The Mafia's Truce.

Doctor Nadia Gilbert’s pulse quickened as she stepped out of the ICU, her hands still buzzing from the precision of the surgery. Five years in the field, saving lives, yet the high that came after each success never dulled. Her surgical cap barely contained the dark strands of hair framing her face, and though her curves were hidden beneath her lab coat, there was a glow about her that went beyond beauty; it was the glow of victory. She walked through the hospital corridor, peeling off her gloves and sliding them into her pocket. The smile spreading at her lips widened with each step toward her office. Another life was saved. But that joy curdled into confusion as she neared her door. It was slightly open. Her fingers slipped into her coat, finding her keys. The metallic jingle echoed as fear crept in. “Did I leave it unlocked?” The thought ran through her, and her hands trembled as she pushed the door open. Inside, everything seemed just as it should. The neat desk, the tidy shelves, the quiet hum of the fridge. Yet something felt off, the air too still. As she scanned the room, a voice cut through the silence. “I’ve been waiting for you.” Nadia spun around, her heart leaping to her throat as Bella, her best friend, stood in the doorway. “You were in here?” Nadia asked. Bella shook her head as she collapsed into a chair. “No. The door was locked when I checked earlier.” Goosebumps formed on Nadia's Skin, She had locked the door. There was no doubt about it now. Her mind raced, calculating the time she’d spent in the ICU. Four hours. Whoever had entered her office had done so within that window, with a deliberate intent to make her notice. Bella rose and drifted toward the fridge, but her eyes widened as she spotted something on top. “Is this a love letter?” she asked, holding up a sealed envelope, smiling. Nadia’s breath caught in her throat. She snatched the envelope from Bella’s hands, her fingers trembling as she held it closer. “I’ve seen this before,” Nadia whispered, her legs feeling weak beneath her. She remembered the last time she had laid eyes on that symbol. "Girl, you're scaring me,” Bella said as she tried to open the fridge. Nadia held the fridge, preventing it from opening. “Forget the water!! We need to leave now!!” Bella frowned, and her playful tone vanished. “What’s going on?” Nadia began packing some important stuff into her handbag. Bella blinked, frozen in place, fear slowly creeping into her expression. In seven years of friendship, she had never seen Nadia this scared. Something was wrong. Nadia shoved the envelope onto the desk and glanced out the window, scanning for threats. “My mother received one of these,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “Before they killed her.” Bella’s eyes widened in horror. “Oh my God, Who are they?” Nadia didn’t answer. Instead, she yanked Bella toward the door. They rushed down the stairs, footsteps echoing in the stairwell as Nadia’s pulse pounded in her ears. Just as they approached the hospital gate, Nadia’s gaze met her Mercedes-Benz parked just ahead and her steps faltered. Bella, sensing Nadia’s fear, whispered, “Why are we stopping? What’s happening?” “There’s someone in the car,” Nadia murmured, her voice hollow. Through the tinted windows, Bella saw a shadow move, her body trembled. “What? Who?” Before Nadia could respond, a man stepped from behind, wearing a doctor’s lab coat. His disguise was flawless, but the gun pressed against Nadia’s back betrayed his intentions. The cold barrel of the weapon sent a shiver down her spine as the man spoke. “Your friend is beautiful,” he whispered. “I’m sure she’d look even better with a splash of red if you don’t come with me” Nadia’s breath caught in her throat, she shivered as Bella stared at her. Bella’s eyes flickered to the man, and then to Nadia’s frozen posture. The truth dawned on her in an instant. “Nadia…” Bella whispered, tears brimming in her eyes. Nadia’s gaze fell to the man’s hand; the same hand that now subtly guided her toward the car. A small tattoo of a dove peeked from beneath his sleeve, identical to the one on the envelope’s seal. She walked toward the car as the man opened the door, ushering her inside. Before she climbed in, she locked eyes with Bella, her voice urgent but calm. “Find my diary. You’ll get your answers.” The door closed with a heavy thud, while Bella stood frozen with her heart pounding. As the car sped through the city streets. Nadia's gaze fell on the man beside her, clutching her kit box. “Be careful with that!” she called out, feigning irritation. Her gaze drifted to the wires beneath the steering wheel. “They’ve hotwired my car,” she thought, “What kind of criminals are these?” The driver, James, steered the car without a word, while the man beside her eyed her ID card, his cheeks widened. His gaze lingered on the name Nadia Gilbert, and that twisted smile told her he knew exactly who she was. Her breath hitched as she noticed the tattoo on his hand, the same dove tattoo that had haunted her childhood. Nadia blinked away the tears that threatened to spill. The car stopped moving and the man beside her yanked her roughly from the car. Her feet scraped the ground as they dragged her inside. The room they brought her to was full of armed figures, both men and women, their faces a mix of indifference and menace. “Nadia Valtor,” Ava said, her voice filled with satisfaction. “We’ve finally found you. The boss is going to be so pleased.” Nadia stiffened at the mention of her real name. It had been years since anyone had called her by that last name. Ava was stunning, her long raven hair framing her flawless skin. She had brown eyes, a straight nose and tiny red lips. As the wife of Rocci, the Mafia boss, she exuded confidence and power. She plucked the ID card from around Nadia's neck, laughing. “Gilbert? Really? What a terrible name to hide behind.” Ava tossed the card onto the floor with disdain. “The game’s over, Nadia.” She pulled out her phone and positioned herself next to Nadia, her grin widening. “Smile for the camera. Papa Rocci needs to see his prized catch.” The camera clicked, capturing Nadia’s terrified expression as Ava's twisted pleasure radiated through the lens.