How Lilies turn Black – Chapter 89 – And, 1962 (1)

Author: Nikss

March 26, 1962.

United States of Victoria, Gilligan State, Demercy.

“You being this good is a problem.”

“Me?”

“Yes, it’s quite troublesome. It makes me useless, you see.”

Wayne looked down at Liliana, who had spun smoothly and landed back in his arms, and frowned.

Yet, an undeniable, gentle smile lingered on his lips.

“If I had known you were this talented at the tango, I would never have suggested dancing, something that was never in my fate to begin with.”

The fact that these two were suddenly dancing the tango wasn’t all that surprising.

Three months was both a short and a long time, and during that period, many things had changed slowly… yet distinctly.

To trace the origin of how they ended up in each other’s arms, stepping in time, one must go back to December 31, 1961.

That day, Liliana managed to secure Wayne by revealing her personal motives regarding the Benedetti family. She couldn’t disclose the exact reason, so she dodged the question, hinting at unpleasant events involving the organization, including Antonio.

Fortunately, Wayne didn’t seem to want to dredge up those memories and didn’t press further…

The problem was that in gaining a bone, she had to give up some flesh.

Not long after that, Wayne expressed his desire to lend his strength to her revenge.

She refused without hesitation. Her intention in joining the organization herself was precisely to prevent him from getting involved with the Benedetti family in any way.

But what did Wayne say?

“I am not saying I will join your organization’s work directly. That would feel too hasty and rushed, as I haven’t spent a long time preparing for an infiltration.”

“How… do you want to cooperate, then?”

“I want to share progress and help as an advisor in formulating plans. I can also provide you with information that should be beneficial. Any deeper involvement would be difficult for me as well, as the risks are too high.”

“But—”

“To be honest… while part of it is that I’m worried about you, I also genuinely want this operation to succeed without any complications. Put nicely, it’s a sense of duty… put bluntly, it’s a professional habit.”

After several days of consideration, she accepted the proposal.

That level of involvement didn’t seem too concerning, and even putting that aside, Wayne’s cooperation was clearly going to be helpful to her.

Luciano and Gasparo had joined forces.

While it had become possible to strike at both of them simultaneously, the situation had also become more dangerous and complex as a result…

To prepare for that, she needed to be more thorough and meticulous in her preparations.

The first major change after Wayne joined was the overall framework of the plan. He raised the point that while pitting the two Benedetti brothers against each other was good, it might be difficult to ensure both of them died.

The probability was high, he argued, that one would ultimately emerge as the victor.

Liliana couldn’t overlook that point either.

So what was the alternative that Wayne had proposed?

It was this— if Liliana would strive to secure evidence for them going forward… then when the war between the two brothers was over, the FBI would arrest the one who remained.

And it was obvious that in the future, the ‘one remaining victor‘ would be Theodoro.

Now that Liliana had sided with him, every move would lead towards Luciano’s death.

But why was that?

As she resolved to have Theodoro arrested, her feelings became strangely unsettled.

It was because the thought suddenly occurred to her that she was glad it wasn’t Theodoro who would die.

Perhaps, for Theodoro, living out the rest of his life having lost both his brother and his organization might be more of a hell.

Whenever she imagined a future where that man, who seemed so solid and strong, would come to a meaningless end, she felt inexplicably strange.

The reason was something she herself couldn’t pinpoint.

“What are you thinking about?”

“…Huh?”

“You just looked lost in thought. Are you concerned that the man you share your daily life with is going to hit rock bottom?”

“…That couldn’t be. His suffering is what I wanted all along.”

I remember that the voice that flowed from my mouth didn’t feel like my own. I tried to offer a calm smile, but I don’t know if I managed it as well as I intended.

Anyway, that’s how the Federal Bureau of Investigation became involved in her personal battle.

That part was fine.

Yes, that part was fine. Because Wayne wouldn’t have to do anything that would make him conspicuously exposed to the Benedetti family.

The problem began when Liliana had to pretend to be Theodoro’s lover.

As someone who wasn’t a formal member, that was her only justification for being by his side every hour, so she had no complaints about the role of being his lover itself.

But at some point… wherever she went, people recognized her, treated her with the utmost respect, and showed immense interest.

As a result, meeting Wayne inevitably became more difficult.

Eventually, Liliana had to make an unwelcome decision. She had to allow Wayne to approach her using a disguised identity.

“A cover identity that involves direct interaction with members is absolutely unacceptable.”

“Understood.”

“I’ve told you many times. If you approach me that way, I will absolutely not meet you. Our cooperative relationship would end then.”

About a month and a half after that.

In what guise did Wayne appear before her?

To build connections for increasing Theodoro’s supporters within the organization, there was the branch manager, John Brun,o and his wife, Anna Bruno, with whom he was fostering a relationship.

One day, Anna Bruno subtly suggested something to her.

How about taking tango lessons?

“Suddenly… tango?”

“Didn’t I tell you? I recently got a recommendation from an acquaintance and have been taking tango lessons. It’s my current joy, my pleasure. Trying to dance after forty makes my knees ache, but it feels like I’m getting younger.”

“Ah… That sounds fun.”

“Why don’t you learn too? When you get old, your body gets stiff and doesn’t cooperate. You should do it when you’re young. You have such long, slender limbs; you would look so beautiful dancing.”

“Ah, haha… I have no connection to dance—”

“Do you know how young and handsome the teacher is? A blond, pretty boy. After seeing men with beer bellies at home, I just can’t stop smiling whenever I meet the teacher. Maybe you don’t notice him because you have Theo by your side.”

That’s when I realized it. Wayne, who had been lying low for a while, had disguised himself as a tango instructor to get close to the ‘wife’ of a organization member.

No matter what I had imagined, I never expected a tango instructor.

But it was true that he had used his head well.

It was because of Mrs. Bruno’s enthusiastic recommendation. In the end, several branch leaders’ wives also joined in, which naturally gave Liliana a legitimate reason too.

“Theodoro, I’m thinking of learning tango too.”

“…Tango? That thing all the women in the neighborhood are doing these days?”

“Yes, whenever I go to gatherings, that’s all everyone talks about.”

“I didn’t think you were the type to follow trends so eagerly.”

His words stung so much. I quickly composed my expression and answered.

“I can’t join the conversations. I feel like I’m on the outside.”

“I’m sure tango will create such a deep sense of camaraderie.”

“…”

But in the end, Theodoro had no choice but to permit it.

He was the one who had told her to build friendships with the branch leaders’ wives to form factions. He couldn’t very well leave her alone if she felt left out.

It was around the time these tango lessons, which had started like that, were entering their third week.

Wayne, checking the hour hand of the wall clock nearing 6, narrowed his eyes slightly.

A faint trace of regret seeped from his gesture of letting go of the hand he had been holding.

“Hmm… I should wrap things up here. I have a meeting with Theodoro at six, right?”

“Ah, yes… I should get going soon.”

“Today’s the day. The day you said Lombardi would be joining you.”

Liliana shook her head with a tense expression.

Wayne’s eyes curved gently as if to tell her not to worry.

“You’ll do well, as always. There won’t be any problems.”

Then, with his warm lips tinged with the color of the sunset, he gently kissed her forehead.

“…!”

It was a fragile warmth and sensation, like a feather brushing against her, lingering for a moment before disappearing.

Liliana’s eyes, which had been calm all along, widened in surprise.

“Wayne…!”

“Shh, you should call me Julian, not Wayne. What if someone hears you?”

Her eyes, flustered by the sudden kiss, darted around nervously.

Liliana scolded Wayne in a hushed voice.

“And what if someone had seen you doing that…!”

“Haha, you’re right… I was… a bit hasty. I’m sorry.”

“…You know we can’t do this.”

“I know, I know… but to be honest, it would be a lie to say I’m not jealous. What man would be happy to see the woman he cares for going on a date with another man? Every time I send you off like this, a part of me feels uneasy.”

Liliana pressed her lips together firmly. Her chest felt tight, overwhelmed with surging emotions.

He was a man who had felt so distant when they had coincidentally met in the alleyway. But now, he…

Her heart swelled with an indescribable feeling, and she bowed her head deeply.

“Still… you have to be careful. You never know who might be watching or listening.”

“I’ll be cautious.”

Wayne had answered politely, but by then, it might already have been too late.

“…So that stray rock that came rolling in ends up causing trouble after all?”

It was almost time to depart.

Silvano Giacone, peeking through the parted curtains, had clearly witnessed the scene with his shrewd, rat-like eyes.

“Hmph, heh…”

Silvano barely stifled a burst of laughter, but his eyes at that moment were flashing like a wild beast’s. He could tolerate, more or less, Theodoro playing the part of the lover.

In fact, he was even willing to accept that much with magnanimity.

Of course, seeing someone else take what should rightfully be his touch made his blood boil to the top of his head…

But for a future that promised even greater pleasure, he could endure that much.

As if Silvano would ever want a romance with Liliana. He had no interest in such childish games.

The important thing was only this—her pinned beneath him, crying out for more.

Just the thought of it was enough to make him hard.

But what if Liliana’s heart were to lean towards Theodoro…

Silvano knew. Only then would be conquering her become an intensely thrilling affair.

So he was quietly biding his time.

Waiting for the day when the two would become even closer. He planned to make his move properly on that day.

‘But damn, where did this sly bastard suddenly pop out from?’

He’d been keeping a close watch because the way that guy looked at Liliana was unusual from the start.