Kiss Me Mr. Mafia

Crizza's POV I woke up to a loud bang downstairs, followed by shouting and things being thrown against the walls. Dad was drunk again. Scenes like this were nothing new to me. I had grown used to waking up every day to his rage and flying objects. But what terrified me most was the memory of that night he threw a heavy glass vase at me. The vase hit my shoulder and shattered. Sharp shards sliced my skin, leaving deep cuts and ugly bruises across my shoulder and chest. I was not able to go to school with it. “Crizza!” his voice boomed—slurred, heavy, and full of rage. I hurried down the stairs, nearly losing my balance when I saw him slumped messily on the sofa, clutching a liquor bottle. This wasn’t the father I knew. He used to be happy, warm, caring, and never drank. But now, he was a complete mess. Pale skin, messy hair, rough stubble, wearing the same dirty clothes since that nightmare four years years ago. I was used to this painful routine now. Whenever he saw me, I became the outlet for all his anger and frustration. He would choke me, slap me, hit me… but none of it broke me. I couldn’t let Mom down. I promised her I would never give up, no matter what happened. ‘Be strong, Crizza. Don’t let anyone break you. Promise me.’ That was the last thing Mom said to me. And that is exactly what I do. Every day. Always. “Yes, Dad,” I answered softly, standing at a safe distance. He tried to stand up but failed miserably, sliding back down to the floor while refusing to let go of his bottle. I wasn’t afraid of him anymore. The only thing keeping me going was the thought that one day I would be free. I would leave this house and get far away from him. And today… today was supposed to be that day. “Cook tonight. We… we will have visitors,” he stammered, taking another gulp. Visitors. I knew exactly who they were—the same group of men who came last week. Just like him, they were drunkards and useless people. Last time, they ordered me to bring water, then suddenly splashed it all over me. “Yes, Dad,” I answered, head low. Not because I was scared, but because I couldn’t bear to look at him like this. “Do it well. Unless you want another beating,” he warned darkly. I didn’t reply. I turned and walked back to my room. My eyes landed on our family portrait on my desk. I picked it up and stared at our happy faces, tracing them with my finger. We used to be perfect. Loving, supportive, I never lacked anything. We went on trips, ate dinner together, laughed together… but everything changed in one night, four years ago. Mom was on a business trip in Hong Kong. She called excitedly, saying she found a beautiful gift for me and was coming home soon. Hours passed, night fell… but she never arrived. Instead, we got the worst news that her car crashed on the way to the mall—the very mall where she went to buy my gift. Dad lost his mind. He couldn’t accept it, and in his grief and madness, he blamed everything on me. And honestly… I think he was right. If only I hadn’t asked for that gift. I didn’t notice tears falling until they blurred the photo. I wiped them away quickly. “Mom, I know you can see me. I will never let anyone break me. I promise.” I set the frame down gently. I got ready and headed straight to the university. Today was our graduation, and I was so thankful I made it this far. I survived. “Crizza!” Mavies ran to me and hugged me tight, the warmest hug I had all year. “Thank God! Can you believe it? We’re finally graduates!” she beamed, radiating pure joy and excitement. She was right. I couldn’t believe I was actually here, holding my future in my hands. I was so lucky to have Mavies. She brought light into my dark life. Always joking, always positive, spreading good energy everywhere. But looking at her bright face now, my chest ached. This might be the last time I’d see her. “Hey, why the long face?” she laughed nervously. I hugged her again, stroking her hair. I couldn’t tell her about my plan to run away. It was selfish, I knew… but once I was safe and settled, I would find her again. I smiled genuinely. “Nothing. Just… grateful. Grateful for a friend like you. Funny, pretty…” She made a silly face and pointed to herself proudly. “And above all, a little bit crazy in the head!” I rolled my eyes playfully as she punched my shoulder lightly. We both laughed, forgetting everything else for a moment. “Come on, let’s go inside,” she urged, pulling my hand. I breathed out deeply. This was it. I was ending one chapter and starting a new one. I am the main character of my story, I told myself firmly. And main characters never give up. “Let’s go.” I held her hand tighter as we walked to the hall. Mavies’ mom was with us, so I didn’t feel completely alone. While everyone cheered and celebrated, I whispered silently, “Mom… this is for you,” clutching my diploma tight against my chest. After the ceremony, we walked out of the university gates together. The reality that I was leaving everything behind finally sank in. “Mavies… I’ll miss you,” I told my only friend—the one who stayed even when I was cold and distant to everyone else. “Hey, don’t be dramatic! We’ll meet again, okay? You can’t get rid of me that easily,” she teased. I hugged her and her mom tight, memorizing their faces and voices. “Take care always.” I waved as their car drove away. Arriving home, the house was silent. No sign of Dad. Not surprising—he was probably out drinking somewhere, God knows where he got the money. I went to my room and lay down. The day was exhausting, and I fell asleep quickly. When I woke up, it was late afternoon, almost dark. Thank God I woke on time otherwise, Dad would have beaten me again. I rushed to the kitchen to prepare dinner. But the moment I opened the refrigerator, my jaw dropped in pure shock. It was fully stocked—groceries, fresh vegetables, meat, drinks… everything. Ingredients I had never even seen here before. I rubbed my eyes hard, thinking I was hallucinating. But it was real. What got into his head to buy this much? He usually only bought beer and chips. “Crizza. Start cooking. Now.” I nearly jumped out of my skin. Dad was standing right behind me, appearing out of nowhere like a ghost. “And make it delicious and perfect. You know what happens if it’s not,” he threatened in a low, dangerous voice. I nodded silently. He left, but a heavy bad feeling settled deep in my stomach. Usually, he only bought food if his drunk friends came… but this amount? This quality? This was different. I started cooking immediately. It took me nearly three hours to finish everything. When I placed the last dish on the table, I sighed, tiredness taking over my whole body. Night fell quickly. Soon, I heard cars outside. I looked through the window and froze. Three sleek, black luxury cars were parked in front. I was right. These weren’t his usual trashy friends. I finished arranging the table just as the front door opened. Dad walked in, followed by two men in sharp black suits. Tall, broad, radiating intimidating power that filled the whole room. I stood up nervously, and both men turned to look at me at the same time. “This must be your daughter, Mr. Illazar,” the bearded man said, locking eyes with me intensely. His voice sent cold shivers down my spine. “Yes… exactly. Please, sit,” Dad replied calmly—too calmly for someone like him. They sat down, but their eyes never left me. They stared like I was an object, like I was already theirs to take. “Mr. Rusco sent us here,” the second man said, flat and business-like. Mr. Rusco? Who was that? Is Dad in debt? Did he commit a crime? “I know. Everything is set and ready,” Dad answered smoothly. My heart stopped. Everything is set? Slowly, all three of them shifted their gaze fully to me. The silence was suffocating and heavy. “What is this, Dad?” I asked, voice trembling despite my effort to stay brave. The bearded man smirked and leaned forward. “Well, Ms. Illazar… didn’t your father tell you? We’re here to collect payment.” “Payment? What payment?” I frowned, confused. “He has no money to pay his huge debt to our Mafia Boss,” he continued, eyes glinting with malice and triumph. “So… he offered you instead.” He offered you instead. The words echoed loud in my head. My shoulders dropped as realization hit me hard. Payment. He sold me. I was right—this whole time, I was the plan. I was the price. How could he trade his own daughter just to save himself? “No!” I slammed my hands on the table, standing up in rage and disbelief. “You can’t take me! I am not an object! I won’t let this happen—” “Shut up, Crizza!” Dad roared, silencing me instantly. I didn’t wait another second. I turned and ran out of the house as fast as I could. I wouldn’t be used as payment for his mistakes. I burst through the gate and sprinted down the dark street, never looking back. Behind me, I heard Dad and the men shouting, running after me. In your dreams, I thought bitterly. I wasn’t scared of them anymore. “Enough, Dad! You thought I’d never escape? You’re wrong! I was never scared of you!” I screamed back, breathless but running faster. Fools. They had expensive cars, yet they chose to run. I saw an alley ahead and pushed harder, planning to lose them there and hide. I was about to turn when— Thud. A strong hand grabbed my arm, yanking me back so hard I lost balance completely. I didn’t hit the ground though. I slammed right into something hard and solid. Not a wall. A chest. I froze. Slowly, terrified, I looked up. Grey eyes. Intense, cold, piercing grey eyes stared right down at me. His expression was deadly. He smirked, a slow, terrifying smirk that sent chills through my bones. He was tall… so tall that my head barely reached just below his chin. “Look who we have here,” his voice was deep, velvety, dangerous. He tightened his grip, trapping me completely so I couldn’t move. “W-Who are you?” I stammered, trying not to shake. He didn’t answer. Instead, he leaned closer. “You needed help, right? Come with me.” I had no time to scream or resist. He pulled me forcefully to a sleek black car and shoved me inside the back seat. Seconds later, the two men chasing me arrived, breathless and panicked. They stopped dead the moment they saw him. “Boss… you caught her,” one said, bowing low in respect and fear. Boss? My eyes went wide in horror. He wasn’t just some stranger. He was their boss. I had run straight into the arms of the Mafia King himself.