Dear My Mafia

The sound of gunfire coming from outside the building surprised everyone. They ran around looking for another way out as the iron doors of the warehouse were broken down by the New York City Special Police Unit. Most of the new recruit members chose to hide in the place and surrender, as they were completely inexperienced in this field.

Matt, however, was not. Matt Octo was the boss's trusted confidant. He swiftly ran up to his boss, Antonio, and stood behind him, gun in hand.

"I'll protect you," he said as he pulled out a gun from under his shirt. "We're leaving now, Boss!"

Antonio nodded in agreement and immediately ran to another corner of the building, where he had prepared an escape route in case something unexpected like this happened. Unfortunately, this was all too sudden.

Matt continued to trail behind Antonio as the sound of the main gate finally opened. A commotion started behind them. And of course, some of the special police units intentionally targeted Antonio as the main arrest and continued to chase him. Sensing that they were about to pass through a secret passageway, Matt took the initiative to stop them there, making Antonio turn around instantly.

Antonio scrunched up his face angrily. "What the hell?! Why did you stop, you idiot?!"

But in a brave gesture, Matt mounted his stance and stood ready, pointing his trigger guard forward while narrowing one eye. "You go, I'll stay here to protect you."

That man with the white shirt and shiny gray-black suit tried to pull Matt's shirt collar, then said, "You're crazy, huh?! Let's go!"

Unfortunately, Matt's mind was made up. He dedicated himself to saving Antonio until the end like a loyal dog. Instead, the man brushed off Antonio's hand that was hooked on his shirt and pushed him towards the secret door on his left side. "They're coming, you need to get out of here."

And without further ado, Matt had already averted his gaze and started firing at the pursuing policemen in front of him. The gunshots snapped Antonio out of his reverie, he refocused and quickly ran away from Matt, his subordinate and best friend in the business.

Antonio had already passed the door, but hadn't closed it. He desperately hoped Matt would follow his lead and escape the shootout.

Unfortunately... the gods of fortuna were not on Antonio's side.

In the next shot, Antonio saw with his own eyes that one of the bullets of the policemen penetrated deep into Matt's head, causing him to fall to the cold floor. Like a slow scene in a movie, Antonio and Matt exchanged glances before Matt finally fell and lost consciousness. His eyes stretched upwards and that was the last time Antonio saw him, while blood began to pool around.

Antonio wanted so badly to stop and hug Matt, an assistant who had been faithfully accompanying him for years. He wanted to at least say thank you and say goodbye. But the sound of steps coming from behind made him abandon that idea.

Antonio closed the door and pressed the buttons on the side so that the metal door closed immediately. The police could no longer chase him, but the 40-year-old was not at all relieved.

Matt's death had punctured his ever-darkening heart. It made him feel even worse that he had been betrayed by those closest to him.

In his grieving mood, Antonio still had to move on. He used the car stored in the secret room and exited through the underground passage they had prepared. All the ideas came from Matt during the construction process and were carried out. Who would have thought that all these secret passages would actually work for him even though Antonio had to spend more money in the end.

The man managed to escape and blend in with other vehicles in the crowded suburbs of New York City. The car's simple appearance, with its unshiny black color, made Antonio not attract attention. He even managed to pass the special police officers who were deliberately watching from afar to keep an eye on his little black car.

He turned around and headed towards the Brooklyn Bridge. No matter how long it takes him or how much fuel he spends to get there, Antonio keeps driving.

The Brooklyn Bridge may be famous for being very old. But Antonio remembers this place as the place where he first met Matt Octo, a friend, companion, brother, and the only person he could trust. His encounter with Matt was a harrowing one, because at the time, Matt was dying and almost dead from being beaten up by another mobster. He was in debt, he said. But Matt's condition at that time reminded Antonio of himself in the past and without consideration, Antonio decided to help Matt.

Antonio's tanned eyes darted around as he got out of the car. There was something urgent in the corners of his eyes, though he didn't actually cry. He just inhaled as much air as he could and exhaled heavily. Thin vapor also came out of his mouth. Coincidentally, that night was Christmas Eve. It was snowing and making everyone's bodies cold. But the difference was that Matt's body could no longer be warmed.

The man had died, sacrificing himself for Antonio.

There was a pain that ran through Antonio's chest. Somehow, the man felt that it was his first time in a long time. His father's death was his last. But Matt's departure meant a lot to him. He took a step forward, holding onto the strong and sturdy edge of the bridge, and looked at the calm flow of the East River on a cloudy night.

Matt once said that for him, all days were the same. Since his parents had died after being murdered, Matt had had bad and hard days. The rest of his family didn't want him around. He was often dumped and ignored. Living alone in a city as big as New York was only painful for the grieving Matt. Gambling and debt were his darkest companions. Until Antonio came along, helped him when he thought he was going to die, gave him hope and shared a bittersweet life together. Christmas was warm enough for Matt because he finally felt he had a family.

But on this Christmas Eve... It was Antonio who felt like he had just lost his only family.

Antonio clenched his fists tightly as one face crossed his mind.

Elliot Maximus.

The ugly-faced jerk who had betrayed their partnership.

The man gritted his teeth as he pictured Elliot's sweet face promising this and that. Especially his loyalty to Antonio. Instead, he disappeared after stealing hundreds of items worth millions of dollars and put Antonio in this difficult situation.

Also... Elliot was the reason why Matt was shot dead and died today.

"I will take revenge on you, Elliot. An eye for an eye, a life for a life!"

Life is not always easy, and Rose's is no exception. The first child of Jasmine Miles and Arnold Pennington, Rose Pennington, was forced to live a hard life when she was exactly twenty-five years old.

Arnold Pennington succumbed to chronic meningitis at the age of forty-two, doctors said his condition was already very severe and alarming. Unfortunately, Rose couldn't do anything to keep him alive. Her savings from working at Aunt Marry's small restaurant, her mother's best friend, for a few months couldn't even help. Arnold eventually died in his sleep.

But Rose's suffering didn't stop there. Because a few years later, her mother was also diagnosed with the same disease. Her condition wasn't as severe as Arnold's at first, but over time, things took a turn for the worse.

Jasmine could only lay in place. Every now and then, she would go for a check-up to see if her condition was improving.

Before suffering from this terrible disease, Jasmine had a relationship with a man she met at Aunt Marry's restaurant. Elliot, Rose knew the name. But Rose wasn't too interested in her mother's romance. Besides, Rose didn't like Elliot.

A well-built man who promised so much to Jasmine, her mother.

Actually, Rose didn't really understand the relationship between Jasmine and Elliot. All of a sudden they decided to get married and live together before Rose even really got to know the strange man. She also didn't talk much to her mother's new husband because Rose was busy working at Aunt Marry's restaurant.

Then suddenly, all her nightmares came true. Aunt Marry's fast-food restaurant slowly began to empty out and her mother fell ill. Elliot began to return home less frequently. Even if he did come home, he only came drunk and made a mess.

"How are you feeling today, Mom?"

Jasmine smiled as Rose sat on the edge of her bed. "Better. How about you, you came home early today? Nothing happened, did it?"

Honesty was a value that Rose held in high regard. But apparently, it no longer applied to her. She shrugged her shoulders quickly, then gently massaged Jasmine's legs which were covered by a white blanket. "Everything is fine. Aunt Marry just wanted to close the restaurant early," she lied. "And I think she wants to give me more time to take care of you."

Jasmine got out of bed, and leaned back against the pillow that Rose had repositioned. So that she could now take a position leaning against the wall with her pillow as support. Her sad blue eyes looked up at the only daughter she had, and a small, forced smile appeared on her pale lips. "You shouldn't have to do this. I can take care of myself, Rose."

"No big deal, Mom."

"Since I've been sick, you don't seem to hang out with friends much, do you?"

Rose laughed softly, faintly sounding bitterness in it. "I don't need friends you know. Well... they just come and go. Keeping you around like this is more fun, Mom."

There was no better response Jasmine could have shown than a small smile to the daughter who had now grown into a beautiful adult woman. Her thin hand caressed the top of Rose's head. And their eyes met for some time, before Jasmine said, "Elliot came to see me this morning."

Which made Rose's brow furrow instantly. "What?"

"He came and talked about some things."

"So, what did he say? He gave you money? He was supposed to apologize for being gone for so long, wasn't he?" Rose's tone was rising, she was angry at Elliot, that asshole.

But her mother only replied briefly. "He just left it."

Rose's blue eyes instantly turned in the direction Jasmine was pointing with her hand. To the piece of paper lying on the nightstand.

"She said it was for you."

Rose turned around with a puzzled expression. "For me?"

And just as quickly, Rose's hand picked up the paper from the table, opened it and read what was written on it. "To Rose."

Jasmine, who had been sitting where she was, remained silent and waited for the princess to finish her sentence.

"If you need money for your mother, I can give it to you. Come to my place tonight." Rose looked at Jasmine, then turned over the paper she was holding. "She gave me an address."

"Is that a good thing?"

"That jerk sent me an address, Mom. You can see how irresponsible he is, can't you?"

Jasmine sighed and pursed her lips. "You should still speak politely to someone older, Rose."

Even though Jasmine could not say it clearly, she still defended Elliot. Rose spluttered and closed the paper again before crossing her arms over her chest. "You should have asked my opinion before marrying that jerk, Mom."

"Rose..."

"Alright alright, 'Elliot'. Are you happy now?"

Jasmine smiled and chimed in. "He was quite nice at first, wasn't he? He even bought you things even though you weren't his daughter."

"I was already twenty at the time and could buy my own things, he was just being arrogant, there's nothing for you to be proud of, Mom. Really."

"I think we should end this conversation before we start arguing, don't you?"

Rose mumbled for a while, then picked up the medicine and a glass of water on the table, which she handed to the thin woman in front of her. "You should take your medicine before talking about Elliot makes your condition worse."

"You sound like you hate him a lot," Jasmine concluded as she accepted the medicine and water from Rose.

"I hate him so much, you just keep pretending you don't know, Mom."

After finishing, Rose helped Jasmine put the glass back on the table and lowered her pillow to its original position. Rose also put a blanket over her mother's stomach to keep her warm.

"Are you going to see him?" asked Jasmine suddenly.

"You mean to see that asshole?"

"Rose...," Jasmine scolded again.

To which the woman in her plain black T-shirt responded casually. She rolled her eyes lazily and crossed her arms over her chest again. "First, let me swear for her, Mom. And secondly, yes, I will go see him. I'll take a lot of money from him so that I can take you to a better place. Got it?"

"Are you sure?"

"Why did you suddenly become doubtful, Mom?"

"Because I thought you hated him?"

Rose shrugged her shoulders quickly. "I just hate him, but not the money."

She turned and waved as she finished making Jasmine comfortable on her bed.

Every morning Rose would make the bed, making it clean and smelling nice so that her mother would feel comfortable even if it was just her bed all day. Rose also never imagined that at such a young age, she would have to fight for her mother. And she had to fight against meningitis.

With a little information from the general practitioner where Jasmine was examined and additional articles on the internet, Rose more or less knew that meningitis is an inflammation that occurs in the meningen, the protective layer that covers the human brain and spinal cord. It was a bit complex and confusing, as Jasmine only showed flu-like symptoms at first.

All age groups have the potential to contract meningitis, including infants. But of all ages, why Jasmine? Why her mother? Why did it affect the only family she had?

Rose sighed before putting on her black leather jacket that she had stashed behind the door, getting out and boarding the taxi that she had stopped.

Her plan was to go to Elliot, ask for the money he promised, then slap him and leave. But the plan that had been designed in such a way could only reach the plan stage, never becoming real. Because Rose's expectations were immediately contradicted by reality.

She was dropped off by a taxi in front of a nightclub. A sign with glowing lights that read Heaven's Club greeted Rose's senses. She had no idea that the place Elliot was referring to was a nightclub. As she looked around, several adult men and women could be seen entering and exiting through a single door with a burly bouncer in front of them. Their clothes were mostly flashy and revealing. Rose looked different as she was wearing a leather jacket and torn denim pants that night.

Someone accidentally bumped into her from behind and snapped her out of her reverie. She immediately approached the guard to ask.

"Excuse me."

"What are you doing here, young lady?"

Rose looked nervous because of the lascivious gaze directed at the burly man in front of her. She felt uncomfortable afterward. But her curiosity about Elliot made her continue, "I'm looking for Elliot."

The man's forehead wrinkled in his plain short black T-shirt. "Elliot? Elliot Maximus?"

"Do you know Elliot?"

Then the man's laughter broke out there. He shrugged his shoulders after laughing and said, "He's Jean's favorite person."

"Okaaay, then who is Jean? Is he an important person?"

"He's very important here."

Rose raised both eyebrows. "Oh, really?" she asked feigning interest. "Then where can I meet Elliot tonight?"

There was a pause, the tall, bulky guard muttered briefly, then leaned forward. "You won't be able to find him anywhere."

Rose's eyebrows furrowed. "What?"

The man returned to his original position before holding Rose's hand very firmly.

The woman panicked and screamed. "Hey what the hell! Let go of me!"

But the guard completely ignored Rose's screams. Instead, he pulled the woman, whose body was much smaller than his, into the club. Where the sound of loud music and colorful light bulbs began to disturb Rose who had never set foot in this place.

"Let go of me! What the hell?"

Unfortunately Rose's voice was like the wind passing in the ears of the man who until this moment, Rose didn't know whose name it was. His body was too big and strong for Rose to do anything. She couldn't even resist the big guard who kept taking her deeper. Until finally they arrived in front of a brown wooden door with a hanging board that read 'no entry' in front of it.

Rose wondered in her heart why she, who didn't know this man at all, was forced into such a noisy and unfamiliar club. Even if she asked the man next to her, she knew that she wouldn't get any answer.

That is, until the man knocked twice on the door before grabbing the knob and pushing the door in front of him. He didn't enter alone as his burly arms pulled Rose inside with him.

The door closed and Rose no longer heard the noise behind her.

But the scent of chamomile flowers and peppermint leaves that suddenly infiltrated Rose's sense of smell made her curious. She followed the eyes of the guard beside her and saw a short woman with large breasts and buttocks walking towards them.

The woman waved her long blonde hair back, but Rose knew that the woman was only wearing a wig. She came closer and stopped right in front of Rose's face. Her brown eyes looked at Rose from toe to head expressionlessly, then looked at the guard next to her and moved one hand in the air, signaling so that the man immediately took a few steps back.

And the woman with a very striking look turned her gaze back to Rose. "So... you are Rose Pennington?"

The question made Rose furrow her brow in curiosity. "How did you know?"

The woman laughed, just like the guard. But the woman's laughter was loud and shrill, almost making Rose faint from the goosebumps it gave her.

She refocused after stifling her own laughter and huffed. One eyebrow rose and her gaze turned sharp. "Do you know what Elliot has done to you, young lady?"

"I'm not sure."

"He sold you to me."

Rose was shocked and panicked. She threw her hands up in the air and hurriedly interrupted. "Woh, wait! Wait a minute, this must be a misunderstanding. I didn't come here to... sell myself or anything like that."

The woman named Jean muttered briefly before further saying, "Then... how did you come here? Isn't it because Elliot asked you to?"

"Yeah, well... I mean Elliot did ask me to come here, but it was because he promised me some money to-" Rose's words hung in the air just like that, as she finally realized what Elliot meant in that shabby piece of paper. "I think he just tricked me."

Jean laughed again. This time, however, he didn't ask Rose a question. Instead, she shook her head and chuckled. "I don't like your outfit. Now you go to that room and choose one of the ones I have there."

"What?" Rose put her hands together and knelt down. "Look, ma'am, I've been tricked and I'd like to ask for your humility to let me go. I don't want to sell myself like this."

"Aww, sweetie, you touched my heart so much. But unfortunately, I've already given my money to that stepfather of yours. And...," Jean threw a wad of money on the floor, right in front of Rose for her to see. "That's for you."

The woman's chest heaved. In all her years working at Aunt Marry's restaurant, Rose had never seen such a large bill. She wanted it, or rather, she needed it. Suddenly her mother's face flashed into her head. That money could have saved her mother. She could have taken her mother to the best hospital for treatment. But her conscience refused to compromise.

All her life, Rose had never known love. She also couldn't get involved with anyone because she was taking care of her sick father. Even when she was old enough, she had to accompany her mother. Rose had no experience in that area. She really was. That woman had no idea what to do. Even if she sold her virginity, Rose wasn't sure that men would continue to book her services.

The blue bead looked up, at Jean who still had his arms crossed over his chest. She swallowed hard before finally asking, "Do... I get this much for my body?"

"That's right and you can get even more if you can serve my customers well," Jean said, she sounded like an angel now.

Rose picked up the wad of money in front of her and slowly moved away. Her eyes couldn't look away from the tantalizing bills. "Can I take my mom to the hospital with this money?"

"Oh, sure. But... you can't go tonight."

"Why?"

"Because you have your first tenant."

*