Ayra's POV
Stand. Lie down. Stand. Lie down.
That's what I've been doing over and over again. Standing up and lying down because of the pounding headache. I felt it as soon as I woke up.
I got up to take care of myself. I was dressed all in black. I tucked my gun into my waistband because I was heading to the hideout. I just needed to talk to the captive.
I walked out of the room and was slightly surprised to see a group of men dressed in black. They were holding Ace, Falcon, Ross, Dave, Kim, and Jean.
"Butler Min, what happened? They are my friends," I snapped impatiently.
"Apologies, Cancer. I thought they were enemies," he replied respectfully.
"I was eating!" Dave protested with his mouth full.
"You can kill them, Falcon," I said with a grin.
"I was sleeping when they were caught," he replied lazily. He looked tired and didn't seem inclined to move.
"Let them go, Butler Min."
When they released my friends, they all bowed to me.
"Woah!" Ross exclaimed, wide-eyed and fascinated by the sight. He acted like a child.
"She's the boss, Ross," Kim explained to him.
"Ah. Like in the movies. If the subordinates are disrespectful or traitorous, they get killed right away. How rude," Kim commented.
"You know a lot, Kim," Ace teased, and we all looked at her.
"My grandfather is also a mafia. It's amusing to see how all his subordinates bow down to him," she said with a smile while sharing a story.
"So you're mafia, too?" Ace asked directly.
"No. I backed out. He killed my father. He has no heart or mercy. He can kill anyone who opposes his plans."
I interjected. "What's your grandfather's name?"
"He didn't tell me. He said he'd only reveal himself when I become a full-fledged mafia or accept my role in his organization."
"Did your parents mention him?" I asked again.
"My mom is my grandfather's daughter. Since I was a child, my mom never mentioned him. She said it's better if I stay silent."
I stared into her eyes. With the words she had just spoken, I knew she was telling the truth. It seemed like she was completely unaware.
"Good to hear that," I responded without much thought.
I walked away.
"Where are you going?" Falcon asked, puzzled.
I turned to face him with a raised eyebrow. "To the bathroom, care to join me?"
"Why not? You're—what the fuck? Are you always carrying a weapon like that?!" he exclaimed.
He glared at me suspiciously.
"You deserve it," I snapped, continuing to walk away.
"I'm asking you, Ayra. Where are you going?"
"Stop asking me, asshole!" I shouted. "Do whatever you want. Even if you want to die, I don't care!"
I didn't hear what he said next as I walked out of the house. I frowned when I saw that Butler Min's men were still guarding the place.
"Butler Min?" I asked him, wondering why he hadn't returned to the hideout yet.
"Your life is in danger, Cancer. We're here to protect you."
I took a deep breath. "Thank you, but I'm leaving."
I got into my car and drove to the hideout. Once I arrived, I got out of the car.
It was located in the middle of the forest, surrounded by tall metal fences. They were meant to prevent enemies from entering too easily.
We were able to set this up because of our connections with other mafia groups. When we eliminate enemies, we can take over their companies, properties, and even bank accounts. Dirty money, as they call it. Some people join the mafia to get rich or get richer. My reasons are different, driven by revenge.
The money we obtain is also used to buy various types of guns, which are exchanged in what they call "transactions."
I entered the hideout with Butler Min. When his men saw me, they immediately bowed.
We got into the elevator that would take us to the tenth floor, where the captive was being held.
We entered a room, and I pressed the red button before the door opened, leading us to the underground area. We descended, and the door closed automatically. Even the guards stationed here bowed in unison.
When we reached the end of the passage, I saw Jeraldine and Dark. Jeraldine's sibling is Jeramine.
"Cancer," they both greeted, bowing.
"Where is he?" I asked them coldly.
"Good news. He admitted that he's Crionine's son," Dark said.
Nice one, Dark. So, he's the son, huh.
"Is he telling the truth?" I inquired.
"Yes, Cancer."
I entered a room and saw him sitting in a chair, covered in bruises and wounds. He still had a smirk on his face.
"I've been waiting for you, Cancer," he said. "You still look beautiful. There's no denying that you and Black are siblings. Except he's dead now. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
He laughed maniacally, echoing in my ears. I took out my gun and pointed it at him immediately.
"What do you want from me? Why do you need to kill me?" I calmly asked while avoiding his gaze.
"Well, I don't know! HAHAHAHAHAHA!"
"Hmm." I pulled the trigger lightly, causing him to panic.
"Here it is. We need to kill you because you're the one who will bring us down. We can't be defeated by a mere woman!"
"Why did you kill my brother?"
"We killed him... W-We killed your brother becau—"
I didn't let him finish. I shot him right away. I figured I wouldn't get any useful information from him. My patience was running short.
"You're quite cocky, huh?" I taunted.
"Did he confess?" Dark asked as soon as I stepped out of the room.
"He's dead," I answered directly. "Send a message to the Crionine Family. Tell them that Cancer killed their son. Their boss will be furious."
"Butler Min," I turned to him, giving him the orders. "Clean it up. Make sure there are no traces left. It's a mess," I ordered. "Any updates?"
"We haven't found Jeramine's body yet. The man is still alive."
I looked at the woman. "Jeraldine, order a search for your brother. If you can't stand watching, take action as well."
"Copy, Cancer."
Jeraldine and Jeramine used to wander the streets as vagabonds. I helped them. Their father was already dead, and they didn't know who killed him, so they decided to join me. Their mother was ill, and they had five other siblings, so both of them were struggling to provide for the family. I helped their family using my own money and told them there was no need to repay me, but they said they were willing to serve in order to find their father's killer. For now, their family is living comfortably in another country.
"Jeramine won't die easily," Dark said, changing the topic.
Dark shifted the conversation.
"Are you sure Crionine killed your brother?" he asked with doubt.
"They are the only ones who own knives with a demon design. I'm sure, and I'm ready to kill all of them!" I shouted out of frustration, remembering what happened.
"Calm down, Cancer."
I clenched my fists and took a deep breath. "Do they know where I live?"
"No."
I left the underground area and took the elevator again.
I remembered the killing earlier and found myself smiling involuntarily. Let's see how you react when you lose someone you love.
Instead of going home to Falcon, I went straight to the mansion. I walked inside freely, greeted by the servants.
"Young lady."
"Good morning, ma'am."
"Young lady."
I entered and headed to the dining area, thinking they might still be having breakfast.
"Ayra, you're here. Have you eaten?" my mom asked as soon as she saw me.
"Good morning, why are you here?" my dad inquired without looking at me, engrossed in his magazine.
I sat down before responding. "Have they found the person who killed my brother?"
The maid placed my food in front of me, so I started eating alongside them.
"Not yet," my dad answered, avoiding the subject.
"What do you want to happen once we find out?" I asked again. "Life imprisonment or immediate death?"
"Let's not discuss that for now. The situation is still clear to us," my mom's voice revealed sadness, indicating they weren't ready to talk about it.
"How is your study, Ayra?" my dad changed the topic, now sipping his water.
"It's fine," I replied.
"What course did you take?"
"Business management, just like mom said."
"Oh, that's good. So you can run our company."
I didn't respond, even though I had no interest in that. I continued eating.
After finishing, I went to my brother's room. As soon as I opened the door, a strong gust of wind and his scent greeted me.
I was overcome with sadness again, missing him terribly. I picked up his photo and looked at it.
"Ugly, please call mommy. Let's not bring him down, he'll have a hard time walking again," he ordered while watching anime on TV.
Our mother was pregnant.
"You call me Ayra. You're the one who's Blacky."
As soon as he said that, I ran while laughing. He really hated being called Blacky.
"Ayra, I'm not Blacky. That's Black. You're so annoying, always!"
I ran upstairs. When I reached the top, I looked back. He was already on his way up. He refused to lose in our teasing game.
"Blacky! Poochie!" I teased, calling him as if he were a dog.
"How dare you?!" he exclaimed, running toward me.
"Come here, Black! Come here!"
"Ayra, that's it!"
He suddenly sprinted. I was about to run when my face collided with my dad's chest, causing me to sit down. I was surprised when I felt someone grab my foot and pull me downstairs.
"Whoa! Daddy! Help! Please, brother! Don't bite me!"
"Gotcha!"
"Dad, it's brother!" I pleaded.
"Help yourself, Ayra," he told me. "I don't want to get bitten by a dog."
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" my dad and I burst into laughter.
"Dad, seriously," my brother protested while scratching his head.
I smiled bitterly and didn't realize that tears were already streaming down my cheeks. I'll never forget him for the rest of my life.
"Mom, where's kuya?" I asked as she was busy.
"He probably went to see his girlfriend."
"Don't his girlfriend's parents disapprove of him? Why? Kuya is handsome. He's perfect, mom!"
"You, Ayra. Just be quiet..."
"It's true, mom. Do you doubt Kuya Black's appearance?"
She didn't answer and the doorbell rang.
"Ayra, please open the gate."
"Mom, we have maids and guards."
"Your father took the guards with him. Some of the maids are doing laundry and have a day off. Just follow my order."
Reluctantly, I walked to the gate, my heart heavy. I scanned the garden. There were no guards around.
When I reached the gate, I opened it. I furrowed my brows when I didn't see anyone until I felt something under my foot.
I slowly looked down to see blood and... kuya? He was covered in his own blood. His face was slashed, and his body was stabbed.
My knees almost gave way. I couldn't breathe. Tears flowed as I looked at the corpse. I covered my mouth to stifle a sob. I sat down slowly and touched his face, even though it was covered in blood.
"Kuya..." I called with a smile, tears streaming down. "Are you alive? Kuya! Wake up, quickly!"
I shook him as if I were a fool, trying to wake him up even though he lay lifeless before me.
"I wish your name was Catty so you could have nine lives," I chuckled at my own thought. I didn't care that tears were pouring down. "Kuya, wake up there. The floor is cold."
"K-Kuya..." I sobbed uncontrollably. "Kuya, wake up!"
I continued to shake him, trying to rouse him even though I knew he was truly gone.
"Kuya! Wake up! Blacky! My God, wake up!" I let myself cry. "Mommyyyyyyyyyyyy!"
"Ayra, why are you cry---Oh my God!" Mom rushed over when she saw what happened. "Black, who did this to you?!"
"Kuyaaaaaaaaaaaaa!"
They will pay.
My worry stopped abruptly when someone hugged me. It was Mixiclaize, our youngest sibling.
"Stop crying, hey," he said, wiping my tears.
I slapped his hand away. "What's that face? That's why so many scandal girls come here."
"They are not my girlfriends," he explained.
"Dad should know about this."
"I'm being kind."
"How many girlfriends do you have?" I raised an eyebrow at him.
"Eight, kidding—ouch!" he exclaimed when I smacked him.
"You're such a troublemaker."
"You're so violent!"
"I'm going outside." I left the room and went to my parents. "Mom, dad, I'm going home now."
When I arrived outside our house, I was surprised to see Nicol.
"What are you doing here?" I asked immediately.
She faced me, her eyes teary. "Ayra, I'm glad you're alive!"
Huh?
To be continued...