แชร์

familiar pain.

ผู้เขียน: Censia
last update ปรับปรุงล่าสุด: 2025-03-24 02:58:08

"You’re late."

The voice was cold, sharp like a blade, and it made Noel’s stomach churn. He hadn’t even stepped inside yet.

His fingers curled into fists at his sides as he stood frozen outside the grand three-story house, his childhood prison. The sight of it alone made his chest tighten, the air around him suddenly feeling too thin.

He hated this place.

The memories clawed at him, dragging him back. The shouting matches in the kitchen, plates shattering against walls, his mother’s piercing screams. He used to squeeze his eyes shut, hands pressed tightly over his ears, wishing it would stop. But it never did.

Sometimes, she took her anger out on him instead. A slap across the face, a yank of his arm, and then the dreaded sound of the basement door unlocking.

"You like hiding so much? Stay there."

Cold. Cramped. Suffocating. His breath would quicken, his chest tightening as the shadows pressed in on him. He'd claw at the door, scream until his voice went hoarse, but no one ever came.

Not his mother.

Not his father.

And when his mother vanished one night when he was sixteen…gone without a word, without a single glance back…his father turned on him completely.

"It’s your fault she left."

Noel flinched as if the words were whispered into his ear all over again. He clenched his jaw, shaking off the memory. That was in the past. He had escaped.

So why was he here again?

Because his father had summoned him.

"I’m getting married," the message had said. "Be here."

Like he had a choice.

Noel sucked in a deep breath and forced himself to move. Each step toward the house felt like walking toward his execution.

The door swung open before he could knock.

His father stood there, tall and rigid, with the same piercing eyes Noel had inherited but wished he hadn’t. He looked him up and down with mild disinterest before stepping aside.

"Come in."

The air inside was thick with cigar smoke and whiskey. The same suffocating scent from his childhood. It made his stomach turn.

Noel’s eyes swept over the room, and his heart nearly stopped when he saw her.

A woman, elegant and poised, sitting on the couch with a small smile.

"You must be Noel."

Her voice was warm, too warm. It made his skin crawl.

His father took a slow sip of his drink before speaking. "This is Olivia.My fiancée."

Noel’s jaw clenched. "Congratulations."

His father smirked. "Sit."

Noel stayed standing.

The older man sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Still stubborn, I see." He swirled his drink lazily before meeting Noel’s eyes. "I have something to tell you."

Noel didn’t respond.

His father took his silence as permission to continue. "I’m cutting you off."

The words should have shocked him. But they didn’t.

Noel scoffed. "I was never on your payroll to begin with."

His father chuckled, low and humorless. "Don’t be so sure." He leaned forward, eyes dark. "This university you attend, the place you live, the life you have…it exists because I allow it."

A cold chill ran down Noel’s spine.

"If you want to keep it," his father said smoothly, "you’ll behave."

Noel forced his expression to stay neutral, even as his stomach twisted. He had spent years trying to separate himself from this man. And now, just like that, he was being reeled back in.

His father smirked. "Good. Now, let’s talk about your future."

Noel clenched his fists.

He needed to get out of here.

Now.

"What the hell is she doing here?"

Vincenzo barely concealed his sneer as he stepped into the grand dining hall of his family estate. His sharp eyes locked onto Elene, who was sitting comfortably beside his mother, her fingers delicately wrapped around a glass of wine as if she belonged there.

Elene smirked, tilting her head. "Nice to see you too, Vincenzo."

His jaw ticked. He hated her voice. Too sweet, too calculated.

His mother’s gasp interrupted his thoughts. "Figlio mio! Finally, you come home!" She rushed to him, immediately fussing over his suit, brushing imaginary dust from his shoulders before gripping his face between her hands. "You look thinner! Are you eating properly? No, you aren’t, I can tell! You never visit, never call!"

Vincenzo sighed, gently prying her hands off. "Mamma, I’m fine."

His father, sitting at the head of the long table, let out an amused chuckle. "Let the boy breathe, Isabella. He’s not a child, mi amore."

His mother scowled. "Breathe? He barely exists in this house anymore!"

Vincenzo ignored her complaints and shot a glance back at Elene. "Still didn’t answer my question. What is she doing here?"

His mother waved a dismissive hand. "We invited her, of course! Elene is like a daughter to us."

Vincenzo scoffed. "Is that right?"

Elene placed a delicate hand on his mother’s arm, playing her role perfectly. "Vincenzo, no need to be so cold. Your mother and I were just reminiscing about the old days."

"You mean the days where you lied, manipulated, and betrayed me?"

Elene’s smile faltered for a fraction of a second before she composed herself, letting out a light laugh. "Still so dramatic."

"Still so fake."

His mother clapped her hands, clearly irritated. "Enough! Vincenzo, sit down. We’re having dinner as a family."

Vincenzo hesitated, every instinct telling him to turn around and leave. But he knew better. His father didn’t call him here just for a friendly dinner.

Something was coming.

With a slow exhale, he took his seat, eyes flickering between his father and Elene.

As the staff served the meal, Elene continued her act…laughing, making conversation with his mother, throwing in little comments about the past as if she and Vincenzo had been some great love story.

He gripped his fork tightly, barely touching his food.

Then his father spoke.

"We want you and Elene to get back together."

Silence.

Vincenzo stilled. He slowly placed his utensils down, his expression unreadable.

"Excuse me?"

His mother beamed, reaching for his hand. "It’s time, Vincenzo. You’re not getting any younger. You need a stable woman by your side. And who better than Elene?"

"You can’t be serious."

His father took a sip of wine before speaking calmly. "We are."

Elene smiled, leaning slightly toward him. "We had something good once, Vincenzo. We can have it again."

Vincenzo turned to her, his voice dropping to a low, dangerous tone. "You really think I’d ever trust you again?"

His father sighed, setting his glass down. "Vincenzo, this isn’t a request."

His grip on the table tightened.

"You will marry her."

A slow smirk spread across Elene’s lips as she gazed at him with triumph.

Vincenzo leaned back in his chair, his mind racing.

This wasn’t just about him. This was control.

His father was testing him.

But Vincenzo Takeda did not like being controlled.

And if they wanted to play games, he was more than ready.

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  • THE MAFIA DON'S PRETTY BOY   A cornered sugarbaby

    "You should just give in and be Vincenzo De Luca’s sugar baby, Noel. It’d solve all your problems."Aria's voice was laced with playful mischief, but Nico snorted, shaking his head."You’re wasting a golden opportunity, man," Nico added, smirking. "Rich, powerful, and obsessed with you? Some people would kill for that."Noel stabbed at his half-eaten pasta, his appetite long gone. "I’m not for sale," he muttered, voice tight.Aria and Nico exchanged a glance. The teasing stopped when they noticed the way his shoulders tensed, his fingers gripping the fork like a lifeline."Noel…?" Aria’s voice softened.He inhaled shakily, blinking back the sudden sting in his eyes. "I went to see my dad," he admitted, barely above a whisper.Silence.Nico sat up straighter. "And?""He’s getting married."Aria frowned. "What?""He invited me home just to drop that bomb. Like it wasn’t a big deal. Like I didn’t spend my childhood in that hellhole," Noel said bitterly, hands clenching into fists on the

    ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-03-24
  • THE MAFIA DON'S PRETTY BOY   Threats.

    "I’ve missed you, Noel."Julian's voice slithered through the air, smooth and calculated, sending an icy shiver down Noel’s spine.Noel’s fingers twitched. His body locked up, every muscle screaming at him to run…but he couldn’t. Not here. Not now.Vincenzo’s grip on his wrist tightened. "Who the fuck is this?" His voice was low, dangerous.Julian’s gaze flicked to Vincenzo, his smirk widening. "Ah. The infamous Vincenzo De Luca. Figures." He took a step forward, eyes gleaming with amusement. "Didn't think Noel would downgrade so drastically, though."Vincenzo’s expression didn’t change, but something shifted in the air. The temperature seemed to drop.Noel snapped out of his frozen state. "Julian, leave." His voice came out sharper than he intended, but his heart was pounding too hard to care.Julian tsked, shaking his head. "That’s not how you talk to your boyfriend."Noel flinched."Ex." His voice barely held steady. "We’re done, Julian. You need to…"Julian’s smile didn’t waver. "

    ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-03-24
  • THE MAFIA DON'S PRETTY BOY   Between two demons,who to choose?

    “I just want what’s best for Vincenzo.”Elene’s voice was soft, laced with gentle concern as she gazed at Don Ramón De Luca with wide, earnest eyes. Her delicate fingers toyed with the rim of her teacup, the very picture of a thoughtful, loving fiancée.Across from her, Vincenzo’s mother, Isabella, smiled warmly, clearly taken by the young woman’s sincerity. Even Don Ramón, ever the skeptic, observed her with interest.“Of course, you do,” Isabella agreed, setting down her spoon. “You’ve always been so patient with him.”Elene gave a small, self-deprecating laugh, lowering her lashes. “I wouldn’t call it patience… I just love him, is all.” She let out a quiet sigh, perfectly timed, her voice softening with hesitation. “But lately, something feels… different.”Don Ramón’s gaze sharpened. “What do you mean?”Elene bit her lip as if reluctant to speak, shifting uncomfortably in her seat. “I wasn’t sure if I should say anything. I don’t want to cause problems between you and Vincenzo.”Is

    ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-03-25
  • THE MAFIA DON'S PRETTY BOY   No one can save you.

    "Noel, open the door."Vincenzo’s voice was firm, laced with something raw…something that made Noel’s fingers tremble against the wood. His forehead rested against the cool surface, his breath uneven.“Go away,” Noel whispered.A heavy silence settled between them before Vincenzo’s fist slammed against the door again. “Are you really going to let him touch you again?”Noel’s stomach twisted violently. He squeezed his eyes shut, his nails digging into his palms.“Yes.” His voice shook, but he forced the words out. “Just go away, Vincenzo.”“Bullshit.”Noel heard the frustration in Vincenzo’s tone, the quiet desperation simmering beneath it. “You don’t want this, Noel. I can save you. Just open the door and leave the rest to me.”Noel’s chest ached. He wanted to believe that. God, he wanted to.But Julian had the video. And if it got out…if his father saw…He sucked in a breath. “No. I don’t need your amazing grace. I don’t need your saving. Why can’t you just leave me alone?”The words

    ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-03-25
  • THE MAFIA DON'S PRETTY BOY   Filth your son wants.

    "You’re filth."The deep voice sliced through the air, stopping Noel mid-step as he carried a tray of drinks. The sound of a glass clinking against the floor followed, but Noel barely heard it.His blood turned ice cold.Slowly, he lifted his head, and there..standing in the middle of the restaurant, dressed in an immaculately tailored suit…was Ramón De Luca.Noel’s stomach dropped.The powerful crime boss. The man who built an empire with blood and steel. The man Vincenzo feared.The restaurant fell into a tense silence as whispers began spreading like wildfire. The waiters froze. Customers turned in their seats. Even the manager, a usually loud and commanding man, hesitated to interfere.Noel forced himself to swallow the lump in his throat. Not here. Not now."Sir, if you need something, I can get a waiter…""I don’t need a fucking waiter," Ramón cut him off coldly. His dark eyes glinted with disgust. "I need you to get out of my son’s life."Noel exhaled sharply. So this was it."

    ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-03-28
  • THE MAFIA DON'S PRETTY BOY   The line between us.

    Noel barely had time to check his phone when Aria’s call came through.“Get dressed,” she said, skipping a greeting. “Got you a gig. High-end banquet. Good money.”Noel sat up on his bed, rubbing his face. “How much?”“Enough to cover your rent for a while.”That was all he needed to hear.“I’m in. When?”“Tonight. Wear something nice.”She hung up.Noel exhaled, pushing himself up. A fancy banquet meant expensive guests, the kind who barely saw waiters as people. But he needed the money.Hours Later..At the BanquetThe air smelled like expensive perfume and champagne. Crystal chandeliers reflected off gold-trimmed walls, illuminating the crowd of powerful people dressed in designer suits and gowns. Noel adjusted the tray in his grip, keeping his posture straight.He was just here to work. Get paid. Leave.Simple.He moved through the crowd, offering glasses of champagne with a practiced smile.Then, he felt it.A gaze.Heavy. Dark.He turned slightly…and nearly froze.The man watchin

    ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-03-28
  • THE MAFIA DON'S PRETTY BOY   half somebody.

    Noel stared at his reflection in the mirror, his fingers gripping the cool edge of the sink. His breath came slow and controlled, but inside, his chest tightened painfully.Vincenzo couldn’t claim him. Wouldn’t.He should have expected it.Still, the way Vincenzo had stood there, silent in the face of Matteo’s proposition, had cut deeper than he wanted to admit."Who is he to you?""It’s none of your business."Noel let out a humorless chuckle, shaking his head.Of course.Of course, he was nothing to Vincenzo De Luca.Just a distraction.Just some college student who got swept up in a world he didn’t belong in.But what scared him the most..what made his stomach knot…was the way Don Ramon De Luca had looked at him.That man could kill him.Easily.Noel had seen enough of the De Lucas to know they didn’t make empty threats.He exhaled sharply and turned on the faucet, splashing cold water onto his face, willing himself to push it all aside. He needed to get back to work, finish his sh

    ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-03-28
  • THE MAFIA DON'S PRETTY BOY   Debt in blood.

    Vincenzo was losing control.His vision blurred with rage as he slammed his glass down, the sound of it hitting the table barely satisfying the storm raging inside him.Noel had left.With Matteo fucking Romano.His archenemy.His fingers tightened around the whiskey bottle before he hurled it at the far wall. Glass exploded, amber liquid dripping down like blood.He couldn’t breathe.Couldn’t think."What the fuck did my father mean when he said he was going to ‘take care of him’?"Vincenzo had never feared anyone in his life. Not the men he tortured. Not the enemies he buried. But Don Ramon De Luca? His father?He was a man whose word was law. And when he spoke of taking care of someone, it didn’t mean keeping them safe. It meant removing them from existence.Oh, hell no.Not Noel.He’d burn the whole fucking world down first.His teeth clenched, hands balling into fists as he barked, “Lucas!”His second-in-command appeared almost instantly, standing at attention.Vincenzo’s breath

    ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-03-30

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  • THE MAFIA DON'S PRETTY BOY   Sugar baby honeymoon.

    Noel woke with a sharp gasp.The ceiling above him was unfamiliar…pristine white with intricate gold detailing. The air smelled of expensive cologne, leather, and something faintly citrusy. Silk sheets clung to his bare skin, cool and luxurious, nothing like the rough, bloodstained clothes he last remembered.Panic coiled in his stomach.His body ached all over, muscles protesting as he pushed himself up. A sharp sting shot through his ribs. His mind snapped to the events of the previous night.Elene. Silvio. The gunfire.Vincenzo.Had he really just declared war against the Riccis because of him?A cold shudder ran down Noel’s spine.Shit.Don Ramon was going to be pissed.Like, really pissed.And for the first time in his life, Noel felt genuine fear. He had spent years playing with fire, weaving through danger, but this… this was something else.He had run from the mouth of one beast straight into another.He let out a shaky breath, running a hand through his messy hair. Why the fu

  • THE MAFIA DON'S PRETTY BOY   The devil's cage.

    *Somewhere Unknown*Noel woke up to the sharp sting of his own cheek.Someone had slapped him.His head lolled to the side, his vision swimming as the burning sensation settled in. His limbs felt heavy…numb. His mouth was dry, and when he tried to move, he realized..He was tied to a chair.The room was dimly lit, the air thick with the scent of cigarettes and expensive cologne. Shadows danced along the walls, blurred figures standing around him, watching.A voice..smooth, condescending..cut through the haze."Well, well. Look who’s finally awake."Noel’s heart lurched. He recognized that voice.Elene.A slow clap echoed through the room as Elene stepped into the light, her red lips curled into a wicked smirk. She was dressed immaculately as always, her heels clicking against the marble floor."You’re a real pain in the ass, you know that?" she mused, crouching in front of him. "I keep thinking Vincenzo will finally throw you away, but no. He just keeps coming back."Noel’s breathing

  • THE MAFIA DON'S PRETTY BOY   A Reckless Gamble

    Noel sat on Matteo’s massive bed, fingers gripping the edge of the sheets. His heart pounded in his chest, each beat louder than the last. His mind was stuck on the way Vincenzo’s eyes had burned with fury when he had left the club with Matteo.That look…dark, unreadable, deadly.Something had snapped in him. Noel had felt it.He swallowed hard, glancing at the clock. Matteo had brought him here, told him to stay put, then left for some business hours ago.He hadn’t returned.Noel’s stomach churned.Something was wrong.Then his phone buzzed.His fingers trembled as he grabbed it."Hello?"“Noel, baby…where are you? Have you heard?” Aria’s voice was rushed, frantic.“Heard what?” Noel sat up straighter, his pulse spiking.“Vincenzo has Julian. And rumor is…” Aria hesitated, then her voice dropped. “He beat him up. Badly. Before they took him away.”Noel froze.His breath hitched in his throat, fingers going numb around the phone.No. No, no, no.He shot to his feet. “Beat him up?” His

  • THE MAFIA DON'S PRETTY BOY   Debt in blood.

    Vincenzo was losing control.His vision blurred with rage as he slammed his glass down, the sound of it hitting the table barely satisfying the storm raging inside him.Noel had left.With Matteo fucking Romano.His archenemy.His fingers tightened around the whiskey bottle before he hurled it at the far wall. Glass exploded, amber liquid dripping down like blood.He couldn’t breathe.Couldn’t think."What the fuck did my father mean when he said he was going to ‘take care of him’?"Vincenzo had never feared anyone in his life. Not the men he tortured. Not the enemies he buried. But Don Ramon De Luca? His father?He was a man whose word was law. And when he spoke of taking care of someone, it didn’t mean keeping them safe. It meant removing them from existence.Oh, hell no.Not Noel.He’d burn the whole fucking world down first.His teeth clenched, hands balling into fists as he barked, “Lucas!”His second-in-command appeared almost instantly, standing at attention.Vincenzo’s breath

  • THE MAFIA DON'S PRETTY BOY   half somebody.

    Noel stared at his reflection in the mirror, his fingers gripping the cool edge of the sink. His breath came slow and controlled, but inside, his chest tightened painfully.Vincenzo couldn’t claim him. Wouldn’t.He should have expected it.Still, the way Vincenzo had stood there, silent in the face of Matteo’s proposition, had cut deeper than he wanted to admit."Who is he to you?""It’s none of your business."Noel let out a humorless chuckle, shaking his head.Of course.Of course, he was nothing to Vincenzo De Luca.Just a distraction.Just some college student who got swept up in a world he didn’t belong in.But what scared him the most..what made his stomach knot…was the way Don Ramon De Luca had looked at him.That man could kill him.Easily.Noel had seen enough of the De Lucas to know they didn’t make empty threats.He exhaled sharply and turned on the faucet, splashing cold water onto his face, willing himself to push it all aside. He needed to get back to work, finish his sh

  • THE MAFIA DON'S PRETTY BOY   The line between us.

    Noel barely had time to check his phone when Aria’s call came through.“Get dressed,” she said, skipping a greeting. “Got you a gig. High-end banquet. Good money.”Noel sat up on his bed, rubbing his face. “How much?”“Enough to cover your rent for a while.”That was all he needed to hear.“I’m in. When?”“Tonight. Wear something nice.”She hung up.Noel exhaled, pushing himself up. A fancy banquet meant expensive guests, the kind who barely saw waiters as people. But he needed the money.Hours Later..At the BanquetThe air smelled like expensive perfume and champagne. Crystal chandeliers reflected off gold-trimmed walls, illuminating the crowd of powerful people dressed in designer suits and gowns. Noel adjusted the tray in his grip, keeping his posture straight.He was just here to work. Get paid. Leave.Simple.He moved through the crowd, offering glasses of champagne with a practiced smile.Then, he felt it.A gaze.Heavy. Dark.He turned slightly…and nearly froze.The man watchin

  • THE MAFIA DON'S PRETTY BOY   Filth your son wants.

    "You’re filth."The deep voice sliced through the air, stopping Noel mid-step as he carried a tray of drinks. The sound of a glass clinking against the floor followed, but Noel barely heard it.His blood turned ice cold.Slowly, he lifted his head, and there..standing in the middle of the restaurant, dressed in an immaculately tailored suit…was Ramón De Luca.Noel’s stomach dropped.The powerful crime boss. The man who built an empire with blood and steel. The man Vincenzo feared.The restaurant fell into a tense silence as whispers began spreading like wildfire. The waiters froze. Customers turned in their seats. Even the manager, a usually loud and commanding man, hesitated to interfere.Noel forced himself to swallow the lump in his throat. Not here. Not now."Sir, if you need something, I can get a waiter…""I don’t need a fucking waiter," Ramón cut him off coldly. His dark eyes glinted with disgust. "I need you to get out of my son’s life."Noel exhaled sharply. So this was it."

  • THE MAFIA DON'S PRETTY BOY   No one can save you.

    "Noel, open the door."Vincenzo’s voice was firm, laced with something raw…something that made Noel’s fingers tremble against the wood. His forehead rested against the cool surface, his breath uneven.“Go away,” Noel whispered.A heavy silence settled between them before Vincenzo’s fist slammed against the door again. “Are you really going to let him touch you again?”Noel’s stomach twisted violently. He squeezed his eyes shut, his nails digging into his palms.“Yes.” His voice shook, but he forced the words out. “Just go away, Vincenzo.”“Bullshit.”Noel heard the frustration in Vincenzo’s tone, the quiet desperation simmering beneath it. “You don’t want this, Noel. I can save you. Just open the door and leave the rest to me.”Noel’s chest ached. He wanted to believe that. God, he wanted to.But Julian had the video. And if it got out…if his father saw…He sucked in a breath. “No. I don’t need your amazing grace. I don’t need your saving. Why can’t you just leave me alone?”The words

  • THE MAFIA DON'S PRETTY BOY   Between two demons,who to choose?

    “I just want what’s best for Vincenzo.”Elene’s voice was soft, laced with gentle concern as she gazed at Don Ramón De Luca with wide, earnest eyes. Her delicate fingers toyed with the rim of her teacup, the very picture of a thoughtful, loving fiancée.Across from her, Vincenzo’s mother, Isabella, smiled warmly, clearly taken by the young woman’s sincerity. Even Don Ramón, ever the skeptic, observed her with interest.“Of course, you do,” Isabella agreed, setting down her spoon. “You’ve always been so patient with him.”Elene gave a small, self-deprecating laugh, lowering her lashes. “I wouldn’t call it patience… I just love him, is all.” She let out a quiet sigh, perfectly timed, her voice softening with hesitation. “But lately, something feels… different.”Don Ramón’s gaze sharpened. “What do you mean?”Elene bit her lip as if reluctant to speak, shifting uncomfortably in her seat. “I wasn’t sure if I should say anything. I don’t want to cause problems between you and Vincenzo.”Is

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