Chapter 50: Chapter 50

Valjerome got his gun and attached the silencer. He looked at me for a moment and smiled sparingly before he slipped towards the front of the car.

"Drive normally," he commanded to Jaime. "Don't let them know that we are aware of them," he continued, coldness was dripping in his voice.

Even though I was getting nervous, I tried to calm down. I moved closer to my son and embraced him tightly. Like what his father said to him, he never dared to open his eyes nor removed the headphones on his ears.

"Maneuver your wheels between us. Cover our car so Jaime could mislead them. Stall some time, at the next alley, we will attack," Valjerome stated on his phone, talking to his men.

Later on, I noticed the two black cars on our both sides. Like what Valjerome commanded, they blocked us from the enemies’ sight.

"Pull the car onto the next corner. Take my family home safely," Valjerome uttered with an authorative voice.

"What?!" I immediately exclaimed. "Are you crazy?" I continue.

He looked at me with his caring eyes, seemed like he wants me to please understand his decision.

"It's better if you're in the mansion. You're safe there," he said.

"I know that, Valjerome, but that doesn't mean I'll let you stay here!" I objected.

"I can handle it, Jazzie. I'm not a mafia boss for nothing," he reasoned.

I gritted my teeth. "That's it, Valjerome. You're just a mafia boss, you're not Superman. You are a human. If you're shot, you'll die!" I yelled nervously.

His lips curled up. I was even more annoyed because we were already in this situation and he was still able to smile. He coughed softly, pretending to be serious even though his suppressed smile was clearly visible on his face. I stared at him as a reason to stop him from what he was doing.

"Damn," he cursed hoarsely. "What do you want me to do then?" he asked, defeated.

I couldn't answer. 'Yeah, what should we do now, Jazzie?'

"We only have 25seconds before we reach the next alley, give me the command, Jazzie." He looked at me sternly.

I bit my lip and lowered my gaze. "Just..." I cut and hugged my son. Slowly, I lifted my head and met his eyes. "Let us stay where you are. Let me...be with you."

I meant it. After knowing what he'd gone through all those years that he protected me from his enemies, I don't think I could bear to leave him alone this time. Not because of my unnamed feelings, but because..I am scared.

What if...I won’t be seeing him anymore?

I knew, we didn't have a good marriage. But even so, I know that our friendship before was real.

Valjerome's eyes softened. It was as if my words are pleasing to hear. He gave me a small smile before looking back at Jaime.

"Hide the car when I get down. If things didn't go well, take my family to the mansion as soon as possible," he stated coldly, back to his mafia self.

Jaime nodded like an obedient child. I didn't object anymore. His plan is much better now than the earlier. Though I am stilling hesitating, I didn't insist because I knew he was thinking only of our safety.

I could see the path he was referring to, I also noticed the cars behind us trying to block us. My heart beat faster when Valjerome gripped the door handle, waiting for the right time to get off.

'Take care, be safe.' I badly wanted to tell him those words, but I didn't have the courage to utter a single sound. I was contented to just stare as I said that in my mind.

"Be ready. We are now going to attack," he said and then quickly got out of the car when Jaime stopped it for a moment.

Everything happened in a snapped. With Jaime's quick drift of the car to hide us, each party began to exchange gunfire. Valjerome was fearlessly shooting the opponents without any protection. There was a trace of anger and violence in his eyes, while I was almost swallowed up by fear and apprehension as I watched him.

I flinched when he dodged a bullet. I feel like I'm going to cry in frustration. In the few years we have been together as a couple I have only now experienced an actual battle. I can't help but think of the time he fought just to ensure my safety, the time when the world was about to take him for good.

I couldn't help but cry especially when he started walking closer to the enemies. Even if they are all using a silencer, the noises caused by bullets hitting somewhere are still unavoidable.

"V-Val," I whisperingly called when I could no longer see him from where we were hiding.

I wanted to go out to make sure he was doing fine but I knew it would only be a disaster for me, other than that I would not be able to leave my son alone.

Oh, my God. Don't leave him alone. Keep him out of danger.

I just hugged Erom tightly¾praying and asking. The turbulence lasted for another two minutes before it subsided. I almost held my breath as I stared out the window, waiting for Valjerome to return. Jaime, on the other hand, is ready to operate the car in case the outcome of the disturbance turned not good.

I swallowed hard when Valjerome didn't show up after a few seconds. I began to tremble as I overthink.

No. I know he can make it.

"I trust you," I whispered emotionally.

My tears welled up when I saw a familiar figure walking towards our car. If before, I was crying in frustration, now I can’t stop myself from shedding tears out of joy. His forehead knotted when he glanced at me. He hurriedly walked and immediately opened the door.

"Why are you crying? Did someone hurt you? Did anything happen when I'm away?" he asked one after another.

I couldn't answer and just shook my head in response, I felt like my voice will cracked the moment I opened my mouth.

"Jaime, have you been followed here?" he asked his underling when he was not satisfied with my answer, there was a threat in his voice as if he was ready to kill Jaime in case the opponents really hurt me.

His person slowly shook his head and glanced on the rear mirror. "It looks like Miss has panicked when she didn't see you immediately, Senior," he explained.

Valjerome calmed down and gently returned his gaze to me. "I'm sorry. I ordered my men to take care of the corpses. I'm safe, calm down now." He gently wiped my tears.

"A-Are you hurt?" I checked out, stammering.

He gave me a warm smile and shook his head. "I'm fine,” he answered.

When I was still not convinced, he let out a deep sigh and then gently reached for my hand. He put it on his chest where his heart was then stared softly at me.

"Can you feel it? It's still beating fine," he uttered.

I bit my lower lip as I felt his heartbeat. I pouted then after a while.

"It's not fine. Your heartbeat is too fast," I said.

He softly chuckled and licked his lower lip. I looked away from the effect it had on me.

"Okay then. Let's go home and I will undress in front of you," he said with a playful smile on his lips.

My mouth parted. I blinked a few times and quickly withdrew my hand.

"W-What are you saying?" I asked stuttering.

"You wanted to be sure right? Then check me out ... naked," he said mischievously.

I glared at him. "And why do you have to be naked?!"

"Well..." His lips smirked. "Maybe you just missed seeing this."

I shut my eyes, controlling my annoyance. He used to be really good at teasing ever since.

"Let's go home!" that's all I could say.

His smile widened even more. "Why? You already wanted to see it?"

"Argh!" I pushed him away and glared at him. "Stop it, Valjerome. I’ll hit you for real. I'll shoot you myself. Take that headphone off your son and he might have gone deaf!"

He sighed softly and then got out of the car to turn around to the other side of Erom. Like I said he gently removed you.

"The sound was ear-splitting, Daddy. I don't want it anymore," Erom's pouted as he complained.

Valjerome and I both smiled and didn't speak again. Jaime also started the car engine again. As we are tracking our way home, I stayed silent and realize something.

Despite of everything, I still have it...

I turned to my son and his father as they laughed with their playfulness. I stared at Valjerome. He was very different from before. It used to be a miracle when you heard him laugh or even smile. Now he can be sad, cry, beg, kneel, laugh and so on. Being a mafia boss changed him a lot, or should I say...it made him wear a mask. I'm happy to see him in his true colours. Perhaps, there’s still the violence and coldness in his eyes but that's not for me anymore.

We came home with only him running in my mind, our experiences and memories. I'm still asking myself if I already forgave him. Even though I don’t have a clear answer, yet it’s a fact I have realized before that.

We are walking inside the mansion when I stopped from moving. I came across a modest pregnant woman in the living room. She was eating cookies while apparently waiting for someone.

"Valjerome."

I held my breath as he smiled and called my ex-husband’s name.

Did he... get her pregnant?