Maid for the Mafia Boss

-Flashback-

“Happy 18th Birthday, Pat.” I smiled brightly at my mom, dad, and big brother, who were all in front of me.

My dad was holding a cake in my favorite color.

I’m still happy and satisfied even though we only have a simple celebration for my 18th birthday. As long as the four of us are together, nothing else matters.

“Make a wish, sweetie.” I closed my eyes and made a wish.

Wishing that the four of us will stay together peacefully and with no conflict. Also, for my crush to notice me. Hehehe. Hoping that the relationship between my brother and best friend last longer and wishing that my grandfather wouldn’t find us.

But as I opened my eyes, it was as if my wish was totally useless. Mama and Kuya’s eyes widened as Papa stepped in front to shield the three of us.

“Dad. What are you doing here?” Papa asked in emphasis.

Ever since my dad was a child, he never wanted anything to do with Il Massimo Impero. He doesn’t want to kill innocent people, totally the opposite of what my grandfather wants.

But because my grandfather was supporting Papa diligently since he was a child, he had absolutely no choice, especially since our grandmother died.

My grandfather smirked, with a lot of his men behind him.

“It’s my granddaughter’s birthday, and you didn’t even invite me? Hey, I needed to attend, too.”

“You were never invited, so you’re not welcome here!” Kuya shouted madly at Lolo. Mama covers her mouth in shock.

Lolo turned to look at my brother.

“Khalil. Aren’t you fond of your Lolo yet? We’ve been through so much already, together. Look at your little sister Pat, she loves me so much.”

Yes. Lolo and I used to bond almost every time, making me look up to him so much. My family could not separate the two of us because they saw how happy I was whenever I’m with him. But when I realized how heartless and evil my grandfather was, I started pushing myself away from him.

“Lolo. Please don’t ruin my birthday. Please, just leave.” He looked at me and narrowed his eyes upon hearing my words.

“What?! Pat! You were so happy being with me. And now you don’t want me? You despise me!” I shook my head at him.

“Yes. So please, just leave.” He lowered his head till a smile crept his face slowly like a demon.

“Well! I’ll make you happy with me again!” Lolo gestured at his men.

They shot their guns at our newly-made home.

This was our dream house, and now he’s just going to ruin it!

Papa bravely stood up to march over Lolo, but since my grandfather was more experienced than him, he dragged my father down, not even sweating.

“Papa!” I went near him and checked his pulse. He’s still alive.

“Dad! I’m begging you, stop meddling in our lives. We just wanted to live in peace.” Mama shouted.

Lolo shifted at her and pulled her hair harshly.

“Ah!”

“Mama!” Kuya and I both cried.

“You should’ve thought of that first before marrying my son, right? If you wanted a peaceful and quiet life, then you should’ve left your husband a long time ago!” I walked closer to Lolo.

“Please, grandpa. Just take me if all you want is to be with me. Don’t involve my parents, my family!” Lolo looks at me, and his expression softened.

“My dear granddaughter, I would never hurt you. But them… I will.” Lolo gestured at his men again, and they held Mama and my brother at the same time while they carried Papa out of our house.

“Come on, Pat. We’ll celebrate your birthday at the mansion. There are a lot of visitors there. You will have the best debut ever.” Having no choice, I went with Lolo while crying.

Everything happened so fast. The event coordinator made me wear a sparkling, long gown. They made me stand on the stage where I was displayed in front of a lot of people, and the event went on as if my family’s lives aren’t in danger.

The days passed by, and I was just locked up in a room. All I could see each day was Lolo and his friends coming to play.

Even I felt so disgusted at myself.

Being locked in a room is driving me insane. With nobody else around…

“Pat. We’re going to do something. I’m sure this’ll bring joy to you.” I shook my head while Lolo was coming closer.

“I don’t want, Lolo! That’s enough!” I started to cry. That’s all I could ever do, cry.

“Nassandra. Why are you acting this way? I just wanted you to be happy.” I shook my head repeatedly.

“No Lolo! I’m not happy! Please. Just let me leave this place.”

“Nassandra.” My hands reached my ears to cover them as he laughed.

His laughs are what causing my nightmares every night.

I don’t want it anymore! I just wanted all these to stop!

“Nassandra!”

“No! Please!”

“Nassandra!”

—From NôvelDrama.Org.

I opened my eyes and woke up with a tight feeling in my chest.

I panicked as my chest tightens, making it hard to breathe.

My breathing is fast, but I’m feeling like no air is coming inside me.

“Nassandra!” My eyes widened as I looked at… Dale? He’s currently inside Keian’s room.

Feeling alarmed, I immediately scooted away from him.

This caused me to fall off the bed, butt-faced on the floor, but I don’t care about that anymore.

Dale approached and still having a hard time breathing as I distanced myself away from him.

“Nassandra,” I shook my head at him.

“No! Don’t come near me!” I kept avoiding him ’till I reached the veranda. I felt the cold air touching my skin, but that didn’t ease the panic I’m feeling.

He’s still coming closer to me, and all I suddenly wanted was to run away from him.

“Nassandra. It’s me, Dale.” His face was filled with confusion.

I shook my head repeatedly.

If I am now in my right state of mind, I wouldn’t be this scared and paranoid around him, but I couldn’t help the fear I am feeling.

His expression is actually sincere. Like he truly cared for me.

As he steps closer, I stood up and absentmindedly climbed onto the metal railings of the veranda.

His eyes widened, and immediately stepped away.

“Woah. Okay, okay. I won’t come any closer. But you don’t have to be scared, Nass. You’re not in danger.” I looked down at my clothes because I felt like someone has touched me.

I tightly held my body closer to make the sensation of being touched to disappear.

“No!” I shouted. He worriedly walked closer to me, which resulted in me climbing up the metal railings to the point where I can fall down on the grassy field any minute.

“Nassandra. Calm down! No one will harm you!” I turned to him, still finding the way to breathe normally, as I could still feel someone touching me.

“I-I’m scared. Where’s Keian?” He nodded his head.

“I understand that you’re scared, but Kei is in France, and he doesn’t want to go back home here.”

“Zeke. Please get Zeke.”

“I’m sorry, but he’s with Katie somewhere in Mindanao, just the two of them.” I suddenly panicked because of that.

“I-I can’t breathe.” He gasped.

“Shit. Wait, I’ll call Theo.” He pressed a few things on his smartwatch.

“Blaze to Jaguar.” He waited for a while, but no one seems to respond to his call.

“Sh8t!” I couldn’t feel my breath anymore, and I’m starting to see dark spots in my vision.

“Haaa!” Dale looks at me, which made his eyes widened even more that his eyeballs could fall out any second.

“Double sh8t. Blaze to F-com.” I don’t know what’s happening anymore, I’m just focusing on my breathing.

“Dale! I can’t breathe!” I said, panicked. His eyes widened, and he came closer.

“I’m sorry, but don’t come closer!” I climbed up at the metal, but I suddenly fell out of balance.

I gasped and waited for my body to crash on the ground, but it didn’t happen.

“You stupid woman. Be thankful that I brought my gadget.” I looked up and saw Dale was holding some kind of rope.

Then I looked down and noticed I almost reached the ground.

I still couldn’t breathe as I got a better look at Dale.

I started trembling as I could feel my fear getting worse.

I closed my eyes and waited for him to do something to me.

But I was surprised when he enveloped me into a hug.

“It’s okay, you’re okay. No one will hurt you here.” My eyes remained closed to feel his warm body that is actually comforting.

He sounded so sincere.

He’s always acting like a jerk to me. I’ve never seen this side of him like this before. Just now.

I returned the gesture to him and started tearing up on his white t-shirt.

“Sir Dale!” I felt Dale looked down while my eyes stayed closed.

I have a feeling that it’s Felix down there.

“I’ll go down, Nass.” I slightly nodded at him and felt Dale climbing down on the grassy field.

Dale was talking to Felix, but I didn’t bother to know what they’re talking about.

I was already breathing fine, and I’m feeling a bit calm now. But still trembling.

My eyes found themselves staring at the swimming pool.

I don’t know why but I suddenly felt the urge to go for a swim at the pool.

Dale pats me gently while still carrying me.

He noticed I was staring at the pool, so he asked me.

“Will it help you relax if you swim?” I looked at him and slowly nodded.

He smiles at me as I blinked my eyes.

“Okay.” He placed me down on the grass, but I needed to hold on to Dale and Felix before I could even stand up due to my knees getting weak.

“Laiza!”

I saw Laiza was also there, and it looked like she had also witnessed me almost falling.

“What?” She irritatedly asks.

“Help her change into her swimsuit.” Laiza looks at me and lets out a small smile.

“Okay.”

“I’ll join you at the pool to make sure you don’t hurt yourself. Go change first.” I stayed silent and just followed Laiza.

—

“Are you okay?” I looked at Laiza as she asked. I slightly nodded.

She helped me wear my swimsuit since I don’t have enough strength to wear it on my own.

I stared at nowhere while Laiza dresses me up.

I can feel her eyes on me, but I didn’t bother.

“You know, Kei never acted this way for me.” I looked at her, a bit confused.

“Kei really cared for you, and you need to remember that he’s just scared.” I tried giving her a small smile.

“I know.” We went down, and she brings me to the pool where Dale is already there.

“Hi.”

“Hi.” I shyly greeted him back.

“You okay now?” I nodded and started diving into the pool.

The pool gets deeper the further you go away the stairs.

I let myself feel the cold water of the pool.

I also let myself float freely while looking up. I could see the clear sky where the sun is not that bright, my eyes do not even hurt even though I’m staring above for so long.

I saw Dale was just watching me, and once my heart calmed down, I decided to speak with him.

“Do you believed that I killed Kei’s mother?” He looked at me and smirked.

“When I first laid my eyes on you, I had already sensed something suspicious. The surname Del Luna is so familiar to me. And the fact that you know something about fighting and guns, yes, I believed that you killed Kei’s mother.” I wasn’t surprised at his response anymore and just continued on staring up at the sky.

“But it seems to me he had done something bad to you, as well.” I turned to him.

“You were screaming ‘Lolo’ repeatedly, and I heard it from outside Kei’s room. That’s why I barged in to check what’s happening. You don’t have to say it. I’m already aware of the dirty stuff that man does for a living.” His words made me fall silent.

Supposedly it should just be Kei and Zeke who know about it, but unfortunately, Dale figured it out on his own.

When we arrived home here yesterday, Zeke let me go up to Keian’s room. But of course, I visited Ema and Jane before doing so.

They are still shocked that Nathan is dead. I don’t know if they knew that I was the one who killed him, but it’d be much better if they don’t figure that one out.

As I reached the room, I immediately changed clothes and thought of a lot of things about Keian.

I probably fell asleep around 12:00.

Right now, it’s just seven in the morning, that’s why the climate was a bit cold and especially the water in this pool.

“My sister. She suffered from depression because of the Il Massimo Impero.” I looked back at Dale, who started speaking. He was gazing from afar while reminiscing.

“She saw one of their transactions, and they have to make sure she won’t tell the police.” His fists clenched into a ball.

“They tortured her, just to print out on her mind the fear that she will face once she tattles. She went home one night, and she couldn’t stand up properly. I’m just 15 at that time. I didn’t know what to do.” He looked back at me and saw his eyes getting red.

I stepped out of the pool and sat beside him.

“When she died, I told myself that I’ll get revenge. My plan was to kill the old man alone. I planned that for years but then Kei and the others got in the picture. I was mad at first ’cause they felt like a hindrance to my plan, but when I found out that we have a common goal, I joined forces with Kei. When we killed Maximo, I decided to permanently be a part of Marques Mafia. Keiranz had saved me multiple times, and even if there were episodes of him almost hurting me, I didn’t leave. I owe him my life and my sister’s life.”