His Beautiful Chaos

~Arianna~ "You think you can just walk away from this? I’ve been patient enough, girl” Miguel’s voice echoed down the quiet, darkened street. My heart pounded as I stood in the middle of the road, gripping my thin purse tightly against my chest. The weather was cold, but sweat ran down my back beneath my white long-sleeved blouse. The black skirt I wore, clung to my legs as if it shared in my fear. I had just finished my shift at the bar when Miguel caught up to me. I knew I was supposed to pay him today, but there simply wasn’t enough money. “I’m so sorry,” I choked out, tears already blurring my vision. I lowered my head, unable to look at him. “I—I need more time.” Miguel snorted, stepping closer. “More time? I’ve given you and that pathetic excuse of a father of yours enough time. Weeks! Months even!” His voice was sharp, cruel. “I’ve been more than fair, Arianna. Do you think I’m running a charity here? Do I look like mother Theresa?” “I swear, I’ve been trying. I'm not just sitting and folding my hands,” I pleaded, my voice trembling. I couldn’t stop the tears now. “I’ve been working extra shifts, doing everything I can. Please, Miguel... just a little more time. I’ll get it. I will.” But Miguel wasn’t hearing it. His hands clenched into fists, his frustration boiling over. “I don’t care about your excuses. Your old man made a deal, and it’s time to pay up. I’m not waiting any longer.” My chest tightened. My Papa. It was always about Papa. Every time I managed to make a dent in the debt, Papa would go off and dig them deeper into the hole, borrowing more money to drown in his bottles. I had been paying off his debts for as long as I could remember, and it never seemed to end. “Please, Miguel,” I cried. “I don’t have the money today. But I’ll pay you back. I promise. Just hold on a little more.” Miguel stared at me for a moment, his eyes cold and unrelenting. Then, with a low growl, he spat, “I want some of my money even if it is a deposit.” “But I don’t—” I blinked through my tears. He did not allow me to finish my sentence. “Now!” Miguel insisted. My hands shook as I reached up to my neck. There was only one thing left that I could offer. My Mama’s necklace, a small silver chain with a delicate locket. It wasn’t worth much, but it was all I had left of her. With trembling fingers, I unclasped the necklace and held it out to Miguel. “Take this,” I whispered, my voice breaking along my heart. “It’s all I have.” Miguel snatched the necklace from my hand like the animal he was and examined it, his lips curling in disdain. “This?” he scoffed. “This isn’t enough. But fine. I’ll take it for now.” He pocketed the necklace, then leaned in close to my face. “I’ll be back tomorrow for the rest. And you better have it. No more excuses.” I nodded weakly, my whole body trembling. I watched as Miguel turned and walked away, his footsteps fading into the night. Only then did I let out a ragged sob, crumbling to my knees in the middle of the road. The weight of everything crashed down on me, and for a moment, I couldn’t breathe. How will I continue to live like this? For how long will this embarrassment continue? But I couldn’t stay there. I couldn’t fall apart. Not yet. I had to be strong for Rosalind. Wiping my tears, I forced myself to stand. My legs felt like jelly, but I made myself walk. Step after step, I headed home, the weight of my lost necklace heavier than ever. It was the last piece of my mama I had left, and now it was gone…gone forever. When I finally reached the small, rundown house I shared with my Papa and sister, I could barely hold myself together. I pushed the door open quietly, hoping Rosalind wouldn’t notice my state. But my little sister was already waiting with a worried look. It was two hours past my closing hour. “Arianna, what happened? Why are you crying?” Rosalind with her wide brown eyes and innocent face, rushed over as soon as I stepped inside. “It’s nothing, Rosalind. I’m fine" I shook my head quickly, wiping my face. But my voice cracked, betraying the lie. "It’s Miguel again, isn’t it?” Rosalind looked at me. with concern. I couldn’t speak. I just nodded. It was not difficult to guess. Miguel has been on my neck for days and the neighborhood was also getting tired of our drama. Rosalind’s face hardened, her youthful features twisting with anger. “It’s not fair. You’ve done everything. He can’t keep coming after you. It’s not even you who borrowed from him. It was Papa..” “I’ll handle it,” I said softly, though I didn’t believe the words myself. “I have to. Papa is not in the position to do it right now.” Just as I began to change out of my work clothes, there was a sudden loud banging on the front door. Both of us froze. My heart leaped into my throat. It was too early for our papa to be home. He was probably still passed out in some bar, or worse, borrowing more money he couldn’t repay. Who could it be? Rosalind stepped back, her face pale. “Arianna… who is that?” “I don’t know. I’m not expecting anyone,” I whispered, my stomach twisting in fear. I never had a friend due to my busy schedule, so whoever was at the door might have come to claim a debt owned by my Papa. “Stay here.” I slowly approached the door, my hand shaking as I reached for the handle. I took a deep breath, then yanked it open. The moment I did, a large figure burst into the room, throwing someone to the floor at my feet. I gasped, my eyes widening as I recognized the man lying there. My Papa. He was unconscious, reeking of alcohol, his clothes filthy and torn. My eyes shot up to the man who had thrown him inside. He stood tall and intimidated, wearing a black suit, with a half-mask covering the left side of his face. His dark eyes glared at me, cold and unforgiving. It was Don Nicholas. The name sent chills down my spine. Everyone in the city knew who he was—the most feared mafia boss, a man who controlled everything in the shadows. People said he was ruthless, that he had made a pact with the devil, trading half his face for power. No one had ever seen the full extent of his face, and no one dared to ask why. My throat went dry. What could he possibly want from my family? “Wh-what do you want?” I stammered, backing away as Rosalind peeked from behind me. We were both scared. Don Nicholas stepped forward, his presence filling the room like a suffocating shadow. He glanced down at my unconscious Papa with disdain before looking back at me. “Your father,” Nicholas spoke, his voice deep and calm, but laced with danger, “has crossed the line. He owes more than he can repay. He’s been borrowing from people he should’ve stayed far away from.” My breath caught in my throat. More debts means more troubles. I had barely dealt with Miguel, and now this? “Please,” I begged. It was better than adding to his anger. “I’ll pay. I’ll work to pay whatever he owes. Just give me some time.” Nicholas tilted his head, his eyes narrowing. “You? You’ve been covering for him long enough, haven’t you?” I nodded, my heart pounding. “I have... but I’ll keep doing it. I don’t have a choice.” For a long moment, Nicholas just stared at me, his expression unreadable beneath the mask. Then, he turned and gestured to one of his men standing by the door. “Bring him. We’ll see what happens next.” Before I could react, the men dragged my Papa out, leaving me and Rosalind standing in shock. One of the men returned, his voice cold. “Come with me. This will be the longest night of your lives.” “What is he going to do us?” Rosalind's voice trembled. I had no idea. But whatever it was, I feared it would be worse than any debt I could ever repay.