Mafia's Little Wife

Down the local streets of Eldrida, a run-down and shabby diner with peeling paint and a faded neon sign that flickers intermittently had just placed the closed sign on their door.

The air inside was thick with the scent of grease and stale coffee, the only sounds were the hum of the fluorescent lights and the distant clatter of dishes in the kitchen.

The booths were upholstered in faded red vinyl, the tabletops scratched and scuffed from years of use. The floors were linoleum, worn down to the concrete in places, and the walls were covered in peeling floral wallpaper.

Lily scooted away as the cup in her hand fell and hit the floor.

"Lily goddamn it you clumsy thing!" Her manager shouted from behind the counter. "Do you know how much it costs to get a cup?"

"I-I am sorry lady Bridget." She said as she quickly collected the brush to sweep of the mess.

Lily hated this. She works a lot but get shouted for.

The wages were so small, barely enough to cover rent and bills. Lily had been working at the diner for a few months now, and she was constantly struggling to make ends meet. She worked long hours and dealt with rude customers, all for a meager paycheck that barely covered her basic needs.

Despite the hardships, Lily tried to keep a positive attitude, reminding herself that things would get better one day. But as she found herself in the back booth counting the bills she had at hand, her dream of thinking that things would get better one day faded.

"Lily get back to work!" Her boss shouted from her office.

Lily let out a sigh, shoving the paper into her pockets. As Lily wiped down the last table in the small diner, sighing as she glanced at the clock. It was only 7 PM, but she already felt exhausted from her long day of work. As a waitress, she had to deal with grumpy customers, demanding orders, and a constant stream of dirty dishes and spilled drinks.

She hated it. She hated everything about living in the slumps.

She walked towards the counter to grab her tips and spotted Tobi, the cook, shaking his head and muttering to himself. "What's up, Tobi? You look as if you found a rat in your soup." Lily asked, trying to inject some cheer into the dreary atmosphere.

Tobi looked up and smiled at her. "Oh, nothing much. Just my girlfriend messing up our dinner plans again." He held up a burnt pan with a grimace. "I swear, she can't cook to save her life."

Lily laughed, feeling a spark of warmth in her chest. They usually hold their dinner plans in the diner. Enjoying themselves.

"But you still love her don't you?"

"Yup. Our love is as if we just met each other not too long ago."

"Awww, you are making me jealous," Lily said, holding her cheeks and giggling to myself.

Tobi shook his head, grinning. "You better get a man soon Lily, you need it. Love would make you younger"

Lily scoffed. "Been there done that, love did not put food on my table or my family's table."

Despite the long hours and low pay, working at the diner had moments of joy, like chatting with Tobi or making a customer's day with a simple smile or compliment. Lily has always been a bright side of a girl. Never go a day without putting a happy smile on her lips.

Lily was a petite woman, standing at around 5'2" with delicate features and long, dark hair that cascaded down her back in loose waves. Her eyes were a deep brown, with long lashes that accentuated their shape. Her skin was smooth and flawless, with a natural warmth that gave her a friendly, approachable vibe.

Despite her small stature, Lily had a certain toughness about her, a resilience that came from years of struggling to make ends meet.

She had a no-nonsense attitude and a sharp wit, always ready with a quip or a comeback to anyone who dared to cross her. Though on certain situations she may come out as weak.

She didn't have the expensive soft skin of a socialite but even in her casual attire, Lily had a certain grace and poise, a quiet confidence that drew people to her.

As she counted her tips and placed them in her pocket, feeling a sense of relief that her shift was finally over. She turned to leave but her boss called out to her.

"Lily, could you take out the trash for me? We've got a big pile in the back."

Lily groaned inwardly, knowing that taking out the trash meant walking through the dark alley behind the diner. She hated that part of the job, especially since she had heard stories of muggings and assaults in the area.

But she nodded and grabbed the overflowing garbage bag, steeling herself for the journey ahead. She stepped outside and felt a chill in the air, the moon casting an eerie glow over the empty street.

Lily's heart was pounding in her chest as she made her way through the dimly lit alley behind the restaurant.

She hated taking out the trash at night, and tonight was no exception. The air was thick with the musty smell of garbage, and the only sound was the crunch of broken glass under her feet.

As she approached the dumpster, she heard a faint whispering sound, like someone talking in hushed tones. She froze, her hand gripping the trash bag tightly. She strained her ears to hear more and soon made out the voices of two men standing just a few feet away.

Lily felt a surge of fear wash over her, her mind racing as she tried to come up with a plan. She knew she had to act fast to leave this alley. People that talk in hushed tones in dark alleyways are never good. They could be kidnappers, thieves, or even murderers.

The hair on her neck rose in fear. As she dumped the bag, she heard whispers coming from two men standing afar. She froze, trying her best to work without making any sounds but she could hear the little whispers.

"...the boss is not happy. He wants those bodies taken care of before the cops show up."

Lily's eyes widened in horror as she realized what they were talking about. Dead bodies? Was this some kind of murderer business? Why did she have to go take out the trash today?

She tried to move away quietly, but she accidentally hit the dumpster, making a loud noise that echoed through the alley. Lily's heart ran a few miles per hour. She knew would be in big trouble now. The men turned around, their eyes narrowing as they saw her.

"Looks like we've got a witness," one of them said, grabbing Lily's hand tightly. "You're coming with us, girl."

"No I am not," Lily said angrily and was about to shout, hoping someone would come out to at least help. Maybe Tobi would hear and come hit them with his frying pan.

"You would do well to keep your mouth shut girl. You would only put yourself in more trouble" The other man said.

Lily struggled to remove her hand from the man's grip, her heart pounding in her chest. Just as she thought all hope was lost, a sudden, deafening gunshot rang out, the sound echoing off the brick walls of the alley.

The man's grip on Lily's arm suddenly slackened, and she stumbled backward, barely able to keep her balance. She looked up and saw a figure emerging from the shadows, holding a smoking gun.

The other man, who had been reaching for his gun, froze in fear as the figure aimed at him. Another gunshot rang out, and Lily watched in shock as the man fell to the ground, a red stain spreading across his shirt.

For a moment, there was silence in the alley, broken only by Lily's labored breathing.

Lily was paralyzed with fear, not knowing what to do next. It seemed as if a greater evil had taken place.

No one was going to come out and save her, especially when there was a gunshot.

As she looked up, she saw a figure walking towards her. The person wore a mask, and she couldn't make out who it was. He slowly removed his mask, revealing a handsome face with a cold expression and piercing blue eyes.

Before she could even react, a bag was placed over her head, and a hard knock at the back of her head sent her spiraling into darkness.

Lily woke up to a splitting headache and a feeling of nausea. She was lying on a cold, hard floor, and her hands were bound behind her back. She tried to move, but her body ached all over, and she felt disoriented.

As her eyes adjusted to the dim light, she realized that she was in a dingy basement. The walls were made of concrete, and there was a faint smell of mold and dampness in the air. She struggled to remember how she had ended up here, but her mind was hazy.

Just then, she heard footsteps approaching, and a figure loomed in front of her. The man who walked in had a tall and lean build, with broad shoulders and a chiseled jawline. His hair was slicked back and his piercing dark eyes glinted in the dim light of the basement. He wore a black leather jacket over a white shirt and dark jeans, and a silver chain dangled from his neck.

His face was stoic and expressionless as if he was used to being in control and commanding respect. He exuded an aura of danger and unpredictability, and Lily couldn't help but feel a shiver run down her spine in his presence. He looked down at her with a blank expression, as if she was just an object.

"Well, well, well, look who's awake," he said in a low, menacing voice, a smirk on his face as he squatted down to her height. "Did you have a good nap, sweetheart?"

Lily tried to speak, but her throat was dry, and her mouth felt like cotton. The man chuckled and leaned down to her level. She could only watch the man from behind the curtain of her hair. She didn't like him one bit.

"Don't worry, I won't hurt you... for now," he said, his breath hot on her face. "But you're going to have to answer a few questions for me. And I suggest you tell me the truth, or else things might get... messy." He then leaned forward, whispering into her ears "And I hate cleaning up a mess."

"You are only going to make her scared idiot" Another man walked in. "Don said we should tie her up in a chair"

The other man grinned maniacally. "Awesome. I wonder what we are going to do to her"

He brought his hands to her face, running a finger down her cheek. Lily turned her face to the left. Away from his hands. He seemed like a psycho who enjoyed torture.

"Hmm, feisty. I like her" With that they placed a bag over her head and took her from the cold hard floor taking her to another room.

Lorenzo, who was seated with his legs crossed, motioned to the man who had spoken, giving him a silent order. The man walked over to Lily and removed the bag from her head. As her eyes adjusted to the light, she saw that they were inside a dimly lit room. She was tied to a chair, her hands and legs bound with ropes. Panic began to set in as she realized the gravity of the situation.

She kept on praying in her heart, praying that they don't do to her what she imagined they would.

Lorenzo walked over to her, his piercing blue eyes staring intently at her. Lily recognized him as the man who shot those men, and the fear in her eyes intensified.

"It's okay," he said in a calm voice. "You're safe now."

Lily tried to speak, but the gag in her mouth prevented her from doing so. Safe? How was this safe? She is being held hostage in a place she doesn't know and he called this safe?

Lorenzo gestured to the man who had removed the bag, who proceeded to take the gag off. Lily gasped for air, taking deep breaths.

Her throat was still parched and she needed water but she had to manage. She was too scared that they might give her poisoned water.

Lorenzo, who sat in front of her, watched her every move. He had never had anything to do with women. He hated being in their presence feeling as if they were too weak, unable to fight. He did not want the stress of hurting a woman as it was against his code of conduct.

He was a man who values trust and hates betrayals. But as he watched the petite girl try to breathe in this setting, a string in his cold hardened heart pulled a bit.

"Can you tell us what you heard back there?" Lorenzo asked.

"I don't know," She said in a low voice.

Lorenzo got up and walked towards her.

Lily couldn't help but shiver.

He had piercing blue eyes that seemed to look right through you, and tousled brown hair that fell over his forehead. He had a sharp jawline and a well-defined chin, giving his face a rugged, masculine look. He was tall and muscular, with broad shoulders and a toned physique.

Despite his tough exterior, there was a hint of vulnerability in his eyes that suggested he had been through some hard times. All in all, he was a strikingly handsome man, with a presence that commanded attention.

"Your name is Lily Evans, a struggling waitress. Orphaned at 10, love in the Slumps has an innocent exterior. You have nothing to lose, so you would be the perfect pawn"

"What are you trying to say?" Lily asked him.

"You know exactly what I am trying to say, Lily Evans," Lorenzo said, squatting to her height. "Now tell me what you know"

Lily was on the verge of bursting into tears. She was hungry, tired, and weak. Stuck here against her will and over a slight misunderstanding.

She tried to swallow down her tears but she couldn't and she looked into Lorenzo's eyes and said. "This is all just a misunderstanding. I heard them talking about dead bodies but I don't know who. I work at a restaurant there. I was about to turn and leave when my body hit the dumpster and they heard me. They were probably taking me to be killed when you walked in. I am just an innocent party"

Lorenzo sighed, standing up. He had seen the pain and honesty in her eyes. He was sure that she was telling the truth but he couldn't just let her go like that.

Just as he was about to say another thing a subordinate rushed in and whispered something into his ear. Lorenzo's expression turned grim. "We need to get out of here, now," he said. "Marco, untie her. We are leaving."

The man who had spoken earlier walked over and began to untie Lily's bonds. As soon as she was free, Lorenzo led her out of the basement and into a waiting car outside. They drove away in silence, with Lily still trying to process what had just happened.

Lily walked out of the car and watched the car speed off into the distance. She looked around the empty street, feeling uneasy as the sun began to rise in the distance. She couldn't shake off the feeling that someone was watching her or maybe it was just after what happened last night.

As she started to walk towards her home, she heard the sound of footsteps behind her. She quickened her pace, but the footsteps seemed to get faster too. She turned around to see who it was, but no one was there. Her heart started racing, and she felt a chill run down her spine.

Lily picked up her pace and started running, but the footsteps behind her continued. She looked over her shoulder again and saw a man in a dark hoodie following her. She couldn't see his face, but she could sense his eyes were fixed on her.

She finally reached her home, quickly locked the door behind her, and took a deep breath. She felt relieved to be safe, but she couldn't shake off the feeling that she was being watched.

She sighed a bit in relief as she walked into her shabby apartment. It felt so lonely being inside.

It didn't take long when a knock was made on her door.

Lily's heart raced as she cautiously approached the door. She peered through the peephole, and sure enough, it was the man with the hoodie who was following her not too long ago. He seemed to be looking down, fiddling with something in his hands.

Lily hesitated for a moment, taking a deep breath before unlocking the door and cracking it open just enough to speak. "Can I help you?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

The man looked up at her, revealing a face that was lined with scars and rough facial hair. "I'm sorry to bother you," he said, his voice low and gruff. "I just wanted to make sure you were okay."

Lily frowned, confused by his concern. "Why do you care?" she asked.

The man hesitated, glancing down at his hands once more. "Let's just say I owe someone a favor," he said cryptically.

Lily didn't know what to make of that, but she couldn't deny that the man's presence was making her uneasy. "Well, I'm fine," she said, edging the door closed.

As Lily was about to close the door, the man suddenly placed his foot to obstruct her from closing it. He then removed his hoodie, revealing a middle-aged face with scars. Lily's heart skipped a beat as she felt a wave of fear wash over her. But the man quickly brought out his ID card and said in a calm voice, "My name is Detective Carter, and I need your help."

Lily looked at the ID card, it looked original but anything could be made fake. She raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Why would you need my help? I don't have a certificate from the police force"

The man put his ID card into his pocket and continued. "Indeed you don't, but you have been able to infiltrate Lorenzo's Moretti den. Meaning, he would come for you again"

So his name was Lorenzo. Lily thought. "Still I don't get your point. Even if he does, why do you think I would want to spy on him or anything"

"Because he is related to the disappearance of your father, Evans Marculty"