บท 2: WHAT NOW?

The mafia world, especially in Country A, is just like everyone else's world. Every organization has its own goals, beliefs, and ways of doing things, especially when involved in its line of work.

When hearing or thinking about this kind of organization, even the name 'mafia' people won't link it with something good. Surprisingly, there are many mafias who protect people, help those in need, and do various other good deeds that are not known to the public. It's a matter of their own principle that they believe.

Something like this also happens naturally, with or without the knowledge of high government. Also, something this group was also used by the higher for their respective interests with the agreement that was signed. That's why this organization is still free and rampant, as they have power and backup.

However, this good type of mafia is usually not liked by the true bad type that has existed for ages. The bad ones are even called true blood, while the slightly good one is called contaminated blood. So, the enmity between them has been evident until now. Both sides need to always watch their backs, as only a simple spark can turn into war.

Enough of this. Every person, no matter who they are, is still a human being. One of human nature is to fall in love and have one's own family, including those who are in the mafia.

The same thing happens in this family...

As the leader of the most feared mafia organization in Country A, the Black Eagle Organization, Alexander Conrad is also a husband and father of five children. His last child is a beautiful girl, which he and his wife have been looking forward to for a long time.

"Why did Cinderella run with her high heels in the first place? Why doesn't she get rid of her high heels before running away? She can run faster that way, right?"

This was Ariana when she was just 7 years old. She had a wild imagination and was curious each time Alexander and his wife, Adeline, told her some fairy tales before going to bed.

"Why didn't Rapunzel try to use her hair as a rope for her to go down from the tower? If I were her, I would try to come out no matter how."

Each time this happens, Alexander and Adeline can only smile.

"You are right. We, as the Conrad family, will always find the best way to get out of difficulty, even when alone. But remember this, Ariana: It's not always bad to rely on others if you have someone you trust, who will always have your back no matter under any circumstances." Adeline said in a soft voice to make her daughter understand.

"Someone I trust?" Ariana tilts her tiny head a little, but she can't understand.

"Yes, Ariana. Especially your parents, your four elder brothers, or someone you love, even though I hope that time will come slowly. " Alexander added.

"Does that mean I will never be alone and will always be loved?" Ariana asked with a smile. No one knew if this 7-year-old child knew exactly what she was saying.

"Of course, dear. I hope you constantly indulge in love no matter where you are, just like in the fairy tales. " Adeline sounded hopeful while hugging Ariana and her husband.

"Do places like fairy tales exist, Mom? Dad?"

Adeline and Alexander look at each other now.

"Well... I don't know. It can probably exist in your imagination. " Alexander tries to be logical, but Adeline doesn't think that answer is appropriate for 7 years old, so she adds,

"Whatever it is, Ariana. The most important thing that you can learn from all of this story is that you will be happy ever after..."

However,

To reach that happily ever after goal is not as easy as the words said...

~~~~~~~~~~

MODERN WORLD, COUNTRY A.

12 years later.

Months before all that happened.

"But to be loved, just like in fairy tales, the character usually faces various difficulties, right? Haizz... I would rather become a superhero than a princess. "

Ariana talks to herself while closing the fairy tale book that she borrows from the school library. Even if she is already 19 years old this year, and a high school senior at that, she likes reading fairy tales which she still finds interesting.

Crash!

A loud sound coming from one dark alley continued to interest her even though she was already late for school. Immediately she put the book in her backpack before investigating further what happen nearby.

Wait!

Sorry?

Who is she?

Introducing, the one and only mafia princess, Ariana Conrad from Black Eagle Organization managed by her family for generations. Now, her father is the current leader.

Being the only girl in a family that is all male makes her interest become slightly different from normal girls. Well, her own family is not normal in the first place!

Thankfully, being in this kind of environment makes her know how to defend herself. For her, knowing to fight is not a bad thing at all.

She has been practicing different types of martial arts and how to use different weapons since she was little. She didn't even remember when she started, but it feels like she did all this forever, probably as soon as she was born if she can say it on an extreme note. She never complains as she loves every second of it. Probably she loves this routine more than her four older brothers.

Well, at first, her father didn't really want her to be part of the mafia organization, but he always taught her this and that because their family was constantly exposed to danger.

Seeing her potential, all members of the organization can even predict who will inherit the organization next, as she is already acting as a leader even though her father is still the official boss. Also, other than fighting, she is not good at anything else -cough, bad cough, in studying, cough!

Her parents didn't care as long as she was happy with what she chose. But, her four brothers, who always wanted her to grow up to be strong, nowadays, started to bug her so that she became softer like a normal girl should be. As usual, she didn't care about their opinion anyway.

Now, back to what just happened.

"Hey! What are you doing to that person? "

Bravely, Ariana talks to a gang that seems to be beating someone. Looking at the situation, that group simply looks like some trash people who are too lazy to work and just live by extorting money from other weaker people.

"Why five average-looking guys are bullying someone in here?" She asks again.

"What the? Who is this short-haired girl with a medical mask on her face doing here? You are even wearing a high school uniform. " One of the gang members questioned.

"Short hair is easy to take care of, while a medical mask is a necessity nowadays. Don't you watch television? " After the blunt reply, Ariana looked left and right before sighing a little.

Usually, she is too lazy to pass through this area, which is famous for the immoral activities of some parties. Here, there are many old buildings with narrow and abandoned streets, which are very suitable for such low-class criminals. But here also, it's a shortcut for her to go to school, so she won't be late, but it looks like she'll be late again today.

"Little girl, aren't you supposed to be at school right now? You are already late, aren't you? " One of the gang said that to her with a slightly soft tone. He probably doesn't want to be too low by bullying a high schooler.

"I'm about to. This alley is the shortcut, but all of you lowly people are blocking my path. " Ariana said while showing them a very cold look in her eyes.

No one could see her face, but whoever saw her eyes now could still feel the chill. She had no fear even though it turned out that those in front of her were more numerous and had a much bigger physique than her. Well, she used to face much worse enemies.

"Tch, this kiddo. Is this what you learned in school? Being rude to a person who is clearly much older than you? " Others of the gang said that to her now, clearly sounding dissatisfied with what she had just said.

But, hearing the words 'kiddo' really irked Ariana at the time. She is 19 years old and in her last year of senior year in high school. But because she is quite small and just 150 in height, people often tease her as if she is still in a middle school.

At the moment, she can clearly see a man who is being harassed by that gang, as the gang is now focusing on her and not the victim.

That man lying on the street looked quite old to get this kind of treatment, making Ariana can't help but feel angrier even though originally she didn't want to get too involved in other people's problems at that time. She has already been late for school, remember!

She just wants to give the victim space to run away while she is getting all this attention. But looking at the older man's fragile look, she knows this can't be easily solved like that.

Even in this hectic moment, Ariana could even imagine the face of her discipline teacher, who would keep on nagging her non-stop while holding the cane, which she always got beaten by it.

"Haish, what a troublesome. F***. " Ariana started to feel quite irritated. She didn't have the mood to stay after school for punishment, so she cursed under her breath, causing some more misunderstanding.

"What are you saying, kiddo? Are you just cursing us?"

The old man, still on the ground, shook his head towards her as if silently telling her to keep calm and move away quickly so that nothing bad would happen.

But that is just hurting her pride...

'How come this old man who is so injured trying to save me? I am the mafia heiress anyway!'

She is not someone who will run away from something like this. Those people are the ones who are supposed to tremble in fear right now if they know better what is good for them.

"What if I do then? As you said, I'm just a little girl, and I'm in the rebellion phase. I can say more if you want, son of the b****!"

Ariana is pouring fuel into an open fire.

"Wow! It looks like this kiddo is looking for trouble! " One of the gang is now moving forward to get closer to her.

At this point, Ariana quickly took out the gloves she always carried around and wore them while cracking her finger to warm up, preparing for the battle that she already predicted would come sooner or later.

"Look at that! She is really pretentious. She probably watches a lot of superhero movies at home."

"She really needs to be beaten to come to her senses."

The place is now noisy with words and laughing from the gang, belittling her.

"She wears a watch that looks quite expensive. Coming from rich families must bring a lot of money than this old man here. Let's have a party today as soon as it's over, guys!"

"Yeah!"

"Party tonight!"

Ariana just smirked inside her medical mask. Her eyes never left all of the enemies, starting from the one that was getting closer.

"1, 2, 3, 4, 5... Humph, too little for my daily exercise!"

"What are you talking about, little girl? You are supposed to fear me... Ouch!"

In a hurry, she launched herself toward the first guy and attacked.

No more waiting! No more talking! This has already been dragging on for so long anyway.

Meanwhile,

At one big mansion that is located on private land quite far from the standard residency,

"What happened last week, and how much did it cost us?"

Inside the big mansion, in a room used as an office, the mafia leader of Black Eagle Organization, Alexander Conrad, with his narrow eyes, was seen asking his four sons who were sitting in front of him.

His face looked scary at that time, but none of his sons were affected by that. They are too relaxed, unlike other people who are afraid of their fathers.

"Nothing much, Father. Just ten people suffered normal injuries, and one suffered serious injuries. I already take care of them well. I mean... So well... " Asher Conrad, 27, the third son who also works as a doctor besides becoming a mafia member on the side, is the first one to open his mouth to answer the question with a very suspicious tone.

"I already paid the people who suffered normal injuries just enough that will not directly affect our budget. I'm sure with my painful warning, no one will leak the story, but I did not give anything to the one who suffered serious injuries. We have already taken care of his medical, so that's it. He deserves that. " Said Aiden Conrad, 29 years old, the eldest son who also works as an accountant professor making calculations while adjusting his glasses.

"Tch, all of them should not be treated in the first place. How dare they try to sexually harass our younger sister? If only I were there, I would even bury them in the ground and make a grand building on their graves. " Ashton Conrad, also 29 years old, twin of Aiden, who is an Architecture professor, started imagining things.

"I know she is stronger than all of us, but I really hope she didn't make trouble outside before her graduation. Her temper is ruining her now." Ariel Conrad, 25 years old, an engineer also the most normal out of all of the siblings voiced his opinion while looking at their father's face. Hoping that he will agree with him on that.

However,

"Ha-ha-ha... It sounds like my daughter is growing out just fine. " Alexander sounds very satisfied.

"Father!"

All of the sons can't help but feel disbelief at that reaction. But what can they say? All of them are the ones at fault for raising their one and only little sister like that anyway.

Ring... Ring...

Before they proceeded to their meeting, Ariel's cell phone started ringing with the ringtone that he saved just for his little sister.

"Speak of the devil."

"Watch your mouth; that's my daughter there," Alexander said while smiling, knowing that it was his princess who had called at the time. He didn't even question anything, even though he knew that she was supposed to be at school and not supposed to use her cell phone. He's just happy like that.

Ariel picked up his cell phone and just talked straight to the point. He knows his little sister must need something, or she will never call him in the first place.

"What now?"