Chapter 199

#199 “Apparently I should Get Married.”

As the deafening sound of the gunshot shattered the air, Alexander’s heart stopped. Time seemed to freeze as he watched in horror, unable to comprehend the sudden turn of events. Kyle staggered backward, clutching his chest, a look of disbelief etched on his face.

But then, a wave of relief washed over Alexander as he realized that Kyle was still standing. It was a miracle.

“Kyle!” Alexander exclaimed, rushing to his friend’s side. “Are you okay?”

Kyle, still in shock, nodded slowly. “I… I think so,” he stammered, his voice trembling. “But… the ring…”

Alexander’s eyes fell to the shattered remains of the ring box lying on the ground. Despite the damage, the ring itself remained untouched, gleaming in the dim light.

“Thank goodness you’re alright,” Alexander breathed, his voice laced with gratitude. “That ring box saved your life.”

Kyle nodded, his expression solemn. “I can’t believe it,” he murmured, reaching down to pick up the ring. “It’s like… fate intervened to protect us.”

As they stood there amidst the chaos of the moment, Alexander couldn’t shake the feeling of awe and wonder at the inexplicable twist of fate that had just unfolded before their eyes.

Suddenly, the realization of what had just happened began to sink in, and panic set in. Alexander’s mind raced as he frantically looked around for any sign of danger.

“We need to get out of here,” Alexander said urgently, his voice tinged with fear. “We can’t stay.”

Kyle nodded in agreement, his face pale but determined. “Let’s go,” he said, his voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through his veins.

Together, they hurriedly made their way to the car, every sound amplified in the eerie silence that followed the gunshot.

Finally reaching the safety of the car, Alexander wasted no time in starting the engine, the roar of the motor drowning out the pounding of his heart. As they peeled away from the scene, leaving behind the haunting memory of what had just transpired, Alexander couldn’t help but wonder what other dangers lay ahead on their journey. He was most worried about what Sophia would say about all this.

Kyle was looking at the box of the ring that had saved his life and suddenly started laughing.

“I take it as a good sign,” he said after a while. “Apparently I should get married.”

*

As they walked home, Kyle couldn’t shake the lingering sense of shock from the near-death experience. His mind was still reeling from the events that had unfolded just moments ago, the sound of the gunshot echoing in his ears.

As they entered the apartment, Sophia’s concerned gaze met them, her eyes filled with worry and questions. Without waiting for them to speak, she bombarded them with inquiries about what had transpired.

Alexander and Kyle recounted the harrowing ordeal, detailing the confrontation with Alberto and the miraculous twist of fate that had saved Kyle’s life. Sophia listened intently, her expression shifting from concern to relief as she processed the gravity of the situation.

Sophia’s relief was palpable as she hugged both Alexander and Kyle tightly, grateful that they had escaped unscathed. However, beneath her facade of calm, a flicker of anger simmered at the thought of the danger they had been exposed to.

As they sat down to lunch, the tension in the room was palpable, the weight of the recent events hanging heavily in the air. Kyle’s gaze remained fixed on the broken ring box.

Noticing Kyle’s preoccupation, Sophia placed a hand on his shoulder, her voice gentle yet probing.

“What’s on your mind, Kyle?” she asked, her concern evident in her tone.

Kyle hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to articulate the tumult of emotions swirling inside him.

Finally, he met Sophia’s gaze, his eyes filled with a mixture of gratitude and uncertainty.

“Yeah, I’ve been thinking a lot about my parents lately,” he admitted, his voice tinged with a hint of melancholy.

Sophia’s brow furrowed with concern. ” What about them, Kyle?”

Taking a deep breath, Kyle launched into the tale of his parents’ ill-fated romance, his words weaving a tapestry of love and tragedy that held his friends captivated.

“My parents met in the U.S.,” he began, his voice soft but steady. “My dad was determined to climb the ranks in the mafia, no matter the cost.”

Sophia’s eyes widened with alarm, while Alexander listened intently, his expression grave.

“It sounds like they led quite the tumultuous life,” Sophia murmured sympathetically.

Kyle nodded. “It was. Mom got caught up in the retaliation for Dad’s ruthless actions. It ended tragically, with her losing her life.”

A heavy silence settled over the room as they absorbed the weight of Kyle’s words. Alexander reached out, placing a comforting hand on Kyle’s shoulder.

“I’m so sorry, Kyle,” he said quietly.

Kyle offered a small, sad smile. ”

Thanks, Alex. After Mom passed away, Dad was shattered. He decided to abandon the mafia and return to Italy, leaving everything behind, including me.”

Sophia’s eyes glistened with unshed tears as she listened to Kyle’s poignant tale. “That must have been incredibly difficult for you,” she murmured sympathetically.

“It was,” Kyle admitted, his gaze dropping to the broken ring box before him. “But Dad spent the rest of his days in the Italian countryside, away from all the chaos.”

Alexander’s brow furrowed with concern. “And the ring you retrieved today? Is there a story behind it?”

Kyle’s gaze drifted to the ring, his expression softened with emotion. ” Oh, yes. The ring belonged to my parents. It was their engagement ring.”

A hush fell over the room as they contemplated the significance of the ring, a tangible symbol of love and loss.

“It’s a beautiful tribute to them, Kyle,” Sophia remarked softly, her voice filled with empathy.

Kyle nodded, a sense of reverence in his demeanor. “Yeah. Despite everything, their love for each other and for me was unwavering.”

“You know, Kyle, now I understand why you left the mafia.” Alexander began, breaking the silence, “Evelyn would want to know about your parents ‘story. To understand why you are doing it, namely for her.”

Kyle’s eyes widened with realization, a flicker of hope lighting up his features. “Yeah, maybe you’re right. I’ll think about sharing it with her.”

Sophia smiled warmly, her heart swelling with affection for her friend. ” I think it’s a great idea, Kyle.

She’ll appreciate it.”

With a renewed sense of purpose, Kyle nodded, a weight lifted from his shoulders. “Thanks, guys. Your support means a lot to me.”