MAFIA QUEEN

CHAPTER 4- Love!

Gwen walked into the bar without looking around. Her steps were slow but heavy, her mind still stuck on the scene she had witnessed behind the counter. She didn’t want to think about Lena’s giggle or the way Jake leaned in. She didn’t want to think about anything.

She sat on a bar stool, reached for a bottle of tequila, poured a shot, and drank it in one go. She didn’t even flinch at the burn. At twenty-one, she was legally allowed to drink, and right now the numbness was helping her breathe.

She pulled out her phone. Her hands shook a little, but she didn’t hesitate.

Block.

Block.

Jake—blocked.

Lena—blocked.

As far as Gwen was concerned, betrayal meant cut off. No changing her mind. No second chances. She didn’t care that Lena worked here. She didn’t care that Jake had been part of her life for months. When someone broke her trust, that was it.

The hours drifted by, the sky turning dark outside. Gwen kept drinking but slowly, pacing herself. Still, her head felt heavy and her thoughts were distant. She rested her arm on the counter and closed her eyes for a moment.

A staff member shook her shoulder gently.

Staff: “Miss… they’re here. Please, let’s serve them.”

Gwen lifted her head, blinking slowly.

Gwen (slurred): “Those punks couldn’t wait…”

Her voice wasn’t angry, just sleepy and annoyed. She stood up, steadying herself on the counter. Her vision wobbled for a moment, but she regained her balance and started walking toward the private room where the guests waited.

Inside, the room was bright and clean. Three well-dressed men sat at the long table, all in expensive suits. Kian was there too, smiling like a proud businessman. Gwen took in a breath, preparing herself to look polite.

Kian: “Oh—this is my daughter.”

He announced it loud, looking at the three men but especially the one in the center: Luke.

Luke nodded once. Cold. Controlled. His expression unreadable. Even his posture said something—straight, confident, but distant. Not unfriendly, but definitely not warm. There was something about him that drew attention without him trying.

Gwen: “Dad…”

It was the first time she had ever said that word to him.

Kian’s eyes flicked to her in surprise, but he stayed in character, pretending everything was normal in front of the guests.

Gwen: “Who are these men?”

Kian: “The men I told you about.

Max, Matteo, and of course the impressive Luke.”

He laughed in that rich-man way he used when he wanted to show off.

Gwen stared at Luke again. Her head was still foggy, her eyes red from drinking. She squinted a little.

Gwen: “He’s a hot one.”

Kian coughed loudly, but Gwen ignored him.

She walked closer to Luke, leaning slightly because he was sitting. She didn’t stumble, but she moved with that slow, heavy confidence drunk people had. Her eyes locked with his—direct, sincere, unfiltered.

Gwen: “You’re handsome. Do you know that?”

Luke didn’t move. His expression didn’t change. But his eyes watched her carefully, like she was something unexpected he wasn’t sure how to process.

Gwen: “I guess you get that every day.”

She said it casually, almost like she was trying to cheer him up. The air around them thickened—tense but not dangerous. More like a strange, magnetic pull. Something he wasn’t used to.

Gwen leaned a little closer. Not in a wrong way, just bold, reckless with emotion.

Gwen: “My boyfriend cheated on me today and…”

She reached out and lightly brushed her finger across his lower lip—soft, slow, personal.

It wasn’t inappropriate. Just emotional. Vulnerable.

Like she was silently asking someone—anyone—to see her.

Gwen: “…I would love you to replace him.”

Luke inhaled sharply, barely visible, but his eyes flashed with something new. Something alive.

Kian slammed his hands on the table.

Kian: “Enough!”

Luke’s eyes remained on Gwen even as the sound echoed.

Kian: “Out. Now!”

Gwen rolled her eyes at him—her first time ever doing that—and walked out. Kian followed her quickly, closing the door behind them.

Kian: “What are you doing? And what boyfriend?”

Gwen rubbed her temple, annoyed and dizzy.

Gwen: “Jake. He cheated on me with Lena.”

The words spilled out before she could stop them. She was drunk and hurt, and secrets didn’t stay locked when her guard was down.

Kian’s jaw tightened.

Kian: “Break up.”

Gwen let out a bitter laugh.

Gwen: “I already told you he cheated on me with Lena!”

Her voice cracked. Tears filled her eyes—not falling yet, but close.

Gwen: “No one loves me! You… my dead parents… my best friend I trusted… and now my boyfriend.”

She looked up at him, her shoulders shaking.

Gwen: “This debt never finishes. It’s not my problem my father borrowed money from you.”

She ripped off her work necklace and threw it to the ground.

Gwen: “I’m done.”

Kian slapped her. Hard.

Not out of cruelty—out of panic, frustration, and a lifetime of holding back emotions he didn’t know how to express.

Gwen’s cheek stung. She glared at him.

Kian: “Go home. I’ll meet you there tonight.”

Gwen turned and walked out of the bar, not looking back.

⸻

Inside the room, Luke sat still. His heartbeat was faster than usual, something he wasn’t familiar with. He wasn’t used to women approaching him. People usually avoided him. His cold face and serious personality kept everyone away.

But Gwen… she walked straight into his space.

Touched him.

Talked to him.

Looked at him like he was a person—not a powerful leader, not a threat, not someone distant.

He felt something. Not love yet. But deep interest. A pull he couldn’t ignore.

When Kian returned, trying to laugh it off:

Kian: “I’m so, so sorry. Kids these days.”

Luke didn’t smile. His voice was calm.

Luke: “I accept the deal.”

Kian’s eyes widened.

Kian: “Really?!”

Luke: “Only if she works for me.”

Kian blinked.

Kian: “Who?”

Luke: “Your daughter.”

Kian paused—but not long. His business came first. Always.

Kian: “Deal.”

He smiled.

Luke didn’t smile back.

He only thought about Gwen—her red eyes, her trembling voice, her touch.

He needed to know her.

He needed her close.

That night, when Kian returned home, the house was quiet. He walked into the living room and found Gwen sitting there alone. She looked sober now, her hair tied up messily, her eyes looking tired but not drunk anymore. She wasn’t crying, but her face showed regret, like she wished she could erase everything she said and did.

When she saw him, she immediately stood up and walked toward him.

Gwen: father… I am sorry. I…

Before she could finish, Kian raised his hand lightly, stopping her.

Kian: you said you didn’t want to work anymore.

Gwen shook her head quickly.

Gwen: no, I didn’t mean that… I—

He cut her off again, his face unreadable.

Kian: it’s okay.

Gwen blinked, confused.

Gwen: okay?

She didn’t expect him to forgive her that fast. She expected yelling, punishment, something.

Kian simply nodded.

Kian: yes. But… I have another work for you. And you won’t be on my debt anymore. You’ll earn your own money.

Gwen stayed silent. She didn’t trust her voice yet. She just waited.

Kian sat down, letting out a tired breath.

Kian: you remember Luke?

Gwen frowned a little. She shook her head. She didn’t remember anything about Luke except that she had talked to some strangers while drunk. She didn’t remember names or faces clearly.

Kian: you will eventually… because you will start working for him.

Gwen stared at him.

Kian continued.

Kian: you get to live here too, but you’ll have freedom. You can leave when you want, come back when you want. The money you earn will be yours.

Gwen felt a small relief in her chest. After years of working under his rules, doing everything to pay debts she barely understood, the idea of making her own money felt like a new life.

Gwen: thank you, father. But… what type of job is it?

Kian hesitated. For the first time in a long while, he didn’t answer immediately. He leaned back on the chair, thinking whether to tell her the truth or lie. Luke wasn’t a businessman. He was a mafia leader. An assistant for him wasn’t someone who typed on computers. It meant following him to dangerous places, doing dangerous tasks, being part of missions.

But Kian chose the easier route.

Kian: he’s a businessman. You’ll just be his assistant. You’ll be a millionaire in months.

His tone was calm, confident. Gwen trusted him. She didn’t even question it.

She nodded.

Gwen: okay. I’ll do my best.

Kian just watched her, but didn’t say anything more.

Gwen turned to leave, finally feeling relieved that her life wasn’t collapsing as badly as she thought. But right before she stepped out of the room, Kian added one last thing.

Kian: and I fired Lena.

Gwen didn’t turn around. She didn’t want to smile or react. She simply walked away, straight to her room. Deep down she knew Lena deserved it. After everything, betrayal was betrayal.

And Gwen wasn’t the type to forget it.