Her retribution

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Mabel

Vincent brought me a dress and shots for the evening. Tonight is the night I get to be as close enough to my enemy. I didn't know how to feel about that. I am not sure if I will be able to just sit and exchange fake pleasantries with those people. I am not sure if I will be able to show any restraint when I am there. It is important for me not to lose my cool. I will have to bury my hate deep inside just for tonight.

I took a long relaxing hot bath to get rid of the tension in my muscles. It was so good that I lost track of time. I was so lost that I started having hallucinations. I saw my mother singing a lullaby and caressing my face. I felt it. Her touch felt real, her scent was sweet and comforting and her melodious bright peace to the turmoil brewing inside of me. There was a small smile on her face. She was happy and at... peace She kept singing to me until it lulled me to sleep. Her face was slowly fading until I was engulfed in darkness.

After a while, I opened my eyes and I found myself immersed underwater and a figure standing over me. I got up and coughed out the soapy water, breathing heavily. My heart was pounding very fast in my chest. I wiped the water from my eyes so that I could see. Someone wrapped a towel around me and I saw a scared Rosita.

" Oh, my dear! What were you thinking sleeping in the bathtub? You could have died!" she scolded with pity in her eyes. I was confused because I would never sleep while bathing. Suddenly I remembered seeing my mother and the lullaby. I didn't realize that I blacked out the whole time.

I didn't say anything to Rosita as she kept fussing over my carelessness. She helped me out of the bathtub and wiped me dry. I was just staring blankly into nothing. I was confused about what happened. It was the first time I'd seen my mother in a good state. I usually see her the way she looked the day she died. Her eyes were wide open with a bullet in her head. Why was today different?

Rosie's pulled me out of my thoughts. " You need to hurry up my dear. Sir has been asking me about you. That is actually why I came up here. He said you will be late for dinner."

Dinner? Oh right. I forgot about that too. I thanked Rosita for helping me out and sprang into action. I quickly applied lotion to my body. After I applied light makeup on my face. I always keep my face bare unless occasions like these arise. Dresses are not my thing either but as I said, when the occasion calls for it, I make an exception. In record time I was ready to go.

I inspected myself in the mirror. I was wearing a plunging neck sequin body con dress that is black with a tint of gold. It was not bad at all. I am just trying to imagine Vincent buying a dress for anyone. Nah, he couldn't have done this. He must have sent some of his female companions to do it. On my feet, I donned designer ankle strap stiletto heels. They were the right size. I felt expensive in my outfit. I tend to forget that Vincent goes all out. Im sure the dress also costs a lot. I hate spending money on things I will never wear more than once.

After the mining inspection in front of the mirror, I picked up my purse and headed out. I found Vincent talking to his right-hand man, Tobias. A mean buff-looking man who doesn't say much. He is also Vincent's most trusted man bodyguard.

Once Vincent saw me approach them he quickly concluded his conversation with Tobias and sent him ahead. A smile spread across his face and he opened his arms. " You look very beautiful tonight Mabel! he exclaimed kissing me on the cheeks. He led my arms examining me from head to toe. " This is money spent well ."

I forced a smile on my face. I didn't want to seem rude or ungrateful. This was all for my cause for revenge. Whatever needs to be done for me to accomplish my goal, I'll do it. Even if I have to wear killer heels and uncomfortable dresses until it's done.

" Thank you, Vincent. I would not have gotten this far if it weren't for you," I said, genuinely. I have a lot to thank him for. If it was not for him I would probably be dead. When I was at my lowest and I will forever be indebted to him.

He smiled and extended his arm toward me. " You can thank me when it's all over. Now, shall we? he asked linking our arms and leading us out of the house. Dean Archer, here I come.

Slade

I meant it when I said I was not going to embrace my mother's memory not disappoint Reggie anymore. I know that it is probably going to take a while but I am determined to make it work. I won't allow myself to continuously fall off the wagon. I was still at the club organizing some paperwork and making sure everything is in order. If I haven't mentioned it before, I own the club. Club Eden. It was a gift from my father because of my love for parties and music. When im in the mood, I get on the stage, and Dj. Being a Dj is my passion and being a mafia boss is my inherited duty.

Both of those make me who I am. When I was a young boy, my father trained me along with his best combat trainers. Even Reginald got the same training I did. The only one that was spared is little Sara. Dad said she didn't need to protect herself as she had the both of us to do it. Reggie and I adore her and we would never let anyone hurt her.

Back to what I was getting at. When I was done training to become the next boss, I was still in a bad space. I was angsty and still angry at the world and everything. I screwed up missions by letting my anger consume me. Most people ended up with severe physical injuries or gunshot wounds because of me. Once my homicidal rage phase was over, I would always regret what I did but unfortunately, I could never take back the things I did.

The Mafia life was my dark side. It brought out a side of me that made me a monster. Something I couldn't recognize and to be honest, it scared me. I was scared of what I was capable of. So to suppress that dark side of mine, I turned to my love for music. One thing in common I shared with my mother. She loved listening to all kinds of music and she was a lively person.

I used that anchor myself and did not give in to the darkness completely. Music allowed me to be another version of myself. A version that was not bloodthirsty.

Anyway, enough about that. Right now I need to finish up here and get ready. I glanced at the clock on the wall. It read 7:00 pm. I got 1 hour to make it to the mansion before my brother starts thinking the worst of me. I quickly wrapped up the task and went to take a hasty shower. I put on some clothes and was headed out of the club. I bumped into Max on my way out. Max is my best friend since childhood and my right hand. He is more serious and means business than I am. He always has my back and I trust him. He has been there on my shitty days and I guess he has had to put up with me for most of his life.

" Hey, are you going somewhere?" he asked stopping me in my tracks. " Yeah, I am going to dinner with the family. Guests are coming over and I am already late."

" Alright, let me come with-"

" No. I won't be needing the car. I am late already so I will be taking my bike," I said and rushed out. I hope this will be the first step toward positive change. Although there are a lot of things I wish were different, this is my reality now. Reginald did well by reminding me not to dwell on the past and move ahead. It is time for me to get my act together and be the man I am supposed to be. I will embrace this life and solidify my position as the leader of the Archer Mafia organization.