Past

Today was a long day. I needed something to refresh my mind so I headed towards the kitchen. Hellen was there, already preparing some drinks for me. "Did you place the order for the new car?" Mom asked Hellen, suddenly emerged from the living room. I glanced shortly at Hellen before addressing mom, "She didn't. Mom you need to understand that all this money is not for wasting and buying stuff we don't need. you don't even how to drive yet," I explained.

Mom stared at me with a dead expression. "Do what I said love. You don't want me to get angry all over again..." she threatened me. I gulped. This was my weakness and mom knew exactly when to bring this up, even when unnecessary. I just walked out of there, breathing heavily.

That night, I saw a dream. Mom had a dagger in her hand, her face was covered up and she was running away from something; from her own filth. Suddenly two men appeared to try to bring her back to where she came from. I winced as she ruthlessly hit the man in the face, then slowly slicing away his neck.

Then she aimed at the second man; but before she could injure him, moonlight reflected off of his face showing his face distinctly. Mom gasped and fell down on her knees. My face tightened seeing dad. Then without thinking she attacked him out of the blue. He bawled under the moonlight as the psycho women continued to attack her own husband. She looked up to finally grab my hand and run away with me.

"You saw nothing, ok? I love you," She repeated as we sat on the bench near the train station. I nodded but my eyes said otherwise. My face was still horror struck and my legs felt weak. I was continuously shaking. 'I LOVE YOU' was what I heard her say to dad numerous times and I saw what she did to him. Was I next? I realized this wasn't in my head for I had said this out loudly. Mom was caught off guard by this question but soon smiled and said, "Only if you anger me enough or let this secret out," she then made a hand gesture like she was zipping up my mouth, gliding her hand over my lips slowly, giving me a stare I will never forget. This was the first crime I saw as a 13 year old and my life soon came to be this, the mafia world. The dream ended with me shouting and sweating in my room, loud enough for everyone to gather around. I assured everyone I was ok without being able to look at mom in the eyes.

Some memories haunt you forever and this was one of mine. After mom killed my real dad in front of my eyes, the naive Lia was far gone. I was slowly getting used to murders and crimes after mom married another man who was the leader of the mafia that I rule now. My mom was a secret agent for him since college and marrying my dad was just way to be less suspicious in the eyes of her family. This was an immense blow to my dad and I. So after my dad found out who she really was he decided to turn her in but she ran away and the rest was history. My mom had a pretty messed up past and most of my mess was due to her but I was used to living with this. Her bringing this incident was something I could never deal with. I had sure seen worse cases but none of them was my dad or someone closely related and this was something I could never get over because no matter how heartless I am now, I saw my dad being murdered when I was still a child and still unaware.

My mom was the only person I was scared of, someone who could shut me up because no one could match her level of psychopathy and I avoided making her angry. I didn't hate her but she sometimes made me uncomfortable and talked about ridiculous stuff and did harmful things to others. This became more frequent after my step-dad's death. Like this one time when she set one of the maid's hair on fire because she found a hair in her salad. Mom was a maniac.

Enough of mom now, I had other things to focus on. That day my mind just didn't seem to function properly. After dinner I received a text message from someone. It was Leo. I opened the chat and the conversation went something like this:

Leo: Hi

Lia: Hello. Any updates from Jay?

Leo: Oh that, no.

*Some awkward silence and then I texted again.*

Lia: So what's up? Anything you wanted to tell me?

Leo: No.

*After a few more failed conversations I finally decided to say goodbye.

Late at night, I checked all the news regarding the punt-taking event to make sure it was still taking place. Leo and I were to enter together and act like we were here to gamble like the rest. I don't remember what the others would be doing behind everyone's backs but I was determined to put up my best act.

Just then Leo texted once again.

Leo: Hi, umm I was wondering if we would match the colour of our dresses. You know to act and look like a real couple. You don't have to if you don't want.

*I smiled and texted back*

Lia: So that is what you wanted to ask. Of course we can. I didn't realize you were this shy before. Oh and yes I was sleepy in the start of the meeting, thanks for you concern ;)

*Leo sent a bunch of laughing emojis*

Leo: By the way I am not shy, I just got the idea. So.. what colour?

Lia: Blue.

Leo: Oh? I thought we could go with red.

*After a few arguments on what colour to wear. We finally settled on royal blue.*

After that we talked for a some more time before I decided it was too late and went to sleep. I made a new friend, I guess.