Title: Mafia’s war: a court of thorns and roses

My fingers drum against the cold marble pub table, a slow, deliberate rhythm as I scan the ballroom. My father has outdone himself—again. Every detail reeks of extravagance, from the absurd eighteen-hundred-dollar crystal champagne flutes to the pristine, silver-rimmed cups. Overkill. I told him one bar would be enough for tonight, but no—there are two, one on each side of the room, because excess is his language. The servers move through the crowd like clockwork, black-and-white uniforms crisp, that damn gold ‘W’ pin catching the light with every step. Delgado property, stamped and shining. "They smile—polite, empty, like they’re barely there. Champagne, tiny overpriced bites, all laid out on silver trays like some kind of ritual. Every move is smooth, practiced. Too perfect. They’ve done this a thousand times, and it shows." Because they have. But this isn’t about food, or drinks, or even the people here pretending to celebrate. This is about power. A show. And I know exactly who the audience is. The room is packed, yet I don’t recognize a single goddamn face. Strangers, all of them, are here for one reason—to witness history. To see who will inherit the throne of the Delgado empire. Will it be me, Maria Elena Delgado, the crowned mafia princess? Or Fernando Delgado—the MotherF**ker? They whisper, they assume. Of course, the bets are on him. Because in their world, a man always leads, and a woman is meant to stand behind him. But they forget one thing. I don’t stand behind anyone. I seek out my father, seated at the head table with the maid-turned-mafia w***e perched on his lap. I wouldn’t say I hate Camila, but if she were set on fire, I wouldn’t waste my breath to put it out. “María, darling, how’s the party?” My papi smiles, gesturing for me to take a seat. "I feel like it's a little too much." Did we really need all this?” I flash that perfect fake smile I’ve mastered since grade six. “I know, I know. But we have a special guest arriving tonight.” “Special guest?” “Yes,” he pauses, his expression unreadable. “José Navarrete will be here soon.” My eyes widen, and fury coils in my gut. “Why is José coming here? Papi, you know what they did to Mother. Why would you welcome the enemy, af—” “José gave me his word that he never ordered a hit on your mother. Wives and family are off-limits. It’s a code all La Mana abide by. So when they arrive, be on your best behavior.” His gaze turns icy, daring me to challenge him. “Of course papi i would, excuse me i have to go to the powder room.” I stand, my fingers digging into the palms of my shaking hands as I walk swiftly away. As I weave through the crowd toward the powder room, I spot Fernando in the corner, whispering sweet lies into yet another w***e’s ear. Now isn’t the time to pick a fight, María. Get it together. Emiliano Navarrete and fernando had been in an arranged marriage since birth, so you would, so you think my brother would have been smart with his extracurricular activities with other mafia put*s.No, not fernando, word got back to Joe about fernando playing Emiliano, and the worst day of my life happened shortly after. Mami was in the car with Fernando running errands. He got out for a minute and mami was mistaken for one of his put*s. They shot up the car, with over a hundred bullets, killing her instantly. Jose said he would never allow his daughter to marry a man who couldn't protect his own mother and ended all communications with the Delgados. That made him the one and one prime target for me. Everyone acts like they don’t know who did it,but we all do, and I will avenge my mamita {mother} when the time is right. From my peripheral vision, I can see the motherF**ker now heading my way, wearing his all- white three- piece suit and red tie, just like papi {father} asked of him. But he still won’t get rid of that man whose father hates so much. Fernando says it adds to the s*x appeal, along with his beards. “You look like you're having a blast, little sis what is it,” he slurs to me. I roll my eyes. “What? Are you not happy seeing me”? “Can never be happy seeing you.” You know if you smile more often, you won’t still be lonely.? He pats my head and moves to the side. “I’m not going to go there with you. When papi makes me the new head of the family you will regret your past actions.” “Why do you think father will make you the head of the family put*?” “Why not? You're useless and a disgrace to the family, handing you over the throne will put down the family, again. You think with your d**k and only care about getting it wet, whereas I'm his everything. I go on weekly meetings with him and ensure our family stays on top of other families, dickhead.” “Maria” I can hear the warning in his voice, but the warning never stops me before, so it can’t start today.’ you are playing a dangerous game here.Quit while you’re ahead.” “How about you travel like you always do and F**k all the mafia put*s your heart desires, and i’ll show you mercy.’’ He scoffs. “Mercy? Your way over your head little sis, father will never give you the throne. No one will listen to you, women aren’t meant to lead a family, talk more of family like ours.” I let out a laugh catching the attention of some guests nearby. I reach up, patting Fernando's cheek, but I refrain from patting it too hard. Can’t have guests talking that the Delgado’s are at odds. Families could use that against us, and that just wouldn't do, i may hate my brother’s lifestyle but he’s still a delgado, and i'll always protect the family. “I will lead this family; big brother. and you will do as you're told.” I smile, turn around and make my way towards the powder room. My blood is boiling My heart is tightening It's been eight long years since i felt such emotions and pure rage and hatred, i feel like i can just explode. I lost a part of me at eighteen when my mamita passed away. No longer was I that happy-go-lucky. Maria. I was hurt, alone, and confused, left wondering why I was the only one who was truly mourning mami’s death, papi was distraught over her death for a few months but there was a mafia put*, Camila, bouncing around to help him mourn. Fernando just continued to fly around the globe collecting his own put*s. How could they forget the woman who held this family together? Once inside the powder room I release a deep breath and stare at myself in the mirror. “Everything is going to be okay, Maria, you will be the head of the family after tonight and everything will change.” My once blonde hair is now jet white. I was reminded of my mamita everytime i looked and that made me feel emotions one would consider as weakness. I was tempted to go under the knife to change a little more, but erasing her completely, especially since papi decided to take down all her pictures saying it makes him uncomfortable. It made the F**king maid uncomfortable Counting down from twenty, I regain composure and face the ballroom of strangers once more. This time, entering the room is different. There is a shift in the air. I scan the room and spot the sudden change. Jose Navarrete is now in the building, sitting in the seat I abandoned minutes ago. “A beautiful woman like yourself should never have a frown on her face.”