Chapter Twenty Three

Trading a punch for a punch, a kick for a kick and a slap for a slap. The attendant was better than I envisioned he'd be. And for someone who didn't train for this, who was taken unawares, I did a great job at beating him.
"What did you say I asked for again?' I tossed him to the floor like my father had done days back on my eighteenth birthday when I rejected his advances. "I suggest you hit the gym, before attempting to wound an already wounded young adult." One last kick which landed on his stomach, and I was out of the building, with my supplies firmly clutched close to my breast.
I felt a certain kind of freedom when I had defeated the man. There was no guilt, just the feeling that I could make all men pay for what one man did. And eventually I would end that one man. A certain kind of peace and satisfaction that I saw him on the floor whimpering for help.
The path that led back to the house was lonely. I was back to what I would now refer to as home in a few minutes. A successful woman who could fend for her needs. One who could defend herself, one who needed no man in her life. I would call myself "The queen of the Mafia." A grimace and songs of sadness on my lips, I went about making dinner and putting my home in place.
I slept really early. Left with nothing to do after I had dinner, I dozed off. And then I had dreamt of my father walking into the building with over thirty men. I saw him beat me up while the men cheered. From behind, he summoned the attendant from earlier in the day, and asked him to rape me. My father gave an evil grin, some of the men had their phones ready to film, while the rest cheered. I was on the ground just like the attendant was.
I couldn't watch him do any of that. The moment he tried taking my pants off, I got power that I would classify as supernatural. I gave him a thorough beating just like I had done today, and then I threw all of them out of the house.
"I am the queen of the Mafias, and no man dares treat me wrongly."
After I had closed the door against them, I woke from what I wouldn't call a nightmare. It was no nightmare because I was the Victor, and as supposed, the men cowered at my feet.
"Now, that is good news!" I mused before I drifted back to my pleasant rest.
No cause for alarm, I was back to sleep in a few minutes. Nothing interrupted me till it was morning.
Another sunny day began on a good note. I had plans of going out to rob again, it was going to be a male, definitely.
I made breakfast of spaghetti and meatballs, and washed it down with a soft drink.
I did some squats, and indoor exercise including push ups to build my muscles.
I took a warm shower, used the skin care I stole from the man and wore some of the clothes I found in the house. A pink singlet, a short black skirt and my black sneakers.
My hair went backwards in a cornrow. I didn't want anything making me feel the effects of the scorching sun more than I already did.
I knew what I was going to steal today. I laughed loudly.
I was going to steal some shoes. Beating one ugly attendant was a good start, but getting past the cameras at the mall, beating all those who worked there, and successfully making it out with a pair of shoes or a lot of shoes was worth celebration.
I was never a fan of fancy shoes and heels and my new lifestyle didn't need it either. What I needed was lots of sports shoes, canvas and sneakers and that was exactly what I was going out there to get.
I cleaned the house, and put it in order. In a few days of occupying this house, I got rid of the dust I met in it, did all the laundry and left it shining.
A knock on the door interrupted me. "Who the fuck?" I was never a fan of vulgar language, but I found myself using it quire often since I turned eighteen.
I strode to the door, and peeped through the hole. I never knew it had a peep, but I was glad it did.
A female stood at the door, she was dressed in a black jean pants, a black hoodie, har hair was dyed red and yellow. I couldn't guess the original color. Although I was unable to see her face, I knew she was pretty.
I unbolted the door and stood aside while she walked in. She had a pointy nose, cute cat eyes, thin reddish lips and rosy cheeks. I was right, she was extremely beautiful.
Not so tall, I was taller than her. She had an athletic body too, although busty and curvy.
"Uhhm, can I help you?" I was slightly nervous, the house was probably hers. Judging from the outfits I found in the room I now refer to as mine.
"I should be asking you that question, mother fucker. What are you doing in my house?"
She reached into her back pocket and retrieved an AK pistol.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know this is your house." My voice shook, I struggled to sound brave. "I uhh, I needed a place to spend the night, so I found the door unlocked and came into it. I have done a great job cleaning and arranging. I even stocked up the supplies."
She put her gun down, and grinned. "I smell spaghetti." I nodded. She left me in the living room and made for the kitchen. "Yum yum sauce. You cook well." She served herself and was deep into the meal before I joined her in the living room.
"So, what's your name?" She directed her gaze to my eyes. Her stare creeped me out.
"I am Camilla."
"What do you do for a living, and why aren't you at your house?" She took another mouthful of the spaghetti, busied herself munching it, while staring into my eyes with dark blue eyes.
I swallowed. I was beginning to wish I had poisoned her, she wouldn't be asking too many questions. The effect of the poison should have made her weak by now, and I'd become the new owner of the house. I recovered from the day dreaming and scolded myself for imagining murder.
"Helloooo…" she waved in the air. I jolted.
"I am being chased after by the Sherlock Head Mafia Gangsters. The gang leader wants me for himself if you know what I mean."
"Eeeew! Those disgusting people." She seemed to have temporarily lost appetite for the meal. "I used to be one of their victims. That one called Pedro is a real time mother fucker." I saw vivid hatred in her eyes. "I wish I could end him."
"Pedro is the one who wants me to himself." I wanted to add that he was my father, but unsure of her reaction, I let it pass.
"Haa!" She laughed. "Pedro ain't the leader. He is just the second in command. He and Peter have the same rank. You know Peter right?" I responded with a nod. "They have the same rank. No one has ever seen the Mafia lord of the Sherlock Head Mafia Gangsters. I guess maybe they have seen him, but no outsider knows him."
"Pedro is a beast. I was victimized by him when I was fifteen. I don't wanna think of him ever, but I know I'll end him myself."
"I'll do that for you." I gave her a reassuring smile. "What's your name?"
She went back to her spaghetti like nothing happened, she continued with giving me the evil glare too. "I am Vivian."
"Vivian! Nice to meet you." She said nothing. She continued with her meal until the plate was empty. "Vivian, I have a lot of questions."
"Easy there, imposter. You don't assume I'm cool with you yet just because we share the same past. That's my favorite clothes you are wearing, you know?"
I gave a nervous chuckle, "I'm sorry."
"Mehh!"
She gave a cold response. "How do you fend for yourself since you have been here?"
She took the dirty dish to the sink, and dropped it there. Then walked over to where I stood, crossed her hands akimbo and stared at me with the same creepy set of eyes.
"I stole from a shopkeeper yesterday."
"Impressive!" She nodded. "I'll let you stay with me, here. But you have to prove your skills to me." Her voice sounded as calmly as a nightingale.
"What?"
"You'll join my gang." A devious smirk on her face, but for me… it was a dream come true.
"I'm in." There was nothing to think about, I was joining the gang.
"Easy there." She giggled. "You have to prove to us how good you can be."
"Us?" I raise an eyebrow.
"Us! The rest of the gang will be here by noon."