Bleeding Darkness

Chapter 3

As I was unpacking my bags, I heard the whizz of a bullet in the air and I immediately crouched down. It was from the living room. I grabbed my gun from my bag and fitted the silencer on it.

I stood and crept over to the door. As I slammed open the door, I pointed my gun. The intruder was a man with a gun. Before he fired, I easily disarmed him by shooting him in the arm and pointing my gun at his head.

I said, "Who are you and how did you get in? Answer me!". The man said, "I don't know anything, ma'am! Please, have mercy!". I said, getting angry, "I said answer the damn question!". He said, shivering in fear, "I got in through the window. There were orders from a Mr. Jang to kill the lady who moved into the Plaza yesterday." I said, "Good." Then, I shot him in the head.

After I got rid of the body and cleaned up the mess, I locked down the window, sat down on the couch and tiredly rested my head on one of the cushions. That's when a knock came from the door. I stood and walked over to open it.

It was Vincenzo. He said, "Buono serata, Mademoiselle(Good evening, Miss)." I said, "Si accomodi(Come in)." Vincenzo came in and said, "This is a nice home you have. You seem flustered. Are you alright?". I said, "Of course. How are you here at this late hour?".

Vincenzo said, pulling a gun out, "You have secrets, don't you? Tell me the truth, you recognized me, didn't you?". I said, putting my hands up, "Aish, everyone's pointing guns at me today! Okay, I recognized you when Mr. Nam said your name but we could've done this without the gun!".

Vincenzo said, "Hmm, since you recognized me, I did some research on you as well. Back in Italy, the Mafia used to talk about a very secretive daughter of one of the mafias. That is you, isn't it? Lee Jiyoung AKA Bella, the hidden daughter of Mr. Chulsoo, a close friend of Fabio. Born in Korea, studied in the States and grew up in Italy. You always wore a mask and used contacts when at any Mafia gathering. And apparently, you revealed your true face 4 months ago. And I'm the only Mafia that didn't know, because I was in Korea. Am I right?".

I sighed in defeat and said, "It's true what they say, nothing escapes you, Mr. Cassano." Vincenzo put away his gun and said, "You don't need to be so formal with me. We're partners, after all. But it's a good thing I found out earlier. It's good to know that my partner is also a mafia. But you said something about everyone pointing guns at you.... Who else was it?". I put my hands down, slumped onto the sofa and said, "An assassin. Sent by Jang Hanseok. It doesn't matter, he's dead now."

Vincenzo seemed to hesitate for a moment before reaching out and patting me on the head comfortingly. He said, "You seem shaken. I assume you haven't unpacked yet. Go unpack, I'll cook you something. Mr. Nam said that you like mushroom ravioli. I'll cook it." I nodded. Then I walked off, with Vincenzo smiling behind me.