THE END OF THE WORLD WITH YOU MR MAFIA

CHAPTER ONE

(Tiana's POV)

I'm standing in front of a mirror in the dressing room, staring at my half-naked dress as usual. Ohhh, how much I wanna stop doing this, but I need money to clear up the loan I took to pay for my grandmother's hospital bills and funeral. Now grandma is no more, and I'm all alone because I know my mom won't ever come back home because of me. She didn't even come when her own mother was sick, nor did she come when I called to tell her mother died.

"Hey girl." My colleague called out, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Hi" I said, almost whispering

"Cheer up, girl" the manager wants to see you; he has a really nice job for you tonight; you're gonna make cool cash, just that you might lose your pretty virginity." She said smiling as she walked out of the room while I walked behind her.

"Good evening, sir." I greeted bowing to my manager.

"Ohh Tiana, we have a VIP here, and I want you to keep him company and entertain him tonight, he will pay you really good. just make sure to please him. You can go meet him in the VIP room; don't disappoint me."

"Okay, sir" I bowed before leaving the manager's office to go to the said VIP room.

My jaw dropped as I freeze in shock at the sight in front of me: the supposed VIP client I'm to entertain just got murdered by an assassin who is dressed up like a strip dancer. I'm hiding well behind the large curtains, making sure the assassin doesn't see me. I only came out after she took something from the man's suitcase and fled through the windows. Coming out to check if the man is still alive, I heard the doorknob it seems he got company. Before I could think of what next, knowing I have no evidence to prove I'm not the murderer since the VIP room doesn't have cameras, an able- bodied man came inside the room, and I didn't think twice before running out of the room through the back exit, running along the hallway. I looked back to see I'm being chased by three or four men; I didn't have time to take note of their numbers. I took the elevator from the 5th floor to the 3rd floor and quickly ran into a random room the moment the elevator stopped. trying to catch my breath, I noticed there's a man in the room. Before I could apologise for barging into his room, he pulled me closer to himself in one go and forced me to sit as he started trying to draw something on my exposed lap. I tried to speak, but my words failed me. Suddenly, there's a knock on the door, more like banging. He covered my upper body with his jacket before answering the door. "I'm a tattoo artist, and there's no other one here other than my client." I heard him say to the person at the door before closing the door and walked back to where I was still sitting, unable to move.

"Why did you help me?" I asked, almost stammering.

"Baby girl, don't you think "thank you" should come first before a question?" he said calmly as he sat opposite me and continued drawing on my lap. Ahhh, I screamed in pain as I tried to protest.

"Stay still." He said in a commanding tone, and to my own surprise I obeyed.

"Thank you," I said, but I got no reply from him. "For saving me" I said again after some time

"Do you know those men?" He asked, still focused on what he was drawing on my lap.

"No, I don't."

"Then why were you running from them?" I sighed before telling him exactly what happened and why I was running.

"The man who was murdered earlier is a well-known Mafia member, and the men who were chasing you are consigliere" he said, still focused on what he's drawing. I just nodded, not bothering to ask him how he knew all that. He continued having small talks with me, asking me a few questions every now and then, trying to distract me from the pain of the tattoo that is now almost done. I looked down at the tattoo and saw that he is now giving it finishing touches.

"CARL??"

"Yes, that's my name" he said, putting his stuff aside.

"You could've just told me your name instead of tattooing it on my lap."

"Well, your thighs looks beautiful, and I suddenly wanted my name decorated on it the moment I saw it." He said with a small smile, and I couldn't help but notice his good-looking face. His eyes are so captivating. Did he just purposely swallow so I could notice his Adam's Apple? But damn it, he looks nothing less than perfect. Snapping out of my lustful thoughts, I quickly stand up.

"Thank you again for saving me." I said to him as I removed his jacket, which he had used to cover my body. He stood up and pulled me back. I placed my hands on his broad chest as almost crashed into him. Now that he is standing this close to me, I can't help but notice his height; he is so tall and well built. I can clearly see his chest. Since his shirt is half-buttoned.

"I need to go" I said, trying hard to control myself from drooling over this man.

"Not just yet" he said as he pushed and pinned me against the wall.

"What do you want now?" I asked.

" I want a reward; otherwise, I am not letting you go," he said, smirking at me.

"What? I already said thank you to you, and if it's about the tattoo, I don't have money to pay for it; besides, I didn't ask for it." I said, breathless.

" Thank you? Naah, thank you is not enough; nothing is free, baby girl, and who said you can only pay with money? Hmm, I want you, baby girl,he said, touching my thigh. "Fine whatever" I said, trying to hold back my tears as I thought of losing my virginity to a total stranger. I wanted my first time to be with someone I love, someone who loves me. I sighed, trying to relax under his touch so I wouldn't get on his nerves as the admiration I had for him few minutes ago is being replaced with disgust.

CHAPTER TWO

(Tiana's POV)

Carl just dropped me in front of my small apartment as I refused to sleep beside him till morning after he took my virginity away from me like it's no big deal.

I walked in and locked my door, I watched from my window as he drove away and just as I was about to have a hot bath and take a rest, I heard noises and rushed to my parlor to see some people are outside trying to break my door, which looks like it won't take another minute for them to successfully break. I turned off the lights, since I would know the way around my house in darkness better than them, I quickly went into my bedroom to take my little savings that I was supposed to use to pay up loans and ran out of the house through the back door, I luckily found a taxi before I crossed to the next street.

"Take me to the train station" I said to the driver trying to sound as natural as possible. Getting to the train station took like forever to me, as I just wanted to disappear from this city. I bought a ticket and took a night train to Owkridge. I've never been there, but l've heard people say it's a nice, big, and well-developed city. Now I'm thinking about it. That's where my mom works. I just hope I never get to bump into her. It was a long trip to Owkridge; it's almost dawn by the time we got there. Now that I'm here, I realise I don't have anyone or anywhere to go; I don't even have a phone, and I'm left with little cash. Am I destined to be a street beggar? Just how unfair could life be to me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It's been two days since I got to Owkridge, and after wandering for hours that seemed like forever, I luckily met a woman who owns an accessory shop right beside the airport. I helped her arrange her goods in exchange for food. "Hello. Where the heck are you? I've been waiting for ages."

"Ma'am I'm really sorry, but the traffic is really bad. That's why I'm not yet there, and I might not be able to get there in the next 30 minutes." "Really now, this is so frustrating; my first time in Owkridge after being away for so long is already annoying me."

"I'm really sorry, ma'am"

"Whatever, I would just check out the accessory shop beside the airport to keep myself busy until you get here, and you better hurry up; don't dare keep me waiting."

Arranging goods as usual, I brought the empty boxes outside, arranging them properly when I saw someone through the transparent glass. She really looks identical to me, aside from the fact that she looks more classy and her dressing already shows that she's rich. I had to touch my face to confirm it's not my reflection in the mirror. It seems she saw me too, as she seems to be staring to know if what she is seeing is true. She suddenly started walking towards the exit door with a confused expression. I know she's coming to me, so I stood still until I saw through the mirror strange men dressed in all black walking towards me. I slowly walked towards the parking lot the moment I recognised one of them, but the girl chased after me, thinking I was running away from her. I increased my speed, but she kept running towards me. "Hey, you wait up," she called out, almost yelling.

"Please go back. Stop following me." I shouted back, trying to get her to stop following me. "Wait up, I just wanna talk to you. I don't mean any harm." I hastened up, crawled, and hid behind one of the cars. There are many cars, so it's kind of safe to hide behind one. I was trying to find a way to quietly call out to her, to hide when I heard a gunshot, and the whole world suddenly became silent as I felt a sharp piercing in my chest and a teardrop from my eye as everything went blank.

CHAPTER THREE

Finally able to open my eyes after maybe a few minutes of feeling something unexplainable, I slowly stood up and peeped to see her lifeless body being carried away by the men, and for a second I didn't know how to feel.

I crawled out a few minutes after the men took her away. I saw her bag on the floor and picked it up. I checked, and there were a few makeup cosmetics, her phone, her ID card, and her passport, "Fiora Fabio." That's her name, and she really looks identical to me. Still shocked and unable to move, I heard a car honking, and I looked to see Carl in the driver's seat, and he screamed at me to get in the car. I got in without thinking about how he found me here, for now all I want is safety. How selfish, someone just died in place of me. The whole drive to Carl's house was silent, as we both didn't say a word to each other. We got to his house, and we walked in, with me walking beside him without noticing the environment because I was still in shock. Sitting in his living room, after drinking the water he offered me, now I'm noticing how large, beautiful, and expensive his parlour is. "Who are you?" asked, looking at him for answers because there's no way a regular tattoo artist would be this rich.

"I am right there in your body, baby" he said as he looked down to my lap, which thankfully is not visible due to my long dress.

"Come on, let me show you to your room so you can wash up. You don't look exactly nice" he said, giving me a weird look before he started walking towards the stairs, and I followed behind without saying anything.

"Here is your room; wash up and wear my shirt while I go get you some clothes, and you must be hungry. I will order food when I get back; it won't take long, he said, smiling before leaving and closing the door behind him.

I walked downstairs after a long shower, putting on his white button-up long-sleeve shirt. I saw him arranging the food on the dining table and joined him. We ate quietly with him staring at me every now and then. I stood up to take the dishes and wash them after eating. I was washing the dishes when he suddenly appeared behind me, held my waist, and whispered to my ear. "I didn't know my own shirt could be this dangerous" he whispered, breathing into my ears. I don't know why, but that little action of his sent shivers running down my spine.

"Leave me alone, Carl." I said, trying to sound natural.

"Fine, I will for now, get done with the dishes and change into something that's not as dangerous as what you're putting on now; the clothes I bought you are on the couch; I will be heading out for a bit; I won't take long; I will get you a phone while coming back;" he said calmly before stepping out.

I changed into a comfortable dress once I was done with the dishes. I lay down on the couch, as l am feeling really tired. I haven't been able to close my eyes and sleep since I came to Owkridge. Deep in thought, I eventually fell asleep.

(FABIONA MANSION)

"What do you mean you didn't find my granddaughter?"

"Sir I swear, I searched everywhere and didn't see her."

"You must no longer love your life."

"Sir, please, I promise to go back and look for her"

"No need; I will have my cable men do that. You're useless; lock him up and don't let him out until I say otherwise."

"Go out there and search everywhere for my granddaughter; search every single CCTV footage in the airport and around the airport; and make sure to come back with my granddaughter if you don't want heads cut off." Fabio was still boiling in anger when his daughter Francine and her husband Dave rushed inside.

"Father, what's going on? Where's my only daughter?" Francine asked, sobbing.

"Calm down. I already sent my men out, and they would definitely come back with my granddaughter. Take her to her room and calm her down" Fabio said to Dave, who helped his wife up and took her upstairs without a word.

(Carl's House)

Carl came back and saw Tiana sleeping on the couch. He carried her to her bedroom, covered her properly with the blanket, and slowly closed the door, careful not to wake her up, before proceeding to make dinner for them. Carl was almost done making dinner when Tiana woke up and came downstairs.

(Tiana's POV)

I woke up still feeling tired. I robbed my eyes and realised I am lying in my room. Knowing fully well, I fell asleep on the couch in the living room. I assumed Carl was back, and did he carry me from the living room to the bedroom? I blushed at the thought. I perceived a pleasing aroma as I walked downstairs. I followed the aroma to the kitchen and saw Carl cooking. God, he looks so down to earth handsome even when cooking. He turned around to see me staring at him. "You're awake. Hold on a bit. Dinner is ready" he said to me before turning to focus on what he was doing.

After dinner, we went up to our different rooms without saying much to each other. I slumped down on my bed after bathing and started scrolling and trying to download some apps on the new phone he gave me earlier.

(FABIONA MANSION)

"Sir I don't think an ordinary person is behind this as they made sure to clear up every piece of evidence and trace"

"So you mean you couldn't find my granddaughter?"

"Sir, we tried everything we could but nothing. Every CCTV footage inside and around the airport was destroyed. There were cars in the parking lot of the accessory shop she went into, according to the driver, He said she told him on call that she would kill time in the accessory shop while waiting for him. We questioned the owner of the accessory shop but_ he didn't finish what he was saying when Fabio held his neck and started strangling him.

"Find every single person who parked their vehicle in that parking lot at that time and check their dash-cam. Do that with immediate effect and come back with a good result if you don't want me to slit your throat" Fabio said before letting go of his neck. He bowed immediately before running out coughing.