Vendetta: Mafia's Deadly Game

[Eleanor's POV] [Alarm Clock] As soon as the alarm bell rang, I jolted awake and stumbled towards the bathroom, my eyes still half closed. Hastily locking the door behind me, I swiftly unbuttoned my shirt and turned on the tap, hoping the steam would jolt me into full wakefulness. Shedding my sweatpants, I stepped into the shower, bracing myself for the cold water. Despite the initial shock, I felt invigorated and more alert. After finishing my shower, I turned off the water and wrapped a towel around my body. I glanced at my reflection and noticed that my eyes appeared wide awake. I was too preoccupied with preparing myself to actually take a proper look. For today's work, I opted for the same red shirt and black pants that I had purchased a few days ago during a 50% off sale with Layla, specifically for this special day. After completing my morning routine, I hurried downstairs, where the clattering of dishes and the enticing aroma of food filled the air. "Good morning, Mum!" I greeted her as I entered the kitchen. She turned towards me and planted a kiss on my cheek. "Happy birthday, Ele," she said. I glanced at her, realizing that I had completely forgotten that today marked my 23rd birthday. "Thank you, Mom," I expressed my gratitude as I swiftly grabbed my beloved americano coffee and began savoring its flavors. It was a day when I had to arrive at the office early, yet I found myself running behind schedule. Placing the now empty coffee mug on the table, I turned my gaze towards my mother, who was occupied with something near the fridge. She seemed to be on a quest for something specific. Eventually, she discovered what she had been seeking - a cupcake adorned with a delicate pink candle. I eagerly gazed at my mother, my eyes filled with excitement. With a smile on my face, I observed as my mother delicately placed the cupcake onto a small plate. Despite my forgetfulness in the morning rush, my mother had not. She possessed a unique talent for turning even the most ordinary actions into something extraordinary. "Mum, I'm running late today. Ms. Chairman is coming, and I cannot afford to be tardy." "Ms. Chairman, why are they arriving?" I glanced at her in astonishment upon hearing her question, as I had informed her last night that today is a very important day at the office. "She is coming because today is the first day of the new CEO," I replied. "Well, being five minutes late won't make a difference," Mom said as she lit the candle on the cake. "I just wanted to ensure that you begin your day with a small celebration." "Mum, thank you," I managed to utter only these words before swiftly extinguishing the candle, slicing the cake, and offering a bite to my mother. I then hurriedly made my way outside, devouring the remaining piece. The delectable sweetness of the frosting and the tender texture of the cake flooded my mouth, evoking nostalgic memories of past birthdays and the happiness that always accompanied her presence. As I joined the bustling crowd on the streets, the morning rush was in full swing. The air was filled with the sound of cars honking and people chatting, creating a lively atmosphere. Upon entering the office, I noticed a significant change in the atmosphere. Everyone seemed to be in a frenzy, rushing around. In my haste, I accidentally bumped into someone. However, I quickly sat down and began organizing my bag, gathering all the scattered pages until they were neatly arranged and ready to be picked up. All of a sudden, my phone started vibrating, prompting me to retrieve it from my pocket. It turned out to be yet another text message from Noel. "Why are you arriving so late?" Layla's voice interrupted my attention, causing me to put my phone away. "Yes, I am running late today. My eyes refused to open early this morning," I replied, slightly amused. "Well, now the boss will make sure your eyes are wide open," she warned in a serious tone. "Why? What's going on? Where is the boss?" I inquired, feeling a sense of concern. "In her office," she said, gesturing with her eyes, and I glanced towards the glass door and witnessed her engaged in a heated argument with William. Her attire consisted of a form-fitting black pencil skirt, complemented by black silk stockings and matching high heels. On top, she wore an opulent-looking crimson blouse adorned with sparkling diamond embellishments. As our eyes met through the reflective surface of the door, I noticed a distinct expression of irritation etched upon her face. I felt a pang of anxiety as I watched the scene unfold. William, a highly respected employee, was being reprimanded by the boss, which was quite unusual for such an early hour. Hastily arranging my belongings on my desk, I cautiously approached the office, hoping to avoid any scolding in the early morning. Upon entering the office, the atmosphere was thick with tension. William appeared visibly flustered and filled with remorse. Sitting behind her desk, Ms. Meera, the boss, wore a disappointed and frustrated expression. "William, how could you be so careless? Your mistake has cost us a major client in Singapore, resulting in billions of dollars in losses." A knot formed in my stomach as I pondered the situation. William was renowned for his meticulousness and attention to detail. It was highly unusual for him to make such a significant error. I couldn't help but wonder what had gone awry. "I understand you but…" "I don't want to hear any excuses, William! This was a crucial account, and you were responsible for ensuring its success. Now, we have lost not only a valuable client but also a significant amount of revenue." Ms. Meera's voice boomed, causing me to involuntarily flinch. She gestured for William to leave and then turned her attention towards me, her tone filled with frustration. "Why on earth are you just standing there like a complete i***t!" I remained still, offering only a sheepish smile as I uttered, "'Sorry." "It's not about apologies," she shouted in response. "You were expected to be present at 7:30 am. You're late for your scheduled shift!" "Oh, right…" I mumbled, scratching the back of my neck, maintaining my smile while glancing at my watch, questioning the absurdity of the time displayed. As I observed my watch, I suddenly comprehended that it was already 8:45 am. Panic engulfed me as I desperately attempted to conjure up an explanation for my tardiness. "I... I must have slept in," I stuttered, my smile fading as I lied. Her gaze narrowed, and she impatiently crossed her arms. "Sleeping in? That's not a valid excuse. We have a strict schedule to adhere to, and your tardiness throws off the entire team." Overwhelmed with guilt, I nodded and apologized once more. "I comprehend, and I sincerely apologize. It won't occur again." letting out a frustrated sigh. It was evident that she was not convinced by my words. "Won't this happen again? Are you lacking intelligence? Don't you realize that Ms. Chairman is visiting today? Prepare everything immediately!" "Yes, boss, I'm nearly prepared," I responded, causing her to roll her eyes. "Contact the press and ensure they are organized in the hall," she ordered. "Is there anything else you need me to do, boss?" I asked, hoping to divert her attention away from her annoyance. She emitted another sigh of frustration, indicating her dissatisfaction with my previous answer. "Indeed," she responded abruptly. "Ensure that the decorations are flawless, the refreshments are arranged correctly, and that everything is prepared according to Ms. Chairman's preferences." "I will ensure it is completed," I responded calmly, my voice barely above a whisper. "Quicker," she snarled, storming out of her office once more and forcefully slamming the door, causing the glass to tremble. I let out a sigh and ran my hand across my face, realizing that today was my birthday. The sound of her heels echoed on the marble floor as she made her way towards the elevator. Determined to prove my competence despite her skepticism, I hurried off to supervise the arrangements. The pressure was building, but I was determined to meet the challenge. Failing was not an option. "Is Ava here yet?" Layla's presence immediately reminded me of Ava. After all, she was supposed to oversee today's preparations as the new CEO's personal secretary. "Yes, she's here, but she's currently with the boss, inspecting the arrangements in the hall downstairs," Layla replied, hurrying towards the main entrance to greet the press. After a quick glance at her back, I proceeded towards the hall, filled with curiosity about the progress of everything. Near the entrance, I noticed Ava and the boss engrossed in a conversation. Ava was gesturing towards some final details, while the boss attentively listened. Their collaboration appeared flawless, as if they were perfectly synchronized in their work. "I hope you will disappear Ava," I muttered, unsure if it was fueled by my envy or pure rage. I had always yearned to be the one standing by the boss's side, aiding and backing her up. At precisely 10 o'clock, Daniel Hernandez entered the hallway, causing all the cameras to shift their focus onto him. He was the only child of Ms. Chairman Linda Hernandez and the exclusive proprietor of Delish Delights, having recently finished his education in Sydney. Amidst the bustling crowd, the sound of his footsteps went unnoticed. He possessed a captivating allure, with his slender frame, lustrous light brown hair, and piercing blue eyes that held an air of enigma and allure. Clad in a white jacket layered over a black sweater, he exuded an aura of effortless elegance, accentuating the dark tones and emanating a distinct sense of cool sophistication. As he strolled down the aisle of the hall, where individuals were seated on rows of red velvet chairs, he greeted each person with a charming smile. I couldn't help but ponder who among them would be the fortunate girl he would choose to date. Just then, Noel's message appeared on my phone screen, snapping me back to reality. I tapped the screen to read his message. 'Luxe Heaven' 'Skyview Height Hotel' 'Meeting' '11:00 pm'