Chapter 4 Fate accepted

DARRELL'S MANSION

He pulled over the car and flashed a mischievous grin. Ah, the competitor is finally out of the picture! Competition is just not his thing, you know? It's hard watching others shine when he wants the spotlight all to himself. Little does he know,

"I couldn't bear the thought of him surpassing me, so I decided to give fate a little nudge. Oh, did I mention I once took over my brother's sunrise yoga business? Not the best way to go about it, but hey, fame is fame!"

As he stepped out of the car, excitement tingled in the air. However, his enthusiasm quickly turned to confusion when a familiar scent wafted towards him.

Blood? Oh dear, I hope it's not mine!

He couldn't remember if he accidentally splattered that wretched person's blood on himself during their little scuffle. He examined himself like a fashion guru at a makeover, sniffing the air dramatically.

He was about to head inside when something caught his eye. A body lying under the sofa? He gasped dramatically, clutching his imaginary pearls. This was not part of his grand plan! Slowly, he approached the body, his jaw practically touching the floor. Shot on the forehead? Yikes!

He grabbed his phone and typed a message faster than a cheetah on roller skates.

"OMG! Someone's on a hunting spree! Just got home and found one of our guards shot like a movie star! Get here ASAP!!!" He hit send and waited eagerly for a response.

Sent!? Seen!? Ah, the anticipation was killing him! To distract himself, he grabbed a cigarette, pretending to be a suave detective from a black-and-white film. He exhaled a cloud of smoke, looking mysterious and brooding, all while sneakily glancing at his phone.

Suddenly, his phone chimed, breaking the tension. "Oh, dear. Stay safe, boss! I'm coming to the rescue like a superhero with fancy gadgets!" He chuckled at his loyal sidekick's response and threw the phone on the sofa.

Finally, 47 arrived and summoned all the guards.

Turning his attention to the guards, he demanded answers like a seasoned interrogator. "What on earth happened? Who shot him?" He barked, causing them to tremble.

"Honestly, none of us were here when it happened. Except for poor Tedd, of course," one of the guards stammered.

"We heard the gunshot and rushed in, but the perpetrator vanished like a ninja!" another guard added.

"We thought it was just a..."

"Enough!" He interrupted, waving his hands in the air. "You're all toast. How could someone stroll into my heavily-guarded estate and snatch a soul like that?" He scolded, shaking his head in disbelief.

"That's true, boss. Maybe we should hire a magician as a guard next time," One of the guards chimed in, pretending to pull a rabbit out of his pocket.

He frowned at him and he genuflected in response.

"Come on, guys. Let's be honest here. Did he get drunk and shoot himself?" 47 playfully teased.

"Probably! He must've mistaken his finger for a gun. It happens to the best of us," one guard quipped, earning a bullet from 47. He fell awkwardly and the rest tremble as he moved the gun around.

"I shot him!" Nickolas exclaimed, walking in the scene and Darrell's jaw clenched ever so slightly. He looked at Mr. 47, their eyes exchanging a bewildered glance, before turning back to Nick,

They were still processing the unexpected turn of events.

"Sure, let's wrap up the game. your life is as valuable as a half-melted ice cream cone, and I'm the cherry on top. I've had my fill of his antics. Pull the trigger now or it's going to be fashionably late," Nickolas teased, sending a shiver down Darrell's spine.

"How dare you, you son of a mother-" Mr 47, wanted saying.

"Easy there, Bulldog," Nick interrupted, winking mischievously. "You're just a glorified guard in this fancy mansion. You have no right to bark when the uncle and nephew are having a chat."

"You're pushing it, young man!" Mr. 47 growled, his face turning red with anger.

"Oh, simmer down, you hot-headed hound. No need to fetch your temper," he retorted, causing both of them to exchange irritated glances. The tension was almost palpable, but he couldn't resist adding a touch of humor to the situation.

"Enough with the small talk. Pull the trigger. Pull it!" Nickolas insisted dramatically, playing up the moment.

"Go ahead, shoot me. End my misery!" he goaded, pretending to strike a tragic pose.

"Nickolas!" Darrell finally spoke, his voice filled with concern as he slowly lowered his damn gun.

"What on earth has gotten into you?" Darrell asked, searching for an explanation.

"Death," Nickolas replied cryptically, enjoying the suspense he had created.

"I want to die in your hands, just like you took away my parents," he added, hoping to strike a chord within Darrell's conscience.

"Come on, boss, just give the word and he'll be out of the picture," Mr. 47 chimed in, sporting a strange smirk.

"Shoot him," Darrell finally ordered, his voice a mix of resignation and uncertainty.

Ryan

Her heart pounded in her chest as she listened intently. This couldn't be Nickolas. The Nickolas she knew was as timid as a frightened kitten.

He trembled in Darrell's presence. But now, he was boldly standing up to him, yelling like a feisty little warrior. She couldn't believe her eyes and ears!

God help them!

She sighed and shut her eyes, half-expecting the sound of a gunshot to shatter the tranquility of the estate. But to her surprise, silence prevailed. She cautiously opened her eyes, only to see Nickolas bursting into her room and swiftly shutting the door behind him.

"Nickolas!" she gasped, unable to hide her shock.

He smiled warmly at her. "Sometimes, Ryan, it's better to accept defeat and embrace our fate," he said calmly.

"What are you saying?" she asked, her voice trembling.

"I'm sorry. I know this will hurt you deeply, but I have to do it," he replied, taking a seat beside her. There was an air of bravery about him, a newfound confidence.

"Do what?" she pleaded, her eyes welling up with tears.

"I'm willing to give my life to ensure your safety," he confessed, his gaze unwavering.

"No!!!" she protested, her heart breaking at the thought.

"Come on," he urged gently, trying to comfort her.

"But you promised you'd be by my side. Don't do this to me," she sobbed, gripping his arm desperately.

"I have your best interests at heart. And remember, I will always be with you," he reassured, his voice filled with love.

"I don't understand," she choked out, confusion clouding her mind.

"That's the point, my dear. You can't understand right now," he whispered, cupping her face in his hands.

"I love you... I wish I could stay with you as planned, but it's not safe," he confessed.

"I'll be fine. And if I'm fine, you'll be fine too," he added, trying to ease her worries.

"Ryan!" a deep, horrified voice suddenly pierced through the room. "Open this door, now!"

"Now!!!" Darrell yelled, his impatience reverberating through the walls.

"Please, let's escape through the window," she whispered urgently, her voice filled with fear.

"No, just watch," Nickolas insisted, determination gleaming in his eyes as he grabbed his gun.

"Open this door, you... you..." Darrell's angry voice echoed closer.

"Bye," she tried to pull him back, her voice trembling, but his wrists slipped out of her grasp. He slowly inched toward the door and forcefully swung it open.

____________The next day________

He took a deep breath and relaxed in the plush car seat as Mr. 47 took the wheel. Mr. 47 glanced at him with a smirk, and he couldn't help but return the smile.

"You're quite brave," Mr. 47 remarked.

"Thanks," he replied, feeling a sense of camaraderie between them.

The rest of the ride was filled with an oddly humorous silence. They arrived at a secluded spot, and Mr. 47 parked the car. A few guards pulled him out of the car, and he let out a slow sigh. He watched as they led him into a thick forest, his heart sinking. He couldn't believe that today marked his last day on earth. The thought of never seeing Ryan again was unbearable. It pained him to think of the hurt she would experience. Silently, he wished for her happiness, even if it meant being with Derrick. As for him, it seemed his dreams were cut short. There was no escape from this predicament... He snapped back to reality when Mr. 47 cocked his gun.

"Bitch!" Mr. 47 smirked, tilting his chin with a finger and gazing into his eyes. "You called me a bulldog," Mr. 47 chuckled. "Well, that's what you get. You may have won this time, but mark my words, I'll be back for both of you," he said defiantly. Mr. 47 then pressed their heads together, causing him pain, and smirked.

"Goodbye," Mr. 47 smirked, and in that moment, he took his final breath.