Chapter 5 The Ace

"The only reason I became religion is so that I could pray for you to burn in hell"

Adrian watches Natalie intensely as she twists Lucas's hands, making him groan out in pain. She was not what he had expected. 

She is no gullible girl.

She drags Lucas to the door casually, while pointing a gun at him. Natalie looks up at the people surrounding and then her eyes fall on Adrian, she stares at him as he stares back. She smiles lightly looking at Adrian.

"Drugs really don't seem good for you these days" 

Adrian's eyes cloud with anger at the insinuation. He clenches his fists, gritting his teeth and as he was about to say something, Natalie fired the gun near one of the guy's feet. All attention turned towards the gunshot. Everyone's attention apart from Adrian who was still looking at her, the only person with no gun in his hands pointing at her.

Element of distraction to escape...

As the men turn their attention back at her, she was gone and on the floor was their boss groaning in pain, cradling his arms to his chest. She would have killed him but then all his men would go after her for revenge.

The most dreaded in the US  huh.

Adrian shook his head and walked out. He had a lot of thoughts in his head now.

And they were all about her...

➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖

"Wow, she's impressive. Took 2 most dreaded gangs in the world."

"Hmm"

"She really is beauty and brains, Ooh I love her so much already for leaving Lucas  almost in tears and you with your mouth hung op—"

He stops as Adrian turns around and glares at him. Adrian had enough today, he couldn't make that deal to make up for the loss she did and top of that getting mocked as well. He hated her, to him his father's mob was everything but she was creating problems for them to work.

He took a deep breath to calm down his nerves.

"They had not hidden her because she was a weakness as I had expected. She is the contriver, who paved their way to the top. She is their fucking Ace."

"But why was she there though ?"

"I want the names of everyone else living in this building"

➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖

"Guess what? The Smirnov's son is living here as well."

Natalie said to Isaac as she walked into the living room startling Isaac. He got worried and started looking at her for any injuries.

"Are you okay Nat? Did those bastards hurt you?"

"Ooh I'm totally fine, some others might not be, but I'm good"

She said as she chuckled, Isaac shook his head at her giving a soft smile.

"What happened though, how did you find out?"

"Just had a friendly little encounter, don't worry.  And do me a favor and don't tell your boss about it."

"As long as things are in control, it will stay between us."

➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖

The next day, Natalie woke up in the morning early, as usual, did her workout as they had a little gym in their condo, meditated then went to shower.  She wore some black ripped jeans and a full-sleeve olive green collared shirt, tucked in her jeans from a corner with her slightly wavy, brown hair open. 

She packed her bag for college putting the books according to her schedule that she had got online and her tab as well. She took her studies seriously.

What else I'm missing ....... ohh of course a gun.

Walking into the living room carrying her bag she put it down on a chair. Then she went to Thomas's room only to find him sleeping serenely. She smiled and walked out to the kitchen.

Isaac was cooking some eggs with toast and bacon. Greeting him she sat down for breakfast.

"So, your first day, do I have to come too?"

"Not really but you can if you want to study as well."

"I rather shoot myself in the arm."

Natalie chucked at his answer. Isaac was smart at what he did but hated studying, the happiest day of his life was when school was finally over. 

"Ok, I'm off to college, call me immediately if there is a problem"

➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖

Once she reached college, she parked her black car and got out. She could feel some eyes on her but she was used to it. Going to her first class she took a seat in the second last row by the window.

A lot of students came in. after a while a girl with wide blue innocent eyes came to the seat next to her & spoke,

"Can I sit here ?"

"Sure"

"Thanks, my name is Amanda"

"Hi, I'm Natalie"

"You're hot" she suddenly blurted out.

Natalie laughed and smiled politely.

Getting compliments is way too much stress. What the hell should I say back, thank you, or maybe compliment her as well?

"You're pretty too."

"Thanks" she smiled so brightly like a 5-year-old.

Soon enough the professor came, introduced himself, and started explaining the process and plans for the semester. They took notes of the assignment and books that will be needed.

〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️

Natalie came for her break to the canteen with Amanda. She was easy to be friends with. She had no bad attitude and was utterly honest. She would blurt out whatever she was thinking then realize it and be horrified making her eyes go wide, thinking that she might have been offensive. Natalie found it adorable. Somehow making her remember her past, her best friend. She smiled sadly at the thought but shook them away.

"My God, I'm telling you my brother is a ho. My home is haunted for me."

Natalie and Amanda sat on a bench near a tree, they bought some sandwiches and smoothies. Amanda was a kind-hearted person, Natalie could easily tell.  She was so innocent that Natalie felt protective of her. She felt a sister-like bond with her already. Natalie could easily read her, she was pristine and a bit puerile.

"So do you have a boyfriend?"

"No, neither looking forward to having one"

"What!!! You're the girl one dreams about. If I was a boy, I wouldn't have given up asking you out."

Natalie just chucked as a reply. 

Ooh only if you knew, the perks of your father being the mob leader. Or how he enjoyed spying and threatening them if they didn't reach his expectations when they would fail his test....oh god his tests.

It wasn't that Dimitri hated the idea of her dating, but rather he had a high standard for her partner. Her daughter was perfect and deserved the same.

"Wow, so you have no pickle to tickle at the moment?"

Natalie burst out laughing loudly at her words. Amanda just grinned proudly, feeling elated for making her laugh so hard. 

Natalie took a breath, to stop laughing as her stomach started to hurt.

"You have a way with words Amanda and what the hell is that even supposed to mean?"

"Ooh, you know something like friends with benefits or hookups?"

"No, I don't do those either."

"Ooh my god, my brother will be so after you. Seeing you as a challenge. I'm warning you already. He's the biggest playboy to land on this earth.

"It will be fine. I think I know how to handle boys and —"

She was cut off as her phone rang. It was from Isaac, she answered it immediately. 

"Missing me?"

"Natalie, this is Albert, there is a problem—"

"Where?"

She didn't need to hear more. She knew Isaac never let anyone touch his phone. If someone else is calling from his phone, it was a serious matter.

"In the alley behind Trinity mall"

"I'll be there in 5."

She cut the call and took her bag.

"Hey, I have a family problem to take care of. I need to go. I'll see you tomorrow"