( Kaizer's POV)
I frowned, feeling so confused. What's wrong with her?
What "no"? "I don't want to"?
Maybe she's sick? I tried to approach her, but when I touched her shoulder, I was shocked when she suddenly cried loudly as if I was doing something terribly wrong.
What the hell is she crying for?!
The way she cried didn't seem right. I tried to touch her again, but like before, she panicked. What the heck!
I was surprised at myself—I just hugged her okay?! Am I losing my mind? I calmed myself down. Whatever, .
I felt her trembling and struggling, and her crying got even louder with her saying "no," "I don't want this," etc.
"Shhh, I'm not going to hurt you. You're safe, okay? You're safe."
I tried to make my voice calm.
Seriously, this is so weird!
I just wanted to ask her about that Ekie guy, but it ended up like this.
I kept hushing her. She calmed down a bit, but she kept saying "no," "stop," "I don't want this," "enough," "please don't."
I didn't even do anything.
I quickly caught her and held her by the waist when I felt she was about to fall.
"Hey! Are you okay? Did I scare you?"
She looked traumatic or something.
But I don't know what caused it or what kind of trauma this is.
I was surprised when she fainted. I had no choice, so I carried her and took her out of the restroom. I was going to take her to the clinic—
I saw Icakie leaning against the wall.
"Hey, Icakie, does Azemia have trauma?" I asked.
He looked at me and Azemia with a surprised and questioning look.
"What happened to her?" he asked.
There had been some changes in Icakie in the past month.
"I don't know, but when I approached and touched her, she panicked and became hysterical, and kept saying 'no,' 'I don't want this,' 'enough,' like that. She seems to have trauma," I explained.
"Give her to me. I'll take care of Azemia," Icakie said seriously, taking his sister from me and leaving without another word.
Weird, something is wrong with Icakie.
Icakie is like a mute guy—he doesn't speak much, even if he's angry, disappointed, or annoyed. He's always quiet, as if he has no mouth.
It's strange. He used to communicate with us using sign language. He used to speak a little, but two years ago, we never heard him speak again. Not a single word.
He was like a mute until a month ago when he suddenly changed.
He even shouted at us, something he never did before. He used to be known as a playboy, but now he even shouts at girls.
Like he's not Icakie.
I shrugged and walked away.
Tsk, I don't care about that anymore. It's better for him, good for us though.
(Icakie's POV)
I laid Azemia on my bed here in the dorm.
I frowned as I stared at her. She looks just like my sister Zarri from back then.
I'm not really Icakie, well, this body is, but in truth, I'm Ekie Fordalish from my past life.
I really hate Zarri, my sister in my past life.
Zarri Xemisha Fordalish.
I don't know where my hatred for her came from—it's been there since birth.
I think I reincarnated into Icakie's body a month ago.
Flashback...
I was in the underground of a gang/mafia organization.
I was a gang leader, one of the candidate to becaome the Mafia boss.
Everyone was waiting for the Mafia Queen to arrive.
We had been waiting for three hours, but she still wasn't here.
Her group was getting restless. Damn, she's taking too long.
"Hey boss, why is the Mafia Queen taking so long?" My gangmates couldn't hold back any longer and asked, but why are they asking me?
"I don't know. Where is Aaron? He should be here by now!" I seriously asked and shouted. Damn, Aaron, is he out chasing women?
"Boss, don't you remember? They're at your house because he's getting married to your cousin. Your parents treated your cousin more like their own child than Zarri," one of my other gangmates said.
"Tsk."
"Boss, what will you do if the person you hate, despise, and loathe the most, that unwanted one, Zarri, dies and disappears?"
I was surprised by what one of my gangmates said. I didn't show it, but I was still serious.
A part of me felt guilty and remorseful. Why would I feel guilty if that woman dies?
IT WOULD BE GREAT!
"What else? Boss would celebrate because the nuisance in his life is gone, hahaha!"
"Exactly, hahaha! No one will be there to annoy him," they said.
But instead of feeling that way,
I didn't...
I admit we haven't seen each other for several months. I don't know why, but I miss her foolishness. Now I have no one to yell at, just these idiots.
"Hey boss! What's wrong with you?" someone asked.
I just glared at the fool, and he looked away, laughing nervously. Tsk.
I frowned as I saw Aaron arriving, out of breath.
"Oh man, good thing you made it," a gangmate said.
"Hoo! Yeah, I had to chase after Zarri, but I couldn't catch up with her," he said, still panting.
"Hahaha, did she find out you're getting married?" another gangmate asked.
"Yeah, honestly, I got scared when Zarri suddenly became cold and told me something that made me nervous," Aaron said.
"Huh? Like what?" asked the gangmate.
"She asked if I would be happy if she disappeared. She hoped I would be happy. She told me to take care of her cousin. She said to tell Ekie that she loves him very much. She forgave us. Ekie! She always told me to be careful! To watch over her brother Ekie and their parents!" Aaron said, his voice filled with concern.
I frowned. I felt something bad.
"Shit! I think your sister, Ekie, is about to commit suicide!!" my gangmates said.
I was about to run out when we heard an announcement.
I don't even know why I was about to run!
Shit! What the heck!
"The Mafia Queen is here! Everyone, listen up!" someone announced.
And then I heard a phone ringing, echoing throughout the area. Everyone fell silent and focused their attention on the speaker above.
"Hello everyone,"
Damn, the Queen's voice is so cold it gave me goosebumps.
I saw everyone else around me shiver slightly. That Mafia Queen is really powerful—everyone obeys her just by her words.
She spoke again, and her words left everyone in shock and confusion.
What the hell?
"I am the Mafia Queen, but I am passing this role to my right hand. He will be the new Mafia King. I, the Mafia Queen, will be gone."
I cursed under my breath. Just like that?! With just a few words?! To her right hand?! Why him?!
Everyone was in shock, murmuring among themselves, wondering what was happening. The departure of the Mafia Queen from her position was so sudden.
Many were puzzled, including myself, when suddenly the Mafia Queen's group started crying and shouting.
"NO!! SHE'S NOT DEAD!! NO!!"
"MAFIA QUEEN!!"
Their cries echoed, and I swallowed hard. What the hell is going on?
"Why are they crying?"
"What happened and what did she say?"
"The Mafia Queen is dead."
"What are they talking about?"
"The Queen is dead?"
"Wait! Wait! Is this for real?!"
"So confusing!"
Some of the voices that rose above the noise made me frown. It seemed like the Queen's group was coming towards me.
I didn't know them—they were wearing masks.
"BOSS!"
I was shocked when the Mafia Queen's right hand punched me. What's his problem?!
"What's your problem?!" I asked angrily, wiping my mouth and being helped up by my gangmates.
I was stunned when they took off their masks.
Wait, are these Zarri's friends?
"Damn you, Ekie! Are you happy now?! "
Two men and two women.
They knelt down, crying again. I was so confused and nervous for some unknown reason.
What's really happening?!
"What do you mean?" Aaron asked.
I saw the anger in their eyes, and Aaron couldn't avoid being punched.
I was about to speak when I was also punched.
"WHAT THE HELL?! I'm angry now! Damn it!"
The first guy grabbed my collar.
"You have the nerve to be angry! ZARRI IS DEAD! ARE YOU HAPPY NOW?! ZARRI IS DEAD! SHE'S DEAD!! SHE'S DEAD!!"
"ZARRI IS DEAD"
"ZARRI IS DEAD"
"ZARRI IS DEAD"
"ZARRI IS DEAD"
My mind couldn't function.
Z-Zarri... is dead?
"W-what are you saying? That's i-impossible!" Aaron said.
The third person, a girl, punched Aaron.
"YOU TOO, AARON!
WHAT?!! YOU REALLY CHOSE YOUR FLIRTY COUSIN AND NOW YOU'RE GETTING MARRIED?!
ARE YOU HAPPY NOW TOO?! ZARRI IS GONE! SHE'S DEAD NOW! WHAT?! WHAT KIND OF MEN ARE YOU?! "
Her shout echoed in the underground
Aaron stepped back, full of shock and guilt on his face.
"I'm going to find her!!!" he said.
"IT'S TOO LATE!! YOU WON'T SEE HER ANYMORE!! ZARRI'S BODY EXPLODED!! THERE'S NOTHING LEFT TO SEE!!!" shouted the fourth girl.
I was frozen in place.
I felt a tear fall down my face, and I wiped it away quickly.
Shouldn't I be happy that the problem in my life is gone? But why doesn't my body feel the same? I should be happy, I really should be.
I glanced at Aaron, who was pulling at his hair and sitting on the floor.
We looked at the big screen, where a news report was playing.
" Breaking News: Tragic Loss of Famous Model and Chef Zarri Zemisha Fordalish
We regret to inform you that Zarri Zemisha Fordalish, the famous model adored by many and also a renowned chef, has tragically passed away. Her untimely death has left a multitude of fans mourning her loss. CCTV footage reveals the heroic actions of Ms. Fordalish during the incident. An ambulance car lost its brakes and was on a collision course with a gas truck that had also lost control. The ambulance driver jumped out just as the two vehicles were about to collide, but they struck a black car that intervened.
To everyone's shock, the footage shows Ms. Zarri Xemisha Fordalish emerging from the black car, her body bloodied. Despite her injuries, Ms. Fordalish managed to pull two women from the out-of-control ambulance.
Sadly, despite her brave efforts, Ms. Fordalish was unable to save the two women, who succumbed to their injuries immediately.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident. The aim is to understand what caused both the ambulance and the gas truck to lose control simultaneously and whether there was any mechanical failure or human error involved. The police are also reviewing additional CCTV footage and interviewing witnesses to piece together the events leading up to the tragic collision.
As the investigation continues, the public mourns the loss of a beloved figure whose life was marked by grace, talent, and an indomitable spirit. Zarri Zemisha Fordalish will be remembered not only for her contributions to fashion and cuisine but also for her heroic final act of bravery. "
I couldn't understand anything, standing there feeling like cold water had been poured over me.
Why am I feeling this way? Why—
"DID YOU HEAR THAT, EKIE?! AARON?! THERE IT IS! ISN'T THAT WHAT YOU WERE WAITING FOR?! SHE'S DEAD!! CELEBRATE NOW!!!" shouted the second boy.
"NOTHING GOOD EVER HAPPENED TO ZARRI! SHE NEVER RECEIVED LOVE FROM HER PARENTS BECAUSE THEY WERE ALWAYS WORKING! AND YOU, EKI!! YOU WERE THE ONLY SOURCE OF HER STRENGTH, BUT WHAT DID YOU DO?!!" cried the fourth girl.
"Imp-possible," was all I could say, looking down.
I felt a pain in my chest, Zarri...
" NOW WHAT?!! ARE YOU ONLY REGRETTING NOW?!! NOW THAT ZARRI IS DEAD!!" shouted the first boy.
They stood up and ran out. It hardly registered in my mind. I truly regretted it. I ran out and got on my motorbike.
I answered my mom's call. They were at the hospital, and I nearly flew on my motorcycle to get there. I ran straight to where they were. I was stunned when I saw my mom and dad.
They were crying and hysterical. I could see Zarri's charred body.
My mom hugged me while she cried.
"DAUGHTER! WAKE UP! FORGIVE US!! DAUGHTER!" my dad cried.
I was shocked when my mom and dad fainted.
I immediately called for the doctor.
I was in a daze for several days.
And it had been a week.
I got on my motorbike because I needed to go to the Underground.
All the gangs and mafias from around the world had to be there.
I didn't know why.
I became colder than before.
I saw my group looking downcast.
"Boss," they said weakly.
I ignored them and just sat down.
Aaron sat next to me, looking like he hadn't slept.
"I didn't know it would come to this, I can't believe Zarri is dead ," Aaron said.
"So much has happened . Turns out the fourth member is my cousin, she's a mafia member ," Aaron continued.
We looked at the first group, who still had puffy eyes and seemed to be holding back tears.
They were holding a photo, but we couldn't see it because they had their backs turned.
We stood up.
"I, mafia king, am here to reveal the identity of the mafia queen to all of you."
Huh?
My body went weak, unable to move as they revealed the identity.
"WHAT?!"
"IMPOSSIBLE!!"
They showed the photo, and it was displayed on the big screen too.
"The famous model and renowned chef became the mafia queen at the early age of 15. She was the greatest, the most brutal, the coldest mafia queen...and the longest-serving mafia queen in the organization's history."
I-impossible.
I couldn't believe it. She? The MafiaQueen?
I gulped and waited for the next words from the first group. The silence was heavy, and the shock was clear on everyone's faces.
"Nine years as our cold, brutal, strong, great leader, mafia queen ZARRI XEMISHA FORDALISH! Will never forget you! Thank you for being with us, I hope your happy wherever you are now "
F*ck.
Sh-she's that Heartless MafiaQueen?!