Crush on the Mafia Boss

"So, are you in or not?"

I locked eyes with Victor, feeling my resolve harden. “I’m in.”

He chuckled then. “You're really something else, Valentina. So decisive. No wonder the Reaper likes you.”

I took a breath, ready to ditch Max and all his drama. And maybe, just maybe, this was my chance to become something more.

Something greater than just Max’s girlfriend.

“Alright,” I said, breaking the silence. “So what’s next?”

Victor pulled out his phone and dialed a number. “We’ll see.”

The phone rang a few times before someone picked up.

“She agreed,” Victor directly announced, and I heard a man laugh.

“Good! I knew she would. Have her meet me at 9 p.m. at the old warehouse on Riverside.”

Victor hung up and turned to me. “Pack up, Valentina. Leave the Mafia house. You’re meeting him at 9 p.m.”

“What do I tell the others?”

“Don’t worry about that. I’ll handle it,” Victor said reassuringly.

I went to my room and started packing. Clothes, essentials, a few mementos. Each item in my bag felt like shedding an old skin. But I was ready.

Before leaving, I went back to Victor’s office with my bags.

“Victor,” I called. “I just wanted to say goodbye. And thank you for everything.”

He looked up. “You'll be alright, Valentina. You’ve always been stronger than you give yourself credit for.”

I nodded, feeling a lump in my throat. “I hope so. This... this is a big step.”

“It is,” he agreed, standing up and walking around his desk to stand in front of me. “But you’re ready for it. If anyone can do this, it’s you.”

“Thank you,” I whispered. “I won’t let you down.”

Victor smiled, a rare, genuine smile. “Good luck, Val. Go show them what you’re made of.”

Three hours later, as I was settling into my new, temporary hideout, my phone rang. Max’s name flashed on the screen. I answered, bracing myself for the inevitable confrontation.

“Val, where the hell are you?! What kind of drama is it this time, huh?” he demanded. “Why did you leave without a trace?”

I took a deep breath. “I’m done, Max. I’m not coming back.”

“What? You can’t just leave like this!” he shouted. “Get back here now!”

“No. Go be with Sandy. You’re happy with her anyway.”

“You’ll regret this."

“I doubt it,” I replied, my voice unwavering. “This is goodbye, Max.”

“You can’t just walk away from everything we’ve built, Val! Think about what we’ve been through together.”

I laughed. “What we’ve been through? You mean all the lies and betrayal? The nights you left me for Sandy?”

“It’s not what you think, Val!” he insisted. “I can explain.”

“I don’t need your explanations anymore, Max. I’ve waited too long for you to change. But that was never going to happen.”

“So, what? You think running away is going to solve anything?” he scoffed. “You’re making a mistake.”

“No, Max. Staying with you was the mistake. Leaving you is the best decision I’ve made in years.”

“You think you’re better off without me?” he sneered. “You’re nothing without the Red Blood Gang!”

“I’m more than just the gang! Go be with Sandy. You're happy with her anyway.”

“Val—” he started, but I cut him off.

“This conversation is over. Goodbye.”

I hung up, feeling a wave of relief. For the first time in years, I felt truly free.

This was my chance to start over, to prove myself.

The clock neared 9 p.m. and I waited. Whoever the reaper was, or whatever he wanted, I’d face him head-on.

I don't run from challenges. I embraced them. And this was just the beginning.

Soon, someone came.

"You're finally here," he said.

And I? I stepped back, shocked.

Is he really the reaper?