Chapter 3 Chapitre 3

Elvie knew that every movement, every breath, every word mattered in this world. She had entered a universe where manipulation was a weapon, where loyalty was a currency, and where promises were only worth as long as they served the interests of those who made them. The Corleone villa was more than just a place. It was a fortress, and she was one of its pieces. A fragile piece, caught between the claws of a hungry lion and the bite of an invisible snake.

Adriano's gaze, as impenetrable as ever, was watching her with an intensity that made her feel uncomfortable. He hadn't stopped scrutinizing her since she had entered his office a few hours ago. The silence in the room was almost suffocating. His fingers tapping on the surface of the solid wood of his desk betrayed an impatience that he didn't let show. He was waiting for something. Or rather, he was waiting for someone. And she couldn't help but feel that this waiting, like a thick veil that was stretching around her, was more dangerous than anything she had ever known.

"Do you understand what I asked you?" his voice, cold and sharp, finally broke the silence.

Elvie felt a shiver run down her spine. "Yes," she answered, her voice trying to sound calm, even though her heart was pounding. "I... I'm going to spy on the rival clan."

Adriano nodded, a slight smile on his lips, almost imperceptible. "Good answer," he said with satisfaction evident in his voice. "Because if you fail, you know what awaits you."

She swallowed, a heavy pressure building in her chest. She knew what he was implying. Failure in this world was unforgivable. Those who made mistakes, those who failed, were eliminated. To push too far, to ignore the limits, was to risk disappearing into oblivion. Elvie was just a pawn in their game, and she knew it. But right now, it seemed she had no choice but to play.

"You will have all the help you need. But remember, you are only an instrument in my hands. You only do what I ask," Adriano said, his icy blue eyes piercing her.

She nodded silently, feeling more and more lost. She wasn't just an assistant, as she had first thought. Nor was she a mere employee. She was an extension of Adriano's will. And this was far more dangerous than anything she had imagined.

As she headed towards the office exit, a slight noise behind her caught her attention. She turned briefly, just in time to see Adriano stand up and walk towards her, his expression more serious than ever.

"And remember," he added in a low voice, "if you get caught, if you get caught, you have nothing left. You disappear, and everything you've built here disappears with you."

A cold shiver ran through her body. The threat was clear. She wasn't here by choice. She was here because she had no other option. Her choices now were survival or disappearance.

The mission she had been assigned was not a simple stroll. By spying on a rival clan, Elvie risked finding herself in situations far beyond anything she had ever imagined. She had already understood that loyalty to the Corleones was not enough to guarantee her safety. Trust, in this world, was only an illusion. There was no room for weakness, for hesitation. Loyalty was only valid as long as things turned in their favor.

When she arrived in the neighborhood where the rival clan had established its bases, a feeling of discomfort overwhelmed her. She hadn't had time to prepare herself for this. But there was no turning back. She was here, undercover, alone, among people she didn't know, but who could betray her in an instant if it served their interests.

She slipped quietly into the bar where she was supposed to meet an informant. The place was crowded, the air heavy with the smell of cigars and whiskey. Deep voices mingled with the sound of clinking glasses. She felt like she was entering another world, a world where rules were meant to be broken. She made her way through the tables, her eyes scanning every face. There were piercing stares, smirks, whispers behind hands. And at the back of the room, there was a man waiting for her.

The informant stood up as she approached, a middle-aged man with a face marked by years of service in crime. His gaze, hard as steel, passed quickly over her, assessing her appearance.

"You're Elvie," he said hoarsely, without any greeting.

She nodded, making sure no one was watching them. "Yes. Adriano sent me."

He smiled slightly, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Adriano... Always so... pragmatic," he murmured before leaning towards her. "What you want is simple. Information. But you're going to have to prove yourself worthy of getting it."

Elvie felt a twinge of nervousness. "I'm ready for anything," she replied firmly, but her stomach was in knots under the weight of the situation.

The man looked at her one last time, his eyes hardening even more. "We'll see about that," he said, handing her a small package. "You know what you have to do with it."

She took the package, her heart beating fast. She knew what was inside this object was crucial. But she didn't know enough yet to understand just how much.

As she left the bar, she felt a temporary wave of relief. She had what she needed. But something was nagging at her. This feeling of being followed, of being watched, of never being truly alone. The world she lived in was full of invisible traps. And at any moment, she risked finding herself in one of them.

That evening, as she was returning to the Corleone villa, another unexpected event occurred. As she was about to enter her room, a noise made her jump. She turned abruptly and saw a familiar figure. Adriano.

"So," he said, his tone icy, "what did you find out?"

The man's gaze, almost impassive, was scrutinizing her, and Elvie felt a pressure intensify on her shoulders. Everything she knew, everything she had learned, everything she had seen, now had to translate into something more. A secret she could offer to protect herself. But at what cost?

She looked down, searching for the right words, the ones that would allow her to play her part without being exposed. "There are rumors... secret deals. They're planning something, something big," she said, hiding her fear behind a calm voice.

Adriano looked at her intently, his dark eyes piercing every word she spoke. Then, slowly, he nodded.

"Fine," he replied simply. "But remember, Elvie, you are here to obey me. Not to ask questions."

She felt a shiver run down her spine. He didn't say anything else, but the implications were clear. She couldn't afford to make a mistake. Because if she failed, it would be the end of everything. And Adriano had never let anyone escape his grasp.

She turned the key in the lock of her room, and for the first time since she had arrived, she let herself fall onto the bed, her heart heavy. The shadows that loomed over her life seemed more and more threatening. And every secret discovered, every step taken, brought her closer to an abyss of no return.