Lady of the underworld

XIMENA'S POV. "No! Tell me it's not true!" My tone was hysterical as I barged through the door. Tears rolling down my face in streams. "My baby girl," my father called out to me with reddened eyes as he attempted to pull me into his embrace. "Tell me it's not true," I demanded once again as I trembled in his embrace. My gaze met his as I wished for something, anything other than what was happening. My father's eyes began to redden as he replied hoarsely, "Your mother.... She didn't make it." I blanked out for a moment before I burst out in laughter. "Hahaha...what a funny joke dad. You're really getting the hang of pranks," I finished, as I did not even notice the tears streaming down my face. "Dad, no, no, no," I broke down in tears as everything started to hit me all at once. My small fists rained down on my father's chest in waves as I broke down in his arms. "Argh," I screamed. "How?... why?" I asked hoarsely, as I wanted to know what happened. How was it possible for me to lose the one I held dear so suddenly? "My baby girl, I'm so sorry," my father let out as he hugged me tighter into his embrace. His large hands placed my head on his chest, allowing me to hear his thumping heart. "Something went wrong with her car and she didn't make it," he said in a trembling tone, his tone laced with sadness, and a bit of anger. I snapped out of my reverie as I screamed in anger, "Something went wrong? Something went wrong?! You're telling me with all the cars we have, something just had to happen to mom's?" My small frame somehow escaped his embrace as I stared at him in anger. My father just kept quiet as he stared at me. I knew it was irrational, but I just wanted the freedom to scream at someone, anyone. And my father happened to be in space to bear the brunt of my anger. "Why?" I asked with gritted teeth. "I'm sorry," he replied hoarsely, his eyes bloodshot as he appeared to be on the verge of tears. "We were supposed to go pick out a prom dress later today, we were going to eat ice cream, and gush over boys and-" I start, stopping as my breath suddenly got hitched in my throat, my gaze blurry as I suddenly lost my sense of balance. My knees gave out as the last thing I heard was my father's panicked voice as he yelled my name, "Ximena!" ----------- "Ugh," I groaned as I groggily opened my eyes. My gaze slowly registered the familiar walls of my bedroom. My gaze was drawn to the large windows. The moonlight spilled into my room, making me aware of the fact that I had been out for quite a while. My gaze blanked suddenly, as memories of what happened before my blackout suddenly came to the forefront of my thoughts in waves. I don't know when, but tears had already started streaming down my face as I curled up in my blanket. Memories of our last conversation suddenly started replaying themselves. -------- "I can't wait to see my beautiful baby in her prom dress," Her features softened as she stroked my hair. Her beautiful red hair cascaded down her back in waves as her verdant green eyes sparkled with pride. A sweet smile was evident on my face as I enjoyed the feel of her warm touch. "I can't wait for you to see me in it too, mom!" I let out excitedly, as all I wanted was to look as beautiful as she always did. We had always been close, especially since I was basically her carbon copy, sporting similar red hair and green eyes. ----------- "Mom, I miss you," I cried out as I buried my face in my pillow. Soaking it in my tears. I clutched my chest as the room I once adored suddenly felt overwhelmingly suffocating. I couldn't be alone with my thoughts. "I need to go be with dad," I muttered, as I struggled to get myself out of bed. My entire being felt heavy as I had cried more in the past few hours than I had in the eighteen years I had been alive. I ran as fast as my tired legs could take me, as I wanted nothing more than to see my father. The sudden death of my mother left me with a sense of insecurity; I felt like I could lose anyone at any moment. I wanted nothing more than to be in my father's embrace at that moment. He was, after all, the only family I had left. The beautifully decorated hallway was filled with multiple family portraits. My pace began to slow to a crawl as I took in the different portraits. Tears streamed down my face as I engraved her features in my mind. My gaze blanked as I was suddenly overcome with fear. Fear that someday I would forget the way her fiery red hair cascaded down her back. Or the warmth her green eyes brought me when I got scared. Taking one last look, I wiped the tears off my face with my palms as I picked up the pace again on my way to my father. After what felt like forever, I finally caught sight of the mahogany double doors that represented my father's study. I knew that even if the world crumbled, my father would never leave his study. It was his solace. I stopped in front of the huge mahogany doors, my breath hitched in my throat as I panted a little. The low growl from my stomach, a vivid indicator of the fact that I was in dire need of energy. As I raised my hands to knock, I paused in mid-air as I heard my father's furious voice from behind the mahogany doors. I resisted the urge to knock, as my gut told me to wait. So I crane my ears as I struggle to listen in on his conversation. "You have my wife?" I heard my father yell. His words caused a wave of euphoria and doubt to wash over me, but then his next words made me feel as though I had been plunged into a bucket of ice-cold water. "Kill her then," His tone was icy and held no hint of emotion. He sounded nothing like the father I had grown to love over the years. I suppressed the urge to barge in and demand answers. It wasn't like I could anyway. The only thing preventing me from falling to the ground at that moment, was the huge door that seemed like it held answers to unknown secrets. I could barely support myself against the cold mahogany doors as my stomach began to churn. "You want me to give up my territory for a mere woman? You know me better than this Marcelo!" His furious voice echoed with thick disdain as he yelled at some guy. My father's words continued to ring in my ears as the one thought in my mind was 'what territory? And who was my father truly?' It seemed like my perfect little world held secrets I had no choice but to suddenly come to acknowledge. "You want Mexico's number one drug lord to give in? You must be deluded!" my father finished as I heard the sound of something slamming into the ground. I blanked out slightly as I unconsciously muttered in disbelief, "Drugs? Drug lord?" My shaky figure fell to the ground with a loud thump. "Who's there?" My father's cold shout brought me out of my reverie. My heart got caught in my throat as I took to my heels with unknown strength. I wanted nothing more than to get away from him and the house. It felt as though my entire world was falling apart. The image of my perfect family was shattered into pieces in one day, leaving me with questions I needed answers to. Answers I was determined to get.