The Mafia’s Forbidden Desire

ROSALINDA He embodied the archetype of typical mafia bosses, exploiting women for their selfish needs and discarding them at will, like dirt bags. I only knew of Rebecca, but I was sure there was a lot more. Antonio was everything I was against, everything I vowed to never condone, everything about the mafia. Yet, here I was, betraying my own principles and compromising my moral compass. Despite what he did to Rebecca, I didn’t stop loving him. I loved him as much as I loved myself-even more. Now, I was convinced that there was nothing he could do that could ever diminish my love for him. He was my everything. I had fallen so deeply that I could never be saved-I didn’t want to be saved. I woke up to the sound of splattering water from the bathroom, signifying that Antonio had returned home. I had slept off while thinking of him and waiting for him to return. I wondered where he went. Getting out of bed, I walked towards the bathroom to see him, only to stop in my tracks when my gaze landed on something hanging from the pocket of his coat that was draped over the sofa’s arm. With cautious steps, I approached the sofa, and from the pocket of the coat, I retrieved a white handkerchief stained with blood. My brows furrowed together as I stared at it, wondering whose blood it was. Just then, he stepped out of the bathroom, a smile curling on his lips when he sighted me. But when he saw what I was holding, his smile faltered. “Did you get injured?” I asked as I inched closer to him, loosely holding the stained handkerchief. Sighing, he snatched it from me. I quickly observed his body to see if there was any cut or injury, but there wasn’t any trace of bandages or injuries-just old scars. A frown masked my face, as only one thought coursed through my mind-he murdered someone. “Whose blood is this?” I demanded. “You don’t have to worry yourself about it.” He said nonchalantly as he trudged towards the closet. “I want to know.” I insisted, following him. “Did you kill someone?” “Rosa.” He sighed as he briefly stared at me. “Don’t worry yourself about it.” He didn’t deny it. He definitely killed someone. But who? “Antonio…” I eyed him suspiciously. “Did you kill Rebecca?” “What? No!” He exclaimed defensively. “Why would I?”

I shrugged. “Because she tried to kill me.”Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

He sighed. “I didn’t kill her.” “Then who did you kill?” I demanded. Sighing, he shook his head. “It’s better I don’t tell you.” “I want to know.” I insisted. I wondered why he was adamant about not telling me. His refusal only fueled my curiosity, and I needed to get the answer from him. “Why don’t you want to tell me?”

I pressed on. “Because I don’t want to involve you in matters like this. Just let it go, Rosa. I’m not going to tell you who. It’s no one important.” He said dismissively. Angrily, I stomped out of the room and made my way to the living room, wondering who it was, why he did it, and why he was so adamant on not telling me. I was frustratingly livid! Slouching on the couch, I grabbed the remote control and turned on the television to watch, trying to get my mind off of my altercation with Antonio. My eyes widened, and my mouth fell agape at the graphic news playing on the television. “A twenty-five-year-old woman named Rebecca Martins fell to her death from the rooftop. It’s not certain if it was murder or suicide, but the authorities are carrying out the necessary investigations. Three men were also found dead with gunshot wounds in a room in the same hotel. Could these deaths be related?” Oh, no. A complete and utter combination of rage, shock, and sadness enveloped me as I jumped to my feet and bustled to the room to confront Antonio for lying to my face. “Antonio!” I yelled as I banged the door open and trotted towards him. His brows drew together as he stared at me. He was sitting on the bed, seemingly deep in thought, when I entered. “You fucking lied to me!” I yelled. “About what?” “I just saw on the news that Rebecca fell to her death from the rooftop.” “I didn’t kill her.” He didn’t seem fazed, hinting that he already knew, and that only made my suspicions grow stronger. “You keep lying to me. I thought we agreed to never keep secrets from each other. I tried to trust you, but you keep giving me reasons not to.” “Fuck, I wouldn’t lie to you, Rosalinda. Don’t you get that? I fucking didn’t kill her.” He groaned. “But you killed someone tonight.” “Yes.” I folded my arms over my chest. “Who?” A suspicion crossed through my mind, and I asked. “The men at the same hotel?” “Yes.” He confirmed my guess. I raised a brow. “Why? Who are they? I mean, who were they?” He sighed, pressing his lips tightly together as he replied. “Because they were going to kill you.” Confusion spread across my features. “What do you mean?” I exhaled sharply. “Suddenly everyone is after my life.” “Ask your Papa about this one. It has nothing to do with me.” That got me even more confused. “Wait. What?” “Fuck. Rosalinda, you shouldn’t be curious about everything. Just let it go! I don’t want to involve you in the darkness of this world in any way.” “I was already involved the second I was born into it!” I countered with fury. Someone was after my life, and I had every right to know why and who. “If you are well-versed in it, you would know that there are things you shouldn’t know.” He retorted strongly. He leapt to his feet and began walking out of the room. “Where are you going?”

I demanded. “We are not done here.” “I have to go somewhere.” He replied without bothering to look at me. “Where?” “I’ll be right back.” Was the only thing he said before opening the door and slipping out of the room. I was beyond frustrated. He not only denied me the knowledge of who was after my life but also walked out on me. Fuck! Damn it! Ruby’s call came in, and I took a deep breath before picking it up. “My heart is broken.” She lamented from the other end of the phone. Oh, same girl. “What happened?” I asked, concerned. “I’m at the Cheers Corner, and I plan to drink my life away. I need you. Where are you?” she asked. “I’m at home.” I told her. “You can’t make it right?” She sighed exasperatedly, and I could bet she rolled her eyes. “That prison you call home.” “No, I can.” I quickly said, surprising her and myself as well. “I would meet you there.” Leaving the mansion wouldn’t be an easy fit, but I needed the buzz, so I was going!