Rise of the mafia queen

Chapter 1

I woke up at dawn all too reluctantly but my alarm kept blaring at me from my side table so I had no choice but to get up.

I get out of bed and arrange my sheets, draw my curtains to the side to let in the beams of the early morning sunlight into the room, and move to the en suite to take my bath and prepare for the day.

After the bath, I wore a light pink sundress and packed my red hair into a high ponytail.

Mornings like this make me think everything is as it should be: a bright and cheerful day, and I am immensely grateful.

I went downstairs with my bag and found my father sitting at the table reading the newspaper while my mother set the breakfast table.

"Good morning wonderful parents!" I greet them with a wide grin as I reach the dining area and hug my father's shoulder as my mum rounds the table to have a seat, "morning sunshine, I see you're preppy" my mother points out as she butters her toast. I kiss my father's cheek and round the table to have a seat beside my mother," just the usual joy that mornings should have, if not I'll be a gloomy mess" I said while taking my own toast and spreading butter," so how have your days in the library been sweetheart?" My father asks me as he takes a sip of coffee. I have been working in the library since I was 12 as a part-timer, arranging the shelves, clearing each aisle, and all, and in the last decade, I can say it is still my favorite place to be besides home.

There's a tranquility brought to me between each pages of every book, be it a paper back or a thick cover, a connecting tranquility between me and a memory deeply hurried but never forgotten," its as good as always, Tommy finally agreed on my personal librarian privileges on reading their books, just not on the clock" I grinned sheepishly as I talk about the library owner, Tommy Williams, and a long time good friend to our family.

He allowed a middle schooler to work part-time in his library to get a reprieve in life, just with the ruling that said middle schooler had to keep a low profile but he's always treated us kindly.

"Oh really now, don't go troubling poor Tommy about your silly request-oh! By the way, there came a letter for you sweetie" mum says and brings out a letter from her pocket and hands it to me," Oh really? What could be in here?" I ponder while opening the letter, I shriek after reading it, and jump up happily "I got it!! Mum, Dad I got admission into the University of Milan!!" I yelled happily while hugging my parents' shoulders, mum stood up and grabbed me in a bear hug," My baby! All your hard work paid off, I'm so proud of you my sweet girl" mum says happily with happy tears in her eyes, Dad stood up and pats my head and holds my hand," my girl, I know you will do wonderful things and excel wonderfully, congratulations " he smiles happily at me," thank you dad-oh my gosh! I'm gonna be late for work" I exclaim when I notice the time on the clock on the wall and grab what's left of my toast and shove it in my mouth, I hug my parents goodbye and run out the gate to get on my bicycle and ride out to town towards the library.

I greet the familiar locals that I see on my way to the library while thinking of what I'm going to tell Tommy.

I reach the library in 10 minutes, park and secure my bike then walk in.

I walk towards the desk at the reception and just as I'm breathing a sigh of relief," Well well, our wonderful librarian that's supposed to be here by 9 is making it by quarter past 9, do tell what delayed you?" Tommy asked as he came out of the aisle in front of the table with a stack of books till his chin and dropped them on the table, I gathered myself before asking," Aren't you supposed to be managing, you know, at the back?"I said jokingly while organising the books he dropped on the table," and you're supposed to be organising, don't give me sass" he says as he shakes his head at me and walks back to the aisle to organise the new order of books that came in today, "okay okay, forgive me, just lost track a bit because I got too excited about a good news at home" I pout apologetically as I take the books from his hand and arrange them in their places," good news huh, well let me hear it too" Tommy said while watching me," I got the admission that I was looking for" I smile and Tommy's eyes go wide with amazement before he breaks into a smile, he pats my head as the father figure that he is to me, "I'm very proud of you Rae, living up to your redhead nature" he teases and walks towards the reception table, "this calls for free caffeine, your coffee later is on me" he tells over his shoulder while walking away," thank you Tommy!!!" I yell at his retreating figure and he gives a thumbs-up as he closes his office door behind him.

Later in the afternoon, as I was attending to a customer checking out a book, I felt an eerie chill of being watched by someone and saw a shadow by the corner of my eye but couldn't find anyone suspicious looking my way, I dismissed it as nerves and continued with my work till it was time for my break. I informed Tommy before heading out, outside I felt the chills once again, and before I could register it, someone grabbed my arm from behind.