THE MAFIA’s PET

CREMATED MY BEST FRIEND!

I paced around the waiting area, tears streaming down my cheeks uncontrollably.

Memories kept replaying in my head.

He took her away from me like she meant nothing. By evening, I eventually stopped blaming myself and dragged my tired body home, ignoring the stares of onlookers.

Once I got home, went into the bathroom and turned on the shower, letting the water trickle down my skin. I watched as it washed away the blood and started crying all over again.

“It’s my fault.”

I pressed both hands against my mouth and sobbed quietly.

“It’s all my fault, Alessia.”

I slid down the bathroom wall until I was sitting on the cold floor, the water pouring over my head. I couldn’t even remember when I’d started shaking.

She’d been my best friend. My sister in every way that mattered.

And I’d watched her die.

I kept seeing her face. The way she’d looked at me before closing her eyes. The way she’d whispered those words.

“Forgive me.”

Why would she say that?

What was i supposed to forgive her for and she wasn’t here anymore?

I pulled my knees to my chest and cried until my throat hurt. Even then, the tears wouldn’t stop.

Eventually, the water turned cold.

I dragged myself up, switched off the shower, and wrapped a towel around my body. My eyes were swollen, my face looked awful, and I could barely stand without feeling dizzy.

I looked down at my hands.

They looked clean.

But I could still feel her blood between my fingers.

I scrubbed them under the tap until my skin turned red.

“Stop it,” I whispered.

I rubbed harder.

“Just stop it!”

My voice broke, and I gripped the sink, staring at my reflection.

I didn’t recognize the girl looking back at me.

I struck the mirror repeatedly until I noticed blood oozing from my hand. The pain was nothing compared to the ache in my heart.

Alessia was dead.

And the man responsible was probably somewhere enjoying an expensive drink, completely unbothered by what he’d done.

I wanted to hate him until it burned.

But hate was too small.

He needed to know exactly what it felt like when the doctor said the words. To beg. To watch the person he loved leave anyway.

The thought didn’t scare me.

I meant every second of it.

But there was one problem. Did he even have a heart capable of loving anyone?

I guess I’ll find out soon enough, even if I have to for the rest of my life.

I got the first aid box and tended to my wounds before dressing up in an old T-shirt and shorts.

Alessia’s slippers were still beside the bed, and her favourite mug sat on the dressing table.

I stopped when I saw it.

She’d used that mug recently.

I walked over and picked it up, holding it against my chest like an i***t.

“You didn’t even wash your cup,” I whispered. “You always told me I was the dirty one.”

A dry laugh escaped me.

It lasted barely a second before I started crying again.

I couldn’t stay here.

Not with her things everywhere. I needed to get out.

But where would I go?

My mother was in the hospital. I had no money for a hotel, no family I could run to, and absolutely nobody who could protect me from Antonio Dante.

I sank onto the bed and stared at the wall until sleep took me.

The following morning, I wandered around the house, clueless about what to do. I couldn’t eat or cry anymore.

I basically stayed in bed all through till evening, then it occurred to me.

I needed to get her body back, couldn’t just leave her there.

The least I could do was give her a proper goodbye.

I wiped my face, grabbed my phone, and headed back to the hospital.

Didn’t even bother changing my clothes. I couldn’t bring myself to care what I looked like anymore.

The journey felt longer than it had earlier. I kept staring out of the window, watching people go about their lives. Even a stray cat nearby seemed happy to be out and free.

When I arrived at the hospital, I hurried to the reception desk.

Two nurses were talking behind the counter. One of them looked up when I approached.

“Hi, excuse me.”

My voice came out rough. I cleared my throat.

“Please, I brought my friend here yesterday. She… she passed away.”

The nurse’s expression softened.

“I’m sorry for your loss.”

I swallowed.

“Thank you. I’m here to collect her body.”

She exchanged a glance with the other nurse before turning back to me.

“Okay, miss. Did you complete any paperwork when you brought her in?”

I frowned.

“Paperwork?”

“Yes. Registration forms, next-of-kin details, anything like that?”

“No.” I shook my head. “I wasn’t asked to fill in anything. I brought her in, and your doctors took her away. They came out later and told me she was dead.”

“Okay, what was her name?”

“Alessia Rossi.”

The two nurses exchanged another look.

The older nurse folded her hands on the counter.

“I’m sorry, miss, but there’s been a complication.”

I stared at her.

“What complication?”

“Someone came to claim your friend’s body.”

I frowned. “Who?”

“He identified himself as her brother. Marco Rossi.”

The older nurse hesitated before continuing.

“After you left, a man came in carrying a picture of you. He asked if we’d admitted a woman who’d been shot and showed us the picture to confirm that you were the one who brought her in.”

I stared at her in disbelief.

“A picture of me?”

“Yes. He said he was your friend’s brother and that his name was Marco Rossi. He presented documents to support his claim and completed the next-of-kin paperwork.”

For a moment, I couldn’t speak.

“Her brother?” I finally managed. “Alessia doesn’t have a brother.”

The nurse’s expression changed. “Are you sure?”

“Of course, I’m sure! I’ve lived with her. I’ve known her for years!” My voice rose. “How could you release her body to a stranger without calling me?”

“We tried reaching the contact number he provided, but there was no answer. The documents appeared to be in order.”

“He then begged us to arrange the cremation that same day, claiming your friend’s mother was critically ill and he needed to deliver her ashes to her.”

“You cremated her?”

“That’s what our records show.”

I gripped the edge of the counter. “Who gave him permission? Did you call me? I was the one who brought her in!”

“Miss, like I said… the documentation was in order. We attempted the contact number he provided, but there was no answer.”

“What number? Show me the papers.”

She hesitated. “I’m not authorized to—”

“Show me the goddamn papers!”

“Miss, please—”

“No! I want to know who this man is.”

“Miss—”

“No.” I laughed. “You can’t be serious.”

The nurse looked uncomfortable.

“YOU CREMATED MY BEST FRIEND?”