Servant to the Mafia Lord

Ariana Moreno "Mother! Please open your eyes," I said, panicking hard as tears fell freely from my eyes. I couldn't bear to lose her. Not again. "Help!!" I shouted. She had collapsed right in front of the studio where she worked. I held her tightly in my arms, my hands shaking as I ran through my phone, dialing random numbers. "Can you please come to the studio? My mother just collapsed!" I yelled, desperation evident in my voice. I didn't stop shouting until her colleagues finally came out and helped rush us to the hospital. I wouldn't stop crying, caressing her skin until we finally arrived. They carried her inside while the doctors and nurses immediately took over. "You can wait at the reception," a nurse said, gently pushing me aside. I staggered back and sat hopelessly on one of the seats, my legs weak beneath me. Tears filled my eyes. I understood fully why my mother collapsed earlier. She had been diagnosed with late-stage pneumonia, and without proper treatment, she would struggle to breathe and could lose her life. It would cost fifteen million dollars to admit her for proper treatment in the hospital. "Rina!" I was suddenly pulled back by a familiar voice. John... my childhood best friend. "Where is she?" he asked, moving closer. "She collapsed all of a sudden this time," I said before bursting into tears again. He pulled me into his arms. "It's okay... don't cry," he comforted, patting my back gently. We stayed like that for a few minutes before the doctor came out. "Can I see Miss Ariana for a minute?" he asked. I stood up immediately and followed him. "You know very well that she's in a critical condition, yet she keeps overworking herself," he said frustratedly, removing his glasses. "She wouldn't allow me do all the work," I explained. "I've tried convincing her several times." "She collapsed due to fatigue," the doctor continued. "Her lungs are getting weaker. She needs proper treatment as soon as possible." He handed me a file. I dismissed myself from the hospital and walked back home dejectedly, even ignoring John who kept calling behind me. Nothing was making sense. Fifteen million dollars in one month? We barely survived day by day. I never even saw my father before he died in an accident-the very day I was born. No father. No supporter. It had always been just me and my mother... and sometimes John. I sat on the bare floor at home, staring soullessly at the file that contained my mother's medical bills and condition. How could I get fifteen million dollars within a month? I couldn't even remember any of my mother's relatives or close friends. John was an orphan too, working as a cleaning agent. I had no friends apart from him. There was no way I could get that kind of money within a month legally. If I had to rob, so be it... but how? I switched on my phone. I needed ideas. That was when I saw an advert for a particular strip club. I clicked on it and scrolled further. They paid their dancers thousands of dollars-far more than other strip clubs. This was an opportunity. I had known from the beginning that there was no legal way to get that amount of money, and I was willing to do whatever it took. I wasn't losing my mother. I ran to my room and stood in front of the mirror. I had inherited a nice body shape from her and a face people always noticed. I smiled bitterly. If this was my last option, then so be it. I went back to my phone, scrolling through more details about the strip club. The dancers wore almost no clothing, exposing little to nothing, their faces hidden behind masks. I would need clothes like that and a face mask. I checked my purse, bringing out the little cash inside. It definitely wouldn't be enough. I called John. "I've been trying your number," he said immediately. "You left your mother at the hospital?" "John, I need your help," I said quickly. "I know I sound stupid right now, but can you lend me some money?" "Is something going on?" he asked worriedly. "Please don't ask," I said softly. "I'll explain everything later. Just trust me." "Okay," he replied. "I'll transfer some to your account." With the money sorted out, I walked into a clothing store and showed the attendant the piece I wanted. "Are you perhaps married?" she asked sarcastically. "This is the type I want!" I snapped, finally losing my patience after enduring their mocking gazes. I paid for the clothes and necessities and walked out of the store. The strip club only opened on weekends at night, which made today the perfect day. Tonight, it would all begin...