Episode 1

Madison Gonzalez

My name is Madison Gonzalez, and I just turned 15. I live in a beautiful place in South America. While my life isn't the best, I try to make it seem all right. My parents don't give me the love I deserve— they're always too busy with work. To be more precise, they both are infatuated with money and forget they have a daughter. But on the upside, I lack nothing, and so I don't complain. I'm a girl with many dreams to fulfill and wishes waiting to come true. I may look angelic on the outside, and indeed, I am kind-hearted. But make no mistake, I won't let anyone intimidate me. I despise misogyny and have no patience for arrogant people. In short, I rarely let anyone silence me.

Leandro Morelli

My name is Leandro Morelli. At 22 years old, I'm Italian and have a certain fondness for women— I like them under my control. Of course, I'm a mafioso, but not just any mafioso. I am the most powerful in all of Italy and beyond. I relish a bit of fun. A serious relationship is certainly not on my agenda, not even the slightest consideration. To me, women are just a waste of time. I use them, and then I dispose of them. If someone gets in my way or if something needs to be dealt with, I won't hesitate for a second to kill. I'm a man with little patience; I might even say I'm a psychopath.

CHAPTER 1

MADISON

Today, I am both angry and sad. My parents came home last night while I was in my room chatting on the phone with my friends. They told me something that crushed me inside.

Your father (Mr. Simon): "Look, we’ll be straightforward with you, daughter. Your mother and I have decided to move to Italy for a very promising business opportunity and investment. In light of that, we’ll be leaving in two days, and we want you to start getting ready and say goodbye to your friends. That's all there is to it."

Madison: "Wait, is this some kind of joke? But really, why am I even surprised? The two of you always do whatever it takes for money. You're both..."

Your mother (Mrs. Georgina): "Be silent!" She slaps you. "Can’t you just keep quiet and obey for once? Why do you always have to defy us? I don't understand what you complain about; you have everything you could want, but you still can't keep your mouth shut. You're such a spoiled brat!"

Mr. Simon: "Enough, enough, calm down, my love. Look what you're making her do, brat! Just obey, damn it!"

He raises his voice, startling you.**

"You have two days," he says angrily.

They leave and slam the door shut.*

After my mother hit me, I didn't know what else to say. Tears started flowing as my cheek burned. Thinking that my mother would hit me fills my heart with anguish and tightens my throat. She's not the same as she was years ago— that mother who doted on me, showered me with kisses, told me bedtime stories, and baked cookies. I can't comprehend how she changed so drastically and how time flew so quickly. Money changed her after she got involved in my father's business ventures. Originally, she said it would only be a few days— something to explore because my father proposed it, her having some knowledge in accounting, but she had to stop because of her pregnancy. But as days passed, she grew increasingly distant until they hired a nanny for me.

That's why the slap hurt so much; she's become even more callous than my father.

With my father, it's almost the same story, but my mother’s ambition took her much further in being neglectful of me. At least my father talks to me, and he has never hit me.

WITH LEANDRO (ITALY)

Today has been particularly exhausting, but nothing I can't handle. To ordinary folk, it might seem like chaos, but for me, it's rather straightforward— I'm talking about trafficking arms, drugs, and other things. All that's my life, constant to-ing and fro-ing under the nose of the police. Damn those idiots; they annoy me. If I could snap my fingers and kill them all, it would be such a pleasure. But alas, while not all can escape my wrath, I yearn to see them suffer.

Life's not great, but I've got both money and power, and that's more than enough. Love doesn't concern me in the slightest.

Heading into my favorite nightclub, this place isn't just any club. It's filled with powerful individuals, other mafiosos, but the difference is, I'm above them all— I dominate this country and more. I walk in flanked by my men, needing to blow off the stress I've accumulated.

Alisia (one of the managers): "Oh, look who we have here! The most feared mafioso in all of Italy, the great Leandro. What brings you around, handsome?" Her voice is sultry with a smirk forming on her lips.

Leandro: "The usual business."

Alisia: "Yeah, of course," she replies, her tone serious since he's not paying attention to her, though deep down, Alisia harbors a bit of a crush on him. Despite being slightly older, she's drop-dead gorgeous, not looking her thirty years in the slightest.

"We have some beautiful women ready, and there's a room set up for you."

She hands the keys to a waitress.

Alisia: "Take Mr. Leandro to one of the best rooms."

Waitress: "Right away, Miss Alisia."

Alisia: "The ladies will be in your room shortly, Mr. Leandro. They are stunning and have figures to die for, just as you like."

She says with a smile, aiming to please.

Leandro: "They'd better be up to standard. I don't pay good money for poor service."

Alisia: "No worries. You'll be well taken care of," she assures him with a submissive grin.

Leandro gives her no further attention and walks away.

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