MAFIA LOVE SCANDAL

Laura, Kenzi, and Edward appeared visibly anxious. They were eagerly awaiting the arrival of the medical team bringing Kaivan from Italy to finally arrive at Santa Maria Hospital in London. In an unconscious state, the man was immediately taken to the operating room for treatment.

Hans, who accompanied Kaivan from Palermo to London, went straight to Kaivan’s family. The combination of exhaustion and worry was evident on his face. Fear enveloped him, concerned that the eldest son of the Maximilian family might not survive given the seriousness of his injuries.

“Hans…” Kenzi greeted. The man’s face was tense. “What really happened? How did Kaivan end up in this condition?” he asked, confused. They were all gathered in front of the operating room.

Honestly, Kenzi’s family and Kaivan’s other friends had no idea what was actually happening to Kaivan. Out of nowhere, he was suddenly reported to be in critical condition and in need of serious medical assistance.

“The story is long, sir,” Hans began as he motioned for Kenzi to step aside a little, then started to explain. “I’ll keep it brief. So, some time ago, Anne was kidnapped and held captive by a mafia group. Coincidentally, the mafia that kidnapped Anne has been in conflict with your brother several times. Knowing this, Kaivan decided to rescue Anne by following her to Italy. It was during this rescue mission that he was intentionally shot by the leader of that group, resulting in the severe injuries he has now.”

Kenzi shook his head in disbelief. He hadn’t imagined that Kaivan would get involved in such a significant problem. Kenzi was aware that his brother often dealt with mafia members, but he hadn’t expected his sibling to face such a dire situation.

“Where is Anne then? How is she doing? Was she rescued? Where is she now?” Kenzi asked Hans in a rush, bombarding him with questions.

“Please, remain calm,” Hans pleaded. “Anne is currently being treated at a hospital in the city of Palermo,” Hans replied softly. Regret was clearly visible on his handsome face. “She was also shot during this incident.”

“Oh, God…” Kenzi exclaimed again. The man seemed deeply shocked now.

“But don’t worry. She’s not alone there. Her father and older brother are faithfully waiting and accompanying her. Once she’s in better condition, Anne will definitely follow Kaivan to London.”

Kenzi finally breathed a slight sigh of relief. At least Hans had reassured him that his sister-in-law was in a stable condition. Now, the focus could shift to Kaivan’s safety.

“Has the person who shot Kaivan been arrested or legally processed?” Kenzi asked next. He couldn’t bear the thought of the person responsible for Kaivan’s injuries walking free out there.

“Everything has been taken care of by the Italian authorities. I will make sure that everyone involved in this bloody incident faces legal consequences for their actions.”

After listening to Hans’ explanation at length, Kenzi returned to Laura and his friend. He sat down calmly, waiting for the ongoing surgery that Kaivan was undergoing.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

They waited for hours on end for confirmation on whether Kaivan’s life could be saved. Laura couldn’t stop crying, deeply saddened by her son’s critical condition.

Finally, exactly three hours after entering the operating room, one of the doctors came out. Hurriedly, Kenzi and Edward stood up. Without being prompted, they walked over to the doctor.

“Doctor, how is my brother’s condition?” Kenzi asked with great concern.

“We’ve performed surgery based on the anatomical location of the gunshot wound and the type of tissue damage the patient suffered. Thank God, everything was handled well. The bullet that was lodged in the patient’s body has been successfully removed,” the doctor explained.

“How long does it usually take for the patient to regain consciousness, Doc?” Edward followed up with the question this time. He was also deeply worried about Kaivan’s condition.

“It’s uncertain. It could be 24 hours after the surgery or even up to 72 hours later. It depends on each individual’s condition. For now, the patient will be taken to the ICU. If his condition stabilizes and continues to improve, there’s a possibility the medical team will move him to a regular care room. Let’s all pray that everything goes as hoped.”

Edward nodded in understanding. He then ushered the doctor back into the operating room. Meanwhile, he and Kenzi chose to approach Laura, comforting the middle-aged woman so she wouldn’t succumb to sadness.

****

Days passed by uneventfully. Noah never grew tired of keeping watch over Anne, who remained faithfully lying in the hospital room. Counting from the fourth day, there were no signs of her regaining consciousness.

He had been worried, but the medical team repeatedly reassured him that Anne’s condition was quite normal. Julie had even explained multiple times to Noah that he shouldn’t let himself get lost in sadness like this.

“You need to eat. However it goes, you also need to take care of yourself,” Julie reminded him. She never grew tired of telling Noah to always take care of his own health. “If you keep this up, you might end up being treated in this hospital yourself.”

Noah, seated beside Anne’s bed, immediately looked over. Without hesitation, he let out a soft chuckle.

“Julie, why are you so naggy? You’re just like my mother, always nagging,” he complained.

Although Noah often acted dismissively toward her, Julie couldn’t help but take his words to heart. Somehow, she found herself liking what he said.

“As a good partner, it’s my duty to remind you. If your condition worsens, you won’t be able to perform your duties at your best. Besides, you’re a man. Why are you being so sensitive?” Julie taunted openly, paying no mind to Noah’s irritated change in expression.

“Who’s being sensitive?” Noah retorted. He grumbled, feeling offended by the accusation. Yeah, right! He thought. “There’s no way a handsome guy like me could be considered sensitive.”

Julie laughed. She found it amusing how he could so arrogantly brag about himself. But speaking of handsome, she had to admit this fact.

“If you’re not sensitive, then why have I seen you shedding tears so often since yesterday? Do you think I haven’t noticed?” she countered. It was as if she enjoyed engaging in a friendly argument. “Besides, if your enemies find out that you’re this sensitive, they’ll definitely make fun of you.”

Noah rolled his eyes in exasperation. He thought it was difficult to argue with a woman. They always had a way of cornering men.

“I’ve told you, I’m not sensitive. Crying doesn’t mean I’m weak. It’s more about me having feelings. Besides, who wouldn’t be sad seeing their own sibling lying helpless like this for days? And all of this happened because of my own mistake.”

Julie fell silent, hearing Noah’s striking response. She knew that from the start, he had always blamed himself for the events that had befallen his sister.

But before Julie could respond, both she and Noah felt something. Anne, who had been lying still, was slowly regaining consciousness. Her fingers began to move, bit by bit.

Without hesitation, Noah pressed the emergency button on the bed, hoping the medical team would arrive quickly to examine Anne, who had just awakened from her long slumber.

“Anne…” Noah called out as his sister’s awareness gradually returned. He could clearly see how Anna Maria was trying to open her eyes slowly. “By God, I missed you.”

In her weakened state, Anne attempted to smile. When her eyes opened fully, she nodded. Shortly after, she winced as if in pain.

Fortunately, at the same moment, the medical team arrived. They immediately began their examination, making sure Anne was in stable condition.

“How is my sister, Doctor?” Noah asked after the doctor finished observing and examining her intensively.

“Your sister’s condition is stable. She has successfully overcome the difficult period. I’m confident that in the next few days, her condition will continue to improve, just as before.” Noah couldn’t help but smile in relief. He was genuinely glad to hear this good news.

As night fell, as the doctor had previously mentioned, Anne’s condition gradually improved. She no longer looked as weak as before.

Longing to see his sister, Noah approached her bed. He gently hugged Anne’s body as she lay there.

“Why are you crying?” Anne asked, bewildered. She was confused by Noah’s uncharacteristic behavior.

“I was really worried about your condition. You have no idea how crazy I would’ve gone if something happened to you,” Noah explained after releasing the hug.

While enduring pain, Anne smiled. It was clear she was trying to respond to her brother’s words.

“It seems I’m doing okay,” she weakly replied. “I mean, I can talk to you now.”

Not long after, Anne’s gaze shifted away from Noah. She seemed to be looking for something.

“Where’s Dad?” she inquired.

“Dad’s in Rome,” Noah quickly replied. He had to finish this case with AISE and other MI6 agents.

Anne nodded, understanding this aspect. She was well aware of her father’s job and the consequences he had to face as a secret agent.

“Then why are you here?” she asked again. “Why didn’t you go with Dad?”

Noah immediately sighed in response to Anne’s question.

“Of course, I’m here. I have to take care of you and make sure you’re okay. Just so you know, I almost went crazy waiting for you to wake up after the surgery.”

Anne smiled. She knew her brother loved her and always tried to protect her.

“Thank you for always looking out for me. By the way, where’s Kaivan? I don’t see him in the room. Can you help me call him?” Anne requested, her eyes pleading. Noah could only bow his head in silence.

“Big brother…” Anne called out again. “Why? Is there something I don’t know?”

Noah reached for Anne’s wrist, holding it tightly as he tried to choose the right words to explain, so as not to shock her.

“Kaivan is not here,” Noah said cautiously.

“What do you mean?”

Noah nodded, taking a deep breath. He tried to deliver the explanation as best as he could. “During the incident the other day, Kaivan was also shot. Your husband was wounded in the chest and arm.”

Anne was shocked. In her lying position, she shook her head repeatedly.

“Then where is he now? I need to see him, Big Brother. I need to be by his side. Kaivan must need me.”

Seeing Anne’s frustration mixed with emotions, Noah immediately stood up. Without hesitation, he embraced Anne’s body gently, trying his best to comfort her.

“Anne… calm down. Kaivan is perfectly fine,” Noah reassured her. He couldn’t possibly tell her the real extent of Kaivan’s condition. “Due to the limitations of the medical equipment here, Kaivan’s family decided to bring him back to London so he could receive treatment at one of the best hospitals there. You don’t need to worry. He’s perfectly fine.”