Chapter - 42
Nani had heard plenty about Sky's inner circle.
Apparently, they were dangerous.
Apparently, they were loyal.
Apparently, they could walk into a room and make grown men reconsider every decision they'd made in life.
Nani had never actually met most of them.
Until today.
And unfortunately for Sky-
Nani had decided to make an impression.
---
The mansion's main meeting room was unusually crowded.
Sky sat at the head of the table.
Black shirt.
Watch on his wrist.
Expression unreadable.
Around him sat several of his most trusted men.
The atmosphere was brutal.
No one spoke unless Sky asked them something.
One man carefully placed a file on the table.
"Boss, the eastern operation is-"
The doors opened.
Everyone looked up.
Nani walked in carrying a plate of strawberries.
He stopped.
Looked around.
"...Oh."
Silence.
Sky's expression changed immediately.
"Nani."
Nani smiled.
"Hi."
One of the men glanced at Sky.
Then at Nani.
Then back at Sky.
The terrifying boss who had just been discussing an operation suddenly looked...
normal.
Almost soft.
Sky stood.
"What are you doing here?"
"I was looking for you."
"You could've called."
"I did."
Sky checked his phone.
Three missed calls.
He looked at Nani.
"...You called three times."
"Exactly."
"You could've waited."
"I didn't want to."
Sky sighed.
"Come here."
Nani walked over.
Sky pulled out the chair beside him.
"Sit."
Nani sat.
Then looked around the table.
"Are these your scary people?"
Every man froze.
Dew, who had been standing near the wall, covered his mouth.
Sky slowly closed his eyes.
"Nani."
"What?"
One of the men cleared his throat.
"Boss..."
Sky looked at him.
The man immediately looked down.
"Nothing."
Nani leaned toward Sky.
"Why are they so quiet?"
Sky replied,
"Because they're working."
"They look terrified."
"They're not."
A man accidentally dropped his pen.
Clack.
Everyone looked at him.
He whispered,
"Sorry."
Nani blinked.
Then looked at Sky.
"See?"
Sky rubbed his forehead.
"They're always like this."
---
Nani suddenly picked up the plate.
"Anyone want strawberries?"
Nobody moved.
Nani frowned.
"Seriously?"
He held the plate toward the nearest man.
The man looked at Sky.
Sky looked back at him.
"...Take one."
The man immediately grabbed a strawberry.
"Thank you."
Nani smiled.
"You're welcome."
Another man cautiously took one.
Then another.
Within thirty seconds, half the table was eating strawberries.
Dew stared.
"He's feeding Sky's entire criminal organization."
Tee whispered,
"Apparently that's today's meeting agenda."
Sky looked at Nani.
"You've interrupted a business meeting."
Nani shrugged.
"Then continue."
Sky stared at him.
Nani stared back.
Finally Sky turned toward the table.
"Continue."
Everyone immediately opened their files.
The meeting resumed.
Nani quietly ate strawberries beside him.
Every few minutes, Sky glanced at him.
Eventually one of the men noticed.
He immediately looked away.
---
An hour later, the meeting ended.
Everyone stood.
Sky gathered the documents.
One of his men approached Nani.
"Sir."
Nani looked up.
"Hm?"
The man hesitated.
"Thank you for the strawberries."
Nani smiled.
"Anytime."
The man nodded and walked away.
Nani looked at Sky.
"Your people are nice."
Sky gave him a look.
"They're criminals."
Nani shrugged.
"They're polite criminals."
Dew nearly fell over laughing.
---
Then something unexpected happened.
One of the older men stopped before leaving.
He looked at Sky.
Then at Nani.
"Boss."
Sky glanced over.
The man smiled faintly.
"It's good to see you happy."
The room went quiet.
Sky didn't respond immediately.
Nani looked at him.
The man continued,
"We've worked for you for years."
He glanced at Nani.
"And we've never seen you like this."
Sky's expression softened.
"Get out."
The man smiled.
"Yes, Boss."
He left.
Nani looked at Sky.
"Was that embarrassing?"
Sky sighed.
"A little."
Nani smiled.
"I liked it."
Sky looked at him.
"Why?"
"Because they're right."
Sky raised an eyebrow.
"About?"
Nani leaned closer.
"You're happier."
Sky stared at him for a moment.
Then quietly replied,
"Yeah."
He reached for Nani's hand.
"I am."
From the doorway, Dew whispered to Tee,
"Remember when everyone used to be scared to breathe around him?"
Tee nodded.
"Now Nani brings strawberries into classified meetings."
Dew sighed.
"Love destroyed the entire organization."
Sky's voice came from across the room.
"I heard that."
Dew immediately disappeared.
Nani burst out laughing.
Sky looked at him.
"What?"
"Nothing."
Nani squeezed his hand.
"I just think it's funny."
"What?"
"Everyone's scared of you."
Sky shrugged.
"They should be."
Nani smiled.
"But I'm not."
Sky looked at him.
And that tiny, dangerous smile appeared.
"I know."
He pulled Nani closer.
"That's why you're the only person in this room who can get away with anything."
Nani grinned.
"Good."
Sky narrowed his eyes.
"Don't abuse the privilege."
Nani popped another strawberry into his mouth.
"No promises."
....
For once, the mansion wasn't revolving around Sky and Nani.
At least, that was the plan.
It lasted approximately twelve minutes.
Nani was sitting in the living room with his legs tucked beneath him, scrolling through his phone.
Sky was in his office.
Dew and Tee were supposed to be helping with dinner.
Instead, Nani heard arguing from the kitchen.
"I said don't touch it!"
"I was only moving it!"
"You're going to ruin it!"
"It's literally pasta, Tee."
"It's my pasta."
Nani slowly looked toward the kitchen.
"...What the hell?"
He got up.
The sight waiting for him was ridiculous.
Tee stood in front of the stove, holding a wooden spoon like a weapon.
Dew stood opposite him, looking completely innocent.
Nani leaned against the doorway.
"What happened?"
Tee pointed at Dew.
"He ate the sauce."
Dew looked offended.
"I tasted it."
"You tasted half the bowl!"
"It needed seasoning."
"I was seasoning it!"
"You were adding salt for twenty minutes!"
Nani blinked.
"You two sound married."
Silence.
Dew and Tee looked at each other.
Then immediately looked away.
Nani's eyebrows shot up.
"Oh."
Dew pointed at him.
"Don't."
Nani grinned.
"Interesting."
"There's nothing interesting."
"Your ears are red."
"They're not."
Tee suddenly became very interested in the pasta.
Nani's grin grew.
"Wait..."
He looked between them.
"Are you two finally going to admit-"
"No," Dew interrupted.
"-that you like each other?"
Dew froze.
Tee dropped the spoon.
Clatter.
Nani covered his mouth.
"Oh my God."
---
The kitchen became painfully quiet.
Dew scratched the back of his neck.
Tee stared at the floor.
Nani looked between them.
"So..."
Dew sighed.
"Okay."
Tee looked at him.
Dew took a breath.
"I like him."
Tee's head snapped up.
Dew immediately added,
"A lot."
Tee's face turned bright red.
Nani's eyes widened.
"WAIT."
He grabbed a chair.
"Sit. Both of you."
Dew stared.
"Why?"
"Because I'm invested now."
"This isn't a television show."
"It is to me."
Tee laughed nervously.
Dew finally sat down.
Nani sat opposite them like an interrogator.
"How long?"
Dew sighed.
"Long enough."
Tee quietly admitted,
"I liked him first."
Dew looked at him.
"You did?"
Tee nodded.
Dew smiled.
"Well, that's embarrassing."
"Why?"
"Because I spent months trying to hide it."
Nani looked between them.
"You two are idiots."
Dew laughed.
"Probably."
---
A voice suddenly came from behind them.
"What's happening?"
Everyone turned.
Sky stood in the doorway.
Nani immediately pointed at Dew and Tee.
"They like each other."
Sky stared.
Dew groaned.
"Thanks, Nani."
Sky looked at Tee.
Then Dew.
Then shrugged.
"Good."
Dew blinked.
"That's it?"
"What do you want me to say?"
"I don't know. Something intimidating?"
Sky looked completely unimpressed.
"Do you want me to threaten him?"
Dew shook his head.
"No."
"Then good."
Sky walked toward Nani.
Nani smiled.
"You're not going to interrogate Tee?"
Sky looked at him.
"Why would I?"
"Because you're a terrifying mob boss."
Sky sighed.
"I'm off duty."
Nani laughed.
Dew muttered,
"Since when?"
Sky ignored him.
---
Later that evening, everyone was gathered around the dining table.
Tee was serving dinner.
Dew quietly moved a plate closer to him.
Tee looked up.
"I can reach."
"I know."
"Then why did you move it?"
Dew shrugged.
"So you don't have to."
Tee smiled.
Nani saw it.
He slowly looked at Sky.
Sky saw it too.
They exchanged a knowing glance.
Nani whispered,
"They're cute."
Sky nodded.
"Very."
Dew looked up.
"I can hear you."
Nani smiled innocently.
"Good."
---
After dinner, Tee went outside.
Dew followed.
Nani watched them through the window.
Dew caught up to Tee near the garden.
He said something.
Tee laughed.
Then Dew reached for his hand.
Nani's expression softened.
Sky came up behind him.
"Happy?"
Nani nodded.
"Yeah."
Sky rested his chin lightly against Nani's head.
"You like seeing everyone happy."
"I do."
Sky smiled.
"Then maybe we should stop interfering."
Nani turned around.
"We weren't interfering."
"You interrogate them."
"I was curious."
"Of course."
Nani smiled.
Then glanced back outside.
Dew and Tee were still talking.
"They deserve it."
Sky nodded.
"They do."
A quiet moment passed.
Then Nani looked up at him.
"What about you?"
"What about me?"
"You were once alone too."
Sky's expression changed.
Nani gently took his hand.
"Not anymore."
Sky looked at their joined hands.
"No."
He squeezed his fingers.
"Not anymore."
From outside, Dew suddenly shouted-
"HEY! STOP BEING ROMANTIC IN THE WINDOW!"
Nani jumped.
"Dew!"
Tee burst out laughing.
Sky stared toward the garden.
"He's asking to die."
Dew immediately yelled,
"IT WAS A JOKE!"
Nani started laughing.
Sky sighed.
And somehow, the mansion that had once felt cold and intimidating had become something completely different.
Two couples.
Too much noise.
Too much teasing.
And absolutely no peace.