You know, there's nothing quite like realizing your entire life has been a lie. I used to believe in loyalty, in family, in Max—my boyfriend.

Wait. Is he still my boyfriend? His name makes my stomach turn now. Well, I guess... shit happens.

Anyway, here I am, sitting in this dark safe house that isn't so safe anymore. I wonder how everything went so wrong. But it started like any other night.

Max and Sandy were out, celebrating some deal or another.

"You stay put, Valentina," he always said. "It's safer here for you."

And like the fool I was, I believed him. But how could I not? When you get yourself a boyfriend, you're supposed to believe everything he says. Otherwise, why get one?

I snapped out of my thoughts when I heard a shot. A gunshot, to be precise.

I wasn't nervous, though. Guns, bombs, grenades, you name it! I'm a member of the mafia, so I'm used to it. I thought it was just a drill, so I was fine.

But when one shot became two, and the next penetrated directly through my window, I panicked.

What the hell was happening?

I grabbed my gun, fully alert. I moved quietly and peeked out the windows.

Who did I see? No one. All I saw were shadows and the flashes of muzzle fire.

Slightly scared, I dialed Max's number.

"What do you want, Val?!" His voice was irritated when he answered, and I could hear laughter in the background. Sandy's laughter.

"Max! We're under attack! I need you here!" My voice shook. I was desperate.

But he laughed. I said I was in danger, and he actually laughed! Good Lord!

"Val, chill out. I'm sure you can handle it. Besides, I'm a little busy here."

"Busy? Busy with Sandy?"

"Yeah, with Sandy," he replied, his tone mocking. "She's more fun than you, anyway."

And then he hung up. Just like that. Five years, and he couldn't even be bothered to care if I lived or died.

I felt bile rise in my throat, in anger and in fear. I was alone. No, not alone—betrayed. When I glanced around the room, the shadows crept closer. Then, I heard the door crash open behind me.

Fine! I'm doing this alone!

No choice, I held my gun and spun around. Sadly, there were too many of them. I fired and hit one, but the others kept coming. Out of ammunition, I backed up.

Suddenly, the man pointed his gun at me. At this point? All I could do was breathe, gasp, and pray.

Damn. I'm dying! This might be it.

But just when I thought it was over, a mysterious man showed up, half his face covered, and took the gunman down.

"Are you stupid? Will you just keep standing there, waiting for your death?"

He didn't look at me, just the mess around us.

"Who the hell are you?" I demanded, my voice shaking.

"Someone who's not going to let you die tonight," he said simply.

I don't usually trust strangers, but at that moment, I didn't care.

He was my way out.

After taking down one enemy after another, he walked over, grabbed my arm, and led me out of the safe house. Soon, the cool night air hit my face. Damn. Free at last!

Once we were a safe distance away, he stopped and released my arm.

Curious, I asked, "What's your name?"

But he only shook his head slightly and smiled. "You don't need to know me," he replied, his voice low and calm. "Just remember my voice because this will not be the last time you hear it."

"Why? Why won't you tell me?"

The man took a step back. "Because in our world, knowing too much can be a dangerous thing, Valentina. Just know that I'm watching, and when the time comes, you'll see me again."

After saying that, he disappeared into the night.

Cats have nine lives, they said. But I'm nowhere near being a cat.

After the attack last night, it was already a miracle that I survived. And I don't want to waste that. Life's too short to waste on people who are trash.

Ever felt as though the universe was trying to tell you something? This might be it.

Max made my blood boil. That man is total crap, and I'm so sorry for myself for wasting too many years, too much potential, holding myself back for him.

I remember when Victor, the second-in-command of the Red Blood Gang, approached me with an offer. I was supposed to be the next in line, the first female to ever hold such a rank in our mafia family.

He said he had seen my potential. You know, I may be a woman, but I'm a woman who could detonate bombs, extract enemy locations with precision, shoot, and kill without hesitation.

But every time, I always held back. All because I didn’t want to leave Max behind in the lower ranks. Foolish, I know. So stupid of me, blinded by a love that wasn’t even real.

But now, things are different.

I went to the Red Blood Gang’s headquarters the next morning. Victor was waiting for me in his office. He looked up as I entered, a knowing smile playing on his lips.

“Valentina,” he greeted, his voice smooth and commanding. “I heard about the attack. Glad to see you made it out alive.”

“Well, I'm glad, too. Thanks to someone unexpected,” I replied. “Not Max, by the way.”

Victor’s eyes darkened when I mentioned Max's name. This man always hated my boyfriend. I didn't get it at first, but I totally agree now.

“I warned you about him. He’s a liability.”

I nodded. That might sound harsh, but it's totally true. “I know.”

“And you think Max still deserves your consideration?” he added, his tone almost mocking.

“No,” I said firmly. “He doesn’t.”

Victor leaned back in his chair, studying me. “You know, the offer still stands. You have the skills, the potential. You could be the first female second-in-command. I might be a pain in the ass for repeating this over and over, but you’re more than ready, Val.”

I took a deep breath. "I sure am."

Victor’s smile widened. “Good. Because we need someone strong, someone who isn’t afraid to take risks and make the hard decisions.”

“I won’t let you down.”

Chuckling, Victor stood up, extending his hand. “Welcome to your new beginning, Valentina. Can't wait for you to meet the reaper.”

I stared at him, confused. “The Reaper? But our boss is Hades.”

Victor’s smile didn’t falter. “I’m not stepping down, Valentina. You are stepping up. There’s someone else who’s been interested in you for a long time.”

“What are you talking about?”

Victor crossed his arms. “I’ve been receiving secret messages from an anonymous sender for years now. At first, I thought it was some kind of sick joke. But the sender was persistent. He wants you and will reward me if I convince you to work for him.”

“And you believed him?”

“Not at first,” Victor admitted. “But then I started investigating. I wanted to know who this sender was and if he was powerful enough to back up his claims. Turns out, he is. The Reaper is a mafia boss of a family even stronger than ours. He’s the one we’ve been trying to surpass for years.”

“So, what does he want with me?”

Victor shrugged. “That’s the part I haven’t figured out yet. But he knows about you, and he wants you on his side.”

“Are you betraying the Red Blood Gang?” I asked suspiciously.

“Betraying? No,” Victor said firmly. “Not even spying. But connections are good as long as they do no harm. Besides, the Reaper’s offer is tempting, Val. He promised resources, information, and alliances that could elevate us beyond our wildest dreams. But there’s a catch. You have to join his mafia.”

I took a step back, trying to process everything. “So, you want me to leave the Red Blood Gang and work for him?”

“Not want, Valentina. It’s up to you,” Victor said, his tone serious. “This could make us more powerful, but it’s a risk, so I won’t force you.”

I fell silent then. I already had a fair share of people I can't trust, but could I trust this mysterious Reaper?

Could I leave the Red Blood Gang for a chance at something greater?

"So, are you in or not?"

"So, are you in or not?"

I locked eyes with Victor, feeling my resolve harden. “I’m in.”

He chuckled then. “You're really something else, Valentina. So decisive. No wonder the Reaper likes you.”

I took a breath, ready to ditch Max and all his drama. And maybe, just maybe, this was my chance to become something more.

Something greater than just Max’s girlfriend.

“Alright,” I said, breaking the silence. “So what’s next?”

Victor pulled out his phone and dialed a number. “We’ll see.”

The phone rang a few times before someone picked up.

“She agreed,” Victor directly announced, and I heard a man laugh.

“Good! I knew she would. Have her meet me at 9 p.m. at the old warehouse on Riverside.”

Victor hung up and turned to me. “Pack up, Valentina. Leave the Mafia house. You’re meeting him at 9 p.m.”

“What do I tell the others?”

“Don’t worry about that. I’ll handle it,” Victor said reassuringly.

I went to my room and started packing. Clothes, essentials, a few mementos. Each item in my bag felt like shedding an old skin. But I was ready.

Before leaving, I went back to Victor’s office with my bags.

“Victor,” I called. “I just wanted to say goodbye. And thank you for everything.”

He looked up. “You'll be alright, Valentina. You’ve always been stronger than you give yourself credit for.”

I nodded, feeling a lump in my throat. “I hope so. This... this is a big step.”

“It is,” he agreed, standing up and walking around his desk to stand in front of me. “But you’re ready for it. If anyone can do this, it’s you.”

“Thank you,” I whispered. “I won’t let you down.”

Victor smiled, a rare, genuine smile. “Good luck, Val. Go show them what you’re made of.”

Three hours later, as I was settling into my new, temporary hideout, my phone rang. Max’s name flashed on the screen. I answered, bracing myself for the inevitable confrontation.

“Val, where the hell are you?! What kind of drama is it this time, huh?” he demanded. “Why did you leave without a trace?”

I took a deep breath. “I’m done, Max. I’m not coming back.”

“What? You can’t just leave like this!” he shouted. “Get back here now!”

“No. Go be with Sandy. You’re happy with her anyway.”

“You’ll regret this."

“I doubt it,” I replied, my voice unwavering. “This is goodbye, Max.”

“You can’t just walk away from everything we’ve built, Val! Think about what we’ve been through together.”

I laughed. “What we’ve been through? You mean all the lies and betrayal? The nights you left me for Sandy?”

“It’s not what you think, Val!” he insisted. “I can explain.”

“I don’t need your explanations anymore, Max. I’ve waited too long for you to change. But that was never going to happen.”

“So, what? You think running away is going to solve anything?” he scoffed. “You’re making a mistake.”

“No, Max. Staying with you was the mistake. Leaving you is the best decision I’ve made in years.”

“You think you’re better off without me?” he sneered. “You’re nothing without the Red Blood Gang!”

“I’m more than just the gang! Go be with Sandy. You're happy with her anyway.”

“Val—” he started, but I cut him off.

“This conversation is over. Goodbye.”

I hung up, feeling a wave of relief. For the first time in years, I felt truly free.

This was my chance to start over, to prove myself.

The clock neared 9 p.m. and I waited. Whoever the reaper was, or whatever he wanted, I’d face him head-on.

I don't run from challenges. I embraced them. And this was just the beginning.

Soon, someone came.

"You're finally here," he said.

And I? I stepped back, shocked.

Is he really the reaper?