Chapter Three
1081 Words
Chapter Three
Zara stood up from her seat and walked out of the dining room. Soon, her bedroom door was shut.
From behind the door, she heard her dad’s voice. Sharp, frustrated. “You see what you’ve caused? She’s left without eating her food. Are you happy now?”
Zara didn't care if she ate or not, she had lost her appetite over their argument. She leaned against the door for a moment, folding her fist as her chest heated up, but she tried to force herself to suppress it.
By now, she knew Rose too well; sharp-tongued and careless. Never thinking about how her words landed.
A few minutes later, a knock came in from her door.
"Hey, Zara. Can we talk?" said Devon, Marvy’s second son, his voice soft and careful.
"Not tonight," she said. There was a short silence.
"I'm sorry about earlier today at dinner," he added. Mom is clearly having a bad day. "I came to check up on you," he said, his footsteps fading away. She sighed, gaining back the silence.
Rose and Marvy had fought countless times because of that same biting tongue, so Zara knew better than to let her anger boil over.
“She blabs without evidence," Zara thought bitterly. She knows nothing about me. But she’s always eager to use what I let them believe; “I lost my memory, including my real name.” She just throws it in my face. Foolish woman.”
Becoming an Enforcer was her choice. Marvy didn’t force her, he only helped by training.
Every time Rose did that, the memories she had tried to bury would come running back ; the screams, the smoke and the fire.
But she knew how to keep her pains away in her room by sketching. She carried up an unfinished work from her desk and sat cross-legged on her bed. She moved the pencil quietly until she slept off.
**************
The next morning
Zara bolted up from her bed, breathing and sweating. Looking terrified, she barely recognized the fear in her own reflection. The strange recurring dreams had left her shaken.
The dream always started with fire. Everything she cared about was being burnt down into flames. She would just stand there, unable to move or help while they screamed her name for help.
It always ended in regret. And in its place grew a cold hatred, a burning determination to hunt down those who had a hand in her pain. Who had shown no arms of mercy.
Maybe these dreams were a sign it was time to act. Because why else would she feel helpless in her dreams? Frustrated, she stood up and went to wash her face.
“Knock, knock”.
“Good morning, ma’am. Mr. Marvy wants to see you in the training room,” a maid called from outside.
Zara replied, wiping her face. “I’ll be there in a few minutes. Tell him I would love to train with him today."
“Okay, ma’am.”
Zara wore her training uniform and stepped out.
The sound of gunshots, blades clashing, and groans echoed through the hallway. Her father and the new recruits were already deep in combat practice.
Daniel, Marvy’s first son, came from the opposite side. Their shoulders slammed as they passed.
“Watch where you’re going, bitch.” Daniel’s face twisted.
Zara kept walking, not giving him the satisfaction of a glance.
He stopped and turned toward her. “You deaf?”
She faced him. “No, Daniel.” You watch where you’re going. You hit me,” she retorted.
“Keep your distance,” he muttered, before walking off down the hall.
She pushed the thought aside and walked on as usual.
Rose and Daniel were birds of the same feather. They had never been on good terms since they were kids, treating her with disgust, as if she didn’t belong.
“Good morning, Dad,” she greeted, while she stood beside him.
He stood at his usual spot, watching as other mafia members fought, each one eager to prove they were the strongest. The sight only seemed to excite him.
He gave a small nod without looking away from the fight. “Good morning, we need to talk about yesterday.”
“It’s okay. I’m used to it.” Her voice was calm, though her thoughts weren’t. “Did the maid deliver my message?”
“She did. You want to train with me?“I’ve passed that training section with you.”
“But I haven’t beaten you,” Zara added quickly.
Her father smirked. “Alright, if you say so.”
He gave her a look, then reached for his sword and, just like that, all movement in the room stopped. All eyes turned to them.
She drew out her sword and moved fast, controlling her sword in a graceful way that only came with hours of serious practice.
Keeping up with him was so exhausting because Marvy was powerful. Still, after three failed rounds, she still didn’t give up. The others watched with awe.
“Zara, you’re strong, but you can’t beat me. None of you can stand,” Marvy muttered.
“We’ll see about that,” she said, focused. “Watch me.”
Then she swiftly turned her wrist for a second and knocked out the sword from her father's hand. He stumbled, as he went off balance. Her blade pointed directly to his stomach, positioned to strike just before he could react.
She stopped, breathing hard, and gave him a slight, fierce smile. “How about that?” she said. “I won.”
Cheers erupted from around the room. No one had ever beaten her father before, not even once. And it had taken everything in her to make it happen.
Her father chuckled, breathless. “Finally, Zara." You’ve proven yourself. I doubt if your brothers could land a scratch on me. You're becoming stronger every day. It's clearer that something deep inside you fuels that fire. For a lady to fight the way you do... I’m proud of you.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
They sat close, sweat clung to their faces.
Marvy leaned in. "About what Rose said." "I know it wasn’t the best way to say it, but don't you see the fact, it is worth thinking about, don’t you?"
Zara’s face already looked uneasy. She didn’t like where this was going.
“How?” she asked with a frown.
- Writer
