The Russians

MARGAUX

"Russians, Margie," I could hear my father's voice echoing inside my head while he was giving me a lecture about the Russian Mafia. "Are the batch that you wouldn't want as your enemies. They are ruthless and compared to us, they are bigger and held much more power within the mafia. I hope you keep that in mind, Margie. Never cross a Russian Mafia boss."

Well, I for one never really listened anyway. I laughed sarcastically inside my head as I found myself having the need to defend my dignity at the expense of getting fired and getting toasted by the Russian Mafia later on.

Aside from their look, I had identified the tattoo etched on the neck of one out of the three largely built men whose orders I had just delivered. There was no mistaking that they were part of a Russian Mafia. I did not specifically do anything to get them mad. It was actually the other way around. What I did was merely self-defense. However, in the eye of my employer, customers are always right.

I knew that the best thing that I could have done was to let it slide. But my father did not raise me that way. I had to roll my eyes at the thought. A little while ago, his warning about the Russian Mafia had rung in my ears like he was there with me, lecturing me about it. And then now, his advice on defending myself against perverts was what was running inside my head.

They were two contradictory warnings. I smirked thinking that if he had been alive, I would have told him off about it. I imagined him furrowing his brows at me for that and then ended up telling me that he was old and blah blah blah. I shook off the thought. Right now, that was not very helpful.

Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Mary coming my way while most of the people around had distanced themselves from the commotion as I had just splashed the glass of beverage on the middle-aged Russian Mafia's face, the one with the visible tattoo on his neck, as he had claimed that he 'accidentally' brushed his hands against my thigh.

He muttered a string of curses and had flipped the table in anger, breaking the utensils and throwing away the meal that they had ordered.

If he had thought that the gesture would lead me to back down and kneel an apology, he was wrong.

Towering over me, the man came near and gave me a death glare, pointing a finger close to my face.

"You would not want to know whom you have just crossed, little lady. I'll make sure that you remember my face. It might be the last thing you ever see." I smirked, holding his glare without budging.

If he was expecting me to cower in fear with his threat, he was wrong. Instead, I raised my chin in defiance.

"Oh, I know who you are. Maybe your threat is a two way ticket. You better watch your back, Mister Russian sir."

The anger that flickered in his eyes showed that he was not amused with what I had said. I did not care. As a matter of fact, I was so close to laughing in his face and showing him who was the boss. But then, I did not want to ignite his anger even further or he might pull out the gun that was surely hidden somewhere around his body.

Though, I had wanted not to care about that tiny little detail, I had to think of the consequences if he actually did so.

The least he could do was scratch me with a bullet perhaps, however, at this point, I cannot afford any sort of wounds or it can affect my preparation to face off with Takahashi. Nope, I cannot let that happen.

I was already itching to avenge my people. The sooner that I get everything ready and planned, the better. It was high-time for this game to end once and for all.

But, that thought should be reserved for another time. Right now, there was the Russian Mafia guy that I had to deal with.

"What is going on?" I mentally sighed as I heard Felix, the manager, in time for Mary to pull me a little to the side.

"That was badass, by the way," she whispered in my ears and I had to clamp my mouth shut to stop myself from giggling, else I would be in deeper trouble than I already was.

"Is this the kind of service we get? I am never stepping foot in this restaurant ever again," I watched the horrified look on Felix's face as he rushed after the Russian Mafia, sending a death glare towards me before proceeding. The probability of me losing the job was pretty high. Yet, I couldn't help but pat myself on the back, priding myself in what I had accomplished.

I was also well aware that I might be paying a price later. After all, no one messes with the mafia, any mafia. That was a rule for every mafia crew.

Should I be scared? I scoffed. If there was anyone who should be, it was them. They might be dangerous and ruthless, but they had never met me. I am, after all, Margaux Cortez.

--

TAKAHASHI

"Nicolo Santos is a forty year old man. He has no recorded history of any involvement with the mafia. It also appeared that he has no family and any known relatives. There was nothing else that could be found regarding Rhythm. The employees have clean records too."

I silently contemplated on this report, playing with the ring I was wearing.

"They are good. This crew had hidden themselves well. It seems like they are not to be underestimated as well,"

I remained silent, staring off at a distance. Margaux Cortez is indeed something. She knew how to play the game. I smirked.

"Good." I muttered.

"Good?" Paul stated, repeating what came out of my mouth. I waved a hand towards Hanabi, dismissing her as I turned towards Paul.

"Yes, good. This means that Margaux is preparing to put up a good fight. This means that she won't disappoint," Paul held my gaze. Even after a year, I still could not read the man. It was not surprising though. After all, he had mastered the art of playing nonchalance.

"I have warned you, Takahashi. You better keep that in mind. Margaux is not someone you can easily break. That kid is probably made of iron."

I looked at Paul, letting my smirk deepen.

"I am not afraid Paul. In fact, this is something I am looking forward to."