Part of your mind

Ch9: Nip it in the bud

Aizawa remained in the club, the probability of an attack from Fukuri's accomplice was too real. Samantha's boss had a plan to get rid of him as well and the morning of the day after the hero's arrival he called her in to explain the plant to her. As soon as she entered his office, she could tell something was off. She was the only one there.

''Please have a seat.'', he told her, his expression as serious as ever. When their eyes met she immediately read a mixture of feelings for the news that she had fucked the hero. She should have expected that they were going to hear them.

''Sir.. I...''

''Don't do this Sam. I understand why you declined me. I can accept you liking another man, as long as you don't betray this place.'', he commented and Sam nodded, trying to keep her expression neutral.

''And this is your chance to prove it.'', he added and took a few papers from in front of him, handing them over to her, along with a pen. Sam narrowed her eyes, the contents of the files in front of her were more than concerning.

''Should something happen to me, this place is yours.'', he expressed what Sam had realized and the morbid thoughts she read in his mind infuriated her.

''Sir, what are you even saying? Where is this coming from?'', she questioned him and he chuckled.

''This is a favor and an order at the same time. You are the only one aware of my every thought, the only one beside me while I run my businesses. The only one able to carry on my legacy. I trust you with everything. You will have the outmost support from everyone around you. '' Samantha felt her throat closing up, fear, nervousness, denial coursed through her body. She averted her gaze and shook her head negatively.

''Look into my eyes.'', he ordered her and she obeyed him, a shiver run down her spine as she read his thoughts. He was dying. His ability had eaten him up and he had been preparing everything for some time now, his family safe and with enough money to carry on, as well as a legal business for his children to take up, upon turning into adulthood. All that was left for him was this club and the gun and drug trade. And he wanted Sam to take over it. The woman felt devastated. She was able to read him for all this time, but he managed to hide that thought from her all this time.

''I can't...You can't go... Rodolfo please.'', she begged, tears already forming in her eyes.

''Sam!'', he yelled at her. ''Let me go at last. I have been struggling. It's over.'', he spoke and gave her a gentle smile. Sam nodded negatively. Yet she was going to take care of this place, even if it costed her life.

''I will keep this place running. I will take care of everyone. I promise you!'', she exclaimed and he laughed to himself wholeheartedly.

''I expected nothing less.'', he spoke and stood up. He walked around the office desk and approached her. Sam stood and fell in his arms, hugging him tightly, letting the tears fall freely. She hadn't hugged him since she was fourteen.

''I will miss you...'', she mumbled as he gently patted her back.

''Before I go. I will take care of the final enemy. I will attack Fukuri's accomplice alone, before he has time to attack us.'', he spoke up and Sam nodded, accepting that there was nothing she could do now. ''Be strong Sam. I trust you.''

The news of Rodolfo's situation had spread all around the club, as well as the fact that Samantha was to become the new boss. The woman was surprised to read the honest feelings of the people around her, her new employees. She acted instinctively, following her boss's final orders, while feeling completely numb by the situation. As she had realized during the time she was in the hospital, Rodolfo had spoken to everyone and made all the necessary arrangements. No one had known of his situation and everyone was devastated by the news. In two days' time he was planning a meeting with the accomplice to discuss a cooperation with him, a lie to draw him out of hiding.

The only positive light in the darkness that had overwhelmed Samantha's thoughts was Shouta and the fact that he chose to remain beside them during the transition. They barely exchanged any words the day of the reveal and when night time came he followed her back to her room, despite her not saying anything. Sam stopped at the door and turned around to see him, glad to notice that he had been using his quirk, deeming her unable to read his mind.

''Thank you for staying with us.'', Sam mumbled and then her gaze fell. ''Even though you were assigned by the police here.'', she added and heard the male next to her sigh. He approached her and pushed the door open, motioning her to walk in the room. He followed her in and immediately thoughts of the previous night emerged in her head, along with shame for having thought of them in such a situation.

''Truth is I had a suggestion for you. '', the hero spoke and she focused on his red eyes. ''Come work with me.'', he added and Sam widened her eyes in shock.

''Wha...''

''Your quirk is incredible. You could work for the heroes, help rescue people, capture the bad guys. Your talent is wasted here.'', his words didn't only surprise her, but gave her a sense of importance. In the same time they offended her for saying that this place was a waste of her talents. It was her home and she had already made up her mind.

''This place is my home and I will protect it with my life. Its people must not be left hanging on air now that Rodolfo will be gone. His actual family will be safe, but this family that depends on the business won't be. They need someone who knows how to run this place.'', Sam replied and frowned. The male in front of her mimicked her expression.

''And you believe that is you? You are going to waste your life here? Haven't you wasted enough years already?'', he questioned her and Sam felt her blood boil in her veins. The male had obviously acquired information about her. She knew that he liked her, not only sexually, but as a person. His suggestion might have been more of a personal matter, than an ethical one.

''There is no one better in this place. I have been in his mind for all these years.'', she replied. ''And this place is not a waste! It's my home!'', she added and tightened her fist.

''You know it already, don't you?'', he yelled back at her, making her flinch. His voice suddenly lowered down as he averted his gaze, an expression of embarrassment and frustration was drawn on his masculine features. ''I want you near me.'', he spoke and sighed. ''I want you. Come with me.'' He lifted his eyes and Sam could read his thoughts clearly. His struggle, his desire, his fear for the way he felt. There was no denial in his heart any more, but simply longing to have her in his life. Samantha's eyes softened and she felt tears pool up in her eyes. She was torn.

''Please understand Shouta...'', she muttered and approached him. ''I want you in my life too. I love you, but I love this place too. I cannot abandon it. Why is it that the only way for us to be together is for me to leave my home? I will always be here for you and you will always be my special one.'', she told him and he widened his eyes, the realization of his selfishness dawned upon him, followed by guilt. He still wanted her to be beside him, but he realized her reasoning as well. Sam smiled bitterly and leaned in to kiss him.

''The only person to ever deny me my power. A power I hate and love. You will always be part of my mind.''