, I don't want to disappoint my employees."I noticed a faint stroke of red on her cheeks as she turned her head away and nodded her head.I took a sip of my drink and started, "So as we were discussing, tomorrow can I expect to have you as a partner?"She shook her head and said, "I work from evening till morning."But there was no rule that I couldn't bend as long as it was my territory."Well, then, I'm giving you a paid-off day tomorrow." Her eyes widened for the third time tonight. "So will you come now?"She considered it for a moment before finally nodding her head in agreement. I almost wanted to scream in happiness.Yes, finally, I would get the chance to know her more personally. I couldn't wait for

Chapter 7: Sweet Eltan?Eltan Storm"You're a bad boss," said Candy all of a sudden, interrupting me and Faith in the middle of a fun conversation."Excuse me?" I arched an eyebrow."—is what everyone has been saying," Candy completed."Why? Eltan is a really good boss," Faith said instantly, and a smile formed on my lips.Just a few days ago, if someone asked her this, she would have to think twice before answering. But due to my regular presence at the casino for the last few days, her opinion of me had drastically changed, and so had her attitude toward me."Well, you would think that, of course, because the boss favors you. But the rest of the bartenders think that Boss has a crush on you and that's why he doesn't pay attention to any other employees. He just comes here to chat with you." Well, all of that might be right. "By the way, none of these are my words. I lost a bet, so I had to come here and say that." Candy flashed me a tight-lipped smile. "So now please excuse me, Boss

Chapter 9: Tough ChoiceEltan Storm"Hey, Eltan, what's up?" asked my eldest sister-in-law, Alena."Hey, Xian. Oh, my God, he has grown up so much!" I gushed over the little baby boy in her lap.Alena shot me a flat look through the laptop screen. "You could at least acknowledge his mother," she muttered."What's to acknowledge about you, Big Sis? You're as pretty as ever, but Xian has grown up," I reasoned, my hands itching to hold my nephew in my arms. But they were now temporarily staying in New York as Elian was expanding our business there."Sure, sure. What do you want? I'm busy.""Busy doing what exactly? It's the weekend."Alena rolled her eyes. "I'm a mother and a wife, Eltan. I'm always busy.""Sure, that's why Big Bro is surfing Netflix for a movie to watch with you guys." I could see the black and red reflection of the Netflix display on the cup Alena was drinking from.I heard Elian laugh and say, "Busted."I watched as Alena threw a cushion at her husband from the couch,