Sue Me

|1| The Ritual -

 I was crying non stop. Slowly falling to the floor. I couldn't breathe, I felt every part of me to grow empty. Coughing uncontrollably. I was choking on my own tears. This pain, what is it? It hurt so much oh so much. I looked up at the man. The man whom I thought I loved, tears flooding my eyes I screeched out the only word I could form "why?" Why would he want to put his hands on me. He claimed he loved me so much yet dared to hurt me? No real man does this. Antonio just stares down at me, rage filling his eyes causing me to silence in fear. This man hurt me once, he won't hesitate to do it again.

Present -

Alexi snaps out of her memory and opens her eyes looking forward, realizing it's just a memory. A very bad memory at that. Why has she found herself remembering such a vile memory? She's not quite sure. Maybe it had to do with the fact that, that incident(s) made her who she is today. She's stronger and so much more powerful. 

Arising from her swivel chair she began to pack her bag up. She gently put her notebook and pens in her purse and grabbed her keys. Before she exited the room she locked it up. Today she's at the famiglia's house, meaning that some of the members of the mafia live in this house, and in this house is her office and spare bedroom. Trusting no one as usual, Lexi let these types of thoughts get to her head. Constantly being paranoid and living in livid fear always looking behind her shoulder never knowing when her last few days are. She sighed at the thought and continued to walk at a somewhat fast pace. Before the annual ritual she needs to get dressed. Papà always told her to dress seductively. He knew for a fact his daughter is quite the catch, after all she is his daughter and her beauty was unique. She had light tan skin, smooth with not a blemish on it and long black hair down to her waist. Deep blue eyes one could thoroughly get lost in and shiny white teeth, making her smile pure and sweet. Her Italian and Mexican heritage made her Spanish, and her African nationality made her to be quite the blend. Alexi followed his orders because she realized how much men became distracted by her, in fact they lusted over her and well, femmes envied her.

Leaving the shower still wet she wrapped the towel around herself and entered her closet. She new exactly the perfect attire for a ritual, something sexy but cautious. She chose black leather pants and a red crop top. Along she put her fur coat and sunglasses on. Papà had told her that every boss wears sunglasses whenever they're in public. Making sure people don't look you in the eye fearing your real gaze. Finally ready to go after applying a thin layer of makeup Lexi got up and looked in her mirror. She thought she looked ok, besides the pants show off her curves well. Leaving the mansion she is to be at the kings warehouse in approximately thirty minutes. Rehearsing the lines in her head she becomes more nervous. Today she is to be given the title "Donna of the Marielito Famiglia" which is of course the name of  the mafia. Every new Don or Donna must fall threw with this ritual swearing on their life. 

Arriving to her destination she sits there quietly with her hands on the stirring wheel. She takes a deep breath inhaling then exhaling. Walking into the building she follows the directions told and enters a dark room. The walls were like a black velvet, the flooring was almost the same. Then there was two tables filled with all types of weird stuff. Walking further into the room she sees the Kings patiently awaiting. Ahhh the kings, I bet your wondering as for who they are. Well you see every mafia has a pack. Meaning five leaders come together and form theirs, of course they handle their own business alone still, they just look after eachother. These groups of leaders are known as Kings the most powerful collided. As for Alexi she is to become one today taking over her papàs spot. 

Nervously she steps forward into the light. Her sudden appearance from the shadow made the kings stop talking and acknowledge her presence. Standing tall Lexi made sure to hide her current emotions. Confidently she greets them 

"Donna Alvedi, Don Valencio, Don Monteverdi, Don Falamos, Don-" Suddenly she stopped in her tracks at the last one. He was piercing through her eyes causing her to shiver. This Don is her father.

"Don Lance" she completes her sentence and nods her head bowing. Soon they will be calling her Donna Lance and the thought about it made her heart whole. "Step forward Ms.Lance we shall begin"

Hesitantly Lexi stepped forward. Donna Alvedi arose from her seat and approached Lexi. "Ok my dear, I assume you must know the rules of this famiglia, however I still must go over them with you"

1. Mercy: have none of it

2. Honor: those above you

3. Respect: everyone even if they don't respect you

4. Ruthless: be so when needed

5. Focus: always observe 

6. Insensate

7. Clever: be strategic and tricky

8. Obey: those above you once again

9. Stand-Up Guy: whenever you see wrong address it

10. Class: wherever you go have that

11. Rational: Never think so

12. Lastly the most important one Omérta

Lexi repeated the last word, as that one is really the most important one, it means the code of silence to never snitch and forever stay loyal till your grave. 

After Donna Alvedi went over the rules the rest of the kings got down from the pledge and headed towards Lexi. Don Falamos approaches her first as Donna Alvedi backs away. He swiftly pulls out a kings card and lights it on fire. Caught by surprise Lexi stares at it in astonishment. Handing Lexi the card before it burns out she already knew what she has to say. She had practiced this line and the other one in the car. Staring down at the card she speaks up and says "if this card ever burns again, may my soul burn in hell for betraying the Omérta" Slowly she burns out the fire that's left on the half burnt card. Handing it back to him, he walks away and goes to stand with the other Kings. Her father, Don Lance takes her hand and guides her to the table. The other Kings follow behind and surround them. Lexi also knew what was about to happen. Don Lance hands her the knife with hopeful eyes. She saw that look in her fathers eyes whenever he was worried. This moment is his last moment as Don. This meant retirement for him and a whole new chapter for her. Patting her father on the shoulder and smiling at him for reassurance she holds her right hand over the metal bowl and splits her palm open with knife. Holding it still making sure the blood doesn't fall out she hands the knife to her father, he does the same and passes it forward. Together the six of them squeeze the blood out of their palms and say the other set of words Lexi has been practicing. "This blood means we are one family, you live by the gun and knife and you die by the gun and knife" finally being done Lexi turns her head and looks at all of their reactions. A big smile was forming on her face. Today she has officially become the Donna of Marielito Famiglia. "Welcome to the Kings Ms. Donna Alexi Lance" smiling non-stop she turned to face her father as this is now her title. He weakly smiles at her and pulls her into a tight hug. Quietly he whispers in her ear

"figlia mia, amore mio, cuore mio. Sono così orgoglioso di te"

(My daughter, my love, my heart. I am so proud of you)

Shredding a tear or two Lexi pulls away from her father and hugs the other Kings. Tonight was a celebration night. A formal one at that, what better way to honor and properly introduce the new Donna? Not to mention other famiglias and kings shall be attending. Because when there is a new Don or Donna even at that a King, majority of the mafias come together to meet them. Her smile fading away, Lexi was brought back into reality realizing that these sometimes get messy, if one thing goes wrong everything goes wrong, possibly leading to a crossfire. One thing she knows for sure is that tonight she must show no mercy.