It was a new, sunny day after the knight's chaotic battle with the Santini siblings. There was a serene, and rather unusual, peace over the city as the daylight came. The birds' singing carried an especially joyful melody as they flew through the morning's cloudless blue skies and dazzling sunlight. And with it, the illustrious crime family repeated their morning routine once again at Santini Manor in the forest.

  The three gathered in the dining hall, like they had done each morning, meeting around the meter-long table. As they took their seats, their servants swiftly came into the room. The servants methodically placed the trays and plates that carried the food on the table in front of their masters. And poured each one a glass of orange juice before leaving the room.

  Andrea took a sip of his orange juice, sighing. "Good enough."

  Marco took a bite of his roast beef and potatoes, moaning in satisfaction. "Delicious."

  However, Ophelia merely stared at her meal on the plate before her, allowing the residual steam to wash over her face as her brothers continued to eat. The signs of her sleep deprivation were written quite legibly with the bags that ringed the slightly red eyes of her otherwise gorgeous face. But as another servant entered the room, placing a Daily Saturn newspaper on the table, something happened. As Ophelia glanced at the headline, she finally took her gaze off the plate, turning it upon her brothers.

  Ophelia gave both her brothers a scowl, first Andrea, followed by Marco. She took her plate and threw it at Andrea and followed up her first assault by throwing a piece of silverware, a tray, at Marco.

  "Ophelia," Marco shouted.

  "Have you lost your mind?" Andrea screamed.

  "I should be asking you two that." Ophelia took up the newspaper off the table, vigorously shaking it before her brothers. "Have you seen today's headline?"

  "W—why? What is it?" Marco asked.

  "The valiant knight saves ex-con Daniel Jones from drowning in waters off Black Manta cliffs," Ophelia answered.

  "I see." Andrea breathed in sharply. "Well, I wouldn't worry about that."

  "Why not?" Ophelia angrily threw the newspaper on the table. "If he says anything about what we told him, the big man might hear about it. And it'll be even harder to get back at that guy."

  "Seeing that Mr. Jones nearly drowned to death, I doubt he'll be foolish enough to rat us out. And if not, we know where his niece goes to school."

  "But what about your plan?"

  "After this mess, I've decided to go through some other options with Dr. Hiro."

  "B—but what about...me?"

  "Excuse me?" Andrea asked.

  "What about you, big sister?" Marco inquired.

  "I—I hate to admit it, but I still want him." Ophelia looked longingly at a picture of Daniel in the newspaper, gently touching it. "I thought about him all night."

  The Santini brothers traded sideways glances as they heard their sister.

  Marco raised an eyebrow at Ophelia. "The first man ever to turn you down, and you just can't let it go, can you?"

  "Shut up." Ophelia boomed.

  "But y—"

  "It's more than just that." Ophelia looked longingly at a picture of Daniel in the newspaper again, gently touching it. "I've genuinely fallen in love with this man"

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  The Santini brothers once more traded sideways glances as they heard their sister.

  "I—is that why you told us to throw him off a cliff?" Marco asked.

  Ophelia lunged at Marco, grabbing his neck tightly and making him look her in her red eyes.

  "Yes." Ophelia shook Marco violently. "Because if I can't have him than no one can."

  "Enough of this. Ophelia, release him." Andrea screamed.

  Ophelia let go of Marco, allowing him to rub his neck as he coughed intensly.

  Andrea pinched the bridge of his nose as a vein bulged on his forehead. "Will this be a problem to our operations?"

  "Of course not," Ophelia said.

  "Than pursue him on your own time. I don't care what you do in your downtime as long as it doesn't get in the way of protecting our family's legacy.

  "Very well, elder brother." Ophelia sat back down in her seat. "Now please, send word to the chef. I want more roasted potatoes and chicken, but this time with wine."

  As the morning went on, life continued in a certain neighborhood on the eastern side of the city. The music of an icescream truck wafted through the air like the sweet scent of the server's goods. Numerous children hurriedly ran to the vehicle, eager to spend their parents and various other caregivers' money. And Daniel and Karen were closeby, enjoying a walk together as they held hands.

  One of the kids dashed by the couple and tripped. As he did, they stopped walking as Daniel saw a dollar escape the boy's pocket. And he gently grabbed the child's shirt sleeve, stopping him from running to the truck.

  Daniel took the money off the ground, presenting it to the boy. "I think you dropped this, kid.

  The boy took his money back. "Thank you, Mr."

  As the child continued towards the icecream truck, the couple began walking again. However, as they did, Daniel cracked his neck with a groan, drawing Karen's nervous eyes.

  "Are you sure you are well, love." Karen placed a hand on Daniel's forehead. "I imagine your late night swim wasn't a very pleasurable experience."

  Daniel took Karen's hand off his forehead, kissing the corner of her mouth. "I'm much better now that I'm back with you, angel."

  "Divine. But, Daniel my love, allow me to nag you just a touch more."

  "Shoot."

  "Firstly, I would like to apologize for yesterday."

  "What did you do?" Daniel rubbed his chin.

  "You tried to warn me about my family and I wouldn't listen." Karen unloaded a heavy breath. "If only I knew what you went through at work beforehand. I could have sent them away and perhaps we would have had better luck on another day."

  "Karen, don't worry about it. That was always going to happen." Daniel cracked his neck again. "We should have just gotten it done a long time ago like you said."

  "Shall we agree to disagree?"

  Daniel nodded.

  Karen took a deep breath. "But there's something else I wish to discuss with you."

  "What?"

  Karen stopped walking and Daniel followed suit.

  "M—miss Santini. You said she rubbed her body against you, offering to do... certain things." Karen exhaled sharply. "Is that all she did?"

  "Yes."

  "Are you quite sure?"

  "Yes." Daniel pointed at her. "Karen, you're not seriously worried I was tempted to cheat on you with that loony dame?"

  Karen pouted and turned her gaze away from Daniel. "Of course not."

  "But then w—"

  "Come now, love. We mustn't dilly dally." Karen began walking again.

  "Fine." Daniel huffed.

  As Karen went, she pulled Daniel forward. And the couple continued their walk, heading to a yellow house several meters away.

  The doorbell rang again and again, echoing through the old Karter family home. Miranda sprinted from the kitchen, wearing a dirty apron adorned with several pounds of flower. "Coming." As she went to the door. And as she quickly opened it, she was taken aback, seeing two familiar faces. It was Daniel and Karen, standing outside on the porche, still holding hands.

  A frown invaded Miranda's face. "Oh its you."

  "Good morning, Mother," Karen said.

  "Good morning, Mrs. Karter," Daniel said.

  Miranda forced a smile. "G—good morning... to both of you."

  "Mother, forgive my rudeness, but let us move on from the pleasentries now. We came here to talk to you and father properly." Karen peeked behind Miranda. "And perhaps elder brother, too, if he's around?"

  "No, he's at work. But, my darling, I—"

  "Please, Mrs. Karter," Daniel interrupted with his voice cracking.

  "V—very well." Miranda shouted. "Dearest, come out here please. We have guests."

  William emerged from the house, joining the group and hurriedly glaring at Daniel.

  "What are you doing here, boy?" William asked.

  "Father, will you please let him talk before you start throwing stones?"

  William breathed in sharply, gripping the side of his head as if nursing a migraine. "Very well. Talk."

  "First of all, I know that saying sorry will never be enough to fix what I did before. But I love your daughter more than anything. I can't live without her. I swear on my pop's grave, I'll work everyday for the rest of my life to prove I'm worthy."

  William narrowed his eyes on Daniel. "How do we know you're not lying? Why did you run out of the apartment yesterday?"

  "Oh, I had a bad day at work, and I guess I just couldn't take it."

  "Its true," Karen added.

  William took another breath. "In that case, I suppose I should also apologize for helping to make that poor girl cry."

  Daniel swallowed. "D—don't worry about it, sir. Its more my fault than yours."

  "But, Karen my darling, I still don't understand something. Why give him another chance after all this time?" Miranda asked.

  "I've already told you, mother. He's a good man." Karen increased her hold on Daniel's hand.

  "You're certain?"

  Karen nodded.

  "Then fine. Let that be the final word. I trust you fully."

  "But one last thing, boy. Needless to say, I don't trust you." William pointed at Daniel, his eyes seething. "However, seeing that I want to keep my daughter around, I have no choice but to tolerate you. But I will be holding you to your promise. I will be watching you very, very closely and if you do one t—"

  "Father," Karen interrupted.

  "Karen, stop." Daniel ran his hand over his face, exhaling. "I understand completely, sir. Thank you for this chance."

  Miranda grew a smile, shooting it at the couple. "Now with that out of the way, will you two be joining us for breakfast. The tea should be ready soon."

  "Of course, mother, thank you."

  "Y—yeah, thank you Mrs. Karter."