His Possession: Owned by the Mafia's King

Chapter 1

Present time

Arya's Pov

The morning in our village was never quieter. While others were busy with their daily tasks, Mayi and I were quietly enjoying life. I was used to our daily routine - helping Mayi, selling vegetables, and working all day.

As Mayi arranged the vegetables we would sell, I helped prepare the other goods. "Let's go, Arya. We need to get ready," Mayi said while arranging the vegetables on the table.

"Okay, just a minute," I replied. We took a short break and gazed out at the quiet street.

As we prepared, I noticed the people around us - those others who's watching TV. I was delighted with this simple life, but sometimes I thought about what life was like in Manila. The models on TV, the beautiful places, and the luxurious cars. Maybe it would be easier if I were there.

Sometimes, I thought about when we could visit Manila. I didn't need any glamour, but I just wanted to experience life there. I felt like I would be happy in Manila. I had been dreaming of going there for years, so sometimes the thought of going there crossed my mind.

After a few hours, we started selling at the market. We weren't rich or anything, but we knew how to make a living. We were kind, and I couldn't deny that, so many people supported us.

As I selling vegetables, I watched the TV shows. There were models walking on the runway, and each step they took was really eye-catching, making me envious. I wasn't saying I wanted to be a model, but sometimes I remembered what I watched and thought about what life was like in other places, in other worlds. Because sometimes, I felt like there was something missing in me that I couldn't understand, and I couldn't forget it.

"Maybe someday..." I said to myself. But maybe not.

"Arya, let's go, it's getting late," Mayi said, interrupting my thoughts. "Here we go, let's go!" I replied, carrying the empty basket after we had sold all our goods. I quickly ran to Mayi, feeling a bit tired from the day's selling.

We walked home, quietly treading the narrow path in the middle of the vast field. The soft chirping of the crickets and the cool breeze served as music to our walk.

When we arrived home - a small wooden hut with a thatched roof - we immediately started cleaning up. Mayi prepared dinner while I swept the floor and arranged our things in the small kitchen.

Soon, I smelled the savory aroma of sautéed garlic and the sound of boiling water. My stomach growled, and I thought about how delicious our dinner would be tonight. When Mayi finished cooking, she called me, and I quickly went to the kitchen and ate.

I was the one who cleaned up after we ate. That was our rule here at home, so we didn't argue about it.

"Arya, get our savings box from my room after you're done," Mayi said, looking at me as she folded the clothes she had collected earlier.

I followed her instructions as soon as I finished. The savings box was hidden under the dresser beside the door of Mayi's room. It was made of thin metal and had a lock in the middle, so it wasn't easy to get the money out. We had been saving for only five months since we decided to save, but the box was almost full.

When I got the savings box, I closed the dresser, but I stopped when a piece of paper slipped out from under the mirror. I picked it up and curiously stared at the old, slightly crumpled paper.

As I unfolded it, I noticed it was a letter from a travel agency in Manila. It stated the detailed transaction for two bus tickets to Manila, with a date a few weeks from now. There was a small note at the bottom: "For Arya, I know you've always wanted to see Manila." Mayi's signature was at the end.

I remained standing, confused, but I felt a warmth in my chest. Whether I liked it or not, my desire to see Manila was piqued. I held the paper tighter, trying to hold back a smile. What was Mayi preparing for me in Manila?

"Arya, where are you?" Mayi's voice brought me back to reality. I heard the sound of footsteps approaching, so I quickly put the paper back in its hiding place.

The door opened, and Mayi entered. "Here I am," I said, approaching her to hand over the savings box, which she quickly took and then nodded.

"Go to sleep, you must be very tired today," she said. I nodded and left.

The next day, Mayi and I woke up early to sell at the market again.

"Arya, hurry up, or we might get beaten to our spot," Mayi said, carrying the vegetables.

"Okay, just a minute!" I replied, arranging the things I was carrying.

As we walked, someone suddenly grabbed my bag. I stopped and saw the man running away. I quickly ran after him. Mayi followed, and with each step, I felt her anger in her eyes.

"Hey, stop!" Mayi shouted, and despite her speed, she didn't have trouble keeping up. When we reached the corner, Mayi quickly kicked the man, and he fell. My bag landed on the ground. The man tried to get up, but Mayi quickly followed and helped me. Because of that, the man was able to escape.

"He got away," Mayi said, frustrated, and she muttered something under her breath that I didn't hear.

Instead of worrying about what happened, my attention was still focused on what I saw earlier. "You're amazing, Mayi! How did you do that?" I asked, amazed.

Mayi's lips slightly curled, seemingly surprised. But instead of answering my question, she walked back to the alley. I also followed her and kept asking her until we reached our destination.

As I was busy selling, I kept looking around. There were many people at the market now - our customers buying vegetables, tomatoes, and other goods. Mayi was talking to an old woman, counting her change.

I was startled when I noticed a man standing not far away. His gaze was dark, as if he was thinking about something.

I couldn't help but approach him. Each step I took felt heavy, but I didn't know if it was because of fear or some unexplainable feeling.

As I approached, he didn't back away. He looked at me straight in the eye and smiled before whispering - a word that only I heard.

"Alive and breathing... You're tougher than I thought"

I didn't know why, but my chest felt tight. There was a cold feeling creeping up my neck.

It was as if the noise around me disappeared. I stopped. My chest felt heavy, and before I could understand everything -

I was in a dark place. I heard sharp voices. Shouting. Gunshots.

I heard a name.

"Aina..."

A voice came from the darkness.

My head suddenly hurt, and in an instant, my memories came back.

I saw bloody hands. Gunshots. Cold, merciless eyes.

"Help... please help me..."

I heard my own voice - weak, desperate. Footsteps approaching. A figure with a gun. Until...

"Goodbye, Arya."

I opened my eyes.

I was breathing rapidly, my whole body shaking. I quickly looked around - the man was gone.

"Arya?"

I turned to Mayi, who was now behind me, frowning.

"Where were you earlier? Why did you leave? What if someone stole your things again?" Mayi asked, one question after another.

But I didn't answer her right away. I remained standing, staring into space. I felt like I was being pulled back into something I couldn't fully remember.

A name kept bothering me.

Aina.

Who was Aina?

I felt Mayi's gentle touch on my arm. "Arya, are you okay? You look pale."

It took me a few seconds to respond. I felt like there was something heavy in my throat, and I didn't know if it was fear or shock.

I looked down, not knowing how to explain the weight in my chest. The question I wanted to ask was on the tip of my tongue, but a part of me was afraid of the answer.

"Mayi..." I slowly raised my gaze to hers. "I'm Arya, right?"

Mayi was taken aback, as if she had heard something she shouldn't have. Her hand on my arm loosened, as if she was startled.

"What? Of course, you're Arya," she said, swallowing hard, trying to avoid eye contact. "Why did you ask that?"

I saw the way her jaw tensed, her shoulders rose, and her whole body became tense.

If that was the case... who was I, then?

"Aina Loquel..."

As soon as I mentioned that name, Mayi's attention turned to me, and at the same time, she let go of my arm.

"Tell me where you heard that."