Wild Young Miss: Mister, Let's Kiss!

"Damn. Why is he running, brother? We were forced to watch those punishments when we were toddlers! We didn't cry like that!" Inigo sassed as he shot Nikolai a look.

"Now look at us, two broken men." Nikolai shrugged nonchalantly.

Inigo chuckled, nodding in agreement. That's right. Being raised in the Silva Family did a number on them. 

If Zoey's training was harsh, the late former boss' kids had experienced thrice as cruel as that. All to make them strong leaders who could lead the Silva Family.

"Zoey... you let her escape?" Not dwelling on their own upbringing, Inigo raised his brows as he tilted his head to the side.

"Wow. You're really obsessed with her, aren't you?" Inigo awed, nodding ever so slowly.

Although they had considered that to happen, there was still a slim chance that Nikolai wouldn't. After all, the man was predictable and not at the same time.

"Obsessed?" Nikolai smirked. "Aren't you the same?"

"Same? What?" Inigo chuckled, clapping his hands and shaking his head. "My brother! Why would I get obsessed over a little girl? I'm no pedo!" 

Nikolai, although a little confused, kept his visage from changing. He just stared at Inigo as he laughed out loud.

"Seriously. You and Zia acted like you know the jester! Can't you two grow up?" Inigo sighed in disappointment.

"Huh..." Nikolai scoffed as his eyes glinted. "The audacity to tell me to grow up when I'm forced to because my big brother is an unreliable bastard."

Nikolai hissed. His words weighed heavier than ever, as if there were more emotions and deep-rooted grudge hidden behind it.

"Oh, come on, little bro!" Still acting playful with zero seriousness, Inigo sighed. "I just didn't like our family, that's all!"

Inigo added. Nikolai secretly ground his teeth, his jaw tightened. 

"Selfish motherf*cker." Nikolai cursed under his breath. 

Inigo's last remarks didn't appease Nikolai in any way.  After all, it was not only Inigo who disliked their tyrant father. Both of them hated him.

Their only difference was, Inigo had blatantly shown and defied orders. In return, he'd get punished. 

Yet, he kept doing whatever he wanted. A never ending cycle. 

On the other hand, Nikolai was the silent, excellent type of kid. He never disappointed, but that didn't mean he enjoyed the attention from their late father. 

If anything, the more Inigo did something to displease his father, the more Nikolai got pressured to take over the business. That's why Nikolai schemed his own abduction. 

He hated everyone and everything; his life, his damn family, and just the world. 

But, that girl... that girl with a swollen face and body from swimming an entire coast to survive; that girl who was thrown inside the cell he was kept in.

That little girl who had obviously experienced the same cruel world smiled at him genuinely. That little girl who sang him a song to soothe him, not realizing she's tone deaf.

That little girl, who was the first person to ask him if he was okay; to tell him it was fine to get scared, or cry. That girl who was so innocent and optimistic who stood up for him to protect him despite being weaker.

Zoey. 

She's the only person in this world whom Nikolai wanted to protect in this world. She's the reason he sought power so no one could hurt her again. 

The reason he didn't care to be the most hateful villain if that means keeping her alive. The sole purpose of his life.

Yet, in the end, it just never went the way he planned things. No matter how good the intentions were, Nikolai's world just... broke him, mentally and emotionally. And he ended up being that person who hurt her.

A toy soldier without a foot. 

"Why are you so silent, bro?" Nikolai snapped back upon Inigo's call. 

Nikolai blinked his eyes ever so slowly. Clearing his vision to see Inigo staring at him, baffled.

Slowly, the corner of Nikolai's lips stretched into a smirk. "I just thought that if not for you, Zia wouldn't even think of breaking ties with the Silva Family."

"Hah!" Inigo scoffed. "Man, I admit I'm selfish. But, aren't you the same when it comes to her? Did you really think Zia's life would be better if she stayed with the Silva Family? Wait, no. Did you really think the Silva Family welcomes those who turned their back on them?"

"The Silva Family is me, brother." Nikolai replied in arrogance.

"Haha! No, brother. The Silva Family is the Silva Family. You? You're Nikolai Silvestri who should keep the family together. If you can't do that job, the Silva Family will change their leaders the next day." Nikolai chuckled at Nikolai's naivety. 

Indeed. The Silva Family was working for the prestige of the clan — the organization. They might have listened and protected them, but they never worked for anyone's best interests aside from what's best for the organization.

The Silva Family as a whole, as an organization, worked for the Silva Family and never for the Silvestri. People could be changed — Nikolai was not irreplaceable as he thought he was.

"That's why I didn't want that power, brother. I don't want to spend my entire life being a slave for the Silva Family." Inigo sighed, shaking his head as he had realized that when in his father's wake.

They mourned for him. But, on the same day, those mourning men in high positions in the crime family were already in the talks of who would be the next Don. 

Their father's death was an eye-opener for Inigo that everyone could be replaced. 

"Achievements? Paving the way? None of that would get recognized in the end, Nik. The moment you've grown weak or showed you are, that family you're so proud of will take everything from you." Inigo let out another sigh, checking his pistol's magazine to count how many bullets were in. 

"I don't want to spend my f*cking life without anyone mourning for me. Knowing I'd die without anyone who would genuinely shed a tear for me? Man... that'd be a tragic end."

Inigo added as he put the handgun's magazine back in place.

"So, if you think you sent Zoey away to safety, you're wrong. If all I know, your men were probably itching to kill her since she's your Achilles heel. The boss shouldn't have any weaknesses, you know? The Silva Family way." 

Upon hearing that, the smirk on Nikolai's lips died down.

"Fret not. She'd find a way to survive. Also, you're not the only one in here who wants to keep her alive — if you know what I mean." Inigo smiled, winking confidently.

"So, shall we have a duel, my brother? Like old times, Nik. I hope you win for the first time.. Else, you won't ever see her again."