THE VENDOR AND THE MAFIA BOSS

CHAPTER SEVEN

The quiet hum of the city’s nightlife outside Rafa's office windows was a far cry from the tension inside the room. The glowing skyline of Pasig seemed distant, almost irrelevant compared to the undercurrent of power, danger, and uncertainty that thrived in the warehouse. Amara’s hands were still slightly shaking as she stood before Rafa’s desk, waiting for the inevitable words that would come next.

The job was done, and they had successfully unloaded the shipment. Marco had come through, but Rafa had yet to express his full thoughts. He sat across from her, his fingers steepled as he surveyed her with a cold, calculating gaze. It was unsettling, the way he could make her feel so exposed with just a look.

"You did well, Amara," Rafa said finally, his voice devoid of warmth. "But you should know this isn't a game. You play by my rules, or you don't play at all."

Amara stiffened. She had been prepared for the threat, but hearing it from him, from the man who seemed to control every aspect of her life now, made it all the more real.

"I understand," she said, trying to keep her voice steady. "I’m here to do the job, nothing more."

Rafa's lips curled into a faint smile, but there was no humor in it. "Good. But remember, it’s not just about doing the job. It's about doing it right, without hesitation, without question."

He leaned back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest. "You’ve been with me long enough to know that if you want to survive in this world, you have to be smarter, faster, and stronger than anyone else. Trusting the wrong people can get you killed."

Amara swallowed hard, her throat dry. She wanted to respond, to assure him that she was ready, but something in Rafa’s demeanor told her that words wouldn’t be enough. She had to show him.

"You’ve seen how Marco operates," Rafa continued, his eyes flicking at the door as if checking if the man was nearby. "He’s loyal, but he’s also dangerous. Don’t let him make you believe you’re something more than just a tool in his eyes."

Her stomach twisted. She had always known Marco was someone to be wary of, but hearing Rafa say it out loud made her feel a sense of unease settle in her chest.

"And you," Rafa said, his voice suddenly soft, almost contemplative, "You remind me of someone I used to know. Someone who tried to play in this world, only to get burned. Don’t make the same mistake."

Amara didn’t know how to respond to that. She wanted to ask who that person was, but something in Rafa’s tone told her it wasn’t a question she should pursue. Instead, she nodded.

"Stay close to Marco, but don’t let your guard down. He's useful, but loyalty is a fragile thing," Rafa added as he stood up and walked toward the window, staring out at the city below. The lights twinkled like distant stars, oblivious to the chaos and danger lurking in the shadows.

As she stood there, feeling the weight of his words settle over her, Amara couldn’t shake the nagging thought at the back of her mind. What had Rafa meant by that cryptic remark? Who had he been talking about? And why did it feel like she was being drawn into something far darker than she could have imagined?

Later that evening, Marco and Amara found themselves walking through the crowded streets of Pasig, heading toward the meeting point for their next job. The streets were alive with activity—vendors shouting, cars honking, and the familiar bustle of a city that never slept. Despite the surrounding chaos, Marco remained calm, his movements slow and deliberate.

Amara, on the other hand, was more aware than ever of the dangers surrounding them. Rafa’s words kept echoing in her head: "Loyalty is fragile." She had to figure out where she stood, not just with Marco but with everyone around her. The moment she let her guard down, the consequences could be fatal.

"Something on your mind?" Marco asked, glancing at her as they navigated through the crowded streets.

Amara hesitated before answering, unsure of how much she should reveal. "Rafa says loyalty is fragile," she said finally, her voice cautious. "What did he mean by that?"

Marco chuckled darkly. "Rafa talks in riddles, doesn't he? He wants you to know that loyalty can be bought, sold, and broken. In his world, trust is earned, but it’s always temporary. No one stays loyal forever."

Amara frowned. "So, we’re all just disposable, then?"

"Not exactly people," Marco shrugged. "Rafa doesn’t throw people away unless they give him a reason to. But you have to prove yourself. Again and again. One wrong move, and you’re done."

The weight of his words sank into her chest like a heavy stone. It was a cruel reality, one she hadn’t fully understood until now. She wasn’t just playing a dangerous game. She was caught in the middle of it, and there was no easy way out.

As they approached the meeting point, a dark alley between two buildings, Marco’s demeanor shifted. He motioned for Amara to follow him closely, his eyes scanning his surroundings. Something was off.

"Stay sharp," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "This could be a trap."

Amara’s heart raced. Was Rafa testing her again? She hadn’t expected another test so soon, but the reality was clear: in this world, nothing came without risk.

They reached the entrance to the alley, where two men stood waiting. Their faces were obscured by the hoods of their jackets, but Amara could sense the tension in the air. This wasn’t the usual handoff. Something felt different.

"Marco," one of the men said, his voice low and clipped. "We’ve got a problem."

"Tell me," Marco replied, his tone steady but with a hint of unease.

"We’ve been compromised," the other man said. "The shipment—it's been flagged. The police are involved."

Amara’s blood ran cold. A trap. Rafa had known about the police involvement all along. But why send them here now? Was this a test to see how they handled the pressure? Or was this a message?

Marco cursed under his breath. "How much time do we have?"

"Not much," the man said. "Maybe twenty minutes, tops."

Marco’s eyes flicked at Amara, and she could see the gears turning in his mind. This was no longer about making a clean handoff. This was about survival.

"Get the goods to the safe house," Marco ordered, his voice commanding. "We move fast, no mistakes."

Amara nodded, adrenaline flooding her system as she followed him into the alley. She had to trust Marco now, and she had to stay focused. This was a test she couldn’t afford to fail.