4 years later...
“Babe!” My eyes widened as Lucian ran toward me and embraced me.
“Stop calling her that disgusting nickname, Volturi,” Alistair angrily said behind me.
Lucian released me, his smile widening. “Guess what?” he raised a black and white picture.
“Are you pregnant?” Both Alistair and I asked.
He chuckled, and then his wife finally joined us. “Hi, babe,” she smiled and hugged me.
Lucian had gotten married two years ago. It still felt awkward when they called me 'babe.' “Nice to see you too, Kuya Alistair,” she added.
“I don't know what you saw in him. He's an asshole,” I pinched Alistair's side.
“And that's why you're still single; you have a foul mouth,” Lucian remarked.
“What did you say!” Alistair was about to scold Lucian when I stopped him.
“Stop it already! Alessandra is pregnant, and you can't harm Lucian,” I glared at him, and he sighed.
“Fine, I'll deal with him after 5 years then,” he said before leaving the three of us.
I shook my head. Alistair and Lucian just couldn't get along. “I apologize for his behavior,” I said to Alessandra.
“It's okay. That's how siblings show their love,” Alessandra commented.
“Amore,” Lucian pouted, looking at his wife. “We're not siblings.”
“But you act like siblings,” she smiled and playfully pinched his nose.
Feeling like a third wheel, I sighed. “Congratulations to both of you. Let's go inside and talk.”
I entered first, followed by the two of them. We headed to the dining room where food was already set on the table, and we took our seats.
“I'm glad you two came to announce the pregnancy in personal.”
“Amore wanted to see you,” Lucian said as he sweetly gazed at his wife.
I glanced at Alessandra.
“We want to ask you to be the godmother. Because of you, I met my handsome husband,” they were being too sweet in front of me.
“You could have just called me instead of coming here. It's not good for you to walk…” I rambled, unsure of what to say as I had no experience with pregnancy.
They both laughed. Did I say something funny?
“Don't worry, I'm only three weeks pregnant.”
“Our girl is strong, just like her dad,” I was relieved to see Lucian looking happy.
“It's not a girl, amore.”
“I'm a hundred percent sure it's a girl.”
I silently listened to them. Whether it's a boy or a girl, the most important thing is their happiness.
Days passed after the visit from the married couple, and I kept myself busy teaching my students. I had no time to entertain anyone in my life after I lost him.
“Loosen up. Don't put pressure on yourself,” I advised my new student. She was a newcomer in my class, the daughter of a business tycoon from Mexico.
“Okay,” she gripped the handle of her katana and pointed it at me.
“Relax, I won't hurt you. Just try to stay calm when you attack me.”
That was my goal, teaching her how to use her katana against me.
“The Nightshade Guild wants you back, Miss Chu,” another assassin sent by the guild visited me in China.
“I have already retired. Besides, the Crimson Organization has been quiet for five years,” I calmly sipped my tea before setting it back on the table.
“They're back on the track again. We want you and Alistair to rejoin the guild.”
I shook my head, “I'm sorry, but I will never return to the guild. I have a different life now, and I want to live it for the rest of my days.”
He sighed, “If you ever change your mind–”
“That will never happen,” I interrupted him.
“I see you're determined to live this way, Chu,” he said.
“I chose this path.”
As more days passed, another person showed up.
“Miss Chu.” A warm smile greeted me.
“Mr. Hwang.” I smiled briefly and invited him to sit on the empty chair across from me. He always visited me after everything that happened. I had also quit being a manhwa artist.
“How are you?” he asked, observing me curiously.
“Just like the old times, Mr. Hwang. How are you? Are you still planning to publish a new manhwa?” I inquired.
“Yes, but this will be my last manhwa. I'm planning to retire and have someone take over. I want you to work with him.” I raised an eyebrow at his words.
“Thank you, but I respectfully decline the offer. I'm not returning to being a manhwa artist. I have my students who need me here.” I cherished what I was doing. Perhaps it was my destiny to become their Master. My fate belonged in this country. My origin.
“I promise there’s no magic this time, Miss Chu.” He smiled at me, but he wouldn't be able to deceive me anymore.
“Magic or no, my decision is final,” I said firmly and clearly.
“But I am sure you two will get along well.”
I shook my head. “I'm not interested. Now,” I stood up. “I have to go. My students are waiting for me,” I smiled politely and left him alone.
Upon entering the training room, I furrowed my brow as I noticed that my students were missing. As I turned to leave, the door suddenly shut.
“This isn't funny, guys.”
“Miss Chu,” I immediately turned around, and Mr. Hwang stood a few paces away from where I was standing.
“What kind of sick trick are you planning this time, Mr. Hwang? I have no time for it.”
“I want you to meet him.”
I looked at him with a blank expression. “Seriously? Why are you so eager to do this?”
“I want you to be happy.”
“I am happy.”
“You are not.”
I didn't say another word as he suddenly disappeared in front of me, and the door swung open. I quickly turned around. A pair of amber eyes took me by surprise.
“Is your name Winter Chu?” his deep voice resonated.
I gazed at him; he wasn't Aleksei, but those eyes... they were familiar. I slowly nodded.
He smiled, revealing a perfect set of teeth and dimples in his cheeks. He extended his hand, which I accepted.
“I'm Darius Martini.”
“I'm Winter Chu.”
THE END...
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Author's note: Yikes! I'm happy that I'm finally done writing this story. Another achievement even though I tend to procrastinate at times. I hope you enjoyed the story. Thank you and have a lovely day ahead.
My rating for this will be: 8/10