Chapter 2 PLANS

Sofia's POV

It had been two months since Elena died, and I was back in Chicago. The moment I first saw Adrian made my heart drop. I remembered Diego showing him to me at the funeral. I was surprised; I had thought I would see an older man, someone weathered by life's choices. Instead, there stood Adrian. He was tall, with striking blue eyes and a handsome face that could easily launch a thousand hearts into chaos. His six-pack abs were visible, a testament to the dedication he must have put into his physique, and he was the real definition of good looks.

If it weren't for the resentment I felt for the Alejandros, I might have actually been attracted to him. But the truth was, my heart belonged to vengeance. Elena was taken from me too soon, and the gaping hole she left behind would never truly be filled until I made those responsible pay.

"Still thinking about taking revenge?" Diego asked, walking toward me with a mug of coffee in hand.

"As always," I replied, taking the mug from him, feeling the warmth seep into my hands and momentarily chasing away the chill in my bones. Coffee had become my lifeline these past weeks-a bitter reminder of the life I once knew mingled with the sweet hopes of revenge.

"Why won't you give up, Sofs?" Diego's voice was soft yet serious, laced with a hint of worry that tugged at my heart.

"I can't, Dee. I must avenge Elena," I repeated, my voice firmer than I felt. It was a mantra I held on to, a compass guiding me through the darkness surrounding me.

"I can't afford to lose you, Sofs." Diego took my hand and looked deep into my eyes. His gaze was steady and filled with concern, a mixture of anxiety and affection that swirled in the air between us.

"What are..." I began, but he cut me off, his voice edged with urgency.

"I love you, Sofs."

The words hung in the air, heavy and unexpected. I was speechless. I had known for some time that Diego had feelings for me. He had always been there, the rock in my tumultuous sea, supporting me in the wake of my sister's death. But he had never expressed his feelings so directly, and now, with everything else going on, my heart felt frozen in a moment I couldn't decipher.

I couldn't think of what to say in response. Any words felt insufficient, and the turmoil inside me made it even harder. I had always seen Diego as just a friend, my closest ally-and rejecting him felt unthinkable.

"The Alejandros are hiring," Diego said suddenly, taking a sip of his coffee, trying to steer the conversation back to safer waters-away from his confession.

Even though Diego didn't want me to associate with the Alejandros, he was helping me gather information. I appreciated his efforts, even if they were laced with worry.

"This could be the right time," I squealed, a glimmer of hope igniting within me at the thought of finding a way to get closer to my goal.

"Are you sure about this?" he asked, his brow furrowed in concern.

"Hundred percent sure. What are they hiring for?" I pressed, feeling the anticipation bubbling inside me.

Diego took a moment to collect his thoughts, his expression serious. "Well, you know they had a fight with the Viper Vigils?"

"Yeah," I nodded, recalling the stories that had circulated through our tight-knit circle, tales of bloodshed and betrayal that haunted me day and night.

"Some workers were secretly working for the Vipers. Adrian caught them, and you know the rule."

"Death for the traitors," I stated, a chill running down my spine at the thought of the lengths the Alejandros would go to protect their interests.

"That's why I'm scared, Sofs. Adrian is really scary. He can uncover even the smallest mistakes."

"I will have them killed before I get caught," I said with fierce determination, the words fueling my resolve. The idea of revenge was intoxicating, and I allowed it to wash over me like a warm embrace.

Diego's eyes widened slightly. "Well, they are hiring for their vacancies: two chefs, a maid, and a personal assistant for Adrian."

"But doesn't it sound suspicious that they are hiring? I mean, you know how it is, right?" I asked, a thread of doubt creeping into my thoughts.

In the mafia world, anyone who works under a syndicate has to be a member of that syndicate. This was done to avoid betrayal. They trained certain people, making their lives revolve around that particular syndicate-caging them within its walls, as if they were animals in a zoo.

"Yeah, but I heard Adrian wants to change things. He's doing this under the guise of hiring workers for the company," Diego explained, his tone both skeptical and intrigued.

"A.A. Enterprise?" I asked, dropping the mug of coffee I had just finished.

"Yeah! He wants someone who doesn't know anything about the mafia world. A clean slate."

"But they can be easily manipulated," I argued, a knot forming in my stomach at the thought.

"They will be trained based on his standards," he replied, his expression serious.

"Well! It will be competitive, right?" I asked, locking my gaze onto Diego's, searching for something-anything-to keep me grounded.

"It might be! Many people want to work for them, and the hiring criteria are very strict. You will go through an interview, and hiring will be based on your answers."

"Okay! I will work on that. But how do you know all this?" I asked, my curiosity piqued by his insight.

"I have my ways, Sofs," he winked at me as he collected the mugs we had used, trying to ease the tension.

"Thanks," I said, feeling a wave of gratitude wash over me. I appreciated the lengths he would go to help me.

"Welcome," he replied, walking out of the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

As I stared out the window, I felt a rush of conflicting emotions. I was excited yet terrified-thrilled at the prospect of taking action but also burdened by the weight of my mission. Revenge was not just a goal; it was my lifeline. The thought of Elena kept me awake at night. I replayed moments from our childhood, the laughter we shared, the dreams we built together, and the sisterly bond that would never fade despite the abyss that now lay between us.

The memories flashed vividly in my mind: the way Elena danced through life, her laughter ringing like chimes in the wind, the way her smile could light up the darkest of days. We had shared secrets, hopes, and dreams that now felt like echoes in a vast empty room.

She had always been the bold one, never afraid to speak her mind, always ready to take on the world. Sometimes I envied her for that innate fearlessness. I always played it safe, holding back while she leaped into the unknown. But this time, her death had ripped away my safety net. I was the one who had to confront my fears.

I took a deep breath, reminding myself why I couldn't give up. I would get close to Adrian. I would expose the secrets of the Alejandros. I would dismantle the empire piece by piece, no matter the cost.

In the days that followed, I focused on preparing for the opportunity that lay ahead. I practiced my responses, carefully crafting a persona that would disarm suspicion. I researched the intricacies of A.A. Enterprise, piecing together any information I could find about their inner workings. What I learned only fueled my determination.

I couldn't shake off the feeling that I was walking a razor's edge. The idea of stepping into the lion's den, the Alejandros' world, filled me with a heady mix of excitement and dread. The stakes were higher than ever, and I was all too aware that one misstep could lead to disaster-not just for me, but for Diego too.

With every moment leading up to the interview, I was reminded of the danger lurking around every corner. The Alejandros were not just a rival gang; they were as ruthless as a hungry lion feeding on its prey. Even associates of theirs could become targets, and my resolve could easily backfire. The thought of putting Diego in harm's way tightened the knot in my gut.

At night, I would lie awake, staring at the ceiling as questions swirled through my mind. What if I fail? What if I lose everything? I could almost hear Elena's voice in my head, urging me to continue. "You are stronger than you think, Sofs. Don't let fear control you," she would say.

I forced myself to believe that she was right. I would channel that strength, that fierce desire to protect those I cared about. This was more than just revenge. It was to honor her memory.

Time quickly passed, and my determination to infiltrate the Alejandros intensified with each passing day. I started preparing myself for the interviews. I spent hours in front of the mirror, practicing my smile, my posture, and my answers. I needed to present myself as someone who was completely oblivious to the danger surrounding their world, just a desperate woman seeking a job.

"Remember, Sofs, keep it cool. Don't show any signs of fear or hesitation," Diego reminded me during our late-night talks, his tone both serious and encouraging.

"I know, Dee. I'll be just fine. I just need to stay focused," I reassured him, trying to calm his nerves as well as my own.

I understood Diego's worry. He cared for me more than anyone else, and it made my heart ache knowing that I might put him in danger by going after the Alejandros. But I couldn't let fear dictate my actions. I had to do this for Elena and for myself.

Diego's POV

I had feelings for Sofia the first time I saw her. I knew she was way out of my league, with my dad being her father's personal assistant. In the mafia world, marriages were often strategic alliances between families, and I had always felt that my chances with her were slim. We had been living with her family since childhood before we were sent to Illinois by Mr. Valor. I couldn't remember much of the past, except that it was filled with laughter and innocence before everything changed. The traumatic fight with the Alejandros had claimed many lives, including Mrs. Valor. That was when our lives flipped upside down, and we were thrust into this dangerous world without an escape.

I had many reasons to keep Sofia away from the Alejandros. She exuded a natural charisma that drew everyone in. Her smile could light up any room, and even the darkest corners seemed to brighten when she walked in. She was too beautiful to go unnoticed, and that beauty made her a target, especially in this violent world.

"He is so handsome and hot," she had gushed when I showed her Adrian through the curtains at the funeral, her eyes sparkling with the emotion she tried to stifle.

"Is he?" I had replied sarcastically, trying to mask my own jealousy.

"Of course! Can't you see for yourself? If it weren't for my desire for vengeance for Elena, I would have made him mine."

Her words pierced through my heart. I felt the jealousy flood in as I wished I could be the one she looked at that way.

"Who is more handsome: me or him?" I had asked, my voice slightly strained.

"You are handsome, but his beauty is unmatched. I hate him for that! I hate him for being too handsome. I hate him for having a hand in my sister's death. I hate him for being the reason my lovely sister is gone. I hate him for making me think of him in that way, and I hate myself for thinking of him in another way-not just death."

And with those words, she broke down, and it crushed me to see her so vulnerable.

I couldn't help but hug her tightly to my chest, trying to calm her down and let her know she wasn't alone. Sofia was the strongest woman I ever knew, skilled at hiding her feelings. But that day changed everything because it was the first time I saw her break down. She also broke a part of me. I felt like turning the world upside down for her, like I could do anything.

If I were an heir or a ruler of a mafia syndicate, I would have burned the entire Alejandro empire for her sake. But I was a nobody, mainly her bodyguard, who shamelessly fell for her. I knew she saw me as a friend, and that did not help with the growing feelings I had for her. As much as I hated the thought of her mingling with the Alejandros, I wanted her to take her revenge and see them crumble.

I had been using my connections within the Alejandros to help her understand their motives and actions. I had to learn their every move. It was a dangerous game, and I prayed every night that she would never get caught, and that my source would remain undiscovered.