Tangled in the Mafia’s Web

Episode Six

Bianca sauntered into the dimly lit room, her long ponytail swishing elegantly behind her. She was definitely the epitome of cool and collected. In her hand was an iPad and then she walks into the space where Ginevra was.

"Vinci calls for you" Bianca announced. Her sudden announcement of Vinci's summons made Ginevra's heart skip a beat. Her stomach churned, though she tried her best to hide it from Bianca.

The memory of her last encounter with Leandro still lingered in Ginevra's mind. The man was an enigma, his every move and word shrouded in mystery and intrigue. She had felt it firsthand during their last meeting - a strange mixture of fear and curiosity that left her on edge. She had been unsure of what to expect from the notorious mafia boss, and the encounter had left her feeling unnerved and off-balance, but she refused to let it shake her.

A sharp-dressed man materialized from behind her, his piercing gaze fixed on Ginevra.

"He will lead you the way," Bianca told her and Ginevra rose to her feet.

The sharp-dressed man led her through a labyrinth of winding passages, each step bringing her closer to the heart of the organization. She focused on her breathing and kept her head held high. She was here for a reason, and she would not let fear get in the way of achieving her goals.

They soon approached the front of the building where the boss's car was waiting and Ginevra tried her best to shake off her nerves. Whatever happened, she knew that she was in for a wild ride.

The car door swung open, and Ginevra hesitated as she saw the imposing figure of Leandro supposedly going through some data on the tab he held. She swallowed hard and took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves - he was even more intimidating in this appearance. She sat next to him, keeping her eyes fixed on the window, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing her nervousness.

The car ride was silent until Leandro's voice rose. "I like a woman with a backbone," he said, his voice deep and gravelly.

Ginevra turned to look at him but he seemed to be more focused on the tab in his hand. His words may have made her feel a sense of pride but the fact that he was more focused on something else even after just uttering such words made the little pride she felt vanish.

Perhaps all mafias are so.

She took aware her gaze from him, returning them to the window before abruptly, the car screeched to a halt, causing Ginevra to lurch forward in her seat. Leandro's hand moved in an instant to hold her back, but then he quelled his instinct midway, leaving Ginevra confused and startled.

Why would he try to help if he wouldn't finish up? Such lame for a man like him– she grumbled mentally before looking out the window, trying to figure out what had happened.

"Out" Leandro instructed her before his door was pulled open, oddly by Alonzo.

To her shock, she got out of the car just as instructed and followed the boss into a different car that appeared to have been driven by Alonzo. The others were sent to return to the headquarters while Alonzo drove away with the boss and Ginevra. A brief swap, maybe, she thought. Wherever they were taking her, it was obvious they don't want the rest to know.

Leandro remained silent, his gaze now fixed on the road ahead. Ginevra stole glances at him, trying to gauge his mood and intentions, but he seemed to be lost in thought or maybe she couldn't really read him.

And just as she was about to ask–Leandro's phone rang, interrupting the silence of the car. He glanced at the caller ID before answering it with a curt, "Yes?"

Ginevra couldn't help but steal glances at him as he spoke. His voice was commanding, and his features were focused and defined, and as he continued to talk on the phone, Ginevra's attention shifted to the conversation. She couldn't quite make out the details, but it seemed to involve a port shipment of goods. She tried to piece together the bits of information she overheard, but it was clear that Leandro was keeping the details close to his chest.

The car ride seemed to last an eternity, with Leandro's business call dragging on and on. Ginevra found herself growing more restless by the minute, her mind wandering to different scenarios and outcomes of their impending destination.

Finally, Leandro hung up the phone with a sigh and turned his attention to Ginevra. "Apologies for the interruption," he said, his eyes meeting hers briefly.

Ginevra's heart skipped a beat as their eyes met. She quickly averted her gaze, feeling embarrassed for being caught staring. She focused on the passing scenery, “Whatever” would have been her reply but considering the situation she just remained silent. It was better to keep it that way. She kept her gaze on the window, trying to keep her mind off of Leandro and the unnerving situation she found herself in. But the port shipment and the questions it raised continued to nag at her.

As the car pulled up to an apartment complex, Ginevra's eyes scanned the building with a sense of curiosity. Funny how she had been whisked away from the headquarters so quickly, that she hadn't even had a chance to consider where she was headed. But as they parked, Ginevra's sharp mind quickly pieced together that this was to be her new home.

Alonzo's phone rang just as they arrived in front of the apartment. Ginevra could hear his hushed voice as he stepped further to take the call, leaving her alone with Leandro. She couldn't help but wonder what the call was about, but she knew better than to eavesdrop– not now. It seemed luck wasn't on her side this time, as she would have preferred to learn what the call was about.

She followed Leandro into the apartment and couldn't help but feel a twinge of disappointment as she looked around the sparsely furnished space. It wasn't the luxurious penthouse she had imagined, but then again, she reminded herself that she was a spy, not a socialite.

Sensing him walking further into the space, Ginevra followed Leandro's lead towards the kitchen section where he poured himself a drink. Wondering who left that on the counter— She watched with a raised eyebrow as he ignored her presence, not bothering to offer her anything to drink but her patience soon began to run thin, and she shot him a look that demanded an explanation of the apartment.

Leandro finally turned fully to face her, his eyes meeting hers with a cold stare. "From now on, this is your home," he said curtly.

Ginevra narrowed her eyes, but she knew better than to argue with him. She had a job to do, and she wasn't about to let anything get in her way, even if it meant being modest to a boss who couldn't even spare her a drink. A boss she would soon make pay!

Leandro studied her for a while, he never noticed it, but it looks like the woman he was staring at was one who is quite good at nagging, judging by the look on her face alone. "I know it's not the grandest place and setting, but it's safe and functional. And for what I need you to do, it's perfect. You only need to get yourself what you want as time goes on" he said "No worries about the pay" he added.

"So that means I could stay here alone," Ginevra said and slowly began walking around the living space with her hands crossed over her chest, she couldn't resist the urge to test her boundaries. Just the thought of it makes her feel a sense of pride. "and do whatever pleases me?" She narrowly turned to him to ask. A glint of mischief in her eyes.

Leandro didn't answer immediately, but there was a faint amusement he found in her words. He took a sip of his drink, savouring the last drop, and then dropped the glass on the table. "That's new," he said, a ghost of a smirk playing on his lips. Ginevra gave him a look, knowing all too well that there was no going back now that she had chosen this life. She was in, and once in, there was no way out. She had to play the game, which made her all the more determined to succeed.

He scuffed “Yes," Leandro finally answered her question. "But the job comes first" he added.

Ginevra nodded, her eyes scanning the area, taking in every detail. Leandro reached for his cigarette, flicking the lighter to ignite the tip. "The apartment is soundproof," he said, drawing her attention back. “You got a space down that part to do what you need to do” He put the words like that. Nonchalantly, perhaps.

Ginevra surveyed the living space with a critical eye, mentally rearranging furniture and adding her own personal touches. "Impressive," she muttered to herself before Alonzo strode in, a big brown envelope in his hand. Without a word, he handed it to Leandro, who rifled through the contents before dropping the envelope on the centre table with a thud.

And then, he turned to Ginevra. "Everything you will be needing," he said, holding his cigarette in his hand. He checked his wristwatch, a signal that time was running out. "Your ID and other information, and money," he said. Calling it a day.

Ginevra's eyes lingered on the envelope, curious about its contents, but she knew better than to go for it now. Instead, she focused on Leandro as he made his way to the door but then he stopped. "Get yourself something better to wear," he added, his gaze lingering on her, and Ginevra bristled at the insinuation that her current outfit was inadequate.

And as he left the apartment with Alonzo, Leandro called out over his shoulder, "The house is all yours."–just as the door closed, Ginevra let out a scuff.