She is the Queen

Chapter 1

The warm glow of neon lights and the muffled beat of a bass guitar filled the air. A jazz song was ringing in my ears, lulling me into a dreamlike state. The last scene I remember before everything blurred out was watching my friends have fun on the dance floor. The night was alive with energy, as the crowd swayed and snapped their fingers to the rhythm. It was like every other weekend at this night club, but each time felt completely new and unpredictable.

I took in the scene around me as I made my way to the bar, surrounded by people dressed in their finest attire. It was easy to see why they came here, with the stylish décor and the lively atmosphere. Boogie Martini glasses filled with clear ice and a single olive were clutched in hands, while others sipped on vibrant orange drinks. Was it a Passionfruit cocktail or a Pornstar martini? It didn't matter, each sip was a refreshing escape from the heat of the crowd.

Beyond the drinks, the night club was full of life. The music seemed to come from every corner, enveloping the room with its soulful sound. Couples twirled and spun on the dance floor, their bodies moving with a grace and ease that was almost hypnotic. It was impossible not to get swept up in the energy of it all. But that night, I was feeling off. I felt like there were eyes watching my every single move, following me like a merciless stalker. Perhaps it was just the alcohol talking nonsense.

Our world is filled with luxury. The allure of wealth is everywhere, tantalizing us with its glittering promises of status, success, and happiness. But beneath the veneer of fancy clothes and high-end connections, there is a shadow lurking. It's a shadow that whispers doubts and questions, reminding us that the things we have and the people we know are not necessarily the key to a meaningful life.

In the midst of our endless striving, it's easy to forget what truly matters. We adorn ourselves with diamond earrings and wear leather shoes to feel powerful and confident, but these material possessions are ultimately hollow. They may make us look more impressive or accomplished, but they do little to fulfill our innermost needs.

That day, I found myself in the VIP lounge of one of my dad's nightclubs, surrounded by my closest friends. We don't usually like to mingle with others, preferring instead to socialize in our own circle. With our wealth and status comes the constant risk of threat, so we tend to stick together.

At 17, I may seem young to be enjoying such a lifestyle, but with a father like Frank Elves Pierro, one of the most prestigious and wealthy businessmen in the USA, I've been given certain liberties. As long as I'm with my friends and somewhere my father knows, he doesn't limit me. And so every Friday night, we dine at a fancy restaurant before heading out to a nightclub or an afterparty.

My friends are all popular and well-known in their own right. Evan, the son of a famous football player and a fashion designer, is the "look" of our group. Chloe comes from a royal family with a complicated background, and Jack, my oldest friend, is the social bug everyone likes. And then there's me, Laila Pierro, the granddaughter of the Italian mafia, daughter of a successful businessman, and soon-to-be student of economics and psychology at Harvard.

My life may seem planned out before I was even born, but I'm determined to pursue my own passions and desires. The material possessions and connections my family provides may make us look impressive, but they do little to fulfill our innermost needs. That's why I've never been a fan of wearing heels, feeling that a woman doesn't need to sacrifice comfort to look good for men.

As I headed down to the car waiting for me, carrying my Chanel black vanity case bag, I couldn't help but think about what truly makes us happy and fulfilled. It's not fancy clothes or material possessions, but rather living a life that is authentic and true to ourselves. I'm grateful for the opportunities and blessings my family has given me, but I'm determined to carve my own path and make my own mark on the world.

After 3 hours...

The Martini in front of me was delicious. The perfect balance of gin and vermouth was flowing down my throat smoothly. I was having a great time with my friends at the Matrix Club. The environment was perfect for us to unwind and forget about the stressful week we had. That's when I noticed them, the four strangers who were staring at me from different corners of the club.

At first, I thought they were just part of the security details my father had arranged for me, but their persistence raised some concerns. The strange feeling spreading through my body added to my growing suspicion. I knew something wasn't right.

Trying to remain inconspicuous, I quickly took Jack's phone from the table and headed to the restroom. The feeling in my body was becoming more intense, and I knew I had to act fast. I texted my father and explained the situation, assuring him that I had a plan to escape. With the sim card removed and the phone broken into tiny pieces, I was confident that the assailants wouldn't be able to track me.

As I waited for my father's response, I worked on concealing the phone's power and network sections. With my expertise in technology and devices, the process was a breeze, and I had everything hidden within moments. I carefully placed the small pieces of the phone in my shorts and the sim card in my socks.

Just like that, after gulping a large breath, I stepped out from the toilet and started washing my hands. A second later the four guys came rushing in. As one of them raised a gun to my temple, one of the other buff guy put a cloth covering my month and just like that my consciousness left my body and my eyes returned to the full-filling darkness.