Chapter 1: The Mafia’s Sudden Interruption

“Mom, I’m leaving; please close the door.” Rosalia Moore, the only daughter of Melissa Moore and Robert Moore, asserts while stepping on the door ladder to start her day.

The real ambiance of spring greets her as soon as one steps outside the door. It is now the beginning of spring in Washington DC. She has checked out the brightness of the sun by looking at the sky. The sky is bright and clear, and scattered white clouds are floating one by one as if a lover has playfully challenged her lover to catch her. And the lover is running after her with renewed enthusiasm, reminding her of the joy of love and the endless possibilities life holds. With a gentle breeze blowing and the sun shining mildly, she feels invigorated and ready to tackle the day ahead. After the harshly freezing cold of winter, the rejuvenation and kindness of spring make her energetic as she walks through the bustling street like the other pedestrians who are outside to recharge themselves on the weekend.

Today is Sunday, and since the restaurant where she works as a waitress is closed, she’s decided to go to the supermarket to buy some important items for her mother. Her mother owns an online cosmetic shop, and her father died ten years ago. He was the CEO of a large company in Washington DC. Their lives were going very well, but suddenly a shock came and took everything away. Her father died unexpectedly and left them in a sea of sorrow.

Rosalia and her mother are living in a two-story house that her parents bought together. It’s a small house, but they’re happy there. She is strolling along the winding streets of the city. The streets are adorned with a delicate shower of cherry blossoms, their pale pink and white petals gently swaying in the breeze. Despite her efforts to catch a few in passing, the ephemeral nature of the blossoms eludes her grasp. As she is strolling along, the enchanting scene inspires a melody in her heart and a sense of melancholy as she realizes that this fleeting season will soon come to a close.

This spring season holds a special place in her heart, and with each step, she is treading with the utmost care to avoid crushing the fragile blooms beneath her feet.

Her moment is enjoyable because, until now, her fear hasn’t arrived to bother her, so each second of this moment is very enjoyable to her. A gentle breeze coming from the other side is playing with her hair, slightly covering her beautiful, cute face. The scent of fresh buds waffle making her bound to inhale a deep breath to emphatic her nostrils. The rays of the sun are mild enough that the morning breeze gets the chance to be stronger to give a little chill; however, it’s her favorite environment. The weather is mild, neither excessively hot nor cold, so she has dressed herself in lightweight jeans and a white T-shirt with a pair of black sneakers. Rosalia possesses an oval facial structure with a distinct V-shaped jawline that exudes a sense of elegance. Her captivating eyes and radiant smile serve as the focal points of her countenance, featuring warm hazel hues that mirror the essence of her heart. The almond-shaped eyes are remarkably large and expressive, accentuated by thick and gracefully arched eyebrows. Her petite nose boasts a subtle bridge and tapered nostrils, lending a refined touch to her facial features. Despite being marked by freckles, occasional blemishes, and a few acne scars, her beauty is undeniable. She showcases her middle-length, dark brown hair styled in a ponytail with a few wisps tucked delicately behind her ears, highlighting her striking features. At first sight, anyone will perceive her as a reserved or shy girl, but she will warm up to others quickly once she gets to know them. Considering her forgetful nature, she crosses her eyes a bit when she takes out the list her mother has given her.

Despite hoping that her morning would not be marred by the same dejection she had experienced for the past three days, the feeling of eerie has already settled in, casting an eerie shadow over her day.

“Where are you going, my sweetie?” Jacob Kyler addresses Rosalia with a haughty smirk, promptly wiping the smile off her face. His tone serves as a stark reminder that her joyous moments are fleeting, causing a frown to form between her eyebrows. The once-cheerful expression on her face is now replaced with one of dissatisfaction. “It’s not your concern.” Although she appears visibly upset in her response, Jacob remains unfazed by her reactions. “I assure you, it is my responsibility to attend to this matter.” He remarks, “I cannot allow my baby girl to roam carelessly, can I?” Expression of disbelief comes out through a scoff as she listens to him. “Who told you I am your girl?” As soon as she retorts, Jacob responds with a proud smile, claiming, “My heart has always claimed you as my girl.” “You have a heart too! How come I don’t know that important news?” Her mocking tone hurts his ego pretty badly, leaving him feeling embarrassed and belittled by the remark.

“It seems my Rosa also possesses a sense of humor that she is making fun of me!” He quips. “Nope, I can’t make fun of a mafia like you. I am not brave enough though, because I really love my life and don’t want to get killed by a filthy monster,” Rosalia replies, earning a scoff from him.

“You’re making the situation worse! Don’t examine my patience; tell me where you are going.” As he questions her and receives her mockery in response, his aura begins to darken. “I am not obliged to tell you. Why should I tell you? Just stay away from me!”

In a display of escalating anger, Jacob seizes her by the chin. “Want to know the consequences of showing guts in front of me?” Despite it being a routine occurrence, she experiences a momentary jolt of fear as her heart skips a beat after meeting with his intense and ferocious gaze. His reaction causes her to hold her breath, feeling unsettled and on edge. “Yah, let me go, you disgusting being, I hate you!” “Is that so? Do I care? You don’t need to love me; I love you; that’s all that matters.” After a period of time, he releases his grasp on her, prompting her to begin taking deep breaths in an effort to regain her composure. Her intense gaze has been fixed on him, conveying a sense of hatred. “It’s my life; you love me, but that doesn’t mean you own me!” “The thing I love is mine,” he says, “only mine!” She feels disgusted by thinking about his offensive language and how horrible his worldview can be. “I’m a human, not a thing. I don’t belong to anyone except myself!”

“You only belong to me! I don’t know what are you but my thing!” “I can’t believe how disgusting your mental situation is!” “It is worse than you can imagine!” “Yeah, I know, a monster can’t even be that bad like you.” “Yes, I’m your monster. If you are good to me, I’ll be the best for you, and if you are bad to me, I’ll be the worst for you; it’s simple.” After pulling her into his embrace, he tucks a strand of her hair behind her ear and gazes into her eyes with a ferocity that suggests he might devour her on the spot. Her struggles to extricate herself from his grip are going on without a break.

“Jacob Kyler, let me go! You’re crossing the limit! I’m not liking it!” “Oh, baby, I don’t like to repeat the same thing. Never dare call me Jacob Kyler again; it’s only JK.” His nagging makes her roll her eyes before speaking. “Let go of me, Jacob Kyler!” Her intention of messing with his name makes him scoff. “What if I don’t?” He says while rolling his eyes. Frustration envelops her from all sides as the thoughts of escaping from his grip cover her from everywhere. She cannot understand how such a powerful mafia figure can haggle over such a simple thing as his name. Without thinking much about it, her conscious mind has decided to give up. “Mr. Mafia JK, can you please leave me?”

“Thanks, baby, but I’m just trying to make you feel comfortable with me.” “Comfortable with you! From which perspective do you think I can be comfortable with you?” “Ahh!” Jacob shouts, “You talk too much.” Being annoyed by his sudden shout, she looks at him. “Why are those eyes always red in anger whenever they’re in front of me?” Nothing comes out of her mouth in return which urges the annoyance inside him and leads him to grip her jaw tightly. “Answer my question?” He shouts, making her flinch. “How can I answer your question? You told me I talk too much.” Her hatred for him has no boundaries which is known to him but listening to these words from her makes him happy. “You should always be sweet to me whenever you open your mouth.” “I’m sorry, man, I can’t talk to anyone sweetly.” “Liar! You are pretty good at flirting with other men.” His sudden absurd accusation makes her blood boil In anger however there’s no way for her to go astray or show him how much her heart is aching from his words. What if his absurd accusation gets little support?

“Gosh! I don’t understand: What’s your problem? If I flirt with other men, that’s none of your business? Ain’t I right?” Her words hit him like a blister on his skin, making him feel the urge to push her away from him. Anger covers him from every angle. “Warning!” “Excuse me! This is my lif—“ she can’t complete her sentence. “F**k your life!” A wave of shock courses through her after witnessing his explosive anger which darts a realization that protesting in such a situation would be an ill-advised decision. As his rage intensifies, the atmosphere transforms into one of palpable horror. With a steady gaze, Rosalia studies him intently, her face betraying no emotion as she scrutinizes him from head to toe. “F**k of your life that belongs to me.” He booms while clenching his jaw. “I wish I could show my middle finger to my freaking hell life that belongs to you!” Her expression is so luring that doesn’t take much time to shock him. He steps forward with an arrogant smile on his face to handle the situation. Pulling her near him, he puts his mouth near her ear. “Thanks for accepting that you belong to me.” Her heart races with such intensity that she feels it may burst at any moment, and the sheer embarrassment of it all only adds to her nervousness. She swallows hard, trying to regain her composure as their eyes get interlocked. Slowly but surely, the fiery anger that was once present in their gazes fades away, replaced instead with a sense of tranquility. Rosalia cannot deny the sheer attractiveness of Jacob Kyler – a true showstopper in every sense of the word. The alluring aroma of his cologne beckons her to inhale deeply, but she manages to resist the urge. If they don’t know who he really is, his enigmatic allure undoubtedly enthralls any lady. The more people explore his characteristics, the more they will learn how acidic his enticing aroma is, which has an almost addictive element to it. This insight might be depressing because it is challenging to balance the attractiveness he emanates with the harsh reality of his character. From the outside, he is addictive, but from the inside, he is acidic. He embodies a character marked by vindictiveness, grumpiness, superciliousness, and cynicism, all of which exude negative energy. Despite his scintillating and resplendent appearance, his activities are dreary and hideous, and he is regarded as the worst human being people might ever encounter. His profession and character have earned him the hatred of those who have encountered him, as he engages in merciless killings, portraying the worst form of selfishness as a mafia leader who delights in darkening the lives of others. Jacob Kyler is a 29-year-old man who has gained notoriety as one of the most powerful mafia leaders in Washington DC, recognized both locally and internationally for his influence and authority in the underworld. He possesses a striking and charming appearance that blends both youthful and masculine qualities, setting him apart. His face is symmetrical, featuring a well-defined jawline and pronounced cheekbones. His large, expressive, dark brown doe-like eyes are slightly angled downward at the outer corners, framed by well-groomed, arched eyebrows. His nose is small and straight, and his lips are full and shapely. Additionally, he maintains a toned, athletic physique that complements his towering height. While introducing himself, he loves to mention his mafia curriculum vitae at first. The presence of Jacob casts a dark and burdensome shadow upon Rosalia’s already complex life, rendering it nearly impossible for her to catch her breath. The harsh realities of the situation quickly dispel any remaining illusions, leaving her with little choice but to confront the unsightly truth. Despite her attempts to physically distance herself from the hulking figure, the task is proved far from simple. “Why don’t you understand, I don’t like you?” In a moment of desperation, she voices her vehement disdain for him, unaware of the potential harm her words may inflict. Yet, even a man with a heart as cold as his, a mafia leader, does not appear fazed by her hate. The only response she receives is a low growl emanating from his beastly chest, resembling a muted chuckle.

“Don’t you dare, my Rosalia; there are lots of elements connected with your happiness, so think before you say anything,” Jacob whispers near her ear, which shocks her again.

“Wow! So it’s your level? Now you are threatening me?” “I am not threatening you, just telling you the simple, bitter truth.” Tears are gradually forming in her eyes as she has nothing to do but tolerate him. “Don’t cry, love, it’s just a simple truth. Accept your reality; otherwise, I will make your life more miserable.”

“What’s left behind? You’ve already made it miserable.” Three years ago, Rosalia met him in an unpleasant way, and he fell for her. Since then, her life has turned upside down. He keeps chasing after her nonstop no matter how much she tries to clear it up that she feels nothing for him. “You are very lucky as I haven’t shown the dark side of me yet, so don’t trigger me.” “If you are done, can I go?” “Is it too difficult to answer the question?” She sighs in frustration and gives up. “I am going to the convenience store.” Jacob smiles proudly and runs his finger through his soft silky hair while Rosalia upholds her brows seeing his expression. “That’s my girl, now you can go.” “Don’t be so proud? I don’t want to continue this bulls**t conversation with you, which is why I’ve answered your silly question.”

“You literally got some guts, but don’t worry, you are going to repay it soon.” She starts to walk, totally ignoring him after getting free from the cage of his embrace. “This girl always tries to get on my nerves,” Jacob mumbles. “He always spoils my mood. Almighty, why was I even born? I can’t take this anymore.” “You were born to be mine!” He whispers, which makes her startle, so she starts to yell at him. “Do you want me to die?” She says it madly. “No, I don’t want you to die; that’s why I am going to accompany you.” “What the hell! No, It’s not going to happen!” Saying so, she starts to run away from him with all the strength she has. “Wait, Rosalia, this girl really!” She gets disappeared from his sight instantly. “You really like to play.” He mumbles, indicating something to one of his clients who is standing behind the Sakura Tree, a little away from him.