Scarlet is trying to be a good host, and I find it suspicious at first, to be honest. I did not find her to be a normal kid. I found her to be someone mature for her age and someone special.

“Uhm, Michael. Do you want to play in the lounge?” She invited and approached Michael. She stretched out her right arm in front of the boy, motioning him to hold her hand. I saw Michael blushed and looked away. He walked past Scarlet and said to his father that they will stay at the lounge. Jackson patted his son’s head and said that he needs to be a gentleman. Michael then stopped and looked at Scarlet. He muttered, “Let’s go.”

As the children left us in the hallway, Jackson and I both looked at them until they turned the corner. 

“It’s cute when a little boy has his first crush,” I chimed.

“Marcia still pushes on adopting her, though. She’s a persistent woman but sometimes she cannot read the room,” sighed Jackson.

“Too bad for Marcia, I already processed her adoption papers.” Jackson looked at me and smiled. 

“Look at that, you compete against Marcia for the little girl. That little girl is something.”

“Yes, she is.”

He tipped his hat again and said farewell. He mentioned that he needs to take care of business and he will return for Michael before supper. 

When Jackson left, I stretched my body first before closing the door. I went to the edge of my bed and looked for Scarlet’s drawing. I looked at the elaborate details and words she’s written. I can confirm that she did a great job in recreating the floor plan. It’s spot-on. For my case, it took me five dinners and one private birthday celebration before I get to remember the layout of the Peralta mansion. I smiled as I place her drawing in my box before I went to the lounge. 

As I turn the corner leading to the backside of the lounge, Olive was running past me. When she noticed me, she stopped and told me that Scarlet and Michael are fighting. I rushed inside the lounge to find Michael facing Scarlet with his face fully red.

“What do you think you’re doing?!” he asked Scarlet in a loud tone.

I called their names, and Michael looked away from me. Scarlet started to walk toward me slowly. When she’s in front of me, she told me that she hugged Michael. I asked her why.

“He told Olive that he misses his friend who moved to another city. I tried to comfort him.”

“You’re weird!” shouted Michael. He then turned his back at us and went to the bar area. He asked someone to give him a glass of juice.

The boy who’s behind the counter is not paying attention to Michael. He just kept on wiping the glasses until they glisten. I called him out. “Janus, kindly give your sir Michael what he needs.” Scarlet’s orphan brother finally got Michael a glass of orange juice. I then apologized to Michael. I just told him that he’s new. I remember when I briefed Scarlet’s orphan siblings. They were very silent and traumatized. It’s difficult for them to socialize and follow instructions. While Scarlet was at the Peralta mansion, they only follow me and no one else. That’s why I went hands-on with them. I wanted to make sure they slowly adjust and hopefully move on from the abuse they got from the keeper of the orphanage.

After I made sure that Michael got comfortable sitting in the bar area, I looked at Scarlet and I cannot see any hint of emotions from her. She just looked at me back like she’s telling me that she did not do anything wrong. 

“Why did you hug him all of a sudden?”

“I want to.” I knew that she’s trying to do something I just cannot wrap my head around it. I wanted to know, I thought. I did have the right because she is working under me. Any nonsense actions that would result in damaging our cycle will be the end of me. I grabbed her arm firmly and led her out the lounge. After I stopped walking, I faced her but I was still holding her arm.

“You don’t have emotions, come on. You’re a smart kid. You’re planning something. Confess, what do you want to happen?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Mama. I still have emotions. After all, I’m still a kid. Now I feel hurt.”

I let go of her arm immediately. At that moment I believed that I was going paranoid. I was becoming a loyal dog to the mafia to the point that I question everyone’s movements. I forgot that she too was from the orphanage. That she might be abused; just like her orphan siblings. I assumed she was functioning properly because she got to show how smart she is. I never considered her real wellbeing. When I was thinking of apologizing, she just slowly turned around and return to the lounge. I went back to my room to smoke and have a drink.

As an adult full of pride, I wanted to pretend that nothing happened the next day. Giving an apology would be long overdue. I just finished my breakfast of bacon and eggs with tea. I am also on my third cigarette stick. I am waiting for Scarlet to knock on my door. 

At precisely 8 am, she knocked three times. Knock knock knock. A solid three knocks with one-second interval. A very disciplined kind of knock. She’s the only one I knew that knocks like it. 

I opened the door and she entered casually. She sat at the seat next to the bed and was quiet. I was about to open my mouth to speak when she beat me to it. She apologized.

“I’m sorry for my actions yesterday, Mama Luna. I was trying to console him. I thought hugging him was the best action.” She looked at me as she said those words. Taking a seat opposite her, I decided to answer when she continued to speak.

“I thought hugging him will not make him feel alone especially when his family will be gone soon. You told me being a good woman means being there for her man when he needs consoling.” I was stunned. I looked at her brown eyes and she was dead serious.

I held her hands that were on her lap and said, “What do you mean by that bad premonition, Scarlet?”

“Mama, a war will happen between the Peralta and the Colombo mafia soon.”

I broke out in cold sweat. I would not have anticipated that a war will happen anytime soon. Our city has low crime rates not because the two mafia families are good at hiding bodies but because they try to maintain peace within their turfs. There might be killings from time to time but it’s not a massacre. They just try to weed out the bad seeds, so to speak. I am not defending their actions, what I’m saying is that it was would happen between the two families, civilians will be affected. It might cause innocent lives to shed.

I was in deep thought when I felt Scarlet’s hands move, “Mama, the other bar owners on the eastern side asked for help from the Colombo family and the Colombo mafia do want to help them. Now, other establishment owners are wanting to side with the Colombo.”

The Colombo family, led by Giovanni, controls the whole southern side of the city. They own the port area and own the biggest establishments at their side. The Peralta family overpowers them with turf size and wealth but the Colombo mafia family has the civilian charm. 

Giovanni Colombo is one, loud peacock. Unlike Luca, he wanted to be always in the limelight. He makes appearances at social events and big parties. Oftentimes, he is always seen drinking and partying with celebrities or socialites giving him big connections. People were hypnotized. They were talking about how Giovanni is breaking the taboo when it comes to being part of the mafia. They applaud him for trying to change the stigma. There was even a time when a handful of young adults protested outside the gate of the Peralta family. Little did they know, Giovanni was just using them to provoke the Peralta family. Fueled by Giovanni’s speech about the fact that the mafia should not be in charge of the city, they have written, “Dos Rios doesn’t need mafia!” and “Oust the Peralta family” on their placards. That event took place months before I joined the Peralta family. To be honest, I was waiting for Luca’s henchmen to fire bullets at the protesters on live TV but it did not happen. I was laughing at the protesters. They did not know that the Peralta family is the reason behind our city’s lively economy. We became a tourist attraction for rich and poor gamblers. Every year, it is estimated that eight million people take a trip to our city and stay for days, even weeks to play at the casinos owned by the Peralta.

Pink crinkled her nose then sneezed. Mama Luna stopped telling the story and snickered. “Let’s go inside. Have a tea, first.” 

“Okay mama, I will make one for you also.” Mama Luna smiled and waited for Pink to return with two cups of hot tea. 

 “Mama, how did Scarlet learn about the alliance of the east side to the Colombo family?”

“Good question. You see, Scarlet told me that she overheard it while she’s at the Peralta mansion. Jackson and the other ranked members were talking while waiting for boss Luca. They were at the library and the door was ajar. She described how James was talkative and stress smoking. He was talking about how he heard the news from one of his soldiers so he reported it to the mansion right away.”

Pink nodded while taking a sip of her tea. Mama Luna too grabs her cup and took a sip. The little girl then recalls something she wanted to ask earlier.

“Wait, Mama. You said earlier that Michael told Olive about his friend that moved to another city. Did you mean our Olive? Like the one who went to my date instead?”

“Because you were such a spoiled pussy?” a voice behind Pink asked. It was Olive. She just opened Mama Luna’s room. Pink was startled and Mama Luna chuckled. Olive then sarcastically knocked on the already opened door. “Sorry, I opened the door first before knocking.” 

“That’s alright dear. You got something?” Mama Luna asked Olive to close the door and to be seated near them.

Olive nodded and she took a seat at the edge of the bed just beside Pink. 

“It’s good that you sent me Mama and Pink chickened out or else she would be dead by now.”

Pink swallowed hard and got nervous. Olive continued to talk. “The new client is a sadist. He did not disclose that during the interview with Sean.”

“Oh, it’s good that you’re safe, dear.”

“Thanks, Mama.” Olive looked at Pink, “Look at you little girl! Getting nice and comfy with Mama. You’re one lucky brat. When we were starting decades ago, the girls are not allowed to mess around at this time of the night.” 

“Be nice to Pink. She ain’t ready with you getting sassy, Olive.” Mama Luna laughed then she looked at Pink who suddenly looked serious. Mama Luna thought she got offended with what Olive said until she shrieks.

“It is true! You’re a witch, Olive! You’re already old but you’re still an escort!”

Olive grabs a pillow and hits Pink with it. “How dare you call me old?!” Olive was hysterically laughing with Pink’s statement.

“I mean, you look so young then Mama mentioned your name as she was telling a story that happened decades ago. I told you’re just a few years older than me but now I know that you’re a lot ol –“ 

“Don’t. Continue.” Olive stopped Pink. She wanted to savor the part where she was called young. Pink understood and followed Olive’s command.

“Olive’s turning 48 next month,” Mama Luna casually said before taking a sip of her tea.

“Mama!” Olive exclaimed then shook her head while chuckling. “You both are dead to me.”

The three of them had a good laugh and Olive asked what they were talking about. Pink happily mentioned the topic and Olive nodded. 

“The Colombo family, eh? I remember how they wreaked the lounge.”