Ian:

Girlfriend. At last she's mine, I can call her mine out loud! But not totally mine though, I need to tie the knot with her as fast as I could. Knowing her, I need to take it slow or else she would feel burdened but I can't stop myself from taking another step. The 'boyfriend' status was enough to make me hard to sleep last night and can't stop grinning like a mad man for almost two hours.

"Wow, is the mighty knight smiling? That's rare," Liam commented. The three suddenly popped out from nowhere interrupting my thoughts about Leah.

"You look stupid." Josh sit down in front of me as we now are going to have breakfast together but he looks moody. This is rare too, to see the three of them so early in the morning especially Josh.

"What's wrong with him?" I asked David and Liam in confusion for Josh behavior.

"Your grandfather blocked his credit card." David decided to answer on behalf of Josh who's now slumping more in his chair.

"I was so embarrassed last night, I keep on bragging about how rich I am in front of this hot brunette when I found out that I can't pay for the drink! And that gothic bitch dares to pick fight with me! That bitch." Suddenly he speaks out his side of story causing me to snicker because he's being too dramatic.

"Gothic bitch?" I raised my eyebrows. This is new.

"Bartender. Can you believe it, she made this unbeatable mouth of him tongue tied, you should've seen him last night." Liam mocked him, Josh just gave him a side glare.

"I can't believe grandpa would to this to me, it's only a joke and I got my card cancelled for a week!" Josh exclaimed.

"And I could add another week if I want," grandpa's voice booming from the end of the table causing us to stay alert. He then slowly makes his way to sit at the front where his usual seat is. "Next time never jokes around like that, I'm a reputable man and I don't want my own grandson to say things like that." Josh just sits there sulking again. It's normal for him to be like this because my aunt and uncle really loves him so much to the point they pampered him like a royal prince, only me and Josh are the grandson in this small family. I lost my parents in an accident that's why I live with grandpa, grandpa molded me to become a man that can run his mafia empire after him but I tend to focus more on Knight Corp. By looking at the three of them quarrelling in front of me right now making me feel happy that Josh could have a normal live, at least he's not too involved in the mafia and I know grandpa feels the same as I am. The thoughts of them then linked to Leah, my girlfriend. We're official and I can't wait to show her to the world. By the way, where is she?

"Good morning everyone," her sweet voice greeted us all. We all then greeted her back, when she walks to the seat beside me I could feel her trembling through her face. Even when she wore a simple shirt and track pants she still looks beautiful as always just like last night. "Sorry I'm late, I couldn't sleep well last night," I know why she can't sleep well, we both steal glances among each other as she took the seat and smiling to each other like a lovesick teenagers. I never thought I would feel shy like a 9 year old boy in front of his crush. My girlfriend is here, sitting, beside me and we were so close, I could smell her freshly showered scent. What a great day today.

"What is wrong with the both of you?" I looked at Josh then all of them including the maids and Sophia who's giving us both weird look, I think Leah noticed to because she's blushing again. I love her blush.

"Leah have something to say," the face that Leah is giving me right now was hilarious, she was like 'are you kidding me', her face shows 'unbelievable'. I just smiled at her back, instantly she knows that I was messing around with her, she then slapped my upper arm while pouting. She looks so cute and I want to pinch her cheek but I need to control myself in front of the others.

"Okay, would you both stop being touchy for a second and tell us," Liam interjected. I looked at all of them who are waiting for our answer.

"We're officially dating." One two three...

"HA! I win." Grandpa's excited voice startled me and Leah, the three of them looking defeated while Sophia was the same as grandpa in excited mood. They must be betting on us, damn, I would've won if I join too. "Win what?" looks like my girl over here didn't get the memo.

"I said you both will be dating shortly after this, but they said it will take longer. Then they lost, now three of them owe me and Sophia. We should buy expensive wine using the money we won and celebrate it later, right Sophia?" I saw Sophia nodded excitedly on grandpa's idea while Leah only shaking her head in disbelief.

"Worst day ever." Josh added.

"You're being ridiculous grandpa," Leah chuckled at him and grandpa smiled back.

"I can't pay because someone blocked my card remember?" Josh said it with a smug smile thinking that he could escape from the penalty but our old man was smarter in striking back.

"You can say goodbye with your precious Lexus or your charming Porsche for a week until you pay it, pick one." We all then laughing at Josh right now knowing those two cars were the latest and he love it so much. Seeing his ugly face sulking, he knows that he lost the battle. After the breakfast, I let Leah hang out with grandpa because I knew that she needs an explanation too, while the others already went back to the company leaving me alone here waiting for my girlfriend to finish bonding with grandpa. I need her attention too and now I sounded like a desperate man. She's like a cup of coffee, I couldn't start my day without it. Her smiles, her laughs, her anger, all of it affect me so much. My mood depends on her, if she's okay then I am okay, if she's not, I will be in anger all day. All my life rotates around her and I love it so much, to have someone to control myself, call me submissive but I don't care. I love her so much and her wellbeing is more important than my own. Suddenly I remembered yesterday's conversation with my grandpa.

"I don't want you to be with her." Grandpa said it sternly, that was the first sentences he said to me after I waited for him in his office for almost an hour. I wonder what took him so long, I already left Leah alone in the living room, what is she doing right now? She must be bored and hungry. I was worried of her and my grandpa suddenly said things like this.

"What?" I was taken aback. Did he meet her already?

"You've heard me, leave the poor girl alone." He said it with no humor expressed on his face at all. What is wrong with him? He must be thinking I'm playing around with Leah. I was going to say something but I was distracted actually, I keep on thinking about Leah so I called Sophia to settle down my thoughts about her. "Sophia, please give her anything to eat, I don't want her to starve and bring her to my room too. Thank you." After Sophia went out from the room, I felt ease. Now I can focus talking with my grandpa.

"I'm serious about her grandpa, about us." I wouldn't let my grandpa think bad about her, I want him to know my Leah was different.

"Does she know about Red?" I was speechless, he hit the right spot. I heard him sighed heavily, I didn't dare to look at my grandpa's face so I just stared blankly at his scattered pens on the table. "I've seen her and I think she's a nice innocent girl but now I want you to realize that you're making a big mistake here son. We can't let your dangerous attraction just like that right now, it will bring a great danger to her and us." I was curious when he said about seeing Leah but that didn't matter to me right now. I was disturbed by the word 'attraction'.

"NO. It's not an attraction. I love her and that's final. I don't believe in destiny but meeting her changed everything. I realized the danger I brought to her but I promised myself and her family that I'll protect her with my own life even if I have to make Red gone." I said it desperately hoping that my grandpa will understand my feelings towards her.

"You want to quit as Red?" Now my grandpa was the one who's taken aback. Maybe he didn't expect that I would take this decision.

"Yes grandpa, I think Knight Corp is enough for us but I need to settle a few things first." At last I could tell him what I've been thinking since I decided to bring Leah into my life. I wanted to provide her a happy life.

"I respect your decision Ian, but remember, letting go a mafia group is not an easy task let alone when you are the leader, you both will have a rough path ahead. I'm old and all I want is my family to be safe and happy, that's why you have my full support Ian."

"I will make sure whatever related to Red will never reach her in every way."

I sighed, I need to keep my promises. She can't be exposed to anything related to mafia, and to make it happen I need to wipe off my enemy before I could start a new life with her. I'm still dwelling in my own thoughts when I feel a pair of arm slings its way on my waist as it hugs my body from behind and I felt instant calm. I could smell the sweet scent that engulfs me and only one person could provide that.

"You look worried, is there something bothering you Teddy?" She asked in concern. I don't want her to suspect anything, so I needed to be more extra careful. I took hold her hand and made her face me, her eyebrows crease in worry as she scanned my face.

"I was thinking about our future," that caught her off guard by looking at her eyes wide open.

"Umm.. I was thinking when will we be going to my dad's?" She tried to change the topic and I pretended to be distracted.

~~~~~~~~~~~

"I will be waiting your next visit," grandpa said to her. She hugs him tightly then Sophia before thanking them and then made her way into the car waiting for me. I turn to my grandpa who's looking at me seriously. I know he needs a few words with me.

"I don't know what will happen in the future, just protect her. You have made your choice Ian. As your grandfather, I'm sorry for involving you in our family business and force you to hide everything from the woman you love." His face shows sadness.

"No grandpa, there's nothing we can do about it, it's not your fault. Who would've thought that I could find someone to spend the rest of my life with, even I never thought about it. You know how I work all this time for you, for Josh, our family but now, I'm going to build my own." We chuckled at the thought of it. I glance at the woman who's busy updating her IG and facebook in the car right now, she must be sharing last night's event.

"How many followers you have?" I asked her, we're on our way to her father's house and Leah still busy with her IG while I was the one who's driving because I don't want to use any chauffer. Liam will be joining us after work which means he will come home during dinner time later.

"Only 200 for now, I accept people I know only. Why? You want to follow me too?" She asked.

"You know I don't have time for that Leah," I said with my eyes still fixed on the road.

"Who knows? If I start a fan page for you, maybe you will have millions of followers," She said rather too excited, I don't think this is a good idea.

"And let other women drooling on your boyfriend? Are you sure you want that?" I smirked, I could sense her excitement turns sour.

"From now onwards, social media will be prohibited. Understand?" I just nodded, her 'boss mode' came out again, no one should mess with her when she's in this kind of mode, if my men saw their ferocious leader afraid of a woman, they would laugh behind my back. Josh and Liam already did that, damn them. After half an hour, we reached her house. I feel nervous, but I don't want to show it, by looking at her face, she's more nervous than me. I've never been here, she have a pretty big house and also a lot of roses surrounding the house. She once told me that her late mother love roses, that explains why. She said, her dad's waiting for us right now, so we straight away went to the front door. She rang the door, I almost give away my cool façade because my feet starting to tap on its own but I managed to stop it before she notice it. The moment her dad open the door, I saw a man in his early fifties who looks almost the same as Liam. Leah hugs her dad and I could see how happy he is by judging on his smile but when he noticed me, he sent a cold look. I guess someone still protective over his princess.

"Papa, Ian Knight my boyfriend. Ian, my dad." She happily introduced us both to each other.

"Quinn. Carlson Quinn," I notice how tight the grip when we shake our hands, he smiled at me but inside I know he's scanning the man that his daughter brought home. After that, he invited us to come inside but before that I went to the car to bring out our bag. Inside, I could see how lovely her house is, it's full with vintage décor from walls to furniture and I noticed the frames on a special corner filled with their family pictures, I can't wait to be on the corner someday too.

"Nope, not happen when I don't like you," her dad suddenly said it from behind. I get startled so easily like that, I was known for someone who have a sharp sense but an old man just sneak up behind me like that without any sound. Unbelievable. I guess this is harder than convincing my grandfather.

"You will like me sir," I said it confidently, I would not show to him that I'm weak and looks like I did well. He nodded in understanding.

"Do you want to look at my study room?" I would be stupid if I didn't understand that. Who would bring his daughter's boyfriend immediately to the study room the moment he stepped into the house for no reason? Seriously? It's like an invitation to a full body investigation. I nodded in agreement, not forgetting to send a smile. He's not a typical dad, I knew it since the first time I met Liam. Leah might be raised to be a normal daughter any parents can have, but not Liam, that boy is like a walking killing machine.

"Honey, could you help me to prepare the table for dinner while I bring Ian to visit my study room?" Her dad said to Leah when she came back from toilet, I saw how her eyes trying to convey a message to her dad but then she said nothing. She knows that we're going to have a talk.

"Okay papa," she replied then her dad walks away, I tried to follow him but stopped by her pulling my hand. She looks at me in concern, "good luck," I smiled to ease her.

"I could use a kiss to boost me up," immediately she gave me a peck on my lips without any comment and smiled. After that, I quickly followed her dad.

"Please have a seat," he invited me to sit.

I smiled politely at him, "I want to meet Liam's father for so long since I first met him and now I have the chance to meet you sir." He smirked.

"But you're here not as my son's employer, you're here as my daughter's special friend," how sarcastic.

"Yes, that's a coincidence sir, no, a miracle for me actually," I smiled when I remembered the first time I met Leah.

He's being silent for a moment, "Tell me Ian, what do you want with my daughter? Or should I call you, Red?" I was in utter shock, I stared the old man in front of me who's also giving me a dead serious look. Thousands of questions swirling around in my mind, instantly I'm in alert position. I need to be extra careful right now, any wrong words could bite me back in the head.

"Do you know anything about Liam? About our family? I'm sure working with my son for years does provide you a few information about us," he continued after seeing that I didn't say anything back to him, and I see that he's not beating around the bush, so I need to be frank with him that's if I still want to make a good impression.

"I always been curious about Liam, but I never bother to investigate it. You can call it as a blind trust sir, given that your son is my cousin's best friend. Still, I am surprised that you know about my... other job." I said it calmly.

"Don't blame Liam, he never say anything. That boy keep his mouth shut very tight, I am just curious about who is his employer would be."

"You already know about me, why you didn't do anything about it?" I don't understand what Leah's father is trying to say to me. Is he doesn't like his son working for me?

He took a deep breath before leaning on his leather chair, "look son, I respect my son's decision to work for you, for the mafia because I trained him enough to take care of himself but it's different about my daughter. I did not raise her to be like Liam, I promised her late mother that I would provide her a normal life. I was once like you, until I lost my wife because of it and I don't want to lose my daughter because of it too." I remember this, Leah have told me before, how her father's business rival killed her mother. Looks like he didn't tell her the truth.

"If you want to say about attraction or fondness, NO sir, what I feel about your daughter is none of that. I love her, I said the same thing to my grandfather, I will protect her with my own life." I said it determinedly.

"How? My daughter went into rehabilitation for 2 years because she's traumatized with the kidnapping incident, even Liam doesn't know about it. How you're going to protect her? Till when?" I was in surprised, I would never thought about rehabilitation. "I said the same thing to my wife, look what happened." He continued.

"I am different sir, I will not let anything from the mafia harm her, in fact, I am planning to leave the mafia for her. I couldn't let any danger for our future family." I need to convince the man, he is my girl's important man so his approval is matter.

"Are you serious?" He asked in disbelief.

"Yes sir, I failed her once but not this time. I will settle all my enemies before starting a new life with her. This is not a haste decision, I've been thinking about this since the first time I realized that my feelings for your daughter is true. This time, I need your blind trust." I maintained eye contact with the man in front of me so he would know that I'm not backing out on her daughter, I want him to know that I love Leah and I think I got his trust even if it is only a little.

A/N

Brain damaged. Thank u for all the supports even tho I'm late. Please vote and comment, you see the star? click it. I would appreciate it so much.

Love u all Jellyfaces xoxo