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nhebi · 3 years ago

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prologue

"My goodness," you muttered under your breath. You stood up in the middle of a bar, finding various people dressed in tuxedos and flapper dress, walking from corner to corner with drinks in their hands.

"Murray didn't joke around," you breathed out, feeling the chilly air stabbing your skin. You were lucky that he gave you a purse filled with stacks of money and cents — at least enough for you to sleep at a decent hotel for a while.

The bar you were standing in looked like it came out straight from the Great Gatsby. Men dressed in suits and women in flapper dresses and feather headpieces. "I should leave," you sighed, running your fingers through your hair.

Jazz music and laughs, they filled up your head. You wanted for nothing but to leave this building. Only to find a man with dark blond hair smiling at you and walking in your direction.

"You don't enjoy the party, toots?" He asked, tilting his head to side. He gave you a disappointed look, asking why you left so early while everyone was having fun. "I'm not supposed to be here," you replied and tried to leave — yet, he was faster to stop you.

"How about a drink? It's on me tonight," he winked, giving you a charming smile. You knew you weren't supposed to fool around, but, he didn't seem dangerous nor harmful as you found your arm lingering around his.

"Would be an honour for me," you smiled, following his lead to the bar. You read down the list and chose Manhattan, earning a full laugh from the man. "I'm a Brooklyn gentleman and this sugar I found is into Manhattan?" He raised an eyebrow, smile didn't leave his lips, "what should I do then?"

You let out a chuckle, enjoying the attention he gave. A hand found a way to his shoulder, making him surprised. "Maybe, introducing yourself?" You asked, earning a brief gasp from him before he hid it with a cough.

"The name's Nicky Valentino, sweetheart," he took your hand into his grasp, pressing a kiss over it. You pulled your hand away, hiding couple of giggle behind it. Nicky was full of charm, but, he was in your way to leave.

You decided to stop playing around and finished your drink off, collecting yourself before getting off from the seat. "Wait— you're leaving?" He scrunched his eyebrows, expecting a different outcome as you brushed his hand off, giving him a curt nod.

"Do you need a ride? Where are you going? I can have my—"

"I'm fine all by myself, kind sir," you cut him off, earning a silent groan from him. It seemed like he wasn't one to be rejected.

"The name's Nicky, already forgotten, kid?" He asked before a train of thought hit him. "Can I get your name, at least?" You pressed your hand against his chest, feeling his broad chest under the expensive suit, "dear sir, I'm busy and I hope you'll be kind enough to let me taking care of them."

You were both tired and hungry — yet Nicky still wouldn't let you go easily. "How about this," you sighed, looking at him, "I'll take you out for a coffee tomorrow morning and introduce myself properly if you let me go this instance."

He raised an eyebrow, clearly feeling amused with your offer. "How can I feel sure you won't run away from me?" He asked, challenging you. With a soft sigh, you clicked your tongue before telling him the answer for his question, "Where the most expensive hotel around here is? I'm in need of proper rest and will be happy if you meet me at the lobby there."

He crossed his arms over his chest, letting out a laugh before a man rested his hand over his shoulder, giving you a quick smile. "New arm candy?" You shot him a smile, shaking your head lightly "Just a lady in need of hotel."

He tipped off his head, holding out his hand in your direction. "The name's Ralph Della Rosa," you have him a smile, shaking his hand gently before telling him your name. Nicky looked at both of you in disbelief, feeling cheated on.

"You didn't even tell me your name and I bought you a drink," he sighed exasperatedly, lines showing up on his forehead. "I would never told a flirt my name," you winked, waving your hand in certain manner.

Nicky was in daze before broke into a chuckle, shaking his head with a smile. "Ralph, drive her to the most expensive hotel in the whole New York, "Our Manhattan princess needs her beauty sleep before a morning date with this putz," he flashed you a grin.

"I'm not from Manhattan, but, being a princess doesn't sound bad," you smiled before excusing yourself and followed Ralph outside, finding an expensive looking vintage car in front of you. "Get inside. I'll make sure you reach your destination safe and sound," he grinned before you entered and sat down.

You were a girl from far east and came to here for a new chance and future. Even though your parents were against you before, but they finally let you go to find a path you could never find back at home.

"You don't look like you're from here. Immigrant?" Ralph asked, looking at you from the rearview mirror. You shook your head, feeling not sure about your position in this country and era. "I'm here because of my education," you replied, playing with your thumbs.

"Beautiful, smart and rich — you're truly a princess," he chuckled out, resting his hand on the gearshift, humming out a song you had never heard. "Thanks. But, I'm not planning to continue it anymore," you sighed, playing with the ends of your dress. It was a simple qipao that blended with this era, making you felt a bit reassured.

'I supposed my clothes changed as soon as I entered that place,' you rested your head against the seat, enjoying the scene outside. The night looked cold, but somehow, it comforted you.

"Well, being a student can give you burnt out sooner or later," he replied before stopping in front of a grand looking hotel, opening the door for you to get out. "This hotel is everything that can fit a foreign princess like you," he winked before you entered inside and watched Ralph taking care of the reservation.

"No need to spend those money, kid. Nicky beat you before you can open that expensive purse," he tipped his head before leaving with the car, not giving you a single glance back.

"I'll escort you, miss," a staff smiled before you followed her to your assigned room.

From the interior only, you were sure that this hotel only accepted people such as tycoon and politicians. But, here you were, a girl that got stranded in different era, laying down on a king-size bed with silk sheet. "I should buy some clothes by tomorrow morning," you tapped your arm lightly, rolling over to your side.

The view from up here was magnificent. Nothing like what you had seen before. The twinkling lights from cars and apartments nearby with faint sound of a fight between gentlemen and some laughs from ladies around them. They sounded amazing, like a lullaby that made you fell asleep in no time.

A knock woke you up, looking at a clock nearby that showed '6.20'. You rubbed your eyes lightly before approaching the door, asking who it was. "Room service, miss," you opened the door and found a staff, smiling at you brightly. Line of food lined up behind him with two other staffs holding flowers.

"Mr. Valentino sent this for you," you nodded your head, letting them inside before shifted your gaze at the man. "Any note? I'm afraid he might poison me and wanted me to know it," he chuckled lightly at you before handing out a small note and excused himself with his friends.

'I will be waiting downstairs XO

P.S. The breakfast is poisoned with my love and the only antidote is my kiss, toots'

"Ugh," you rolled your eyes, finding a faint smell of his perfume and kiss mark on the corner of the note before throwing it into the bin. The smell of your breakfast was divine and there was a lot of choices, ranging from french toast to full breakfast. You took a seat and started your day with the light and fluffy breakfast, hoping it wouldn't kill you here.

"I should go now," you huffed out, walking to downstairs and found Nicky, dressed in a more casual attire with flower in his hand. He seemed like hadn't noticed you, talking and chuckling with a lady in his seat.

You knew that it was a chance for you to escape, walking in a crowd and smiling at the outside of the hotel. "Thought you be with Nicky," you jumped out at the voice, finding Ralph with a lopsided smile and tipping his hat at you.

"It seemed like I mistook our coffee break for today," you chuckled out, didn't seem to mind about it. Ralph looked at you with a small grin, knowing Nicky is quite of a flirt and never thought there was someone who didn't mind to have their date flirting with others.

"Well, what if you changed it with me? I'm a great coffee buddy," he smiled before you let out a soft giggle and nodded, feeling happy that Ralph made you feel at home almost easily here. He led you to a small café, almost empty if it wasn't for few people enjoying their morning coffee before starting their day.

The café wasn't far from your hotel, maybe around thirty meters away and it looked pretty high-end with couples of expensive chair and table outside. Ralph pulled a chair for you to sit on before taking his in front of you as a waiter approached both of you.

"I'll have cappuccino, thank you," you smiled, watching the waiter left with your and Ralph's orders. "How's New York? I'd never take you as someone that suited this dangerous city," he straightened his lapels as you hummed lightly at his comment.

"Not bad, but can't say it's my home now," you replied, watching your drink came in a white porcelain cup. You took it in your hand, enjoying the bittersweet smell it had before sipped on it. "This is amazing," you smiled, finishing your coffee.

"Good to hear. Would be a problem if the king beheaded me for making his daughter dissatisfied," he chuckled out, already got his cup empty on the table. Ralph began to tell you about places in New York that you could enjoy while telling you to visit the bar you came from once in a while.

"It's good to see a girl like you, kid. You're truly a sister I always wished to have," he smiled, giving your shoulder a light pat followed by a cough. "You need any water, Ralph?" You looked at him, earning a head shake.

"But, Casanova behind you might need one," he half-smiled when you turned your head, finding Nicky with a wry smile and now wilting flower in his hand. "Can I join the two of you? I believed you owed me a coffee date today, toots, not my cousin," he sighed, earning a hearty laugh from Ralph.

"Our principessa here seemed to find her prince engaged with another. So, here I am, cheering her up," he smiled as Nicky looked away, feeling dejected with it before handing out his bouquet to you. "You coulda tell me and, yeah.." he trailed off before noticed two empty cups on the table.

"I hope you enjoyed the coffee," he smiled bitterly at you. You weren't aware of his feeling behind that smile and let out a giggle instead of pitying his misery. "I did! Ralph told me places around here that we can enjoy and I might drop by at the saloon to meet him once in a while."

Now, his heart felt broken and crushed.

Nicky shot a sharp glare at Ralph, who smiled at your excitement. He wasn't aware that his cold cousin could find someone to fancy and worse thing, it was someone he fancied, too. A date he looked upon from three in the morning, crushed almost instantly by the sweet smile you had.

He was disappointed, but even more to himself. He tried his best to impress you today to fix his bad first impression for you. He even looked around for the best florist in the whole Manhattan to look like a proper gentleman than a last night putz. Yet, it was ruined by a simple flirt with a lady he didn't even know what her name was.

"Relax, after all, there's no string. It might be a good thing for me," Ralph smiled at him, making him rolled his eyes before giving Ralph a sharp punch on shoulder. "Fine, fine. I'll drive both of you to Central Park," he sighed.

You were now inside Nicky's car at the backseat beside him. Ralph drove and took few turns before stopping at the Central Park, looking crowded as usual with children, couples and families. "I'll pick yous up before sunset, lovebirds," Ralph drove away, leaving both of Nicky and I at the park.

"Well, toots. Mind to give this dork another shot?" He looked away, biting his lower lip. You laughed lightly, taking his hand in yours. You might won't admit it but perhaps there was another side of Nicky you hadn't seen — the one that could only be seen by Ralph and his closest ones.

"Doesn't sound like it'll kill me, so, yeah!" You grinned, feeling his tightening grip on your hand. Nicky was happy to hear that, he could swear that his heart almost bursting out of excitement.

The stroll was delightful for him. There wasn't many words exchanged, but the silent was comfortable, like a thick blanket. He was so close to you and able to identify your distinctive scent. A combination of peach and cherry, reminding him of summer. A memory he wouldn't want to forget under a crabapple tree.

"The flower was supposed to be yours. But, it's not fresh anymore, shoulda come to you faster before Ralph got you hitched to him with cappuccino," you let out a laugh, not knowing his comment on your platonic date with Ralph would be that extreme.

Nicky laughed with you, the corner of his eyes crinkled and a dimple showing up on his cheek. "Should I get divorced now?" You raised an eyebrow, earning a small pinch on your arm from him. "No! It meant you truly got hitched by him," he frowned before you let out another laugh, enjoying his expressive reactions.

"How about we visit somewhere for lunch? I'm sure you're hungry," he said, taking your hand and leading you to a saloon with people chatting around with each others. You identified some artists and performers from this era that created masterpieces, feeling amazed to see them in flesh.

"I can't believe a saloon is built here," Nicky gave you a knowing smile, chuckling lightly at your nickname for the building. "This is a speakeasy, toots — an illegal saloon," he tapped your nose affectionately before his smile changed into a scowl.

"A rare beauty you have here, son," Nicky wrapped his arm around your shoulder protectively, shielding you away from whoever he talked to right now. Your face was squished against his chest, noticing his rapid heartbeat. You weren't brave enough to look away and it seemed like Nicky wouldn't let you see this man in the meantime.

"I should at least introduce myself to her as a gentleman," Nicky let out a grunt, looking downward and met your eyes briefly before letting you go.

"The name's Floyd Capo. You can say I'm Nicky's parental figure," he gave you a grin and shook your hand firmly, making you a bit uncomfortable.

Nicky, being a blessed, perfect little angel of God, wrapped his arm around your waist securely and saved you from this unwanted conversation. "Thanks, Floyd. But, I have a date to finish with her now," he smiled begrudgingly before led you outside, exhaling a heavy sigh from his chest.

You weren't sure if you made this date went downhill or if something happened between these two men. But, for sure, you were in need of new outfits.

"I think we can wrap it up, Nicky," you whispered gently, pushing him aside. "You seem to be in need of time and space," you took few steps away from him, fiddling with your sleeve.

Nicky's ears perked up at your comment, feeling alarmed by those sentences. He didn't want this day ended with another bad impression. It was supposed to be a great date between the two of you. But, somehow, he kept getting it messed up and the sudden appearance of Floyd made him in rage.

"You know what? I'll be off," he was furious. You couldn't even act as if you were interested in this date as him. He spent hundreds to make this memorable. But, nothing went out right.

You gulped down lightly, holding on your purse tightly. "Have a great night," you bowed down, turning on your heels and walked away from him — or what you were supposed to. Nicky held your wrist tightly, stopping you from taking another step away from him.

"I'm hurt, do you really want this date to end?" Nicky asked, looking upset. You were stunned, unable to give him any answer. Even though you weren't keen on him, you couldn't say you wanted this to end early. But, Nicky seemed to have a lot on his plate including you.

You let out a sigh, taking his hand in yours to give it a light squeeze. "I do not. But, I believe you're in need of more than a simple stroll, Nicky," you smiled, trying not to make him more upset.

Nicky let out a sigh, squeezing your hand tighter. "You're right, sweetheart," he replied, looking into your eyes, "I need you," he licked his lower lip.

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nhebi · 3 years ago

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chapter i

You were currently at the speakeasy where you came first. It was crowded as usual and you were glad that you were away from it, sitting in a VIP room in Nicky's arm. There was a couple of now empty bottle of wine, successfully managed to get you tipsy and losing control of rejecting his embrace.

You rested your head against his chest, feeling sleepy after your last glass. Nicky ran the back of his hand against your cheek, feeling your skin against his. It was warm and welcoming, with a sweet combination of cherry and pear from you and the wine.

"Sleepy already, toots? The night's young," he chuckled, feeling you stirred up in your sleep.

He carefully took off his jacket and put it over your smaller frame, enjoying this closeness and silence. "You said it but cover me with your jacket? A hypocrite, I say," you huffed out, secretly enjoying the warmth it provided. You could smell Nicky's cologne — a spicy combination of amber, sandalwood and oak.

He let out another chuckle, pulling you closer to his side. "You're impossible, kid. It scares me," he whispered, looking at your sleepy eyes with adoration. "Good to hear it worked," you hummed, wrapping your arms around his waist.

You're sleepy and tipsy, Nicky thought, you won't remember any of this when you wake up tomorrow morning. He placed a kiss on your lips before a wry smile crept up to his lips.

His kiss with you was sweet — too sweet for his taste. It was the best kiss he had yet made him want to punch his gut to kiss a sleeping, vulnerable lady in his speakeasy with no one to see.

"A move you had there, son,"

"Shut up, Rocky," he huffed out before Rocky let out a chuckle and kissed his cheek. "She looks comfortable in your arms. Meaning she doesn't know anything yet," Rocky lit up his cigarette, finishing up his drink.

Nicky nodded, feeling guilty to hide his identity from you. If you knew something about him, you could have been in danger. But, even if you didn't, you would be in one — because at this point, everyone in his world knew about you.

He never wanted to let you inside his life. It was something dangerous with every word uttered would be counted as his last word. You were a ball of energy that kept him on going now and he would do everything to keep you around ironically.

It was almost ten, you needed to go back but Ralph wasn't around. "Take her home, kid. Bar isn't the best hotel here," Rocky went away without any word as Nicky carried you outside and called for a taxi.

The ride was silent but it was great for him. He felt at ease because he knew he can protect you from everything. "We're here, sir," the driver informed before he gave him couple of bucks with a generous tip, slipping away to enter his penthouse with you.

He watched your sleeping figure on the bed, as dainty as a daisy, his sister's favourite flower. The white dress you put on after a walking around the park made you looked even more innocent. He would trade everything to keep you stay that way — unaware of every danger because you had him to protect you.

"Honey, what should I do when you're around me," he sighed, ruffling his hairs. He was in distressed, unable to choose a side for you. A lady he met at his speakeasy, knowing nothing of the dark side of this city.

He laid down on the bed, draping his arm over your waist. "I hope God will forgive me for this," he whispered, pressing a gentle kiss on your nape. He loved the intimacy he had with you right now.

Just the two of you — laying down on his bed after a hectic day and falling asleep.

It was a peaceful night, nothing could bother the two of you. The faint sound of crickets made the sleep even more than satisfying as Nicky, even in his sleep, kept you close to him until the sun began to rise up.

Your head pounded hard. You could swear that you need a bottle of pain killers and wouldn't care if you for overdosed. "You okay, princess?" Nicky called out, pulling you closer to his chest.

You were nervous and anxious. There wasn't anything familiar in this room. Nicky didn't seem to budge, laying down still. Both of you still wore clothes from yesterday, meaning there was nothing happened. "Headache," you replied before he let out a coo, pressing kisses over your temple and forehead.

"Do you want something specific to eat?"

"Seaweed soup? Do you know where I can buy one?"

He shook his head, telling you that there wasn't anyone he knew that can make it. "Is it traditional food from your place?" You gave him a nod. It was your favourite comfort food, imagining it wasn't available around made you a bit upset.

Nicky put his arm around your shoulder protectively before running his hand over your arm. "How about some brioche, gelato and compotes? Good?" He ran his finger over your cheekbone, smiling at your peck on his cheek.

"Amazing," you wrapped your hand around his upper arm, pressing another kiss on his cheek with his arm around your waist.

Sitting down in front of each other in a high-end restaurant, you couldn't help but feeling out of this world. The scene was great, but you missed your place. The place where you grew up from a spoiled brat into a proper lady right now.

"How's it?" You gave Nicky a satisfied hum, enjoying the sweet compote and French toast on your tongue. "Well, could have been better if I'm with Ralph," you gave him a cheeky smile, earning a pinch on arm from him.

"Alright, sweetheart. Coffee or tea?" You gave him a raised eyebrow, not expecting such the question. "Of course it'll be tea — with milk, two cubes of sugar and cream," you smiled innocently, ignoring Nicky's eyes on you.

"Ain't trust one who drink no coffee," he shakes his head, making your tea. "But, this princess here is the reason why the word 'except' exists," he winked at you and gave you the tea, earning a hearty laugh from you.

The lingering sweet smell of the tea began to fill your sense, giving you some comfort in this strange world. "Can't say I'm any different," you smiled, looking down at his coffee, "Dark and bitter, is that you, sir?"

He let out a snort, enjoying his coffee. "I can assure you that I'm romantic," he hummed, enjoying the rest of the breakfast with small banter from one side to side. The breakfast that he enjoyed the most after a while.

Both of you walked in front of clothing stores, finding dresses that were in season for you. "Most of them weren't my taste, I'm sorry, Nicky," you replied, placing down another dress on an ottoman.

You were never one that was interested in 1920's fashion trend in States. These qipao you had were obtained from places from your memory when learning about history and where people like you could keep their culture stay with them here.

Which costed me quite a lot, you thought to yourself. "It's alright. I'll have it tailored," he gave you a tight side hug. You gave him a nod, feeling curious about how it would turn out.

Nicky took you to a store, it looked pretty with some details that you couldn't help but found beautiful. "After you, my sweetheart," he opened the door for you before entered inside and took off his hat and overcoat, placing them over a small table beside your plushy wing chair.

"An exotic dress you have right there, lady," A man in his late smiling, holding a measuring tape in his hands. Nicky let out a satisfied hum, looking at him with a keen eyes. "Do you mind to make couple of similar dress for her? We had a hard time to find them, so I thought making one won't be a hassle for you."

The tailor looked at him with a curt nod and asked you to stand up, calling for his assistant. "I'll talk with Nicky while you're getting measured here with my assistant, miss," he left without any glance back as you stripped your outerwear down.

The measuring didn't take a long time and was quite happy that the assistant didn't ask you anything or be nosy, giving you peace of mind. You stepped out from the room and found Nicky sitting down beside his tailor, nursing his champagne and laughing at jokes in Italian.

"Oh, you're already done, toots?"

You gave him a curt nod before the tailor offered you a smile. "It's alright, miss. This ol' Luca already got your size, he only needs your preferences here and now," he took a sketchbook and pencil, resting it on his lap.

"You said you want this kind of dress, right? Anything else that I need to change?"

He showed you a few pages on qipao with a hint of European style. "Actually, I want it to be more fitting than this, especially around this part," you pointed on the waistline, watching Luca begin to reconstruct it.

Luca was obedient, following your orders and fulfilling your requests. But, of course, as a professional, he'd help you around. "Fashion is an art that you wear, show off and enjoy every day, miss," he smiled, giving the book to his assistant.

"It'll be done at least in three months," he sighed, placing his hand against his forehead. "I hope you don't mind because I'm here not to play around with these masterpieces," he gave you a wink, before looking at Nicky with a stinky eye, "and also hope you're not impatient like that man over there."

Nicky shrugged his shoulders off, giving you a wide grin after finishing off his champagne. "Well then," he got up from his seat, putting on his overcoat and hat, "time for me to leave."

Nicky gave Luca a small kiss on cheek before he pulled you into his arm and left the store as Luca watched two of you with a couple of small grin and head shake, "They're truly a match made in Heaven."

Nicky didn't waste time to have you walking around in his arm, chuckling once in a while at your witty comment. "Well, Ralph should be here for now now," he smiled, looking at his watch as a car approached us.

"Nice to see you again, princess. Need something dull to hit Nicky?" Ralph chuckled out, looking at your laughing figure from the rearview. "Well, I might need one after Nicky said that my body had nothing to show—"

"—to the public, sweetheart. I won't let them ogling you," he replied, letting out a groan while keeping you close to his chest. "Mhm, sure," you smiled, resting your head against his chest.

Ralph took a brief glimpse of the two of you, noticing Nicky's smile at your curling figure on his chest and wrapped his arm around you tightly. "You're awfully clingy lately," he chuckled before you proceeded to sit away from him and got knocked into his lap.

"I'm just joking around," he pressed a kiss on the tip of your nose.

"Where are we going to anyway, Ralph?"

You looked at the outside after he took the same turn for five times and stopped near Manhattan Bridge, looking at couples of people enjoying the surrounding. "I'll pick you up later, okay?" Ralph drove away as you followed Nicky.

"Do you like the sight, doll?"

It wasn't anything crowded or flashy like it would be in the future. You could see couple of shops at the Chinatown. "Do you wanna go there?" You asked Nicky, earning a head shake and pulling you close to him.

"Oh, dear. I don't have a good relationship with the Chinese," he gave you a slow headshake, feeling disappointed in himself when you gave him a frown.

He took off his overcoat and draped it over your shoulders, "It'll be a bit cold down there, my sweet," he smiled, pressing a kiss on the top of your head before both of you left the bridge to visit the Chinatown.

You were pleasantly ignorant, unable to notice the stinky eyes Nicky earned while the rest of people at Chinatown gave you a soft smile. But even so, as long as you still have that smile on, Nicky wouldn't mind to be treated like this.

"Young miss, are you new here?" An old lady smiling at you, speaking in your mother tongue. You couldn't help but giddy up and asked her for a restaurant nearby.

"There's a small restaurant there, maybe you want to try it out," she smiled before you gave her your thanks and left to the location she showed with Nicky.

The lady seemed to be a bit off with the description because the restaurant was a three-stories building with patio on the second and third floor. "I like this already," Nicky let out a low whistle before we entered into the restaurant and met a waitress that led us to an empty table.

The interior was magnificent. There was a lot of decoration that seemed like shipped from the mainland due to its authentic appearance like a vase and some paintings on xuan paper hung up on the walls.

"Uh, oh," Nicky held your hand, standing up abruptly from the chair as the waitress came with her notes and menus for you.

"What's wrong, Nicky?" You asked, feeling worried about it.

"It's too late, I guess.." His shoulders slumped down as you following his eyes, finding a group pacing towards your direction.

A man no older than thirty and dressed in British suit, sprinting in my direction after he noticed me then pulled me into a tight embrace, sobbing against my shoulder.

"Madeleine, is it truly you? Did this Italian the one who brought you here for me—"

Nicky pulled you away from his hug, looking at the man with sharp eyes. "Alfred, you're mistaking her," Nicky hissed, eyes stayed on Alfred as he realised what he was doing.

"I—I'm sorry, miss. I wanted to make sure about.." Alfred was hesitant, unable to finish his sentence and coughed into his fist, composing himself.

"I'm Wang Zihan," he offered you a kind smile, "these people around me know me as Alfred, though."

He shifted his eyes and looked at Nicky, full of spite. It was different from when he saw you, full of adoration and warmth. Nicky gave you a soft smile, walking to Alfred with confidence.

"Still angry at me, Alfred?"

"Everyone will if they find an arsonist in front of them. Especially the one who burnt five of their biggest stores," he replied before taking a seat on the same table as you.

Nicky sat down beside me, looking at Alfred dangerously. "This restaurant is run by my family — the crown jewel for generations," he read down the menu carefully, ordering almost everything on the list.

"I saw your eyes keep looking at the seaweed egg soup, so I ordered it," he sent you a polite smile. "Don't worry, it's our pride and joy," he chuckled out, enjoying your flustered face.

You couldn't help but feel scared. You were currently sitting down with a man who committed arson and the other suspected you as their lover. Alfred's men didn't make the situation any better because even if they sit down on a big table few feets away from you, they still looking intimidating.

"So, Alfred," you called, trying to ask him about the previous conversation. "Who's this Madeleine exactly?" You asked carefully, looking for answer in his eyes.

"She's my lover back in British Hong Kong and promised to meet me here," he replied, looking at his lap with saddened eyes. "You look and sound awfully similar to her, miss," he added, looking at me as wry smile found its way to his lips, "as if you are her."

Both of you and Nicky were silent because of few things in mind. Nicky might suspect you as Madeleine herself, Madeleine might be your ancestor and lastly, it was just a simple mistake.

The foods finally arrived as you finished your soup greedily, licking your lower lip and made sure no drop was left in your bowl. "This soup is Madeleine's favourite," he muttered under his breath mindlessly, tears on his waterline. "I hope she truly is on her way to here and agree to elope with me," he added, missing her every second.

After the last food that served was already in your stomach, you thanked Alfred and offered to pay for the three of you — earning a sharp glare from the two of them. "I will pay for you, toots," Nicky proceeded to take out his wallet before Alfred ran to the cashier, telling the whole meal was on him then came back with a smile to you.

"It's already paid," he threw me a grin as you shook your head, standing up from my seat. "It's too generous of you, I shouldn't have had you to do it for us," you replied before taking out few dollars from your purse, "let me pay you back."

He stopped you, telling you it was his duty as the eldest one in this table before giving Nicky a small smile. "I supposed this hearty meal will be the reason why you're not hated here anymore, Valentino," he said, lighting up a cigarette.

Nicky looked at him, feeling shocked about it because Alfred wasn't subtle with his hatred beforehand. "Thanks for your white lotus here, not you," he replied before excusing himself from the table and gave the whole staffs a quick announcement before leaving this building.

I hooked my arm around Nicky's, walking around the Chinatown and found smile on his lips. "And not even a day ago, they looked ready to devour me alive if it's not because Alfred's policies to not make a ruckus in public," he laughed out before looking deep into your eyes, pressing his lips on your head.

"You didn't know how much you saved me from Alfred's rage, toots," he whispered, playing with your collar in his hand before guiding you to the car with Ralph inside, looking unamused as usual.

He gave the two of you quick glance from rearview mirror, hiding a smile before you found yourself feeling sleepy. "Do you know Hamptons?" You gave him a soft nod, remembering it somewhere at the Long Island—where only rich folks who could afford a house and land there.

"We'll go to there—my place. Is it good with you, kid?" You gave him another nod, snuggling against his chest as he let out a deep chuckle, covering your frame with his coat.

He looked at your sleeping form, pulling it close to him. There was nothing but pure adoration in his eyes when you were around. He was a man who had everything he wanted in his life—but, maybe, you were the only one who could understand what he wanted without taking it for granted.

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nhebi · 3 years ago

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thanks for the tag bby @mianavs

me and gentaro uwu

tags : @mrskenmakozume @kitaholic and everyone who wants to 🥺🤧💕

It’s picrew time again because THIS ONE is way too cute

Challenge: make you and your anime fave!

Here’s me and Tsukki 🥰❤️

Tags: @chococharlie @alienaiver @cup-of-fluff @1-800-avery @just-a-main-character and anyone else that wants to!

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nhebi · 3 years ago

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hell yeah

KSKSJSLSKSKLASIIS OKAY GENOS-

I'D NEVER SAY NO TO U 🤚

Tagging: @kingkyoujurou @presidentmonica @laudthingcat @kampfkuchen85 @cherrykamado @bxbycake @happygoluckyalexis @tonaken + anyone who wants to <3

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nhebi · 3 years ago

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Also you’ve gone black (your theme, that is)~ fyi, that woman’s one of my old friends’ fave FF characters! Aerith, was it? 🤔 i almost drew her years ago /tmi /gen

awww, thank you so much ate 🥺💕 ive been doing well and decided to be here for few days and post some stories before taking another break /sigh/ hbu? how have you been? 🥺🥺🥺

#ate ella 💕

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nhebi · 3 years ago

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chapter v

warning : major spoiler gameplay, mention of blood, fighting, drinking behavior, sibling quarrels, unrequited love, arranged marriage, strained relationship between major characters (earlier chapter) and major character death (upcoming chapters)

The next tomb lies deep inside a tunnel — or so what you thought. After defeating a group of Sabertusk, you can only pant and have Cor shaking his head at you low stamina during short time battle. Prompto gains a praise from Cor — having a fanboying moment until Cor brings him back to the ground.

"Let's go, princess! We don't have a privilege to sit and pant out after a battle that doesn't take ten of us," he calls out as you let out a groan, drinking down a potion to replenish your energy before following after them.

"Hey— What!" Noctis accidentally let out an arminger — hitting you on the face in the process as he mutters a half-apology before stops in front of a dark cave.

"Are you sure this is the right place, Cor? Maybe your age begins to affect your memories," you shudder, not feeling sure about what lies inside there.

"I'm as sure as my loyalty to you, Your Highness," he replies before giving Noctis a key.

It's a key to open the next tomb as Cor will stay outside here to see if any imperial soldiers are roaming outside and there's no one to protect your back.

You take few steps inside — it's cold and dark, surprisingly not humid. There's no light that can trespass this area, so you have to bring out a flashlight. There's nothing can you really see and enjoy. Just an empty place all the way back.

"Look! There's a.. gate?"

"Seems like this place used to be a shelter," Ignis replies as we enter it cautiously.

It seems so because during the time where war waged between Lucis and Niflheim, many of people sought out a safe shelter and refuged, fleeing from their burning villages and protect what's left with them.

You feel something long and prominent under your foot — noticing a long cable from inside. "Follow this? I might die like those characters from horror movies," you cringe at Ignis' suggestion, but still following it nonetheless — not like you have any better idea about what to do and not to do, though. Unless you have a brain half of what Ignis has — which you do not.

It turns out that the cable is from a couple of generators that stacked up on each other before you finally push some buttons on it, noticing a streak of light coming out after turning on the generator.

Running deep inside the tunnel, you can't help but feel scared for literally everything — including Gladio kicks a can and Prompto shouts at you for that. This is horrific — you're utterly terrified. You need a psychologist to meet after this because it seems like you're in need to talk your mind out about this.

"What's that!" A loud bang on a metal double-door leaves you and Prompto in shock.

The others say it's nothing important but we all can't be sure about what can happen in this underground shelter that had been abandoned for years. Feeling not sure about what can happen, you finally collect some courage to meet something behind the door face-to-face and fight it until one's last breath.

"There's.. nothing," you sigh, feeling disappointed yet relieved that your worry isn't that needed.

Following Noctis to find another hint, you meet a Goblin party that attacks you from behind in this small, cramped area — unable to throw your confetti at them before you finally use your fan at your advantage — watching their blood seeping through your fan.

"Oh, dear, how I hate this creature," you scowl at their bodies before continuing to find the tomb.

After few minutes of running, shouting and fear of kicked cans, you arrive at the mentioned tomb and can't lie about having a feeling of proud to able to stand throughout this journey — something that you wish won't happen during your bachelorette party the time you will get married.

After gaining another power of king, you can only hope that your fear won't contaminate this hope you put on your brother — as he's still young compared to the other kings and have more to explore as someone who just left the city for the very first time as a personal journey.

"How it feels like?" Prompto asks after Noctis gained the axe's power. "Feels like having some cards under my sleeves."

"The copycat king," both of you and Gladiolus chuckle, giving each other a fist bump for having the same thought.

The empire is building a new base at Duscae, so Cor called you to give a head up about it and visit Monica to gain more information about this base.

Monica has marked a spot at map where you can enter the imperial base through the back door. Having them able to be slipped into easily without anyone to see you and cut your head off mercilessly.

Getting inside the Regalia and drive to the border, you sigh in silent while letting your limbs and head hanging outside — trying to cool down your excessive amount of body heat after multiple fights you had beforehand.

"So, who's Monica exactly?" Prompto asks as you try to give him a brief explanation for it.

"A servant of Crownsguards — like Ignis and Gladio, here. She's a colleague of Dustin," you smile lightly, hoping he gets a glimpse of it.

After arriving at the supposed location, Monica splits you into two groups as you and Noctis will be with Cor. "Please don't tell me I'll have my pride turned into a coal after this," you sigh as you follow Noctis to meet Cor at the promised spot.

Looking around to see any troop from up of the roof, you and Noctis begin to ambush them with Cor — not giving them any time to fight as you finish each of them along with your brother.

"Princess, I suggest you not to take every single down enemies at sight — leave one to your brother, as his skill still need to be polished," he walks away before you walk to meet the rest of the team, finding multiple troops laying down on the ground motionless.

An imperial airship flies above your head, making you feel less than pleased to see that you still have another enemy to finish off. The rest doesn't look like they're tired — and somehow, you want to smack them for that because you're in need of eight hours of sleep and full-course meal around this hour.

"Well, if this is not Cor the Immortal. It seems like you're not died yet back at the Citadel,"

In a mech suit, this person who wished to see Cor died getting off the airship, not giving himself a second thought to stop this fight and go back home to hear the next order from his higher-up.

"I'll take care of the troops! You all can take care of that mecha," you reply before warping to the nearest troop before summoning a short sword to cut the circuit off.

After finishing the rest of the troops, you hop off to help the others fight the mech and watch it falling down — running away from it before it exploded with a faint 'glory to the empire' in your ear.

"Impressive," Cor looks at you and Noctis. "It seems like I have nothing to worry about you two anymore," turning his back, Cor leaves you with Monica.

You're more than happy, for sure. Because aside from having him to not giving you any single, nit-picking comment that's personal (you swear that wearing skirt doesn't mean you can't fight on air), earning a praise for him to be able to fight your way is something that's enough to acknowledge of strength to protect yourself and the one you love.

"You better,"

You look at Noctis' face, able to put your money on the table that it's Iris — Gladio's little sister and a girl who has a crush on Noctis for the longest time you ever knew aside from Lunafreya.

"Not able to call her own brother, huh? What a pity," you smirk at Gladio, who rolls his eyes at your comment and sharp jab from Ignis consecutively.

"Did— did she say anything about me? A hello, maybe?" Prompto asks, a smile decorating his face.

"Don't bother. Even I'm just a fly in her eyes when Noctis is being around," you sigh, unwrapping your jacket from hips before wearing it to cover your crop top, feeling the sunlight burning your bare shoulders.

"Did you not put any sunscreen, princes?" You avert your gaze from Ignis, avoiding the scold you will earn if you tell him the truth.

"Oh, look at the clock! Iris must be waiting for us," you grin, pushing Ignis to the driver seat before you sit down between Gladio and Noctis — hoping Ignis will let you go for this one time.

Driving to the Lestallum, you can't help but look at everything in awe — all of this is more than amazing, from the various shop ranging from shoes to hat and cafés with sweets to enjoy — filling up your heart and stomach.

Parking down Regalia, you can help but regretting your choice for not putting any sunscreen beforehand because the sunlight here stings you worse than before and you think that getting Ignis to scold you sounds better.

"Gah, this evil light is ruining my skin," you take off your jacket and let it stop by at your arms, earning a raised eyebrow from Ignis before he takes out a small tube of sunscreen.

"Why can't you listen to me and follow what I've said once in a while," he sighs, squeezing a generous amount of sunscreen and rubbing them around your shoulders.

"Your shoulders are red and burning. I shall buy some soothing cream for you," he adds before you get inside the Leville Hotel to meet Iris.

"Gladdy!" She greets, pacing to him as you give her a small smile as a greeting.

"Look at you guys, holding your own out there," she giggles.

'Trust me, girl, I barely made it out' is what you want to say to her. The first thing you might do around here might be sleeping, eating and perhaps, playing King's Knight (you're in your phase as a geeky gamer) with Prompto and Noctis in your room.

Iris brings you to meet Jared, a servant of Amiticia house, with Talcott, his grandson. He helped Iris to runaway from Crown City during the ambush and brought her to safety place at Lestallum before anything bad happened.

"Princess and Prince Noctis, Iris is safe with me," Talcott smiles, placing his hand over his chest.

Talcott is a young boy with blond hair and bright smile. He's dressed in red checkered shirt and brown plus four. It seems like he still new about this protocol for royalty — but, you don't mind about it! After all, you're not any different from him about it.

"Your Highnesses, please forgive him. He has yet to learn about his manner," Noctis shakes his head, telling Jared he likes it.

Jared still refuses and standing on his ground before finally giving you all some private time to discuss about the situation at the Crown City.

"It's not pretty — but, it's a gift for me to be able to leave in one piece," she smiles before hesitating for a while.

"What is it?"

"It's about Lady Lunafreya," Noctis stops his knees from moving. "I heard she was at the city — but able to leave before it's too late. So, I'm sure she's alright by now."

Iris stands up from her seat and looks at all of you, "Well, have a good night's rest," she smiles, leaving the room for you all to sleep after a while.

"Hmm, macaron!" Ignis looks at you with nothing but pure awe and disappointment with this amount of sweets you ate.

From a light-hearted genoise to a thirty-layers of greentea crêpes with cream, you still feel no urge to stop and instead asking to see more place to Talcott.

"Hey, princess, check this out," Prompto holds a small pink-white box with little strawberry and cherry mascot at the hold, making your heart fluttered a bit.

"My promise," he smiles, remembering the strawberry shortcake he promised before you take a big bite of it while sitting down on a bench nearby, devouring the cake with a smile and no remorse.

"How about this store? I heard—" Ignis takes your hand in his, holding in securely so you can't run away to eat another dessert before a proper breakfast.

"Highness, I suggest for you to stop eating dessert before having a breakfast," he asks Talcott for a restaurant nearby for you to have something proper to eat.

Standing in front of Surgate's Beanmine, Ignis asks for an empty table for five and orders what's available on the menu. "I expect the plate to be clean after you eat," he watches you with a sharp gaze, not in the mood for joking about it.

The scene at the restaurant isn't bad — instead, it's your taste. There's nothing that can hurt you in a public place. You can enjoy your meal rest assured and last but not least — not a sight of your dear brother king to bug you off during dessert time.

Finishing the last bite of your chicken, Gladio cleans up the leftover sauce over your lips. "You're not a child anymore," he clicks his tongue, shifting his gaze on Prompto, who's having a time in his life, "Just— I hope all of you enjoy the food," he sighs.

Talcott nods his head, feeling happy that he can try all of these foods with your gang and hope he can have another time with you all to visit other local attractions.

Heading out from the restaurant, Ignis stops you from walking further. "Take off your jacket," he orders before placing some soothing cream over the burning mark, feeling it cold against your skin. "Wear your jacket while we're here and keep this around you," he slips it into your pocket then looking at your with unreadable expression.

"What's wrong, Ignis?"

He doesn't answer you for the first few minutes before he sighed and crossing his arms over his chest, "Was the shortcake.. good?"

You nod your head and can bet that it's one of the best strawberry shortcake you have ever had, thanking Prompto for buying it for you and hope you can have another slice soon.

"I— I see," he sighs before he holds his hand out to you, "I should keep an eye on you, so don't act rash like before," he asks before he takes your hand in his.

You feel more than weird to see Ignis trying to put you on a leash. Of course, he always does it. But, recently, his style has gradually changed. There's no yell, harsh scold or cold shoulders anymore. He pays attention more to you than before.

There's also a certain air surrounding him — maybe because he's inherited the title of a count at such a young age and seemed reliable of almost everything. But, it's more than that, it feels more personal. Something that shaped him as a person instead of as a figure. You can't exactly pinpoint what it is, but you feel more than relaxed around him lately — no feeling of fear and forced respect you used to hold against him.

Arriving at the hotel, you sit down on a sofa to take off your boots — wishing you wear a much more comfortable one for an unexpected event like this. "Not here," Ignis glares at you before he tells the rest that he'll be at the room to help you out with your shoes.

"Sit down here," he points at the bed before rolling his sleeves up, untying your boots carefully. How you wish you brought a better pair.

He slides the shoes off your feet, massaging them gently with his finger pads. "May I?" He points at the stockings you wear before you give him a permission to take it off.

He starts to take off the straps that connects the belt and garter, carefully not to snap it against your thighs. He puts your right foot on his thigh, peeling off the sheer black lace material off your skin and do the same to your the other one.

It seems like your heels get chaffed due to your shoes and leaving unattended blisters, making it bleeding during your walk with the gang.

"Your skin's chafing. Try to wear a more comfortable one without any heels," He puts a bit of ointment over the injuries and moves your foot gently from side to side, asking if certain position hurts you.

"Can you stand up? Hold on me if you're having a hard time to do so," he offers his shoulder for you before taking your left hand in his hold.

For a second, everyone who sees you might mistaking both of you for having a small, private moment to dance in this room. You look up to see Ignis' face, noticing his beauty marks and freckles littering over his face.

From a myth that you have heard once, it's said that each mark is a sign of gift, blessing and kiss from the Astrals. If one has it on the face, it's also a sign of flirtatious person. You disagree with the latter because you know how unwavering his personality and loyalty is. But looking at his skills and abilities, you can agree that he earned a lot of gifts from the Astrals.

You giggle slightly at your thought, earning his attention. "What's wrong, Highness?" You shake your head, giving him a small smile.

"I just realised that you have a lot of beauty marks and freckles," you reply, steading your footing on the ground. "I heard once that they're a gift from the Astrals," you smile before brushing off his falling streaks of hair over his forehead.

"Means that you're a very blessed child since born," you continue before pulling your hand away from his face. Ignis is stunned at your behaviour — something you'd never do when you were younger.

You were always quiet and distant around him. When he tried to approach you, you would run away to your father and cry in his arms. He would throw a small apology to Ignis and asked you to apologise, only to cry harder before a maid picked you up from your father's hold and prepared sweets for you.

You were nine and told to spend your time with child around your age. You couldn't play with your maids and nanny because Regis was worried about your social skills. Having Noctis and Luna around were good, but you needed to meet more people outside this small circle you lived.

"Your Majesty," Ignis greeted your father, landing his eyes on you.

Your father loved to carry you around in his arms while walking through the corridors and flower garden behind your room since you were young. It became a habit after the accident that involving you and Marilith, giving your father an anxiety when you weren't around him while Noctis was still in coma.

"A good day for walk, isn't it, Ignis?" Regis smiled, fixing your position in his arms.

Ignis watched your figure carefully, noticing how small you were compared to children your age that your father still able to hold you with one hand. You were dressed in small, black sundress and had your arms around your father's shoulder. Your hair was tad longer from the last time he saw you, looking soft and light as usual.

You had this displeased look on your face when he came around from the corner. Perhaps he had done something to make you hold such an expression whenever he was around. Noctis always told him it was nothing and that you were still a child, expressing emotion was a big deal for you.

"It is, Your Majesty," he replied before your father placed you down to the ground, guiding you to Ignis.

"Do you mind to spend some time with her? I'm afraid she needs someone to talk to aside from people inside the Citadel," Regis sighed before Ignis took your hand in his, accepting the king's request.

He gently squeezed your hand, feeling your soft skin against his rough one due to a hard training he had been going through. Your eyes kept refusing to meet his, it made him more than worried about it now. He knew that you would pull your hand away before he watched your small frame running to your father, hugging his leg with teary eyes while looking at Ignis.

He realised you were scared of him and it wasn't something he could change easily.

Your father scooped you up and bounced you lightly, telling you there was nothing to feel scared of Ignis — as his family had become a servant of royalty for centuries. "Ignis, please forgive my daughter," he mouthed, caressing your hair in between of the apology.

"Dearie, please apologise to Ignis. He has done nothing wrong to make you cry," he caressed your arm and turned around his body so you could meet Ignis' eyes — alas, you cried harder when his bright green ones meet yours.

After a restless moment of crying, a maid finally came to bring you to the tea room, leaving a distressed Regis and more than anxious Ignis.

"My daughter — please think no ill of her," Regis sighed, placing his hand to reassure the young Ignis. "I hope she could open up more to you like her brother," he muttered under his breath before walking away to give Ignis some time alone.

"I hope so, too," he crossed his fingers.

#final fantasy 15 #final fantasy fic #final fantasy xv #final fantasy series #final fantasy #ignis scientia #ignis fluff #ffxv ignis #ignis x reader

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