RETURN I

Engulfed with sorrow and sadness, Sumire embraced Blanche while they are boarded inside the chopper. She could feel her chest tighten as she immediately regretted running away from Mort. The maiden felt half of herself left behind.

They arrived at Chadwick's manor in Francois, but Sumire remain silent. Blanche guided her out of the chopper as they sauntered inside. She misses Mort badly, his warmth and embrace. They were just in each other's arms last night but now they have separated again. The maiden felt that fate was playing with them. Her heart wishes that all hindrances in their relationship will be over. Hopefully, all the problems related to the world Mort grew up in will be over. She would rather wish that world he grew up with didn't exist anymore. It never occurred to her mind to give up her relationship with Mort and she never thought of ending everything they had.

Even though sometimes she feels exhausted by what is happening, she continues to fight for the two of them especially now that they will have twins. Sumire feels that she has no right to be tired, especially when Mort is going through a more, heavy and difficult situation than her.

While the three of them, Chadwick, Blanche, and Sumire were at the dining table, neither of the father and son tried to speak. Both of them just looked at Sumire who was staring blankly at the food in front of them. It was as if her mind was in another dimension. Sumire looks like an empty shell sitting with them. Her eyes were soulless and any time will burst into tears.

"I miss him." Sumire's voice cracked and was followed by a stream of tears. She covered her face for fear that tears would fall on her food.

Blanche and Chadwick exchange glances. Blanche eyed his father questioningly on what to do to make his cousin stop crying, to which Chadwick shook his head and mouthed him, 'Let her cry.'

Sumire couldn't help but wipe away her tears away. The feeling inside her was too heavy. They just got reunited with the man she thought died and now the sadness is killing her. She deeply regrets that she left Mort to face the problem alone that they should have faced together. But what can she do? She wants to protect their twins from danger. The incident they got recently brought fear to her heart. She was afraid it will happen again.

Sumire was unhappy and conflicted about leaving him. The pain and bereavement of the man she loves reign inside of her. Now, the maiden could imagine what was on Mort's mind right now. How he feels about her sudden departure.

Chadwick sighed heavily as he looked at his niece who was crying non-stop. Her lips quivered and tears misted her vision. Blanche's ears, nose, and the corners of her eyes are already reddened. He is being carried away by his cousin's sorrow and heartbreak.

"W-what s-should I do?" Sumire asked in a sob while both hands wiped the tears away.

"I want a bucket of ice cream *sobs*..." she added, unknowingly uttering between her sob. She is again craving ice cream.

"I'll buy you one later. Since you are in front of the table why don't you start eating?"

The maiden stopped crying when she heard a familiar voice from behind her. Slowly, she was starting to blush with anger when he heard that tone. Sumire turned around and she was greeted with a smile from the tanned young man who had gone for months.

Narco came to her with a tarpaulin with the words, "WELCOME HOME SUMIRE AND TWINS" written in the font that looks like the handwriting of a serial killer who leaves a message on the wall of his victims using their blood.

Narco was grinning from ear to ear as he met the dagger gaze from Sumire. The maiden looked furiously at him who didn't want to lose the silly grin on his lips. If she didn't feel angry when Mort told her what this brat did, now that Narco is in front of her, she wants to stab him to death. Making him her first kill.

"The audacity..." Sumire said coldly and was about to rose from the chair when Chadwick fake a cough, made her sit down.

"Narco, sit down to eat but throw your garbage first," Chadwick ordered which the young man immediately obeyed. Sumire, on the other hand, held her breath as she tried to control her rage. The grief she felt earlier was replaced by annoyance.

"Why is he here?" Sumire asked with an authoritative tone that was not to be crossed. Chadwick just laughed boisterously at her question.

"In the meantime, he's working with me. Well, the exchange he asked me for was a lot, so it's a reasonable and fair deal." Chadwick replied. Sumire raised an eyebrow and eyed piercingly at Narco. Even though her eyes were swollen from tears, she looks snobby and sassy at the same time.

"He deserves it. If he didn't do it, killing that son of a bitch, and blame it on his father, who foolishly took the fall, none of this would have happened." Said Sumire in a sarcastic tone which stopped Chadwick.

"I am pretty sure Mort told you everything. So by now you probably know why he did that. And he wouldn't do that without a plan. It was the wisest and best plan Sumire." Chadwick calmly replied.

The maiden denies what her Uncle said as she looks fool on believing Mort was dead. They didn't even tell her the plan. She was like a demented mourning the man she loved who was still alive and just looking at her from the distance thinking that she was acting because that was part of their crazy plan.

Sumire sighed audibly and then started munching the food. She had no appetite. The maiden was forced to feed herself and for the babies in her tummy.

When Narco returned, he sat next to Blanche. Sumire was glaring at him, eyes blazing murderously. Pupils quickly dilated when she realized something and recalled what was written on the tarpaulin that Narco had brought to welcome her earlier.

"Oh, wait. How the hell did you know that Mort and I's baby are twins?" Sumire asked suspiciously, her eyes narrowing at him. She cast a scrutinizing stare at Narco's expression who was grinning crazily. The huge grin plastered on his lips.

Narco didn't reply to her question right away. He took a bite of the food slowly. Blanche on his side wanted to smack Narco in the neck. He knew Narco was just teasing his cousin who was blushing with anger. The young man intentionally chewed the food slowly and delicately without taking off amusement from his pair of golden orbs.

In Blanche's annoyance, he stepped on Narco's foot below the table. Not a single second of the day Narco keep his mischievous nature on. The mischief in his golden eyes quickly faded at what Blanche did to him. Narco sits properly and behaves in his seat. Chadwick just shook his head in disbelief and resume eating, asking himself why his only son was infatuated with a childish man like Narco.

"Dad texted me." Narco gave a curt reply. Sumire's eyebrows remain raised but her face quickly softened when she read the situation.

"Did you tell him I was here?" Sumire asked worriedly, and Narco flashed a silly grin again. It's hard to keep him out of mischief.

"What do you think?" Narco playfully said making Sumire squint her eyes, nostrils flared and mouth formed into an unpleasant twist.

"Tell me." Sumire said menacingly. Her voice was stern with no vestige of sympathy in its hardness.

"I didn't tell him but..." Narco deliberately stop and displayed a mischievous grin. Sumire didn't let herself carried away by his naughtiness.

"Good." The maiden said that she didn't pay attention to Narco's silly grin. She goes back to dig into the food on her plate.

Sumire wanted to ask why Narco didn't tell her what happened but there was no need. With his twisted thoughts, mind, and entrails, all her questions were immediately answered.

"Uncle, how's Grandma doing?" Sumire swerves the subject and turns her gaze to Chadwick.

"She's doing fine and she's excited to step down from the throne and get out of North Le Frère," Chadwick replied and met her eyes. Sumire's face quickly brightened in joy. She can't wait to see her again but seconds later, her smile vanished from her lips.

"Uncle, how can she step down from the throne and get out alive North Le Frère?" Sumire asked with her brows puckered into a frown. She remembers the sick rules of that place.

"I'll take care of it," Chadwick responded assuredly. Sumire flash a smile and finished her food.

That dinner ended peacefully. Blanche and Narco accompanied Sumire to her room to get rest. The maiden finally alone in her bedroom, started to open the boxes. It was a gift from Clair and Blanche. The maiden smiled to see stylish maternity and nursing wear made with natural cotton perfect for her baby bump. They bought it for her but what surprised her the most was the erotic pleasure toys she opened in the last box.

There was a letter on it. Frowning, Sumire opened the letter and read the message loudly.

"When your night is cold and lonely. Use me." The maiden's cheeks turn to crimson red as she looked unbelievably at the different adult toys that varied in size.

"Unbelievable!" Sumire quickly fled out of her room and go to Blanche's room to return the toys. Her eyes widened in surprise to see Narco and Blanche inside the slightly open door, making out wildly.

Slowly, Sumire took a step back, carefully not to make any noises. The maiden returned to her chamber with the box in her hand at placed it on the near table. She gets showered and dressed for one of Clair's gifts. She unwinds on the balcony, leaning on the handrail as her cheek rested on her palm. She watches the moon reigning in the serene sky as her mind was on Mort.

"I hope you will forgive me."

Mort, who was left in his castle with Klauss and the twins, now faced each other at the dining table. They were eating in silence while the twins seemed to be on the edge of a double-blade sword, barely able to swallow what they ate because of the strange silence, crawling and engulfing every corner of the large dining hall. They seem to be deafened by the loud silence and the cold breeze made them shiver. The twins exchanged glances not knowing what to do, wondering what Narco had done if he was there with them. They are hoping Narco was here with them.

"You let her escape." Mort started coldly. Icy stare bored into them, making it hard not to back away. Face darkened, his ominous aura overwhelmed and dominate the place.

"She doesn't need to escape since she was not a prisoner," Klauss replied dryly and wittingly not to meet his Boss's eyes.

"Why did you let her go?" Mort asked in a warning tone, words tinged with menace. Klauss let go of the table knife and fork he was holding.

"She leaves on her own will," Klauss replied. The dark atmosphere reigning the place gets heavier and the twins started to get suffocated.

"I see." Mort coldly said. Leroy and Lyric looked at each other again. The extreme silence between Mort and Klauss terrifies them. The twins felt what their Boss and his secretary would do now they fell into silence again. They were waiting for one of them will open a new discussion.

"But why didn't you stop her from leaving?" Mort asked again to Klauss's heavy sigh.

"She wanted to leave." Klauss curtly replied. Mort couldn't fathom him anymore.

"I told you to keep an eye on her. You know very well how dangerous the outside is." Mort said calmly but firmly.

"But she'll be more prone to danger if she stays by your side. She can't be stressed especially if she's pregnant." Klauss explained. True, he might be disgusted by Sumire's presence but he is still concerned now that she bears his Boss's children.

"Where is she?" Mort asked and Klauss silently rolled his eyes at the back of his mind. He believes that Blattodea had bewitched his Boss.

"You know where she is," Klauss responded now losing his patience.

The twins gasped as they put their hands over their mouths in unison as if they were watching a TV drama and they were already in the revelation part for some reason they had sunglasses on and popcorn on their plates.

"I want you to investigate Fergus." Mort changed the subject. Not minding the twins around who was watching them intently.

"Sure," Klauss responded and with that, their conversation ended. The twins were waiting for more drama when the cold silence returned.

Mort took the phone out of his pocket and was about to dial someone's number when his phone suddenly vibrated. It was Narco calling him which he immediately answered.

"Any leads?" Mort directly asked as Narco laughed on the other line. The young man was fresh out of the bathroom looking at Blanche who was sleeping peacefully on the bed after the intense makeout.

"I've never done what you're asking me to do," Narco replied as Mort tightened his grip on his phone. His veins protruded visibly on his hand.

"Why did you call?" Mort asked, thick eyebrows slightly squinted.

"The Consigliere of one of the Mafia Clan is now in Francois who met with Chadwick yesterday." Narco quickly answered.

"Which clan?" Instead of answering Mort's question, Narco ended the call he had on his father while smiling playfully from ear to ear.

Mort, on the other hand, had crashed the phone in his hand with his strong grip. Their job would have been easy if Narco had given enough information, but that mischievous brat always plays and stirred the situation.

The Consigliere of the Aslanovs, Lucian does not want to work too much for the reason he wasn't paid to do the unfinished job left by the Head clan. Klauss, on the other hand, does not want to work overtime, does not want to break the schedule, more importantly, does not want to leave the line he made a time bomb where when he reaches the time he set aside for something he will stop whether it is finished or not.

Mort turn his gaze at Leroy and Lyric and just shook his head, knowing that any time soon Narco would call them. His three adopted chimpanzees will probably make a plan again to make the situation worse and make money out of it.

'Damn.' Mort cursed in his mind. The twins started getting nervous especially since Mort was staring at them menacingly, oozing dark auras around. Lyric and Leroy even held hands under the table, which palms were sweating profusely and cold. They look like terrified mice being bullied by a big bad wolf.

"B-boss...we are innocent." The twins said in fear and unison. Mort took his eyes off of them and the two of them breathed a sigh of relief.

Mort turned his gaze back to them. Fidgety, Leroy and Lyric started to get panicky and scared again and they breathed a sigh of relief when Mort shifted his gaze to Klauss who was looking at his broken phone that was still in his hand.

"Klauss, I want you to clear my schedule next week," Mort ordered in a commanding tone which Klauss, as expected, refuse to obey.

"You've been gone for two months. A lot of paperwork was left behind and piled up. You can't take a leave of one week." Klauss quickly responded.

"One more thing, you can't ask me to do your piled-up paperwork because that's your job," Klaus added. The twins were once again in awe of Klauss being the one who was able to answer their Boss like that. They just shook their heads in disbelief.

"Klauss, it makes me wonder why you let my work pile up for two months knowing I was dead. What the heck did you do during those two months?" Mort challenges him, finding his way out just to avoid the piled up paperwork in his office.

"Sir, it's not my job those files pile up." With that answer from Klauss, and right there, Mort knew that there was no hope of clearing his schedule.

"Why don't you ask your son?" Klauss sarcastically suggested that Mort's face darkened. His gaze went back to the twins who were both shrinking in their seats.

"He is the sole reason why I have to leave for one week," Mort responded coldly.

"So, was he the one who called you earlier?" Klauss directly said and Mort replied to him with a nod.

"What the heck did he do this time?" Klauss asked amusedly, wanting to salute Narco for not missing a second to mess around them.

"A Consigliere in a Mafia Clan is now in Francois who met with Chadwick yesterday," Mort answered as Klauss raised an eyebrow.

"What does Narco have to do with that?" Klaus asked curiously. That brat knows how to play with them.

"He made the report but he didn't say whose clan that Consigliere was belong," Mort replied making Klauss smirk.

"Then, how about a visit? Show yourself to your family. Maybe they have a clue since they're only in the Brethren." Klauss suggested that Mort immediately agreed.

The twins wonder why Mort doesn't prioritize finding Sumire. Although they both knew that it was more dangerous for the maiden to be with Mort. They expected their Boss to immediately go after his unwedded wife.

"Couldn't Laurel have told the Aslanovs that Boss Mort was still alive?" Leroy asked, almost in a whisper to his twin.

"The question is why didn't the Aslanovs declare war against North Le Frère if they truly believed that Boss was dead?" Lyric said still holding his eyeglasses like a nerdy genius. Leroy was about to answer him when Mort and Klauss rose and left the dining table.

That very same night, the four of them return to the Brethren boarded in Mort's private plane with Klauss as the captain. They will be soon greeted by the news that will shake their world.