{Abebi}I lay in my bed, my hands gently caressing my growing baby bump. It was seven months now, and I could feel the baby's movements, a comforting reminder of the life growing within me. My gaze shifted to the large painting hanging on the wall, depicting a crowned figure. It reminded me of the responsibilities that awaited me as the new leader.The morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow across my room. Books lined the shelves of my little library, and my reading desk beckoned me with unfinished manuscripts. The melodious chirping of birds reached my ears from the back of the house, adding a touch of serenity to the moment.Suddenly, the door swung open, breaking into my reverie. Mateo, my brother, barged into the room, his face filled with urgency. "Have you checked the news?" he exclaimed, tossing a newspaper towards me.I caught the newspaper, the crinkling sound echoing in the room. Unfolding it, I skimmed the headlines, my eyes scanning for any signif
{Abebi}I sat behind my desk, the glass background offering a view of the bustling city streets below. The tiny artwork on the table depicted wine being poured into a cup, a poignant reminder of the business that had brought my family success and now seemed to slip away. Mateo and Camelia sat across from me, their presence a painful reminder of the betrayals I had recently discovered.My eyes scanned the paper in front of me, though my mind was consumed with a mixture of disappointment and concern. "Our market value has fallen," I said, my voice heavy with sadness. I looked up from the paper, locking my eyes with Mateo. "How long have you shut down the factory?" I asked, a sense of urgency creeping into my tone.Mateo hesitated, his voice faltering as he struggled to find the words. I could see the weight of his actions weighed heavily on him. "Ah, hmm," he stammered, his gaze shifting uncomfortably. But I would not let him off the hook that easily. "I want nothing but the truth,"
{Mac Allister}"Oh Rogo, don't you know it's night?" I gently pushed my loyal dog off the bed. Rogo obediently trotted away, his tail wagging with a hint of sadness. I drew my eyes to the parcel he had brought me, and I reached out to grab it. "Thank you, boy," I murmured, patting Rogo's head as he eagerly licked my hand.As I read the words on the card that emerged from the parcel, a sense of satisfaction washed over me. "Wow, Tommy's burial," I said to myself, a sinister smile tugging at the corners of my lips. This was an unexpected opportunity, a chance to finally settle the score with Tommy and the other Mafia Dons who had dared to disrespect me.I switched off the bedside lamp, plunging the room into darkness. The soft glow of the moon peeked through the curtains, casting faint shadows across the room. I settled back into my bed; the warmth enveloping me, and Rogo nestled by my side, his loyal presence bringing me comfort.{Tuesday}The morning sunlight bathed the world in a
{Mac Allister}{Wednesday } 9 am"Hey, where are you going?" a church guard inquired, his eyes fixed on the substance concealed under the blue nylon in my hands. I maintained a composed demeanor, knowing that my every move and response were critical."Just want to see the father," I replied confidently, attempting to divert the guard's attention from the suspicious package.Curiosity getting the better of him, the guard insisted, "What is inside the bag?"I hesitated for a moment, carefully choosing my words. "Take a look. It's simply a gift for the father," I said, my voice calm and convincing.The guard cautiously reached out, his hand grasping the blue nylon as he pulled it open to inspect its contents. His eyes fell upon the innocuous sight of a neatly packaged bundle of bread, seemingly harmless and ordinary."Alright, move on," the guard permitted, satisfied with my response. I nodded in gratitude and continued my journey into the church.As I entered, the soft flickering glow
{Abebi}{ Thursday {morning }I sat on my bed, my head resting on the pillow, enjoying the peacefulness of my room. Suddenly, Tony burst into my room, his face filled with sadness and despair. My heart sank at the sight of his expression."What happened, Tony? Why are you so sad?" I asked, my voice trembling with worry. The cold air blew through the room, adding a chill to the already heavy atmosphere."There was an explosion at the cathedral," Tony said, his voice strained. "Everyone is dead, including Mateo."My breath caught in my throat, and a scream of anguish escaped my lips. The news hit me like a tidal wave, crashing over me with overwhelming force. Mateo, my dear brother, was gone in an instant. The tears welled up in my eyes as I struggled to process the magnitude of the tragedy.I reached out to hold Tony's hand, finding solace in our shared grief. The plastic chair creaked under his weight as he sat down, weariness etched across his face. We were both grappling with the
{Mac Allister}{Thursday afternoon} _2pm I sat on the plush purple chair in my living room, relishing in the aftermath of my meticulously planned church explosion. The news reports were flooded with details of the incident, validating the success of my calculated moves. With each channel I switched to, the chaos and destruction fueled a sense of satisfaction deep within me.My faithful companion, the dog named Rogo, sat faithfully by my side, offering silent companionship in this moment of triumph. As the news continued to unfold, my phone suddenly rang, interrupting the serene atmosphere. Curiosity piqued, I picked up the phone and answered with a cool demeanor, "Hello, who is this?""It's Heretic," the familiar voice on the other end replied. "You did an exceptional job. You deserve a special reward. Come to my house."A smirk played on my lips as I weighed the options. While I didn't necessarily need any recognition or external validation, I understood the importance of cultiva
{Abebi}I sat on the porch, the warm breeze gently brushing against my face. I couldn't help but feel a tinge of sadness. The street was quiet, as it usually was, but today it seemed even more deserted than usual. The only person I had in this whole neighborhood was my dear friend Ada, and I cherished every moment we spent together.Ada, with her beautiful chocolate skin, had been my rock through thick and thin. We had shared countless secrets, dreams, and aspirations, making our bond unbreakable. I could always count on her to brighten my day, even in the darkest of times."Did she call you again?" Ada asked, her voice filled with concern. I looked up at her, my eyes betraying the weariness I felt. "Yes, I only got two days left out of the three weeks she gave me," I replied, my voice tinged with exhaustion.Ada's face softened, and her eyes mirrored the sympathy she felt for me. "I am so sorry," she said, her voice filled with genuine empathy. I appreciated her words, knowing tha
{Abebi}The morning sun cast its warm glow through the kitchen windows as I hurriedly prepared yam and egg sauce for Tony and myself. The aroma of the sizzling eggs filled the air, mingling with a sense of unease that weighed heavily on my heart.As I set the plates on the table, Tony's observant eyes caught the sadness etched across my face. He voiced his concern, his voice filled with genuine care. "Why are you sad?" he asked, his words cutting through the air.I forced a smile, hoping to mask my true emotions. "It's nothing," I replied, my voice laced with an attempt at reassurance. I didn't want to burden Tony with the weight of my worries. He was already carrying so much on his young shoulders.With a subtle change of subject, I urged him to hurry and catch the school bus. "You should hurry, or you're going to miss the school bus," I gently reminded him, my tone filled with a touch of distraction. I didn't want him dwelling on the looming debts my father had accumulated.Tony'