Chapter 1: SERENA RICCARDO

Once upon a time, I guess that is how they start a nice fairytale or some romance story.

My father never missed the chance to tell me about his love story when I was a child. From his story, it was clear that he loved my mum so much and dad pampered me a lot.

Twenty-seven years ago, at a nice and lovely coffee shop, the weather was beautiful and bright, two souls from parallel worlds met, my mum and my dad.

My dad was the dreaded Mafia boss, commanded respect from everyone, including from rich families and politicians, everyone was scared of him. At his sight, everyone trembles and bows.

However, on that faithful day, the dreaded Mafia boss met the prettiest woman on Earth.

Dad was enjoying a nice cup of coffee when mum walked in to order some coffee. Mum paid for the coffee she ordered for and left. The guy at the counter noticed a purse lying on the counter and realized it belonged to mum. He tried to go after mum when dad stopped him from doing so. Dad paid for the coffee he had and left to find my. He was a bit late as mum already left in a cab. Dad opened her purse and saw took out a card, which was her office card. He decided to contact her.

Dad got home had finished up with what he was doing and decided to relax with a nice glass of red wine and a nice music at the background. While relaxing, mum’s picture played in his mind and dad didn’t realize he was smiling. He recalled that he was to contact mum. He quickly got off from his seat and searched for the purse as he couldn’t recall where he placed it. Finally, he found her purse and searched through it and saw her contact card and quickly dialed the number. No response the first call, he redialed it and finally someone picked up. Dad could barely speak as he became dumbstruck as the voice on the phone melted his cold Marian heart. The hello from mum went on until she got the up and hung up. Dad realizing his foolishness dialed back mum’s number again. Luckily she picked and he was the first to say hello. Dad apologize to mum and informed her about the purse she left behind at the café. They decided to meet up at the café.

The next day, dad got ready and left for the café. He was the first to arrive. He waited patiently for mum, so unlike dad. Not long, mum walked in, looking so gorgeous in the Navy blue gown and black jacket she wore. Dad was totally smitten by mum’s beauty. He could barely take his eyes off from her. They introduced themselves and dad handed over the purse to mum . Mum was grateful to him and requested to pay for the coffee they had. Dad declined and paid for it. Dad insisted that they should meet and asked mum to see it as a way of repaying his kind gesture. Mum agreed and they bid goodbye.

Dad has fallen head heels over mum and wanted her for himself. Dad couldn’t muster the courage to confess his feelings to mum. He decided to become friends with her and then they started dating after he professed his love for her and it turned out mum loved him too. Dad realized mum’s hatred for Mafias and lied about his identity. Dad rented a house and lived with mum.

Mum’s family moved dad but then, their lovey-dovey marriage ended when dad’s rival exposed dad’s identity to mum. Mum was shocked bad went into labour for my younger brother. Unfortunate, both mum and my brother died, leaving my dad heart broken and shattered. Dad wasn’t allowed to see mum’s corpse. He was able to take my dead brother’s body home and buried him and mourned him and mum for years. Dad refused to remarry.

Dad showered me with lots of love and treated me as a princess but while growing up, I fancied guns, knives, daggers, hammers and I secretly watched the Mafias train on how to use knives and guns. When dad found out, he was mad at me but finally gave in and let me train as he was happy to see me make myself a strong being. I had chosen a path he didn’t want for me but he had to support me, after, he needed a successesor. I’ve known the weight of a gun ever since I was twelve and began to shoot at fourteen.

On my 20th birthday dad became the supreme Mafia king and I became the Mafia queen of our Mafia group. I trained so hard and became ruthless and dreaded by many. While I was in high school, no one cares mess with me, knowing my status and the place I’m coming from. College was fun as I exercised much power after being declared the Mafia queen, I feared no one. No one cares double crosses me. I moved with my own members of the gang, comprising of well built and scary looking guys. I never failed exams, unless you have a death wish which I’m always willing and ready to grant anyone who has such. My name makes wave in the city, everyone feared me and I loved it.

I’m Serena Riccardo, the feared Mafia boss and daughter of supreme Mafia king, Riccardo Alberto. I’m beautiful and fierce. Not into feminine things. Never dated, no first love , no crushes, no kisses, I only kissed my dad’s cheeks as a sign of love and my gun whenever I want to go on a serious mission with the gang. Have I killed? Yes I have, especially during the Mafia clash, it was a blood bath and I shot down lots of Mafias from the other group.

I dress up in suits, or tuxedos and trousers and hats or wear leather outfits, almost always on black and always complimenting my look with dark shades.

Ever since the responsibility of leading the Mafia group was given to me, I have not taken a break, neither have I deviated from my duty nor failed as a ruthless leader. I’m proud to be the boss.

My mafia group are so powerful that we handle lots of government contracts or make sure that a particular person is awarded the contract for us to benefit hugely from it. We run the largest and best casino, night clubs and club house in Venice, Milan, Naples, Modena and Prato and we make lots of money yearly. I’m handling an important hotel project right now and also dad is planning launching a big café in memory of mum, so sweet of him.