CHAPTER 1: When He Heard Her

　　VEXON

　　Before I knew it, I was in my second year of college. One day, on my way home after my last class I was hoping to lie down and relax, but as I stepped over the threshold I realized the air was thick with tension. So thick I could cut it with the blade in my pocket.

　　"No, Kendrik! You can't do this!" my mother was yelling at my older brother.

　　"Mom, please, try to understand. If I become king, it will put Pearl's life in danger," Kendrik pleaded, "I can't take that risk. After our wedding, we're moving away from here and we're going to lead a normal life. No more Mafia."

　　Our mother let out a frustrated sigh.

　　I felt bad for my older brother. The things people did for love were indeed crazy. I never desired to be a victim of love. At least, that's what I used to think...

　　Not wanting to interfere with their argument, since I was beyond tired, and I had an assignment to submit. I pretended not to see them and walked as fast as I could straight up the stairs and to my room.nd even after shutting my room door, I could still hear their yelling from downstairs, seemingly making the mansion we lived in seem small. Their yelling started to get on my nerves but I managed to ignore it.

　　I grabbed a t-shirt and a pair of pants, along with a pair of boxers from the armoire, before taking a refreshing five-minute shower. Stepping out of the shower with a towel hanging around my waist, I glanced at myself in the mirror as I passed it and started playing with my hair.

　　"Oh how I love you, my beautiful dark brown hair," I mumbled to myself as I continued playing with it. I loved playing with my hair, but my fun didn't last long as my phone started ringing.

　　"Boss, we've got a problem," Mane Cands, one of our trusted men, spoke through the phone. He has been the trainer of all the Bevine children since before I can remember, as we were all supposed to join the gang once we were old enough. I had completed all my necessary training, but Kendrik being the eldest and the next Mafia king, still had five more years of training left that only the Mafia King is supposed to undertake.

　　Our mom ran the deadliest gang in Canada, the Gladiolus, and my brothers and I have always wanted to be a part of it and Kendrik, he is supposed to be the next Gladiolus King. However, it seems he doesn't want to be King anymore and this is why he and mom continue to argue.

　　I hummed in response and waited for Mane to continue. He sounded quite nervous, which was unusual for him.

　　"Mistress has called an emergency meeting and she asked me to arrange everything within the next fifteen minutes. So, I thought you might have an idea as to why she is calling this meeting so suddenly."

　　"No, I don't know anything about it," I answered in confusion, at what I was hearing. "Inform all the important members and manage everything. I'll go talk to my mom," I said before cutting off the call, getting dressed, and then marching downstairs.

　　"Mom!" I called as I walked towards the hall, I could see my mom looking at her phone. She lifted her head and looked at me.

　　"What's wrong, Vexon?" she asked, putting a hand on my cheek.

　　"Why did you suddenly call an emergency meeting?"

　　My mom would never make such a hasty decision without a valid reason, but I wanted to know the reason right at that moment. I hated not knowing things, as I liked being prepared for whatever was coming.

　　She let out a small laugh. "Wait until the others join us first, honey. Then I'll tell you everything."

　　"You've got to tell me now. You know, I hate not knowing something," I groaned as the suspense of it all had me running a hand through my hair repeatedly.

　　"No," she said firmly as she walked off and into her bedroom, while I trailed behind her.

　　"Mo-" but before I could continue, she closed the door on my face and said through the door, "No means no, Vexon."

　　With a sigh, I gave up and went back to my bedroom and stayed there until it was time for the meeting.

　　When the time for the meeting came I headed down towards the study, and while walking towards it, I bumped into my younger brother, Cason.

　　"What's the emergency, bro?"

　　I glared at him. "For the first and last time, Cason, mom didn't tell me anything."

　　"How could mom not tell her favorite son?" another brother of mine, Kace, questioned sarcastically. He had appeared out of nowhere and joined us. I rolled my eyes at his comment, while he kept mocking me until we reached the study.

　　I was the second of five brothers and surprisingly mom's favorite son. Meanwhile, Kendrik was the first, Kace the third, Cason the fourth, and last but not the least, was Orson, our fifth brother. The bonds between us were very strong and we loved each other to death and I was sure nothing could break us apart.

　　Mom appeared soon after our family lawyer, the Gladiolus Executives and Mane had gathered in the sitting room in her study.

　　"Thank you all for coming at such short notice," she addressed us. "Now I shall make an announcement, so please listen carefully," mom said as she sat down beside me.

　　"As you all know, soon I am going to retire and according to the tradition, my eldest son, Kendrik, is supposed to inherit the title of 'Gladiolus King. Regrettably, he has rejected the position because he didn't want to put his girlfriend in danger, which is quite understandable."

　　Mom paused for a long moment, letting the news of Kendrik's decision sink in, before she continued, "We need a new Mafia King, thus, with no further hesitation, I declare that the new Gladiolus King will be my second son."

　　I nodded, understanding her announcement.

　　So it's going to be her second son. Cool.

　　"Vexon... honey?" mom spoke up.

　　I looked at her as she gave me a pointed look, while all the others looked at me with various expressions of awe and admiration. I frowned at the sudden attention.

　　What's wrong? It's not like I'm going to be the next Gladiolus King.

　　Cason shook his head and whispered, "You're the second son, Vexon."

　　That's when it hit me. I was going to be the next Gladiolus King.

　　The job sounded like it would be a pain in the neck, causing a lot of turmoil and confusion. I always thought I would be one of the Executives, but never in my wildest dreams I thought that I would be the one ruling as King. Kendrik was always meant to be the next King, not me. Who could have thought that Kendrik had the power to convince mom, otherwise?

　　I stiffened at the next thought, oh Lord, I'm going to go bald with the amount of work I will have to do. Oh, not my beautiful dark brown hair.

　　"Congratulations, Brother!" all of my brothers chorused as they engulfed me in a bone-crushing hug. After they released me, mom side-hugged me and kissed my cheek with a satisfactory smile.

　　All the formalities were taken care of, and everyone seemed to be happy with the decision. It all happened so fast, while I hadn't been able to swallow the news yet. Why had mom decided to make me the King, without even asking me about it?

　　Sensing my unease, mom stepped close and spoke, "Vexon honey, come to my room please." With everything settled and everyone happy with mom's decision I stood up and followed after her, closing the room door behind me when we finally reached her room.

　　"Sit down, honey," she said in a tentative voice with a heartwarming smile. I did as she said.

　　"I know you're shocked by the news, but son, Kendrik wants to handle the legal business, as in, our Armament Company. Not the Mafia one. I talked to him about it and we both thought you would be the best decision. I had always had it in my mind that I would make you the next Gladiolus King if anything were to happen to Kendrik. It's because I feel you have the potential. I just know it. You see, I ain't getting any younger and our men need a young, capable King now, not an old, grumpy Queen."

　　I remained silent, her words running laps in my head.

　　"Since traditionally the firstborn child is supposed to inherit the position, I had to announce Kendrik as the next King, but truthfully I always wanted it to be you. You, my son, will be the best Gladiolus King. Please don't let me down, all my dreams are now dependent on you," she continued.

　　I could see mom was tense and afraid that I might reject the position, as Kendrik did. But all I knew was that I couldn't let her down. She had such high expectations for me.

　　"When do I start my final training?" I asked, getting straight to the point, which made her glow with happiness as she beamed. I had already been given basic training, now I just had to complete the final stage. The training that would prepare me to become the next Mafia King.

　　"You have to go tomorrow. Mane will accompany you. Once you come back, we will hold the coronation."

　　I nodded and left, heading straight to my room. I couldn't stand to talk to her anymore and needed to be alone. I needed time to think as well as to set aside my feelings and emotions. From here on out, I had to focus solely on the Mafia and nothing else. My only goal now would be the safety of my gang and my family, I couldn't afford to disappoint my mom. Not now.

　　I snapped out of my thoughts when my door creaked open and turned to find one of my brother's standing at the door. "Sorry, Vexon," Kendrik said, guilt clearly showing in his eyes.

　　Walking over to him, I patted his shoulder, "It's okay, you did it for love."

　　Of course, he felt guilty. Because of him, I had to take over the gang and give up my life, and everything I wanted.

　　"But if it weren't for me, Mom wouldn't have burdened you with this huge responsibility."

　　I chuckled. "It's okay. I'll make sure this gang is handled in the best possible way." Kendrik's eyes lit with amusement at my words.

　　"Mom was right. I can see the Mafia world taking a step forward with your leadership. I can just feel that willpower of yours," he said proudly and I smiled.

　　"Vexon, you can't go!" My eleven-year-old brother, Orson, came running towards me and wrapped his arms around my waist. I ruffled his hair playfully.

　　"I have to, Orson."

　　"Do you promise to call me every day?" he asked and I nodded as he started jumping in excitement.

　　"By the time you get back, I'll be twenty-three!" Cason squealed.

　　"I'll be twenty-four." Kace sent a challenging look at Cason.

　　Dear Lord! Please spare everyone from their fights while I'm gone. Besides, they clearly don't understand that time passes equally for everyone.

　　"Enough," Kendrik said, shutting them all up. I thought Kendrik would scold them, but boy was I wrong! "I'll be the eldest as always. I will be twenty-seven." And we all burst into laughter.

　　Our night passed with us playing video games, which was fun as heck. We all fought over the games, engaging in a hand-to-hand fight in the end. I would be lying if I said I wouldn't miss them at all, once I'm gone.

　　Finally, when they all went to their respective rooms, I finished packing my suitcases and then went to bed. Drifting into a deep slumber with the final thought being that I was the next Mafia King.

　　The next morning, I woke up and took fifteen minutes in the bathroom to freshen up and get ready for the day ahead. Soon I was standing at the front door of the Bevine Mansion.

　　"Take care, Son," Mom said, wiping her tears away for the umpteenth time. I hugged her tightly, not wanting to let go.

　　"You too, Mom."

　　"I'll miss you, Vexon," Cason said through tears. He was the emotional one, always crying, especially when other people cried as he got attached to people really quickly and never really forgets them. Sniffling, he engulfed me in a bear hug.

　　"You are squeezing me, Cason," I joked, trying not to let a tear slip from my eyes.

　　"Don't forget to call me every day." Orson hugged me, after Cason. I chuckled and ruffled his blond hair.

　　"I won't. Be a good boy, Orson. I won't be able to save you from mom's wrath for the next five years, so don't be naughty."

　　"I won't," he said with such an innocent look, anyone would fall for it. Though, I knew he was lying. There was no way he could go on without doing something which would anger mom.

　　I went over to Kace and hugged him. "Don't leave, Vexon. Home won't feel like home without you."

　　"I have got to go, Kace. Hey, I'll come back though. It's not like I'm dying or anything." He shot me a glare, and I let out a chuckle. "Okay, just don't cry."

　　Kendrik reluctantly approached me and I pulled him into a hug. He was my best friend. "Don't turn into an ass," he said and we both laughed, hiding tears.

　　"I'll try not to."

　　"I'm so sorry. I got you into this mess."

　　"It's okay."

　　"Time to go, Boss," Mane announced after all the farewells and I walked outside.

　　"Thanks, Mane."

　　He chuckled and let out, "Aye aye, Boss. I'll be your assistant for the next five years."

　　Nodding my head, I got into the car and glanced up at the mansion through the window. I wouldn't see them all for the next five years, scared that once I left, everything would become a long-forgotten memory to me.

　　Who knew I was going to be the one going away?

　　A tear escaped from my eyes, as the engine started and we started to pull away. I tried to comfort myself, and in doing so decided to use my Mac-book to check the stats of our company, just to pass time more quickly. I was studying business, so I could help my mom when she needed it, in managing the Bevines' Armament Company - the company that Kendrik wished to oversee now.

　　"Boss, we're here," Mane spoke up. Closing my Mac-book, I looked up and glanced out the window.

　　This was where I would be living for the next five years. I stepped outside and looked around. There were camouflaged camps littered all over the grounds. My training was a secret, so my camp would be near the hills. I walked around, with Mane and some other guards following behind.

　　"Guys, I'll give chocolates to everyone. Calm down!" a sweet, angelic voice filled the air, causing my heart rate to pick up.

　　Where is this voice coming from? I wondered as I looked around frantically, searching for the owner of the voice. But I found no girl around me. Who and where is she?