Queenpin

1. Royalty?

A N A S T A S I A

My mother sat me down in the living room with her. She said she had something important to tell, and usually when she says that it means one of our family members had died. My mother was 38, a mere 20 years older than me. She was Puerto Rican, and black with long brown hair down her back, cocoa brown eyes and full pouty lips. She was gorgeous and I'd taken after her mostly.

My name is Anastasia (ann-uh-stah-see-uh) Naveah Phillips. I'm 18, almost 19, years old and a senior at McClymonds High School.

I have a brother named Cameron who's 18 as well, but but we have different moms so he lives in a different part of California and I don't see him often.

"Ma what's so important?" I asked.

"Honey, listen. Your father wants to meet you"

"Mi padre?"

"Si. He's actually always wanted to in your life"

"You said he died. I'm confused?"

"I lied mija. I walked out on him because he lived a very dangerous lifestyle. I didn't want you to be around and I told him I would tell you when you were old enough to understand"

"Mami that's selfish. All my life I thought I was weirdo and a freak because I never had mi papa in my life. Do you know how embarrassing it was for me when they had all the father/daughter dances and events at school and I could never attend because I didn't have one" I was nearly in tears.

"I'm sorry I hid this from you mija but I was just trying to protect you"

"Protect me from what mami? Huh?"

"Your father was a well-known kingpin when we were together?"

"What? What is a kingpin?"

"A kingpin is a leader of a cartel or gang that illegally traffics in drugs"

I'd always had a fascination with the streets. But my mother would try her hardest to shield me from it. I put my face in my hands. This was a lot to take in. I saw my mother reach into her purse for an envelope before handing it to me.

"What's this?" I asked.

"A letter. Your father asked me to give it to you" she said before getting up and leaving. I raised an eyebrow before ripping the envelope open. There was a keychain with about six little keys, and a house key.

My Dearest Anastasia,

You've grown into such a beautiful young woman. I remember the last time I saw you, you were about six months old; you were so perfect, I could tell you were gonna be just as beautiful as Larielle. you have to believe I wanted to be in your life, but at the time your mother didn't. I tried so hard to convince her to stay but she had her mind made up.

Anyways, I' sure your mother told you what I do for a living and I have to admit it is a dangerous game but I love it. However, I'm getting old. I think it's time for me to get out of this lifestyle, but I can't let my empire be taken over by a bunch of thugs that I don't trust.

Ana you are the only heir to my throne. I know you can do it because you have my blood running through you. You have what it takes to make this empire flourish. I know you are an amazing leader, but you cannot get distracted. In this game there is no such thing as friends. You can't be vulnerable ever. You must watch your back at all times, because the one time that your guard is down is when you could lose your life.

I know this is a lot to take in and it may be scary, but you can do it Ana. I can feel it in my spirit. Included in this envelope are keys. The little ones belong to safe deposit boxes at California Bank and Trust. Each one has about 200,000 in them and are listed in your name. The big key is the key to your new condo located at 1201 Pine Street #461.