𝗚𝗶𝗳𝘁 𝗧𝘄𝗼

Gift Two:
Fresh Air

❅𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝘄𝗼❅

"Yeah, we'll just do dinner at my place," I said as I merged onto the highway, "I already know things with my dad will run over."

I heard Nelli sigh, "Okay, can you pick up Cuban Heat?" she asked, which immediately made me nod recalling the familiar downtown restaurant.

I'm not even surprised that it's still there given how good the food is.

Specifically, their wings.

I swear Nelli and I would eat there too frequently during our freshman year.

"I'll pick it up and text you when I'm on the way," I told her.

I heard Nelli hum, "I'll go ahead and start unpacking for you," she determined.

I let out a deep relieved sigh, "You're a blessing," I said, knowing I had so much to do on top of unpacking.

"I know," Nelli murmured, which easily made me roll my eyes, "Love you."

I hummed almost sarcastically, "Yeah, love you too," I said before ending the call.

Which was damn near perfect timing given the familiar skyscraper I pulled up to, turning into the main entrance of the hotel.

No one even bothered to ask who I was when I got out of my car—the concierge immediately took my keys while another man escorted me inside.

The Chun Hotel was just as I recalled.

White marble floors, modern chandeliers, towering ceilings, and dark accents.

It even had the familiar clean smell that it managed to maintain.

And of course, a giant Christmas tree in the lobby, decorated to the nines and topped with a large lit-up star.

"I know where to go," I quickly told the man who tried to guide me to the elevators.

Who immediately nodded as soon as the words fell from my lips.

I've learned you have to be firm around here to be taken seriously.

"As you wish, Ms. Chun," the man said, backing away from me as I approached the hallway of elevators.

And after pressing one of the buttons, one of the elevators immediately dinged open—allowing me to step on and type in the code for the penthouse level where my dad awaited me.

The ride up to the sixty-third floor was as long as I recalled it to be.

I used to hate taking this elevator after school when I had a bookbag heavy with books.

But everyone that used to come over loved it.

A specific person always made the ride up a little more fun, distracting me with jokes or a random story she would make up just for me.

I suddenly glanced over when the doors dinged open, immediately taking in the familiar long hallway illuminated by dim lights.

As usual men two men stood on either side of the door, briefly nodding as I walked past them toward the familiar front door.

Which had a festive wreath on it.

My dad's always been a holiday man.

Even when I refused to come to Miami, he would make it his mission to spend Christmas with me in Korea.

"Vee?" I heard his familiar deep voice as I walked further into the bright penthouse.

Where the floor-to-ceiling windows held the usual view of the busy downtown city.

Everything was just as I left it—the shiny marble floors, the dark furniture, and the familiar large chef's kitchen.

The only difference was the Christmas tree and various festive decorations on the dining room table.

I suddenly glanced over when he entered the open living space.

And I couldn't help but purse my lips into a smile as I took in his appearance.

Dorian Chun, the elusive gang leader, is currently wearing a fucking Christmas sweater.

"Do you like it? I put it on just for you," he said, smiling wide as he walked over to me.

I shook my head with a smile, eyeing the cat with Christmas tree sunglasses on his sweater.

Which read Meowy Christmas.

"I love it," I laughed, eyeing his sweater one more time before he pulled me into a hug, "Can I get a picture to pass around?" I purposely asked him as I threw my arms around his neck.

"You know that's a hard no," he quickly shot my suggestion down, "My team would never take me seriously again."

I hummed, feeling my smile grow when he briefly kissed my cheek and pulled back from our hug, "You mean my team?" I purposely asked him with a raised brow.

My dad jokingly rolled his eyes, "Your team as of today," he corrected me in a matter-of-fact tone, "I just need to introduce you to a few important people," he added, which immediately earned a nod from me.

I basically already knew the ropes of everything, considering he'd been preparing me for a while.

Now I just needed to meet a few connections I'm assuming.

I'm honestly thankful that we're doing this all now and not at a time when my dad couldn't mentor me fully.

It's no longer a thing to pass the baton over once you're dead and gone.

Even if I'm not the most excited about this, I am grateful that my dad will finally be taking a step back.

I don't like the idea of him working so much now that he's turned sixty.

My mom already retired from being a full-time professor.

Now it's his turn to do the same so I can take care of them both.

"Oh come on, the sweater looks too good to take off," I joked as soon as I noticed him pulling it over his head, leaving him in his usual crisp white button-down.

His dark hair was slicked back as usual without a grey hair in sight, leaving some of his neck and hand tattoos slightly on display.

My dad shook his head in amusement, "Exactly, this kind of greatness is meant to be shielded, Vee," he said, throwing the sweater over on the couch.

I only hummed, "Right..." I trailed off sarcastically as we began walking over to the front doors.

Which he immediately opened for me, walking with me past the guards to the elevator.

And soon we were down on a lower level of the hotel—meeting numerous associates in the familiar glass conference room.

It was only around a two-hour meeting, but I swear after being jet-lagged from my red-eye flight and then my long day on campus, the meeting almost felt never-ending.

But I made sure to focus as best as I could, ensuring that I made a proper introduction.

Luckily, I only teach two days a week, so I can reside here at the hotel whenever they need me.

Otherwise, I'll be focused on handling other matters—like shipments or other investments my dad has made.

"Don't forget about this weekend," my dad said as we exited the elevator together.

I nodded almost reluctantly, "Yes, the ice bar event," I said, recalling how seriously literal criminals take the month of December.

Gangs were no longer something so hushed in Miami.

The leaders had somehow put their grudges aside and worked together to build their own exclusive society.

Almost like a group of fucking mean girls that you wanted to accept you.

Only these were referenced as The Elite.

They owned the schools, the local government, and they also threw the best events.

Specifically, during the month of December.

There's at least one event every week.

Which is how I already know I'll eventually have a worse blast from the past than what I had today.

"I know things are still rocky, but we have that truce Vee and—"

"I know-I know," I quickly cut him short before he could lecture me about it, "I'll sign it, it'll be fine."

My dad drew in a deep breath as his dark eyes briefly analyzed me for a moment, walking with me outside past the motion doors.

"It's crucial that you get along," My dad tried to explain, which earned a reluctant nod from me.

"I'll be cordial," I assured him as the valet immediately handed me my keys, already having my beautiful matte black BMW waiting for me.

My dad let out a deep sigh, "Okay," he said, now pulling me into a brief hug, "I love you—make sure to text me when you get back."

I immediately nodded at his words which easily gave me nostalgia, "I love you too," I whispered to him, "I'm headed to Cuban Heat first but then I'll be back at my place with Nelli."

My dad smiled slightly, "How is Nelli?" he asked as we walked over to the driver's side of the car.

And I didn't even bother opening my door, considering he always opened it for me.

"She's good—she's already unpacking my stuff for me," I said, laughing slightly as I slid into my car.

My dad shook his head, "I'm not surprised," he determined, flashing me one last smile before he backed away from my car.

Which I immediately put into drive, slowly driving forward and down the porte cochere.

And considering I was already downtown, the familiar restaurant Cuban Heat was barely a ten-minute drive.

One that I practically knew like the back of my hand.

Along with Nelli and I's orders.

The vibrant restaurant was just how I recalled, especially with the familiar loud chatter and music playing in the background.

"Oh my is that Vee Chun?" her familiar voice said over the music standing behind the counter that had the usual old register and tip jar—along with some framed pictures of the family that owned the restaurant.

"Roxie," I smiled, laughing slightly when the woman leaned over the counter to hug me.

I swear I've gotten enough fucking hugs to last a lifetime.

"We've missed you amiga," Roxie said as we pulled away slightly.

And I swear she looked the same.

Her dark hair was pulled in its usual low ponytail and her face looked as glowy as ever.

There were slight wrinkles around her eyes, but otherwise, she looked well for just turning fifty.

But I could tell by her lip filler and the way her forehead didn't crease that it was less genetics and more aesthetics.

Creds to her still.

"I see it's still the same around here," I said, briefly scanning the different filled tables to the right of the wall behind the register, "Oh but you guys expanded?"

Roxie only waved me off, "We did that years ago—Dani's idea," she explained, and the name alone naturally made my smile grow forced, "She missed you too, you know."

I nodded almost a few times in a row, unsure of what to say to that.

That's another person in my past that I want to leave there.

"She's here now actually," Roxie said, which immediately made my eyes widen slightly, "Hold on, I can get her for you."

I parted my lips to say something, but it was already too late—Roxie had called out Dani's name.

A few times in a row actually, unaware of my current inner thoughts yelling at Roxi for alerting her.

And of course, Dani emerged from the nearby door that led to the back of the restaurant, almost immediately doing a double take when she laid eyes on me.

She had her usual dark hair in a low bun, wearing a black compression shirt and basketball shorts.

Her hazel eyes quickly made my heart nervously tick in my chest, feeling almost frozen on the spot.

"Vee... hey," Dani hesitantly said, tilting her head as she approached me.

I unconsciously took a step back, "Hey, sorry to uh interrupt anything," I said, feeling so fucking awkward.

Like what the fuck am I supposed to say to her right now?

Dani immediately shook her head, "You're good, I just came by after my workout to check up on everything," she explained, causing me to hesitantly nod.

"Yeah, you know Dani manages our franchises now," Roxie added in, and I could suddenly hear her proud motherly tone come out as she eyed her daughter who nearly mirrored her.

The hazel eyes, dark hair, and small nose.

She had more of her father's facial structure and jawline.

"Okay mami, not too much," Dani waved her off, knowing that she was purposely trying to show her off to me.

I awkwardly laughed, "I get it—my dad's the same," I said, trying to find a way to make conversation.

I really didn't expect to run into Dani, but at the same time, this is her family's restaurant.

Fuck Nelli's cravings and the fact that they make such good fucking food.

I think I still would've come even knowing the odds.

Their wings are just too fucking incredible.

It was something Nelli and I always got.

Or something we all got.

"I'm going to go get your usual order put in," Roxie suddenly determined.

"And Nelli's please," I quickly added, earning a nod from Roxie as she walked away.

Dani shook her head as soon as I reached for my wallet, "You know it's always on the house, Vee," she said, which caused me to awkwardly lower my wallet.

"Yeah, well I just... I wasn't sure," I said, blinking a few times as I slid my wallet back into my purse.

And luckily before Dani could say anything, the doors to the restaurant chimed.

Or maybe unluckily.

"What's up T," Dani immediately said as the familiar blonde-haired man walked into the restaurant.

What are the fucking odds?

Another Moretti in the same day?

He looked the same as I recalled, just more tattoos, and his hair was a lighter shade of blonde than last time.

More of a whitish blonde.

"No fucking way," Tahir said, eyeing my presence and completely ignoring Dani.

Who he stepped in front of, separating the two of us almost purposely.

"When the fuck did you get back to Miami, Vee?" Tahir said, immediately pulling me into a hug.

I couldn't help but smile as I hugged him back, missing the familiarity of his presence as the smell of his cologne surrounded me.

Everything about him brought back so many fucking memories.

Especially in this restaurant.

Tahir could eat at least twenty of their hot wings in one sitting.

"Just last night," I said, knowing that a lot of this would probably be repeated back to a certain someone.

Tahir shook his head as he pulled back from the hug slightly, "Welcome back," he said, briefly patting my shoulders, "We've missed you here."

I raised a sharp brow, "Really? Because I hear I'm like Voldermort these days," I said, recalling what Omara told me.

Tahir pursed his lips into a smile, "Some of us don't like admitting we missed you—that's why you're Voldermort," he quickly corrected me.

I lazily raised my brows, "Right," I said, unsure of what else to contribute to our conversation.

"We all heard you would be taking over for Dorian," Tahir said, his familiar dark eyes analyzing my face, "I just didn't realize you would fucking go through with it."

I laughed slightly, "Yeah, you know I'm not a fan of Miami," I said, briefly glancing over when Roxi came out with a bag of food that I immediately knew was mine.

"Your usual orders," Roxi said with her usual smile.

I nodded, reaching out to take the bag from her, "Thank you," I said with a smile, hesitantly glancing back over to Tahir, "I'll see you soon."

Tahir immediately nodded, "For sure," he said.

"See you around Dani," I called out even if Tahir was blocking my view of her with his tall height.

"Yeah maybe we could get a drink—"

"Nah I'm thinking she'll be too busy," Tahir cut her short before I had a chance to awkwardly decline, "Do you mind putting in my order?" he asked her almost purposely.

Which made my lips twitch up slightly, especially when Dani nodded almost in confusion.

And as I turned on my heel, I briefly locked eyes with him again, noticing him nodding once at me as if he were silently communicating something.

But as soon as I was out of the restaurant I decided to let the entire run-in roll off my shoulders.

Because I swear it felt like I couldn't fucking breathe in there.

I was beyond grateful just to inhale the fresh air.