Chapter 11

11

The neon sign of the tattoo shop flickered right before I turned off the lights, signaling the end of another long day. The shop had been quieter than usual in the late hours, allowing me to focus on a few last-minute touches on some designs before closing up. I was looking forward to heading home and unwinding, but when I stepped out into the cool evening air, I noticed a figure leaning against my car.

My heart sank when I recognized him immediately: Kaito. Still the bad boy with a reputation that preceded him, a member of the Yakuza, and someone I wanted nothing to do with anymore. His presence felt like a dark cloud looming over my evening, casting a shadow over everything I had fought to build.

What exactly was it about our relationship that he couldn't let go of?

Frustration bubbled inside me, a tight knot of exasperation that made it hard to breathe. Why did he have to show up here at all? I had finally carved out a space for myself, away from the mayhem he represented—away from a past that was no longer me. No doubt, he had one of his men dig into my background and trace me to this very place. It was how Kaito worked, after all. As the only son to his family, he had everything at his disposal.

The weight of our past clashed violently with the hopes I had for my future, and I couldn't shake the feeling that he was intent on dragging me back into a world I'd desperately tried to escape. I never outright lied to my parents about being in a gang; I simply left out the part about dating someone involved in organized crime. It felt like a small detail, but in their eyes, it might as well have been a confession that would have taken them to an early grave.

I wouldn't be able to live with that kind of guilt.

We were young. It was a moment of weakness, a slip in my sanity. Again, he was an ex for a reason. His presence here was infuriating, and I felt a surge of anger wash over me. Why couldn't he just let our ghosts die with the past?

"You," I said, my voice laced with a mix of disdain and irritation while I approached him. "What are you doing here?"

He looked up from his casual lean, his dark eyes glinting with a predatory intensity, the dragon tattoo on his arm shifting under the streetlight's glow as if in motion. "Mae," he said, a smirk creeping onto his lips. "How long are you going to keep playing hard to get?"

I couldn't help but roll my eyes inwardly. Was he really that delusional? The power he wielded within his world had clearly gone to his head.

"Oh, Kaito," I shot back, crossing my arms. "If this is your idea of charm, I'd hate to see what your idea of a hard sell looks like."

He raised an eyebrow as if my statement gave him a green light, his smirk unfaltering. "Come on, Mae. You know you miss this—us."

"Miss what? The drama? The danger?" I leaned closer, sarcasm dripping from my words. "Because trust me, my life has plenty of both without you crashing the party."

Kaito pushed off from the car and took a step closer. His dark locks fell carelessly into his eyes, framing a clean-shaven face that could easily charm anyone—except me. He had that dangerous allure, the kind you wouldn't want to bring home to meet your parents because he would surely ruin the family name.

"You're still playing hard to get," he said, his tone teasing yet laced with an edge that sent a shiver down my spine. I tried to watch nonchalantly as he began flicking his lighter lid back and forth, a sign of growing agitation. "I've been thinking about you a lot lately. We've been apart for too long, and I want to make things right. I want us to be together again."

I took a step back, creating more space, crossing my arms defensively. As much as I wanted to run him over with my car, I needed to first maneuver around him to get to the driver side. My mind raced with comical imagery. The squeal of tires, the look of shock on his face as he bled out on the streets. But no, I needed to keep my cool. I took a deep breath, scanning for a path to the driver's side that didn't involve pushing past him directly.

"Kaito, I'm not interested. I've moved on. I'm trying to build a stable life and stay out of trouble. I don't need you or the chaos you bring."

He didn't seem phased by my rejection. Instead, he took another step closer, invading my personal space, towering over me. I couldn't back away. It would be a sign of weakness in front of a predator. "Come on, Mae. I know you feel it too. After all the years we've been together, you can't just pretend everything we had didn't matter. Why throw seven years down the drain?"

I didn't need the reminder.

"I've been watching you," he admitted easily, "making sure you're okay. I want to be a part of your life again."

I recoiled slightly, my heart racing while I tried to maintain control. "You've been watching me? That's not okay, Kaito. It's creepy and invasive. I don't want anything to do with you or your world."

Kaito's eyes flashed with a mix of anger and determination. I shifted my weight subtly onto my toes in case I needed to do anything drastic. "You don't mean that. You're just scared. But you don't have to be. I'm not going to let you push me away. We belong together, Mae."

He tilted his head as if to kiss me, making me tense, but didn't go any further .

Don't show weakness, Mae. Don't show weakness.

I felt a surge of anger mixed with fear. "I've told you already. I'm done with that life. I don't want any part of it. I'm building a future for myself, and I don't need you dragging me back into the past. The past is back there for a reason."

He smirked, seemingly amused by my defiance, raising his hand midair as if to touch me, but stopping before he did. "You're always so stubborn. That's what I like about you. But you should know, I'm not going anywhere. It's only a matter of time before you come back to me. I'm a part of you, Mae, whether you realize it or not."

I felt a cold shiver run down my spine. "Kaito, if you don't leave right now, I'll call the cops. I'm serious. I won't hesitate."

It was a weak threat when I knew his family had some on the tape. The perks of being part of organized crime.

His smirk faltered, but he remained unyielding, his fingers pinching the end of my hair. "Do what you have to do. I'm not afraid of a little trouble. And don't think this is the last you'll see of me. I'm determined to make you remember what we had, what we still have."

I could feel a mix of frustration and dread bubbling up inside me. What we still have? Did he really think I'd just roll over and reminisce about the past? He wasn't God's gift to women as much as he would like to think so. I shot him a defiant look, my heart racing at the thought of what he might do next. The audacity! He was still playing the same old game, and I was done being a pawn. "You might want to reconsider that determination, Kaito. Some memories are better left dead and buried, six feet under."

I sidestepped him and tried to quicken my pace. I didn't anticipate his arms to shoot out and pull me against his chest or his unwanted kiss on my lips. Struggling in his grasp, I tried to pull away with no luck. He continued to force his kiss on me even as I jerked my head back.

With a growl he grabbed the back of my head and held me there. Surrendering for a few seconds to give him a false sense of hope, his grip loosened and I bit his lip, tasting blood. He hissed and threaded his fingers through my hair, jerking my head back while his other hand traveled to my lower back to pull me in closer to slam his lips on me again.

I saw red, bringing my knee up swiftly.

Kaito broke the kiss as his breath left his lungs, doubling over. I wiped my lips with the back of my hand and closed the distance to the driver's side of my sedan, quickly getting in and locking the door.

I watched his dark silhouette kneel on the ground while I disappeared into the night in my car, feeling a mix of relief and dread. The weight of his words and his menacing demeanor weighed heavily on me. I knew I had to stay vigilant and keep my distance from him, no matter how persistent he might be.

The lunch crowd at the cozy, dimly lit café was a welcome change from the tattoo shop's usual hustle. Chivonn and I had snagged a corner table, and I was grateful for the chance to unwind and talk about what had happened recently. As we settled into our seats, Chivonn's curiosity was evident in her eyes.

"So, you mentioned on the phone that you had some drama the other night," Chivonn said, her tone laced with concern. "What's going on? Spill it."

I sighed, pushing my menu aside and locking eyes with Chivonn. "You remember Kaito, right? My ex? He showed up outside the shop after closing; you guys had already left by then. He's been acting like a total stalker, following me to places like the grocery store and now the shop. I mean, it's nothing new but now it's honestly freaking me out."

Chivonn leaned in, her expression turning serious. "What do you mean, following you? And what do you mean it's nothing new?"

I tilted my head and gave her a look. Really? I knew I had mentioned it in passing before. She knew exactly what I meant but just wanted the juicy details.

I ran a hand through my dark hair, the frustration bubbling up again just thinking about that jerk. "I thought he'd gotten the message when I broke up with him. But he just… doesn't seem to get it, no matter how many times I say it. He's trying to worm his way back into my life, and I don't need that. He showed up unannounced the other night, looking like he owned the place, acting all charming like nothing ever happened. It's exhausting to deal with that much delusion."

Chivonn frowned, concern etched on her face. "Oh, that kind of ex. I had one of those before and filed a restraining order on him. That's really creepy, Mae. Have you talked to anyone about it? Maybe you should consider a restraining order."

I groaned, scanning the café for any eavesdroppers before leaning closer to the table and signaling for her to do the same. It wasn't that simple. If it was, I would have done it a long time ago.

"I can't," I whispered, my voice low. "He's part of the Yakuza. They have their ways of getting around the system, so I'm pretty much out of luck."

"What?!" She quickly slapped a hand over her mouth, darting her eyes around to ensure we weren't drawing attention. Her hands flapped awkwardly as a wave of questions seemed to bubble up inside her.

"I know," I deadpanned.

Just then, a barista approached, flashing a smile. "Are you two doing alright? Would you like to try one of our new drinks on the menu?"

We exchanged a quick, sheepish glance before I replied, "Uh, yeah, we're good for now. Thanks!"

The barista nodded with a strained smile and walked away, leaving us in the awkward silence that followed. As soon as she was out of earshot, Chivonn leaned in, her ample bosom pressed against the top of the table, her eyes wide with curiosity. "Okay, spill! What do you mean he's part of the Yakuza? Like, actual organized crime? How did you even get involved with someone like that?"

I took a deep breath, knowing the floodgates had opened. "It's a long story, but we started dating when I was young and naive. We had mutual friends, in a sense. I didn't realize the depth of his connections until it was too late."

"And now he's stalking you after years? This is insane!" Chivonn's voice was a mix of concern and disbelief. She flashed a sharp glance from my head to where my crotch would be and inadvertently shifted one of my arms to cover myself.

"Stop that," I gritted out, face flaming.

She chuckled but quickly schooled her features. "I mean, maybe you got the golden coochie or something. What do you plan to do? I assume his connections have a few of the po-po on the tape?"

"Yes," I admitted, frustration creeping into my tone. "He has influence, and I don't want to make things worse. It's complicated. My parents never knew about his connections either. They just thought he was another troubled kid hanging around the neighborhood."

As Chivonn's animated hands flew through the air, I noticed a few guys at a nearby table casting curious glances our way. Their whispers and smirks made me feel exposed, like we were putting on a show for an audience .

"Seriously, Mae," Chivonn continued, her voice a mix of concern and disbelief, "you can't let him intimidate you like this. You deserve better. I'm sure he sees how hot you are now and just wants to put his sleazy crime lord hands all over you! Heck, I do most days. I'm really worried."

I shifted in my seat, suddenly self-conscious under the weight of their gazes. "I'm not just sitting here," I replied, trying to keep my tone steady. "I'm figuring things out. I just... I don't know what my next move is. Not yet, anyway."

She leaned in closer, her expression softening. "You have to protect yourself. Kaito might think he can control you, but you're stronger and smarter than that, girl. You can't let him win. Men like that take all wins to their heads, making them bolder each time."

I glanced back at the table of guys, who were now trying to stifle their laughter. "Can we not be the center of attention right now?" I muttered, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks.

Chivonn rolled her eyes but didn't miss a beat, as she turned around and addressed them. "Laugh it up because you ain't never getting a piece of this, honey. We don't deal with boys here, so run back to your mama's house after you're done with your foo-foo coffee, alright?"

She grabbed her own bosom and massaged them suggestively. I choked.

She turned toward me with a sparkle of mischief in her eye. "Ignore them. Focus on what you need to do. You're not alone in this."

I knew she meant well, but the looming threat of Kaito made it hard to breathe. She was probably right. Each time I let his bad behavior slide, he grew bolder.

I waved my hand, a surge of anger and helplessness bubbling up inside me. "I know, I know. I don't want my parents to have to deal with any more trouble. They're already disappointed with my tattoos and my job. Can you imagine if they found out I'm involved with someone from a gang, even though I'm really not?"

Chivonn's expression softened, but her resolve didn't waver. "It's not about what they think, Mae. It's about your safety. You have to prioritize yourself, even if that means making tough choices. You deserve to live without fear. You're what, twenty? You have a whole life ahead of you!"

"Thirty-two."

Her face blanked out. "Don't lie to a sister, you don't look past eighteen, I was being generous."

I threw my head back and let out a much needed laugh. Chivonn followed suit shortly after, hailing down one of the baristas and putting in her order.

I glanced back at the guys at the nearby table, who were still watching us with a mix of amusement and curiosity. The feeling of being scrutinized only added to my annoyance. "It's just complicated," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "Normal people move on after a break up, you know?"

Her eyes locked onto mine, fierce and determined. "You're not just anyone and you know it, Mae. You're a damn catch. But you're stronger than you think." She reached over and grabbed my hand. "Just remember, you're not alone in this. You'll figure something out."

As I took a deep breath, the weight of her words settled in. I wasn't alone. She would back me up when I needed her too. She may have had experience with clingy men, but none like the Yakuza. The shadow of Kaito continued to loom large, and the feeling of helplessness was hard to shake.

The barista brought Chivonn's drink and she let go of my hand to grab her cup, taking a big gulp. "Woo, that hit the spot. As messed up as all this drama is, did he tell you exactly what he wants? With what he is, I'm surprised he doesn't have a whole line of women waiting to belong to him."

"Beats me. I had the same thought. He's supposedly been trying to rekindle things," I said, shaking my head. "He said he's not going anywhere and will be around, keeping an eye on me."

Chivonn's expression darkened as she took another gulp. "That's beyond creepy. I'd want to kick his butt for you. Heck, I know Jake would. No one should have to deal with that kind of harassment. Did he say anything else?"

I took a deep breath, sensing the heaviness of our conversation. This was the part I had been dodging in my mind, shoving it into the darkest corners where I hoped it would stay hidden.

"Chivonn, don't judge me, okay? "

She scowled. "Girl, why would I judge you? Come on now, talk some sense."

I groaned and hung my head, shame and guilt twisting in my gut as I struggled to find the right words. I hated that he could dangle something tempting in front of me, something I had to seriously consider. I wanted nothing—absolutely nothing—to do with him and his resources. But…

"Sweet jeebus, that bad? Girl, what did he say? Oo, I better put down this drink because I know your next words are going to knock me to the floor."

I took a deep breath and leaned in again. We really shouldn't be doing this in a coffee shop, but it was too late now. "He offered to take care of my family financially if I came back to him. He said he'd send them a good stipend, to relieve any financial worries they had. But on principle, I don't want to get involved with him again. I've made it clear I want nothing to do with him, but it's hard to ignore the offer, especially since it could help my family and you know how I feel about taking care of my family."

Chivonn's eyes flashed with anger. "That's a trap, Mae. It's not just a generous offer—it's a way to manipulate you and reel you back into his world. He's using your family's financial security as bait to get you to come back, you know this! Oh, this joka is slick. You can't let him play you like that."

I felt a pang of guilt and uncertainty. I shouldn't be considering this at all. "I know it sounds that way, but I'm genuinely worried about my family's well-being. Gah! I can't believe I'm even saying this, Chivonn, it kills me! But I'm all they have, you know? If something happens to me, I don't want them to struggle."

My eyes were burning with unshed tears.

Chivonn leaned forward, her voice urgent and fierce. "I get that you care about your family, but this isn't the solution. Taking his offer is like signing up for a lifetime of trouble. He's a part of a world that's dangerous and manipulative. Even if it looks like he's offering a lifeline, it's just another way to control you. You have to protect yourself and stay out of that mess."

I took a deep breath, trying to settle my nerves, absorbing her words. "You're right. That's why the guilt hits me even harder because I know its manipulation, but the temptation is there. I just don't want to let my family down."

Chivonn's hand tightened around mine, her grip firm and reassuring. "You're not letting them down by rejecting his offer. You're protecting yourself and making sure you don't get dragged back into a dangerous situation, you're protecting your family by not dragging them into that mess. Your family would want you to be safe and happy, not to risk your well-being for a false promise. There are other ways to ensure they're taken care of without compromising who you are."

I looked at Chivonn, feeling a renewed sense of clarity while trying to swallow the boulder that suddenly appeared in my throat. "T-Thanks, Chivonn. I needed to hear that. I've been struggling with this decision, but your perspective and reminder help. "

Chivonn's expression softened, her support unwavering. "Anytime, Mae. You don't have to face this alone. I'm here for you, and if Kaito shows up again, you let me know. We'll deal with him together somehow. Heck, maybe the boss has a few connections up his sleeve, if you know what I mean. And don't forget, there are resources and ways to help your family that don't involve going back to him."

As we continued our lunch, Chivonn's clear-headed advice provided a sense of comfort. While the challenges with Kaito and my concerns for my family still loomed, knowing that I had someone who truly had my back made the situation feel a little more manageable.