Chapter 5: The family meet and greet
Ding opened his mouth to speak but thought better of it and kept quiet.
"That day after your argument with father, he summoned me to his study…"
**********
A knock sounded on the door and Ding's eyes landed on the door. For some reason, his instincts were telling him there was something dangerous lurking behind the door. Something that would kill him and the only thing keeping him safe was the mahogany door before him. Though the house was top secure, he couldn't shake off the weird feeling inside him.
"Ding? May I come in?""
A female voice? Were there any females in the house? Was it another lady sent to trick him and poison him? Numerous questions whirled in his head and he didn't hear the door click open.
"Ding?"
In a split of a second, he had the lady pinned on the wall his hand on her neck ready to finish her. The lady, however just gently stroked his hair, soothing him.
"You have been on edge haven't you?"
"Sister?"
He watched in shock at the sight before him. He hang his head low shocked by his actions. He thought that his sister was an assassin out to kill him and right now, he wanted to strangle her to death. He was completely ashamed of all this. His hand slowly fell from her neck and the lady pulled him into an embrace.
"There, there baby brother," she said patting his back," it's alright. You don't need to be on edge with me."
"Sister…"
Ding's hands tightened around her as he buried his head into the side of her neck," Am so sorry sister… I don't know what came over me just now… I almost k-"
He choked on his words afraid to say anything more.
"But you didn't. You let your guard down again."
A sharp pain shot from his back and he pulled back and looked in horror at the silver tip from his chest.
"You… sister… how could you…"
He fell on his knees and looked at the lady, his own blood sister, who had a menacing smile on her face.
"Why?"
"My dear brother Ding, you know what your biggest mistake was? You let your guard down around me, I've told you to never trust anyone because you can not read their minds. You don't know what intentions they harbour against you."
"Sister…"
He could feel his life slipping from him and the blurriness in his vision was enough proof of this.
"I-"
The corner of his eyes grew dark and he passed out.
**********
Ding opened his eyes and looked around his room. He slowly sat up and grabbed his throbbing head.
"Ugh… another dream. How many times has it been?"
Putting the thoughts aside, he headed out of his room and walked down the path leading to the cell areas.
"Really?" Lian asked completely awe struck.
"You should have seen his face, it was paler than a ghost," Cole said and Lian chuckled.
Though the two had only been together for a couple of hours, their interaction felt like they had known each other for years and Cole's nature made Lian feel comfortable around him. He made him want to tell him everything but he had to remain discreet to keep his true motives and intentions a secret.
"Oh and there's this one time that we got-"
"Seems like you two are getting along better than I expected," Ding's voice echoed from the other side of the cell.
"Mr. Ding? What are you doing here?"
The guard beside Ding grind his teeth in anger and Ding held up his hand.
"Why? Shouldn't I be here? These are MY prisons so I believe I have every right to be here, am I right?"
"Well… yes but you never came here personally, I was just curious."
"I came for him," he said his eyes landing on Lian who was trying his very best to make his presence unknown.
"Him?"
Cole looked from Ding to Lian unable to express his shock.
"Why? Do you think you are the boss of me? Do you think you can just waltz in here and do as you please?" Lian asked and Cole's mouth dropped open.
Ding's eyes narrowed and an unreadable expression settled on his face.
"The new kid has guts."
"Too bad he won't be around."
"What are they talking about?" Lian asked Cole completely ignoring the presence of the mafia head.
Cole ran a frustrated hand through his hair, leaned closer to Lian's ear and whispered," You do realise who you talked to is a mafia leader who ruthlessly kills right?"
"Mafia… leader…"
The words Cole said finally sank into him and he nervously chuckled," Right, he's a killer."
"Open the door," Ding ordered and the guard did as instructed.
Once the door was fully open, Ding walked into the cell. He stopped a few inches from Lian and tilted his chin up.
"What's so interesting about the floor?"
"Um.. nothing," he replied avoiding direct eye contact.
He always knew his mouth would get him in deep trouble one day and that 'one day' happened to have arrived. Ding smirked and pulled on the chain that was bound around his neck. The metal tightened around Lian's neck and Cole turned his head away unable to watch.
"Unlock his chains."
The guard did as told and Ding walked out dragging Lian by the chain like a dog. Once they arrived at Ding's room, Lian fell on his knees and Ding released the chain. He threw a turtleneck and suit at him.
"Get dressed."
"Where… are…we… going?" Lian asked catching his breath mid sentence.
"Curious much? Get dressed first."
"Um.. how am I supposed to get dressed with this?" he asked pointing at the chain around his neck.
Ding walked to the drawer, pulled it open and pulled out a key. He walked back to Lian and knelt before him.
"Chin up."
Lian did as told and Ding fitted the key into a hole on the collar.
"Doing this, aren't you afraid I'd attack you?"
"Don't flatter yourself, your strength is no match compared to mine."
The chain clattered to the ground and Lian rubbed his neck. Ding stood from the ground and dust his suit.
"Get dressed. You're coming with me."
"I've been meaning to ask this but, where are we going?"
Ding pulled the sleeve of his designer suit and looked at the watch on his wrist," Ten minutes."
"Am sorry?"
"We depart in ten minutes."
And with that, Ding walked out of the room closing the door behind him. Lian stood from the ground, clothes in hand…
The sleek maybach drove into the estate and Lian watched on completely amazed by the grandness of this estate.
"Who knew mafias lived such extravagant lives."
Ding shook his head and got down from the car.
"Hey! Wait up!"
Lian rushed after him as he made his way into the mansion.