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ROSELINA’S POV

Another morning, another shift, another battle with sleep.

“Good Morning, Mrs. Selena,” I greeted the café owner.

“Morning, dear,” she replied with her usual gentle smile.

I pushed through the door to the kitchen and spotted my one and only friend, Anna, already there. She was tying her honey-blonde hair into a messy bun, her hazel eyes was shining even this early.

“Hey, sleepyhead,” she teased when she saw me.

I groaned and tied my apron. “Good morning, Anna. You are way too cheerful this morning.”

She grinned, leaning against the counter.

“That is because I actually went home early and slept last night. You look like you barely closed your eyes.”

I rolled mine and bumped her shoulder playfully.

“Don’t start. Anyway, guess what? We don’t have to come to work tomorrow. It's our off day. That means tonight, we can go out!”

Her smile vanished in an instant. “Out? You mean a club?”

“Yeah, why not? We deserve some fun.”

Anna shook her head firmly. “No way. Absolutely not.”

I stared at her. “Come on. Don’t be boring. I have always wanted to go to the club ever since I heard that customer story the other day and moreover, you have been to the club before. Twice actually and I haven't. ”

Her expression grew serious, her voice dropping lower.

“Rose, The last time I visited the club was two years ago and that was because, my ex-boyfriend forced me to go. And besides, the city has changed now, going out at night isn’t safe anymore. Haven’t you been paying attention? Things are getting worse in this city.”

I frowned. “What do you mean ‘worse’? It’s always been a little rough.”

She leaned closer.

“No. This is different. Some mafia’s has taken over. Two groups, maybe more. They control businesses, they fight each other, people get killed. Last week, my cousin told me there was a shooting not far from here. A man never made it home.”

I blinked at her, shocked.

“are you serious?”

“Yes!” she whispered harshly.

“And the police? They can’t stop them. Half of them are paid off, and the other half are too scared to even try. This isn’t just rumor, Rose. This is what is currently happening. .”

I crossed my arms. “So what? We lock ourselves in our rooms forever? Is that the plan?”

“Don’t twist it.” She gave me a sharp look. “I’m saying we should be careful. Especially at night.”

I sighed loudly. “Anna, nothing will happen to us. You worry too much.”

“Worry too much?” she repeated with her voice rising.

“You walk home late every night! Do you know how many times I have stayed awake praying you would make it home safe? You don’t take this seriously, but I do. I don’t want to lose my best friend.”

Her words softened me for a moment, but I quickly forced a smile. “Anna… I will be fine. Look, we have been living here for years. If something bad was going to happen, it would have already.”

She shook her head in disbelief.

“That is exactly what everyone says before something happens. You know you are careless.”

I pressed my lips together, annoyed at her over protectiveness. Then an idea popped into my head, and I decided to push her buttons.

“Okay, okay,” I said with a mischievous smile. “But listen. We should go to the club tonight. Just for a little while. Music, dancing, drinks. We will be careful, I promise.”

Her eyes widened. “Are you insane? Have you been listening to anything I have been saying so far?”

“Yes,” I answered quickly. “And that is why we should go. We need to forget about all this fear for one night. We can’t live hiding all the time.”

Anna glared at me, clearly fighting with herself. “Rose, stop. This is not funny. I won’t do it.”

I groaned dramatically. “Please? Just this once. We don’t have shifts tomorrow. Think about it. It's just like us relaxing, laughing, maybe even meet someone interesting.”

Her cheeks turned pink. “I don’t need to meet anyone. And I’m not going.”

I clasped my hands together in mock prayer.

“Anna, please. Please. I will owe you forever. If you come tonight, I will even do your chores for a week.”

She gave me a long, unimpressed look. “You are ridiculous.”

“Ridiculously fun,” I shot back with a grin.

She tried to stay serious, but I could see her lips twitch.

“Rose…” she warned.

I leaned closer, giving her my best puppy eyes.

“Please, bestie? Just one night.”

She groaned loudly and covered her face with her hands. “You are impossible.”

I squealed, sensing she was close to giving in.

“So is that a yes?”

“No,” she said firmly, but her tone had softened.

“Then why aren’t you walking away?” I teased.

She dropped her hands and glared at me, but there was no real anger.

“Fine. But if something bad happens, I swear I will never forgive you.”

“Yes!” I shouted, hugging her tightly.

“You are the best! I promise, we will be fine. Nothing bad will happen.”

Anna shook her head, muttering under her breath. “You are going to get me killed.”

*Time Skip*

I ordered a drink and drank it fast. The club was loud, and full of a lot of people I didn’t know. Anna stood close to me, looking nervous.

She had said earlier that she didn’t feel like coming, and now I could see it on her face.

“I don’t feel comfortable Rose,” she said. “I think I’m going to leave.”

“Are you sure?” I asked, but she was already shaking her head.

" I will call you later. ” she told me and walked out through the main doors.

I stayed behind, trying to blend into the noise.

Ever since I was born I don’t remember ever going to the club. I have always wanted to know what it feels like to be in the midst of crowd. What it feels like to be in a place that is filled with alcoholic smell. But right now, I feel out of this place . I was just on my own. No friend to talk to, nobody was talking to me. I couldn’t take it anymore. I pushed through the crowd and slipped outside through the back door to get some fresh air.

It was quiet outside here, too quiet. The only sound was the music thumping faintly from inside the club. I hugged myself and thought, Maybe I should go back in.

Then I heard it. A scream.

I froze on the spot.

At first, I thought I imagined it. But then it came again and it was louder this time. My blood ran cold.

Is that not anna’s voice?

I moved to where the sound came from and saw Anna backed against the wall, her eyes was filled with fear.

I moved a bit closer, trying not to be seen or caught by the men that was surrounding her.

The men were talking in low voices and I couldn’t hear what they said.

Then Anna’s voice broke through, soft and desperate. “Please… someone help me.”

My chest tightened. A Part of me said I should turn back, to run before they noticed me. But I couldn’t leave her like that.

She is my best friend and she is only in this situation because of me.

One of the men pulled out a gun, and my whole body froze.

I forced myself to step forward.

“Leave her alone!” I shouted with a shaking voice.

All of their heads snapped toward me.

The man with the gun turned it in my direction. My knees felt weak, but I stood still.

This was a bad idea.

A very bad idea.

One of them came closer to me. I couldn’t see him clearly because his face was hidden in the dark.

“Run away, young lady. Forget what you saw, and we will let you live.”

I bit my lip hard, fear rising in my throat. He was giving me a chance to escape. I should leave. But Anna’s terrified eyes met mine.

“No,” I said firmly and louder this time.

“Let her go.”

He smirked at me. “You are foolish, girl. I’m giving you a chance to live. Leave now. You don’t want to mess with the Cruz Mafia.”

What the fuck!

Cruz mafia?

Anna had told me about them on our way here.

They are the second biggest mafia in the country.

“Oh God,” I whispered.

“Please,” I pleaded as I came closer, “let her go.”

The man chuckled darkly as he waved the gun in his hand while moving closer.

His steps made my heart pound.

I lifted my knee and kicked him hard between his legs.

He groaned and fell as the gun slipped from his hand.

Before I could even breathe, I grabbed the gun and pointed it at him as he lay on the ground.

The other men shouted and started walking towards me. My hands shook with fear. I didn’t know what I was doing, but I pulled the trigger.

The shot rang out and echoed in the alley.

The man screamed, clutching his leg as he fell.

The others froze as they glared at me.

I aimed the gun at them, praying inwardly that they would be scared enough to back off.

I pressed the trigger again.

click.

Nothing.

The gun was empty.

My blood went cold.

The men grinned when they realized that there were no bullets anymore in the gun.

Behind them, I noticed Anna. She pushed herself up from the ground and bolted in the opposite direction.

My heart leapt....at least she is safe.

But me?

I am in serious trouble.

I stumbled back, then threw the gun at one of them and hit his shoulder.

Using that moment, I turned and ran.

The heels on my feet slowed me down, so I took them off and held it n my hands as I ran down the dark street.

Their footsteps thundered behind me.

“What have I gotten myself into?” I thought with my breath burning in my chest.

To be continued