Rosana was breathing heavily and exhausted from training so hard since morning. It had been that way since she started training three weeks ago. There were no breaks or any time to relax. She had to keep training until Enzo was impressed with her performance. The training was intense and geared toward building physical strength, agility, reflexes, and mental toughness. She was taught different techniques that drew from various martial arts styles. Enzo and a few men made demonstrations, showing how to strike, kick, punch, throw, the vital techniques that could disable or neutralize an opponent, and how to finish them off. Rosana would watch with focused attention, observing their practicality and effectiveness. She was determined to learn how to fight and become strong, just as Carmencita and Enzo said. Those were the only ways to survive in the Mafia world. "Good job, My Lady!" Enzo praised and proffered a bottle of water. She immediately stretched out her hand to grab the bottle
Sergio chuckled dryly and looked around. They were far apart from each other. "Take the seat beside me, Bambolina" "The distance is fair enough, Tesoro." She replied and smiled sweetly. "The only person that should sit beside you is your Mistress. You should send for her. I am sure she will gladly join you!" "You are my wife!" "Am I?" She asked and met his hard gaze. They stared at each other for a long time before she finally looked away. Her heart was pounding heavily in her chest. "Enjoy your meal, Amore mio!" Rosana was trying so hard not to shake. After the bold act she had just displayed in front of him, it would be shameful if she started trembling. He would know it was just a facade and use it against her, break her. The room suddenly felt hot and she blamed it on the long sleeve dress she was wearing. She should've worn something simple, something sleeveless. Now, she was starting to sweat when she hadn't even touched her meal. Sergio watched her with a smirk plastered o
Rosana tried to calm herself as the fight was about to begin. Sergio was present as well as Enzo, and Alfonso. She had to prove herself, she had to fight well and convince them that she was ready. Enzo smiled at her and nodded once. He believed in her and didn't fail to show his support. Sergio just stood like a rock, his eyes pinned on her the whole time. He was there to watch her dance because he didn't believe his brother had trained her enough. The fight started and Rosana was able to fight like she had been taught. With speed, precision, and technique, she was able to fight three of her opponents and disable them. She fought longer with the fourth opponent because he was stronger and equal to the task. He had already made her bleed from the mouth but she succeeded in hitting him off to the ground by kicking his balls. "Told ya" Enzo whispered beside Sergio who stood with his arms crossed, watching as Rosana fought with the last opponent. "She finished off Grateo and the other
"He hurt you. He had to die" Rosana articulated the words slowly as she stood still, staring at him. Her heartbeat skipped a beat but it wasn't because of his proximity or how he kept staring and caressing the corner of her lips with his thumb. It was because he had killed for her. He ended the life of an innocent man because he hurt her. She was bound to get hurt one way or the other. That is why it was called a fight. But he killed the man just like that and wasn't remorseful. He didn't care if he had a family or loved ones. He just ended him. "You did not have to kill anyone because they hurt me. It was a fight!" "I do not care whatever it was, Bambolina. No one touches what is mine and lives." He deadpanned and pressed his cold fingers against her chin. He pushed her face upwards so she was now looking up at him. Rosana stared into his eyes and all she could see was darkness. The kind of darkness that left a trail of shivers running down her spine. There was no warmth whatsoe
"I guess he was proud of you," Carmencita uttered after Rosana told her about the fight that took place the previous night. They were in the library, as usual, reading books and discussing. "I doubt that. He didn't even stay till the end of the fight. He didn't even care if I got hurt and died afterward, he just left." "But he killed the man that hurt you" Carmencita insisted but she scoffed and continued reading her book. "That does not mean he cares." She replied and continued reading but nothing could get through. She couldn't stop herself from thinking about the man Sergio had killed. The gunshots... "He only killed the man because he left a mark on me. A mark that was not Sergio's." "And what about the reward you mentioned?" Carmencita asked, clueless. If Sergio had rewarded her for the fight, then it only meant he was impressed by her performance. But Rosana didn't believe that. "The reward?" Carmencita nodded in response and she turned to look around. "Um... It was... Not
"And what about his mother?" "She is a busy woman. She handles the strip clubs and brothels" That explained why she wasn't around all the time, Rosana thought and heaved a sigh of relief. Thank goodness! At least she didn't have to hear about Munika's trust issues all the time. "Enzo said I could trust them. Because they are family. But..." She paused and sighed, not knowing how to place the other words. "There are more enemies in the family than you imagine, my dear. You have to be careful!" > INDOOR SHOOTING RANGE Rosana stood beside Enzo, wearing ear protection and eyewears as she watched him quietly. He was teaching her about different types of guns and their uses. He also showed her the different parts and how they worked. Holding the pistol with both hands, he maintained a focused stance. "Sight alignment, breath control, trigger squeeze, those are the fundamentals" The sound of gunfire echoed through the air and Rosana applauded when the bullet hit the target which w
The maid dashed off and she went ahead to take a seat at the dining table. She felt irritated that the girl called her a Lady. "Her Lady!" She scoffed and shook her head at the title she hated more than anything else. She was a queen, the woman that birthed their King and nothing was going to change that. Not even his so-called wife who was training tirelessly for it. "Your coffee!" Carmencita announced with a smile, breaking into her thoughts. She placed the coffee on the table and turned to leave. "Too hot, make another!" Carmencita halted and turned to look at the cup. She had not even tasted it but already concluded it was too hot. Quietly, she picked up the cup with a smile on her face and walked away. Some minutes later, she returned with another coffee as demanded. "Too cold, take it away!" She did as instructed with a smile on her face and returned with another. This time, Munika tasted it and grimaced. "What is this? Some bitter soup? Take it away this instant and make an
The news about what happened to Rosana had long spread in the mansion, traveling like wildfire. Everyone was filled with immense fear and couldn't help wondering who would've been so bold to carry out such a grave act. Was the person tired of breathing? No one was able to sleep that night. There was so much tension in the mansion as everyone prayed for their lives and the life of the Donna. If anything happened to her, they could not imagine what would become of them, what the Don would do. Sergio was silent the whole time and it spoke volumes especially when no one knew who poisoned his wife. What was he going to do? They knew how ruthless and heartless he could be. But this time was different. Someone dared to poison his wife! "I didn't do it, I swear!" Vicenta folded her arms, pacing restlessly in her room. "I would never consider such a thing" The maids in the room didn't utter a word, instead, they quietly lowered their heads. Vicenta had sent for them immediately when she he