When Jennifer entered Adrian's room she saw him standing near the window, talking to James. "Oh! You came. Come sit, baby." Adrian motioned her to sit near them. They also took their places on the remaining chairs. "What did you want to talk about?" Jennifer jumped straight on point. "Actually, I wanted to tell you that I am really sorry I hurt you when I rejected you but I had to make it look convincing. Staying with me is not safe for you. Your dad is right. I am a mafia leader." Adrian stopped to look at Jennifer.
Jennifer was shocked. Her father was right. Adrian was a mafia leader who hurt people, or worse kill them. "Adrian… I" Jennifer couldn't say anything. They both started dating, literally an hour ago. What could she say? "I am really sorry for hiding it from you. I wanted to tell you but I was unsure of your reaction. " Adrian tried to explain. Jennifer stood up, followed by a panicked Adrian and James.
"I know I was wrong for lying to you. I'm sorry about it. Please listen to me first." Adrian was so panicked, his brain stopped functioning anymore. It has merely been an hour when he proposed to her. If he lost her because of his stupidity, he would never be able to forgive himself. To his surprise, Jennifer took a step forward and engulfed him in a big hug. "Jennifer…." Adrian was barely audible.
"Adrian, I fell in love with you. Lying was wrong but I am not leaving. Stop being so tense." This was to totally unexpected reply. Jennifer didn't mind him being a mafia. James was also shocked at the scene in front of him. He expected her to run or shout. At least, cry but Jennifer was embracing Adrian as he loosened up his body. "You don't mind me being a mafia?" Adrian questioned her.
"I do." Jennifer said the truth followed by her true opinion. "Mafia hurt people, they are bad. I love you so I'm not leaving but I want you to stop this. No more mafia." To Adrian, this sounded like his death sentence. No more his family. No more fun. What's life living worth, if not them. Given, that Jennifer was precious. Most precious that all the riches of the world but his group was equally important to him.
"This isn't happening." James spoke these words. His voice was firm and unfaltering. James had lost everything to be in this group. His life, his parents, his love. Everything. The only reason he was living was because of this group. He couldn't let anyone endanger it. At this moment, he couldn't even trust Adrian. Adrian would so anything that Jennifer says. Even without a second thought.
"Jennifer, you need to see something. Follow me but be quiet." Adrian told Jennifer as they both went out of the room, down the stairs to reach the landing. James caught up with them and stood in front of Adrian. "You can't disband us. We've given up everything. 3 days after disbanding, most of them will either be dead or in prison. You can't do this to them. They live because of you." James was ready to fight Adrian if needed. These guys had given up everything. They did not deserve it.
"We're not disbanding. Not now. Not in future. Never." Adrian assured James. Then, he turned to Jennifer, "Please be really quiet. I want to show you what we really do under the tag of mafia." Adrian led Jennifer into a long corridor. Several rooms were there. The first one was open so, Adrian entered in followed by Jennifer and James. "Did you see your living quarter? Now look at the rooms they live in."
The room looked more like a derelict dungeon. The walls were grey with evidences of wallpaper that might have adorned them years ago. The furniture was broken and the wood was creaky giving the room an creepy feeling. A broken lamp was placed near the desk that had a drawer missing. The bedsheet needed changing ages ago. There was no closet. The clothes were stacked in piles near the window. The curtains were half torn. Jennifer turned around to look at Adrian.
"How do they live here?" she questioned him. "They live here and yet they were more than happy to build your room that had all the facilities that they just dream of. They live in such poverty and yet are happy to let you live with the greater share of resources. Do you know why?" Adrian asked Jennifer as he held her by her shoulders. Jennifer shook her head as a no. "Because they know what you mean to me. And that is why I want you to know what they mean to me. Then you can decide if we should leave or stay. Hmm?" Adrian playfully touched Jennifer's nose.
By now, James had understood Adrian's idea. He took the lead and said, "The person who lives in this room is Kaleb. The first one to volunteer for the construction of your room. Do you know his past? His parents died when he was 3, in a car crash. He was on the streets for a long time, begging. Sometimes, he had to skip food for days together. When Adrian found him can you imagine what he was doing? He was returning a dollar to a lady who dropped it."
Jennifer's eyes were filled with tears after she heard Kaleb's story. An orphan at the age of 3, He spent scorching summers and freezing winters on the road, without food, without clothes. He could have stolen that dollar but his integrity was commendable. He returned that dollar. How touching! "Do you know that he had his first full meal and first Christmas when Adrian brought him here. His eyes were so engrossed, looking at all the food he only thought of having but could never afford." James told Jennifer about his hardships in detail.
Jennifer never thought somebody could have endured all these difficulties in one lifetime and yet smile the way Kaleb does. She saw him at the meeting before. His smile was captivating. Just then, another girl passes by the open door in a swift manner. "She's Sandra." Adrian took in charge this time. "Sandra's story is even more painful. She was sexually abused by three seniors of her high school who left her to die in some hotel room. When her boyfriend got to know about this, he broke up with her. Her parents were ashamed of her and told her to move out as soon as possible. When she didn't move out within three months, they kicked her out. That day, Sandra was about to attempt suicide when Joseph saw her. He saved her and brought her here. Since that day, Sandra lives with us."
Jennifer was so moved. She started crying. Adrian wiped a tear off her cheek and said, "Don't start crying right now. There are a lot more members to be introduced yet." as he hugged her, warming her up.
A little word of kindness: These stories of hardships aren't fictions. Many children actually suffer a lot. If you know somebody like that, help them out. It jsut takes a smile or a compliment to enlighten their day. Share an ice cream, maybe. Thanks. I hope this helps 💜