The Devil's Song Bird

"Boss! We have to move to another place as soon as possible!" Max informed his boss, RoughCoin.

"I know. And I had already found a location where we can move to. It is near Greenwich village, Manhattan". RoughCoin replied.

Max was surprised to hear the area his boss had mentioned. He turned, and looked at his boss sharply with his brow furrowed a little.

"But boss, that area sounds like a hub for.. .the intellectuals. Do you think we can cope with them!".

"Our mission has nothing to do with the people living in that area, Max. And, just because we are Mafias does not mean we cannot live with the intellects. We all are human beings, Max. So, don't let this topic come up before me again.". RoughCoin replied coldly.

As a ruthless Mafia leader, RoughCoin Shakur hated having to explain his decisions to anybody. But Max was his right hand man and his best friend too. They had been together in the street right from when they were ordinary pick pockets. So RoughCoin had to endure explaining his actions to Max.

And, apart from Max, and his sister, RoughCoin never listened to anyone.

His childhood days were cast with poverty and hardship. So, the moment he entered the criminal world, he worked very hard; so hard that now, he was termed as one of the most feared and rich criminals in New York.

Due to his painful past too, RoughCoin got addicted to getting whatever he wanted at all cost. He believed that without violence, one would be denied of every right and opportunity one deserved. So could go to any extent to get what he desired.

His target also was not to make money alone, he wanted power. He wanted people to hear his name and shiver. He wanted to be a dread to the people whenever they see him, or hear about him. He never got indulged with women. His hunger for power and wealth at all cost never allowed him think about women. The only women in his life were his mother and only sister. Apart from them, RoughCoin had no experience with other women. And so didn't know how to treat them. To him, talking to women was always a mystery to solve. People say he does not respect women, but the reality was, he did not know a thing about women.

Then how was he supposed to treat them?

His sister didn't bother giving him tips about women either. She thought he would learn with time. But RoughCoin never learned.

He adored his sister so much, and fulfilled all her demands. He even made sure to keep her hidden from his world so that she could be kept safe from the dirty world he was in. All because of the love he has for his sister. And his sister too loved him so much, even though she despised his way of living. But she was aware that RoughCoin had every reason to do what he was doing.

"So, where is the report of that dog who has refused to pay me back my money?" RoughCoin steered himself from his own thoughts, and asked Max.

"It will be ready soon, sir!" Max replied.

Max often addressed RoughCoin according to his mood. He was aware that RoughCoin hated it when somebody called him by his name. He considered it as challenging him when he is addressed by his name. He only gave that right to his sister, which actually wasn't required. Max called him boss when they are talking business; 'sir' when he was angry or upset; and 'Coin' when he was in a very good mood. It was like a routine because himself and RoughCoin had been beat of friends right from the days when they were still very young roaming the streets.

RoughCoin sighed, and sat smoking his cigar and drinking his whiskey.

After fifteen minutes, Max walked up to RoughCoin where he was seated

"Coin, the report is ready." Max spoke.

"Read it!" RoughCoin said without as much as turn his head. He has his eyes closed, and his hand was stroking a strand of hair on his head.

"He is 45 years old. Has a wife, two daughters, and a son. He has only ten million left to pay us. We have given him a year more than the expiration date, but he says he needs more time. This is why we brought his case to you.". Max closed the report folder, and looked at his boss.

RoughCoin still had his eyes closed and did not say anything. Only a smirk was on his face. After a while, he opened his eyes and grinned broadly.

"Hmm. I think I will have to pay a personal visit to his home then. Where does he stay?" He asked in an even tone, looking at Max.

"Boss, it states here...that he lives in.. Manhattan!".

"Manhattan.?!". RoughCoin asked, raising an eyebrow to look at his right-hand man.

Manhattan happened to be the new area where he had decided to relocate to.

"That is a pleasurable coincidence, boss. Isn't it?" Max said, and smiled. He likes it when their job comes with that kind of coincidence. It makes Max believe that luck is on their side.

"Indeed it is.". RoughCoin replied, and grinned. "And in that case, we will go there. Our things will be moved there in a few days time, so I need to personally go and visit the villa. And I hope that things are being arranged as I asked them to be.". RoughCoin added. He was also glad that things are going in line.

Personally, he had a favourable feeling about this relocation. But, as strange as it may sound, he couldn't say why the feeling.

"But boss, we are staying there for only a few months, right?". Max suddenly asked.

"Nhmm." He answered while taking his phone from the table.

"So, why did you buy a villa there then?"

"What do you mean by that? Do you expect me to live on the street there? I didn't come this far in this business to live in trenchies Max, so please. Would you mind not asking me any more of such questions again?!" He said getting angry.

"Yes boss! Sorry boss". Max apologized. "When do you plan to visit that man?". Max added, changing the topic. He doesn't like making RoughCoin angry, and whenever it happens, Max always makes sure to apologize and get his boss to be even with him again.

"Tomorrow night. We have to be as discreet as we can, so that he doesn't escape. Understood. And yeah, get the pistols in order. I have arranged for new men to patrol round the villa and keep my reason for moving there a secret. No one should know about it.". RoughCoin said in his commanding nature

"Yes, boss."

After a while, when RoughCoin was ready to go, they went downstairs and asked the driver to take them to his new villa.

"Ding!'

A message sound came into the phone on the table. Ava looked at it, it was a chat from her best friend Liam.

"Ava, can you please meet me at the junction near your school? The one by the traffic light. I need to talk to you about something."

Ava furrowed her brow in surprise. Liam has never sent her such a message before. Not when she is at work.

'Okay. Hope there's no problem?'

She replied, hoping her best friend hasn't ran into any challenge.

"No problems, it is just something important".

"Okay, what time..?"

'11: 30A.M.'

"Okay. I will meet you there as soon as the bell chimes for lunch break. Make sure to be there by 11:30 on the dot"

She replied, and accompanied it with an emoji. Then she dropped her phone back on the table, and continued with the writing on the chalkboard.

Ava is 21 years old and she has a sixteen years old brother whom she loves more than anything. For her, he is still her nine years old Bobby! Her family is middle-classed economically. Her father is a social worker and her mother is a housewife. Ava doesn't have many friends. Actually, she has only one friend by name Liam. Liam has been her friend since childhood days, and they were very close. Their closeness made a lot of people in their neighborhood refer to them as husband and wife, but Ava only saw Liam as a best friend.

As soon as she reached the age of 20, many marriage proposals started coming for her. But she said no to everyone of them, because she thought she needed to take care of her family now that her mother suddenly fell ill of a strange disease. This decision made her parents worried. They thought Ava was stressing herself too much about the family responsibilities.

And that was partly true.

Firstly, her family was average and she had to pay the house rent on time, and always. And secondly, she always wanted to marry a person whom she loves. She believed marriage to be very auspicious, and this was one of the many reasons why she denied all the proposals. She is the only one who earns in the family, keeping two jobs to that effect. The morning job was from 7am to 2pm as a primary school teacher, and the night job was as a karaoke singer for various ceremonies.

She hated or rather feared violence, just like any other common citizen of New York. And she was thankful that she lived in a country whose defense force was strong enough to keep its citizens safe. But she was aware of some criminals or mafia groups still hanging around without fear. She wished they all get caught whenever she heard the news about them killing innocent people.

But, as far as her life was concerned, it was simple and hard. She had to work hard to satisfy her family's requirements. Her major tension was her brother's education. She was aware of the fact that she didn't have enough money to pay his enormous fees. So, she had taken debt from a lot of people. Every night, she always prayed to God for a miracle to happen, which will take all her worries and make her life as normal as other girls'.

Liam was her childhood friend. They attended the same school. And he worked as an accountant in the same hotel where Ava worked at night. Their houses were not very far from each other, just two blocks away. Due to this, Liam always drops Ava off at night to her home, safely. He was good looking as well as had a good character. And he had a soft spot for Ava right from their childhood days. Liam knew that Ava couldn't sleep alone at night and that seemed to make him smile sometimes. They were very good friends and shared everything. But, he never crossed his line, and Ava was so grateful about that. He was aware of the fact that Ava has never been touched by any stranger intimately, let alone a man. And so he kept his distance so as not to make Ava uncomfortable.

11 : 30 AM:

Ava reached the place where Liam had asked her to meet him. It was near the traffic light. She went to the walkway and waited for him. Few minutes passed and Liam was nowhere to be seen.

'Phew Liam! Where are you?' Ava thought to herself as she was getting bored standing there all by herself.

She boringly looked down the street, and saw a street dog sitting a few meters away from her. She smiled and whistled at the dog. And the dog's ear perked up. The dog looked towards her and Ava whistled again. The dog stood up and came towards her waving it's tail. Ava had always been in love with dogs, but couldn't own one because she couldn't afford it. She patted the dog on the head and then on it's back. Seeing her doing that, other dogs on the street came up too. Now there were about six dogs around her. They all started snuggling her legs and she played with all of them. There was a pack of biscuits in her bag, Ava brought it out and gave them to the dogs one by one. The biscuits were supposed to be the lunch she bought for herself. But she gave them to the dogs.

They are Street dogs, nobody makes out time to feed them. Ava thought to herself

*******"""

The red signal at the traffic light made the cars on the street stop. RoughCoin's car was the first one on the lane. He looked out the window and saw a woman playing with some dogs. The sun shone perfectly over her petite body, making her so adorable to behold. Just like a well carved portrait on display.

The woman had long hair and fine height. The dogs also seemed to really like her. RoughCoin always had a liking for dogs too, and he himself had two German shepherds. He never knew a woman was able to play with dogs. All the women he knew, even his own sister were terribly afraid of dogs. But here he saw this woman, playing with street dogs as if they were her own dogs.

Fearless!

He saw her smile at the dogs and only realized that a smile had escaped his own lips. He was stunned by this. No other person had ever made him smile, other than of course his sister. He had a very hard childhood, and that had made him a very cold man. He was regarded as an emotionless person who never cared for anyone. But deep down, he was just as normal as anyone. The only thing is, this other part of his personality was hidden. And nobody dared to bring that soft part of his life out. Not even his sister.

But, seeing this young woman so happy, made him want to be with her that instant. He saw her through his tinted car window. The red light turned to green, motioning the cars to move. The driver started the car but he stopped him.

"Is something wrong, boss!" Max asked looking worried. He always respected RoughCoin like a father, brother, and friend. He could do anything for him, even kill or get killed for his sake.

"No! Nothing is wrong. Just wait for a while here!" RoughCoin replied indifferently in a low husky voice.

He wanted to look at that woman for some more time. She gave him peace, somewhere deep in his heart. And he was amazed by that. How can a fragile looking girl like her bring such a feeling to his heart? RoughCoin thought.

The car behind them started horning at them, asking them to move. The driver looked at RoughCoin for permission but he didn't say anything. The driver didn't say or do anything too, after all, he loved his life. RoughCoin never thought twice about killing someone if they were found guilty. And insulting him or questioning him, was a part of crime according to his crime book.

Listening to the sound of the horn, RoughCoin saw the girl turned around. The way her hair flipped due to the gentle wind, made his junior go crazy. This was one thing that had never happened to RoughCoin before. No woman had ever made him get aroused, especially by their mere presence.

Who is she, he wondered.

The sound of the horn increased and he saw the girl looking straight towards his car, and towards him. He saw her mildly shrug and turn her attention again towards the dogs. When she looked at him through the tinted window, which was obvious that she couldn't see him, but RoughCoin could see her face very clear, his heart skipped a beat. For that moment he became self-conscious and then he realized that it was of no use, as she couldn't see him.

The horn was blowing furiously now. This time he turned to look who the hell it was. Then he asked the driver to move.

'If only I could have seen her for a little longer.' He thought still looking at her from the rearview mirror as the car moved away.

Ava was still feeding the street dogs some biscuits when suddenly , she heard a prolonged car horn down the street and she wondered who has gone mad. She looked towards the road and saw a sleek black car with tinted windows standing straight in front of her. She wondered why the driver wasn't moving because looking towards the traffic light signal, Ava could see that the signal was green. Which means that particular lane was supposed to be moving already. The horn rang again, and she noticed that it was coming from the cars behind the black sleek one.

She looked at the black car once more and then shrugged and returned her attention back towards the dogs. Then she saw the black car moving after few seconds, due to the constant noise produced by the following cars.

After a minute or so, Liam came.

"Care to tell me why you called me...here, and decided to show up when you feel like it? " She asked.

Ava had her hand akimbo like a mother scolding her child

Liam had kept her waiting for over thirty minutes, way past her lunch break period, and he better have a good explanation for that.

"I know I have taken more time than I should, Ava. I am sorry for that. But, I need your help.". Liam said politely. He spoke in a gentle tone because he could sense how much of Ava's time he had wasted.

That was something Ava liked about Liam, he knows when to apologize.

Ava smiled.

"Okay! Apology accepted. But, Liam. Why ask that we meet here? This is like having a meeting in a football field.". Ava said, looking around at the many users of the street passing by, and cars too.

Some of which were already looking at them.

"I was near this place, and the traffic junction seemed quick enough to meet; giving that your school is around here.". Liam replied

"Fine! What kind of help do you need?" Ava asked, looking at Liam. She knows when Liam is in dire need, and Ava could swear her best friend is in need.

And it looked like the need is about money.

"I don't know how to put this!" Liam tried to speak, but couldn't come up with the right words

Ava waited for a while and watched Liam struggle within him to speak but couldn't. Then she asked.

"How much?".

"What?" Liam looked up sharply, and asked in confusion.

"How much do you need Liam?. You don't have to feel shy about it. If I can ask you for monetary assistance without hesitation, and shamelessly too. Why do you feel shy?". Ava tried persuading him.

"It's actually a pressing need of 150k.". Liam sighed and replied. "My sister's admission is ready and everything costs 150 thousand dollars. I have managed to raise 100 dollars and will appreciate a little support of about.....". Liam was still having difficulties asking Ava for the money.

"50K right.". Ava interjected. "That is not a problem , Liam. When do you want it?" Ava asked.

"I wouldn't mind it right away. Infact, that is why I called you here or else I would have waited till evening when you come to the hotel". Liam finally found his tongue, and could speak freely.

He was also overwhelmed that Ava could help him out even with her tight family expenses.

"Alright then, I will withdraw the money now and give to you..". Ava said.

She was already bringing out her credit card from her handbag, and moving towards the ATM gallery at the junction.

She entered the nearest ATM and withdrew the said amount.

"Okay, here it is. But make sure to give it back as soon as possible." She winked and gave him the cash.

"Of course Ava! I promise I will return the money to you as soon as we get our monthly pay". Liam promised, his eyes flashing with gratitude.

"Relax, dude! I was just kidding. Take your time with that, but don't take forever." Ava said with a smile.

Liam smiled too, and teased Ava in their usual way.

"I hope I didn't disturb you from your work, though.". He asked as he was seeing Ava off across to the other street.

"No, of course not! I had 2 free hours to spend, so ...."

She lied.

Liam looked at his wristwatch, it was already 2pm. Which means Ava's free hours were over.

"It's 2pm already, Ava. You have to go now. Thank you so much, I love you" Liam said.

Even though the latter part of his sentence was taken as a sarcastic comment by Ava, Liam was serious about it. He had always loved Ava so dearly but never had the courage to confess it to her. He knew Ava was not ready for any relationship now, due to her family responsibilities. And aware that she had already turned down many suitors who were even better off than him. So, he just had to wait for the right time.

*******"""

The thought of the woman at the traffic light junction occupied RoughCoin's mind all through the ride to the villa. He was quiet and restless after the left the traffic queue, and this didn't go unnoticed by Max.

"Anything bothering you boss?". Max asked, looking sideways at his boss.

"Yes, something is on my mind. When I am done with that old man, I have another job for you.". RoughCoin replied coldly without giving out any form of emotions.

This made Max a little uncomfortable, and he wanted to know what could be wrong.

"You can tell me about it now boss. I will start right away.". Max said.

"Not now. First, we will finish this work.". RoughCoin replied, and looked out the window.

Max hesitated for a moment, and then asked.

"Does that have something to do with that woman at the traffic light junction?". Max asked, looking straight ahead.

RoughCoin looked at Max and thought for a while. He knew Max could read his feelings, even when he tried to hide it. That was one good thing RoughCoin admired about Max. Actually, that is the reason why he had Max always with him. And, Max has the most sharp and smartest brains RoughCoin had ever seen.

It was definitely safe to tell him how he was feeling.

After a moment of silence, RoughCoin looked ahead and replied.

"Yes..".

"Okay, boss." Max said and smiled.

He could sense RoughCoin's tension and knew at that instant that his friend had finally found interest in a woman. He was so happy that he wanted to call and tell this information to RoughCoin's sister right away, but he managed and resisted it.

He thought it would only be wise if RoughCoin can tell this to his sister, himself.

"After we are done with this operation at hand, you can do that. I want to deal with her when I have no work pressure. Got it?"

"Yes, boss! " He said jokingly, and smiled. "By the way she did look quite hot!" Max added out of excitement.

But that compliment didn't go down well with RoughCoin.

He snapped his head to face Max, getting possessive instantly like anything.

"Stop fantasizing about her. It's my job to think about her like that. You must treat her like my woman!". He ordered.

"I.I.I. wasn't fantasizing about her boss! Trust me. Sorry to use that word." Max apologized.

If he had any doubt about his friend falling for that girl before, it was now crystal clear that it was true.

"How far are we?" Max heard RoughCoin asked the driver.

"About to reach the villa, sir."

RoughCoin nodded, and looked out the window again. This time, Max could see him through the corner of his eyes as his boss leaned his head on the window and allowed his thoughts about the girl wander. Max could tell what RoughCoin was thinking about, as a sly smile crept up on his lips. He knew immediately that his best friend has found love.