"How stupid could you be?! Your task was the simplest among every mission that a mafia could do! Why did the fuck did you fail?" I haven't reached the ground floor of this mansion yet but I can already hear Zadkiro's loud voice coming downstairs. I was planning to get a drink for myself since the weather was a bit cold but I did not expect to hear Zadkiro's thundering voice, he seemed to be scolding his men. That's what I guess because I could see a lot of men in black inside the house. I used to see them outside and if ever I saw them inside, they were not this many. Perhaps Zadkiro gathered them 'cause something happened and that's what made him upset. I continued walking on the stairs until I could finally see what was happening. Zadkiro was panting while his hands were resting on his waist. He looks mad and frustrated at the same time while his men are silently looking down. Some noticed my presence but no one made a reaction about it. They all look worried and problematic
"Aish! Why do I need to wash all of these? Don't you have a washing machine? My hands are reddish already," I complained and looked at Santiago. He was sitting beside me with his legs crossed while cleaning his nails with that pink liquid and white cloth. Zadkiro assigned him to look after me and make sure I did all the laundry before dawn. This is my punishment and it was against my will because I don't own any of these clothes. All of this was bedsheets, dark clothes that I don't know who owns, and pillowcases. I don't know how long I've been handwashing these but I am already tired and my hands are starting to get swollen. "We do have a washing machine, but Sir Zadkiro told me not to allow you to use it," he nonchalantly answered. "How heartless," I mumbled and continued doing my work. Maybe I could finish this tomorrow if Zadkiro finishes it, I won't mind. I think it's better than doing nothing. "By the way Santiago, can I ask you a question?" I started a conversation betwe
"Are you crazy Sereia? You don't know what world is waiting for you outside this orphanage," Devika said in a moderate tone. She is watching me pack my things, trying to stop me from leaving this place in the middle of the night, the place where I stayed for how many years. "I'm old enough Devika, I'm already nineteen years old," I answered and closed the zipper of the black duffle bag. I need to hurry and leave before the mother superior wakes up and finds out about my plan. I couldn't get caught or else there will be no chance left for me."You're out of your mind. What makes you think a better world is waiting for you outside? There are bad people there waiting to commit a crime to satisfy themselves. You have no idea what the real world is, just stay here," Devika sermoned and shook her head. I looked at her, eye-to-eye. "I'll stay here and what? Become a nun when I turn twenty and be one of the mother superior in the future? Devika I never dreamed of becoming one of them," I
"Don't you like the food?"I looked at Zadkiro. He was worriedly looking at me when I did not touch the food that he served to me minutes ago. The man's name was Zadkiro Driavos, he introduced himself to me when I finally calmed down. I don't know how he managed to handle me but it was very effective. I settled down and that's when he started softly talking to me again. He even introduced his name to me. "It looks delicious," I admitted. "But I won't eat it. I don't trust you even if you told me your name. It's not enough for me to trust you." I saw amusement pass through his eyes. I shifted my gaze away when were started to look at each other again. It's his eyes that always captivates me and he might think I'm attracted to him 'cause he always caught me looking at his eyes. "What do you want me to do then? Eat the food with you?" he asked and glimpsed at the food. I admit that I am already hungry and I want to eat it but I won't take the risk. As I said, I still don't trust h
"She can't be forced to do physical movement until her wound gets better. Once her wound opens, it would be dangerous for her and may cause infection." I was woken up by the angelic voice of a woman who I think was talking to someone. I hadn't fully woke up but different feelings welcomed me. My throat was very dry, my left hand felt numb and I could feel my stomach aching. I felt very weak as well and I couldn't move even my hand. Slowly, I opened my eyes to see who was the woman who was talking a while ago. Dim light embraced my sight the moment I unclosed my eyes. I looked around me and I was surprised when I saw two people beside me. "She's awake." Zadkiro leaned towards me when the woman said those words. "Hey, how are you? Do you feel any pain?" he asked in a concerned tone. I shut my eyes and gulped, trying to pull out my voice to answer him. I was having a hard time producing a sound but I still tried. "I... I-I'm fine," I weakly answered. I saw in Zadkiro's eyes tha
"Did I tell you to sit down?" I looked at Zadkiro's eyes. He was comfortably sitting in the bed with a glass of beer in his hand while watching me stand in front of him for too long. I am doing nothing but standing rigidly in front of him for hours, my knees begin to tremble and I am sweating already. I could do this for one whole day but today, I couldn't because my wound hasn't healed yet. When he left the room, I thought he would give me time to think and cool my head off but I was wrong when he returned holding an empty glass and a bottle of expensive brandy. Zadkiro demanded me to stand here in my place and did not allow me to sit or rest. He told me that it was a punishment for shouting and disrespecting him earlier. I know I shouldn't be doing this but I felt guilty about what I did. I should've not shouted at him even if he did it first because I only leveled my attitude to his. "I'm tired, let me rest even for five minutes, please?" I begged. I might collapse if I con
"This is my right hand, Sereia. He is Santiago Govenn. He's been working for me ever since I entered this world and he could help us with your problem," Zadkiro introduced the familiar man to me. Santiago smiled at me and offered his hand for a handshake and I didn't think twice about accepting it.I did not ask further what Zadkiro meant by saying 'since he entered this world', he informed me a while ago what job he does... he's a mafia, however, I did not feel any fear in my body. I shouldn't fear him if I want to make a deal with him. "He could find my parents for me, am I right?" I asked full of hope. Zadkiro and Santiago shared a meaningful stare that I couldn't guess. I only gulped and hoped they'd say yes and wouldn't disappoint me. "I won't say no, but I won't say yes either Ma'am. We still need to gather information about them so we can start investigating. But before that, is it okay if I'll ask you things about them? I hope you don't mind?" Santiago said. I smiled at hi
"That was nice! A little more practice and you'll master it!" Hance, one of Zadkiro's men said after we sat down to take a rest after playing darts for almost two hours. I had a great time playing with them, they included me in their game and I really felt belonged. They did not make me feel awkward and I enjoyed it. "Thank you, I was not good at it but you taught me well," I responded. In the short time that we had a bond, I doubted if they were trully a mafia. They're very jolly and I couldn't sense danger in them. Some of them even introduced themselves to me like I was just a newfound friend. "Do you want some drinks, Ma'am?" Calvin asked. He was one of the two men who were at the room's door a while ago, the one who had the black thing on his ears. "No, I'm fine. I haven't finished my juice yet," I replied. I looked around and eyed every person here in this place. At a glance, I admit I was afraid and if I wasn't bored, I wouldn't have the courage to join them in playing.