The Mafiosa's Thorn

Tension

Minutes after the meeting, Alejandro and the others inform a recuperating Luis that Richie will be the getaway driver while he recovers. He doesn't argue since it's Orchidea's decision. They tell him good-bye before leaving the house.

Bianca lets out a slow, long exhale before looking at Miguel. "You. You need a proper shower after today."

She leads him up the sweeping stairs with his eyes scanning around. Taking into account numerous doors. She tells him about the study room, the bedrooms, and the basement.

"This is a beautiful place."

"It was something that belonged to my ex's family. Just kept it like it was with some updates here and there." She purposely stops in front of him.

He bumps into her. "Sorry about that."

He turns his face the other way while backing down a step. He could have sworn that she winked at him. She opens the door to a spacious off-white bathroom that has a side door leading into a bedroom. 

"That room is all yours. While mine is a few doors down. Be right back."

She returns with a set of towels and periwinkle pajamas.

"Gracias, jefa (boss)."

"De nada."

He smiles that she knows some Spanish.

"Don't think that I'm not cultured," she teases him before walking away with exaggerated sways of her hips. She could have sworn Miguel was slowly exhaling from her antics. Teasing him should get him to explode.

She checks on Luis who's taking a nap with careful breaths. Her hands clench from what the Triad did to her Familia. Little did they know that she has a Dominican Army Knife that will cut through them like butter. She imagines the dreadful expressions written on their faces. Especially the rat who tried to overcome her.

She walks down to the basement into a study room that has a single desk with a bookcase and safe to the side. She opens the safe to take out a folder labeled "Jia". The granddaughter of Xianmao and a possible weakness.

She takes out explicit photos that were taken less than a week ago. Jia sleeping with a white ravenette behind her fiancé's back. The dates show it was more than once with the same woman. This evidence would smear the Panda's reputation since the fiancé was handpicked for Jia.

A glance at her family photo of her ex and daughter only makes it difficult what to do with this. Her husband would have utilized any dirty secret to gain the upper hand. 

And yet, she imagines the damage it would do to Jia. The slurs and emotional damage she would suffer from this. She dumps the photos into a trashcan before lighting it on fire. She makes a call.

"Lt. Rodgriguez?.......The photos you took of Jia? Burn them. If they even get leaked, I will tie up loose ends."

She hangs up, hoping she made the right decision for them all. She goes into her personal bathroom to take a nice bubble bath. She scrubs herself clean while enjoying the warmth.

It would only be better if Miguel was right here. We would need to put several towels on the floor before that.

After drying herself, she puts on a violet nightgown with a furry robe over it. She tiptoes from seeing Miguel inspecting the fridge. The pajamas suit him nicely with the shirt affixed to his broad shoulders and tapered waist.

"Miguel? What are you doing?"

He almost jumps in place while turning around. He sees his new boss is dressed comfortably. He clears his throat. "Just checking if we have enough ingredients for my lasagna."