Chapter 2: Reproach on the Mafia Don
Mila was placed in an empty room the moment she was brought into the Cora Empire. She woke up to the faint sound of the door creaking open.
Two hefty men stood outside guarding the door, while a third walked in with a tray of food and a bottle of water.
Mila quickly stood up, hope flashing across her face.
"Didn't he send you to me?" she asked fearfully.
The man said nothing.
Not even a glance.
He dropped the tray and walked out. The door was locked again.
Silence.
Mila looked at the food in front of her and rushed toward it. Hunger had already taken over her body. She didn't care if it was poisoned or not.
She opened it and ate quickly, almost choking in her haste. She gulped down the water beside it, finishing everything within minutes.
Exhaustion settled in.
She laid on the cold ground, staring blankly as thoughts ran wildly through her mind.
Suddenly, she stood up and rushed to the door, banging heavily on it.
"Open up! Please, I want to speak to your boss. Go tell him I want to see him, please."
Her voice echoed through the hallway.
There were no tears.
Only desperation.
When no response came, her strength gave out. She slowly went back and curled up on the ground again, forcing herself to sleep.
To Mila Karper, her family was everything.
Her mother, Rosell Karper, and her father, Orlando Karper, were the only reason she kept breathing.
She was their only child.
Life had once been normal for her, until she graduated and began struggling to get a job.
Her friend Vera had been the only one standing by her side since junior high school. Vera came from a wealthy family and had always shown up for Mila.
It should have been easy for Mila to get a job through her, but it wasn't.
Vera's parents never liked Mila or her family. They had warned her countless times to stay away.
Still, Vera never left.
She had tried her best. Just yesterday, she secured a job interview for Mila.
But before anything could happen, disaster struck her family.
Mila would be clocking twenty eight tomorrow.
Yet in this moment, she couldn't even remember it.
She never cared much for birthdays, but her parents always insisted. Even if it was just a small meal at home with Vera.
But now, nothing would happen.
A voice suddenly roared from outside.
"Bring her out."
Mila's heart skipped.
The door opened and she was dragged out into a large living room.
Kaine stood there, holding a tablet.
"Boss will attend to you in a few minutes," he said, his eyes fixed on the screen.
Mila swallowed hard.
It dawned on her.
She had been watched the whole time.
Her thoughts were cut off the moment she felt it.
A presence.
Heavy. Calm. Terrifying.
Alexander Cora.
His steps were slow, confident, and carried a strange authority that made the air tighten.
Mila tried to look at his face as he sat down, but something about him made it hard to hold his gaze.
His calmness was more terrifying than anger.
"What's your offer, young woman?" he asked, bringing out his cigar and lighting it.
"I... I..." Mila struggled, her voice shaking.
"I can work for you."
She forced herself to look at him briefly.
"I promise I can work for you, so please don't touch my parents."
A smirk formed on Alexander's face.
"Show her."
Kaine stepped forward and brought the tablet close to Mila's face.
Her eyes widened.
The screen displayed detailed information about her body and abilities.
"But how?" she whispered.
"I analyzed your physical and energy capabilities," Kaine replied coldly.
"You are not fit for anything useful."
He paused slightly.
"The only job suitable for you is to clean the Don's shoes."
The words sank deep into her chest.
Before she could react, the smoke from Alexander's cigar drifted toward her.
It entered her nostrils.
Her chest tightened instantly.
Her breathing became uneven.
She staggered backward, clutching her throat.
"He... lp..."
Her body dropped to the ground.
"Get the inhaler now!" Kaine shouted.
But before anyone could move, Alexander was already in front of her.
He crouched beside her and pressed the inhaler to her lips.
Mila struggled, then took in the medication.
Slowly, her breathing stabilized.
The room went silent.
"Boss..." Kaine muttered in shock.
Alexander stood up immediately.
Cold. Expressionless.
One of the guards stepped forward to lift Mila.
A gunshot rang out.
Bang!
The man dropped instantly.
Dead.
Fear gripped the entire room.
No one moved.
No one spoke.
Alexander lowered the gun slowly.
"Your job was incomplete."
His voice was calm, yet it carried a dangerous weight.
Kaine swallowed.
"It seems Boss has gone through her personal information himself," he said quietly, still shaken.
"Take her upstairs gently," Alexander ordered.
"No one should disturb her until I say so."
"Yes, Don."
Minutes later
Kaine stood outside Alexander's private chamber. He hesitated before knocking.
"Come in."
He opened the door and stepped inside.
Then he froze.
Alexander stood with his back turned.
Shirtless.
Two deep lines ran across his back, cut by iron crossbars. Fresh blood traced slowly down his skin.
Yet he stood still.
As if he felt nothing.
Kaine's throat tightened.
"Boss... you called for me?"
Alexander remained silent for a moment, then brought out a cigar and lit it slowly, the smoke curling around him like he owned the air.
Then took a slow drag from it.
"About the girl."
He paused slightly.
"Always remind me not to smoke near her again."
He turned his head slightly, his cold eyes meeting Kaine's.
Kaine blinked, surprised.
"Yes, Boss."
Alexander picked up his shirt and wore it calmly, like nothing had happened.
"Leave."
Kaine nodded and walked out quietly.
But his mind was no longer at ease.
In the Karper's home
"Orlando, is this how you will sit while our daughter is suffering?" Rosell cried, sitting on the floor beside him.
"Rosell, calm down," Orlando said, his voice strained. "You can see I've been running everywhere, trying to get the money to pay the Don so we can get Mila back."
"I see it, but it's not enough," she replied, wiping her tears.
"What else should I do? I've called everyone I know, but the moment they hear Alexander Cora's name, they cut the call."
"That man will never know peace for taking my only child," Rosell cried harder.
"Crying won't solve anything," Orlando said, frustration rising in his voice. "We need to get his money if we want her back. The loan I took was for our business and to send Mila to school."
"I know, but I never thought it was from that devil," she said bitterly. "And everything was destroyed when Russell Cartel attacked us. That man is a menace."
Silence fell for a moment.
"I'm thinking of going back to him for help," Orlando said slowly.
Rosell's head snapped up.
"What? No."
"You know he wanted Mila's hand in marriage," she continued. "After we refused, he framed us and destroyed everything we had."
"I know," Orlando said, his voice breaking. "But what choice do we have? At least it's better than leaving her with Alexander Cora."
"No," Rosell said firmly. "There is no difference between those two devils."
"I will not give my daughter to any of them."
She walked away, leaving the room in silence.
Orlando lowered his head, lost in thought.