Pick up

After 4 years

Chloe packed her bags and left her father's house after Nero dropped her off. She took her high school diploma and her acceptance letter to an ivy league college with tuition and dorm room covered. All she had to do was work part-time for her food.

She wanted to become a physiotherapist. She wanted to help everyone who have gone through trauma as she did. Becoming a doctor and serving people is her dream.

Her graduation is done, and she needs to study for 2 more years for her Post Graduate degree in psychology, to earn a degree and start working as a qualified Psychologist.

"Hey, you done packing your stuff?" Mia, my roommate asked me.

Chloe snapped from the mind and looked at her roommate, who reminds Chloe of 'him', for some odd reason.

But they cannot be related. He is a mafia man and Mia is a sweet girl.

Chloe met Mia after she came to stay in her dorm. She was the one who joined a week later than others. By that time, Mia was already settled in the Dorm.

Mia helped Chloe for settling down and respected her privacy and never asked about her parents and why she came late. In return, Chloe never asked personal questions either. 

They respected each other's privacy and it worked out well for them.

"Ya, I am almost done" Chloe replied.

"I can't believe I won't be able to see you regularly from now on," Mia said dramatically.

Chloe chuckled at Mia.

"You will be moving into our shared apartment in two months. We would be starting our Post Graduation together" Chloe pointed out.

Mia sighed.

"Ya ya, I know. But why don't you come with me? My mom is super sweet and she would love to have you in our home for the holidays" Mia requested.

Chloe shook her head sadly.

"You know I need to earn as much as I can in these two months. Once college starts, I wouldn't be able to do so many shifts. You know that" Chloe reminded gently.

Chloe too wants to go if she could. But she cannot. Mia would help her if she asked her to. But Chloe doesn't want to become a charity case. 

Two more years, that's it. And then, she doesn't have to do all these dead-end jobs. 

Mia looked at her best friend sadly. She wanted to help her friend. But she knows Chloe wouldn't like it. So she stopped offering. Mia is sure Chloe would ask her if she really needs her help.

"I will go and give these books back in the library" Chloe informed Mia, holding a stack of books.

Just then a message popped in Mia's phone.

She looked at it and sighed.

"Sure, but I think I would be gone by the time you could come back. Someone is coming to pick me up" Mia informed Chloe.

Chloe smiled at nodded her head.

She gave a bear hug to Mia in goodbye.

"See you soon. I will call you whenever I can" Chloe promised.

Mia nodded her head.

They parted ways and Chloe went to the library, to return the books.

Nero on the other hand is now 'the mafia boss'. He took over completely. After his undercover operation to eliminate his enemies, everyone a scared of him. They are scared that they might be next if they even sneeze his way.

And just like his father, mostly no one saw his face or how he looks.

He has a right-hand Matteo, who is Marco's son. He is the one who represents Nero, just like his father.

"I came to pick her up. Matteo will drop her off near the island. I am busy" Nero said into the phone, and listen to his mother telling him to be careful. 

"Ok," he replied and disconnected the call.

He loves his parents. He does. But after so much bloodshed by his hands, he forgot to express his emotions. The only way he communicates now is mostly listening to his mother and sister, and answering with a single syllable when they need his opinion. 

He still remembers his mother being worried for him.

"He becoming distant," his mother told his father.

"No, he learned how it would be to live in this world. We need to kill everyone who wants to kill us. That's the only way to survive here. He learned it faster than I thought he would. He would live longer like this and I am sure he would protect you and Mia after me" his father replied.

Until that moment, Nero thought something broke inside him. But after listening to his father's words, he understood he is fine but is now matured and knows the way of their life. Everything has a price to pay. Their world has violence with lots of money. 

He is born here, he decided to rule where he was born. It's no use tucking your tail between your legs and running for your life.

"Boss, we reached" his underboss and right-hand man Matteo informed him.

Nero looked around and found them in his sister's college, parked to aside.

"Ok, go and help Mia with her luggage. Make sure you hide your weapons away from these kids" Nero told Matteo. 

"Sure boss" Matteo answered and went to help Mia, his Boss's sister, as well as his.

Nero received a call. He stepped out of the car and attended the call, facing away from the dorms.

Chloe, who was walking towards the library is just a couple of feet away from Nero, who has his back to her.