A NEW LIFE

The weather suddenly changed and the sky rolled in dark clouds heavy with rain. Raindrops came in little showers until they gradually built up to become a heavy downpour. 

I stood before the window, staring at the rain, a cigarette burning at the end of my lips. 

Behind me, seated on the arm chair was Israel; the most ruthless, hardcore and feared Mafia boss. 

Israel sat with his legs crossed, a glass of Hennessy wine in his hand. He was watching or rather studying me as if trying to evaluate the sort of man I was. 

" I still find it hard to believe," I said after a long pause. " Not only did I wake up after being murdered, I awoke in the body of a Mafia boss. A Mafia boss who sold his soul to the devil in exchange for nine lives. Is it just me or does all these controversy doesn't just make any sense."

Israel took a sip, he didn't say anything. 

" I really wished this was some sort of dream," I said, turning around to face him. " Cause if it isn't I might go crazy."

Israel glared at me. " Don't be a dumbass. You've gotta pull yourself together. If you lose your grip and act up, my enemies would think I've gone nuts. Once your enemies are aware of your flaws and weakness, they won't hesitate to blow the first strike. This is why from now on, Jericho, you and I would have to trust each other."

I stared at him, apparently questioning myself. " Trust you? Why in the world should I trust you?"

" Because you're deeply involved in this shít as much as I am. You can't find your way around my empire. I shall guide you on whatever difficulties you might find yourself in."

I decided it was time I made my intention clear. " What do you want from me?"

Israel stirred his wine glass. " I want two things. The Giovanni empire is on a brink of ruin. When you're a big shot like me, the whole world is gunning for you. You become the target of many people; people who wants everything you own: your houses, your wives, your cars, your dog. I'm dead but my will isn't. My enemies don't know this. This is why I chose you. I want you to save the Giovanni empire."

I was about to say something when he interrupted me sharply. 

" I'm not finished," he stared stonily at me. " Secondly, I want you to eliminate my enemies– all of them. I know what you're trying to say. You're unsure of yourself. You don't think you can do this."

" That's alright," I said. " What you're asking of me is too much."

" Too much?" Israel raised an eyebrow. " All you had to do are two things."

" I can't do it," I replied him curtly. " Find someone else. I'd rather remain dead than go about fulfilling your selfish desires."

Israel slowly rose to his feet. The way he stood up was like that of a raging lion, growling for a kill. He looked like he was about to explode. 

" You fool!" He barked at me. " You spineless fool. You should be thanking me. I gave you another chance to start life over. A new beginning ten times more than your past miserable life. I am your savior. If it weren't for me, you'd be a lost soul without a cause."

I looked away. " I never asked for any of this. Why did you pick me?"

Israel came over and grabbed my collar. He jerked me close to him and glared straight into my eyes. " Why the hell did I pick you? To be honest, I don't know why. There were numerous names on the list for me to exchange souls with but I ended up picking an idíot like you. Ever since I woke up in your mind, I was busy going through your memory. You ever wondered how you got murdered?"

My eyes widened. " I don't."

Israel's green eyes glittered at mine. " Well I know how you got murdered, Jericho. I finally got to understand why I picked you. You died a meaningless death just like I did. We've got a lot in common but you chose to be an idíot all throughout your entire life till your death."

" What do you mean?" I asked as he released my collar. 

He returned back to his armchair and lit a cigarette. " Let's start from the beginning shall we? You met a show girl in Las Vegas and fell in love with her, right?"

I was spooked. I never told him that. " You're correct. How did you know that?"

Israel grimaced.  " You're the most lousiest man I've ever met, Jericho," Israel smoked, his eyes like holes. " You got married to a show girl at forty-five without a prenup cause you thought you were in love and have no need for it. For making such a fúcking damn mistake, you're a bloody fool. What makes you think would interest a show girl to marry a mere farmer who's a forty years old virgin? Money, fool. It's money. You had to adopt a son simply because she doesn't want to ruin her looks and shape because of pregnancy."

"Obviously, she knew you hadn't money in cash but you've got assets. You've got lands and animals that could be worth over millions if sold. Now here's what happened. It's the same story that goes around every bar men tell over alcohol. Your best friend visits and was immediately captivated by your new wife. She must've been a beauty– all show girls are. She noticed she's got a hook in your best friend and sees her chance to drain you dry."

He paused, glaring at me under his lashes. " It's my bet you're poor in giving a woman pleasure. Apparently, you can't satisfy your woman. You either came too early or you just couldn't give her an orgasm. One thing's for certain, you suck at séx. You love your farm and usually stay out till late at night. While you're out there trying to make some living, your best friend was busy fúcking your wife in your matrimonial bed."

Israel blew smoke at my direction. " In other words, your best friend did your job perfectly for you. What happens next? Your wife started making it a routine, whenever you're away, your best friend comes around and gets a blow job and a wet pússy ready for him. Then one day, she plants a seed in his mind: the seed of murder. She won't tell him plainly she wanted you dead. Women aren't like that. They're gifted at insinuation. That's why I called it a seed.  She gives your best friend a faint idea that they might not see each other quite often like they used to. Your best friend would panic. He was inlove with her. He wouldn't want to lose her. The thought of you having her body all to yourself sickens him. Then your best friend suggests they elope."

Israel refilled his glass and took a sip from it. " On the face of it, eloping doesn't sound like a bad idea but what about money? This was the barrier to your best friend's eloping scheme. Then your wife drops the bomb. She's seen your will. The farm belongs to her and your adopted son. Why wait for you to die when she can hasten things up? As expected, your friend won't buy the idea. That's when she starts pushing him away. The game of the mind comes to play. Your wife puts herself as the forbidden fruit. Unattainable and out of reach. Your best friend hungers for her but he can no longer have her. If he must have her, he only had to do one thing; kill you."

Israel lit another cigarette and scowled at me. " Never let anyone except your lawyer lay sight of your will. There are a lot of people out there who feel entitled to your wealth. By showing them your will, you raise their hopes and encourage them to wish you dead quickly. Look at you. Now you're dead. Your beloved wife is probably at some hotel getting screwed by her lover. I can imagine her pretty face begging him to pound deeper inside her. She worth millions so she can do whatever she pleases."

I balled my hands into fists and whispered bitterly. " S-stop!"

Israel cocked his head. " Huh? Are you feeling bitter inside? The truth hurts, doesn't it?"

I didn't say anything. I found his words hard to believe and yet he was right. I knew my wife and my best friend were responsible for my murder. What I never knew was how they did it and how long they've been at it. 

Israel continued. " This is your chance, Jericho. A new beginning. You died a meaningless death but now you don't have to die anymore. You have nine lives. What's mine is yours. My cars are yours. My houses are yours. My empire are yours. My wives are yours. My cats are yours. This is a new life for you. Take advantage of it."

I remained where I stood, breathing heavily. I was angry. Angry at myself for bring stupid enough to not have read the signs of my wife's scheme to have me murdered. 

I was angry I wasted sixty-five years of my life a farmer. This was my chance to start anew. 

I glanced up to look at Israel but he wasn't there anymore. 

My eyes widened. " Huh? Where did he go?"

The table was empty. The ash tray was empty and cleaned and the Hennessy wine was back at the wine shelf neatly and untouched. 

It felt as if no one had been in this room except me. 

Israel had vanished. 

I sat down on my bed and ran my hand over my face. It was just as he had told me. He was in my mind. 

But he was real. Our conversation was real. I recalled his last words:

***This is your chance, Jericho. A new beginning. You died a meaningless death but now you don't have to die anymore. You have nine lives. What's mine is yours. My cars are yours. My houses are yours. My empire are yours. My wives are yours. My cats are yours. This is a new life for you. Take advantage of it.***