Scarlett Mila Rodriguez

The park smells like damp grass and old wood chips, the kind of scent that lingers in the air long after a rainstorm. I drag my feet as I walk toward the swing set, hoping maybe I'll wake up and this will all be some horrible dream. But there they are Anthony and Asuka.

They are already on the swings when I spot them, laughing about something. Anthony's tall, lanky frame, his usual goofy grin stretched across his face. His brown hair is a mess, like he barely ran a hand through it before showing up. He's wearing one of his ridiculous graphic tees. Typical Anthony.

Asuka sits next to him on the swing, lazily rocking back and forth. Her sharp bob catches the light as she moves. She's got her usual mix of edgy and effortless style. ripped blue jeans, combat boots, and a leather jacket. Bold, sarcastic, and never the one to care what anyone thinks. That's Asuka.

Anthony is the first to spot me. His face lights up with that goofy, infectious grin of his, like nothing in the world could possibly be wrong.

"Finally! The queen arrives," Anthony calls out, throwing his hands up dramatically as I walk over. "Took you long enough, your majesty."

I roll my eyes, but I can't help but smile a little. "I was only five minutes late."

"Five minutes of precious Anthony-time wasted," he says, clutching his heart as if in pain. "Do you know how many jokes you missed in those five minutes?"

"Jokes? From you?" Asuka says, her lips quirking into a half smirk as she leans back on the swing. "I thought that was just unintentional."

Anthony clutches his chest like he's been shot. "Ouch. Wounded. You see this, Scarlett? She's trying to take me down, one insult at a time."

I let out a small laugh, even though my heart isn't in it. Normally, I'd jump in, tease Anthony for being the lovable idiot he is. And I'd let Asuka's dry humor drag me into some sarcastic banter. But tonight, everything is different.

Asuka notices. She always does. Her dark eyes lock on me as she tilts her head. "What's going on with you?" she asks, her voice blunt. "You've got that look like you just walked out of a funeral."

I hesitate, feeling the weight of everything pressing down on me. I didn't want to tell them. I wanted to come here and pretend for just one more night that everything was fine, that I wasn't about to be dragged into something I couldn't control. But I can't hide it. Not from them.

"I've been summoned." I say finally, my voice barely above a whisper.

Asuka's eyebrows shoot up. "Summoned? What, like you're some kind of medieval court jester?"

"No." I swallow hard, my throat tight. "To Rowan Marino's house. My dad... he's making me go."

The words hang in the air, and for a second, neither of them says anything. Anthony looks at me like I've just told him I'm moving to another planet, his mouth opening and closing like a fish without water.

"You mean the Rowan Marino? Mafia guy?" Anthony finally blurts out, eyes wide.

I nod, the knot in my stomach tightening.

Asuka's face darkens, her lips pressing into a thin line. "So, what, you're just supposed to go there and let some mobster pick you like you're a prize cow at the county fair?"

I flinch at her words, but she's not wrong. That's exactly what it feels like. "I don't have a choice," I say, my voice quieter now. "My dad made it clear. I have to go, and if Rowan picks me... then that's it."

Anthony runs a hand through his messy brown hair, pacing back and forth in a small circle. "This is insane. Like... like, actually insane. Your dad can't just hand you over like you're some kind of bargaining chip!"

Asuka lets out a short, bitter laugh. "Of course he can. That's what men like him do."

Her words are sharp, but I can hear the anger simmering beneath them. She's never had much patience for my dad's old-school, controlling ways. None of us do, but Asuka's always been the bold one, the one who says what everyone else is thinking but too afraid to say out loud.

"I can't fight him," I whisper, more to myself than to them. "You don't know what he's like. If I don't go, if I try to fight it... he'll make my life hell."

Anthony stops pacing, his big brown eyes full of concern. "But you can't just... you can't let them do this to you, Scar. This is your life we're talking about. Not some... some business deal!"

I know he means well. I know both of them do. But they don't understand. They don't know what it's like to live under the constant weight of someone else's decisions, to feel like a puppet with someone else pulling all the strings. "I don't get to choose," I say, my voice cracking. "I never have."

Asuka's hands clench into fists at her sides, her jaw tight. "This isn't fair. You deserve better than this."

"I know," I whisper, tears pricking at the corners of my eyes. "But what can I do? Run away? Where would I go? They'd find me. And if they don't, my dad will."

"We'll figure something out," Anthony says, his voice quieter now, more serious. "There has to be a way out of this."

Asuka doesn't say anything, but I can see the wheels turning in her head. She's always been the planner, the one who can come up with a solution to any problem, no matter how impossible. But even she looks lost right now.

"I don't want to go," I whisper, the tears finally spilling over. "But I don't know how to stop it."

Anthony wraps an arm around my shoulders, pulling me into a sideways hug. "You're not alone, okay? We're here. Whatever happens, we'll get through it together."

Asuka steps closer, her expression softening for a moment. "He's right. We've got your back, Scar. No matter what."

I nod, wiping my eyes with the back of my hand. "Thanks, guys. I just... I needed to tell someone before everything changes."

"Everything doesn't have to change," Anthony says, his voice stubborn. "You're still Scarlett. Our Scarlett. Not some mob wife or whatever."

Asuka gives me a small, sharp nod. "Yeah. Mafia or not, you're still you. Don't forget that."

For a little while, we sit here in silence, the three of us together, like always. But I can feel the clock ticking in the back of my mind, counting down the hours until everything falls apart. This might be the last time I get to be here, with them, just... being me.

And I'm not ready to let it go yet.

"What do you guys say about one last night out before everything changes?" I ask wanting to think about anything else tonight.

"I say, hell yes!" Anthony says cheering.

"Count me in." Asuka says.

***

The thumping bass vibrates through the floor as we step into the club. Neon lights flickers across the walls in wild patterns. The air is thick with the heat of bodies, the scent of sweat, alcohol and expensive cologne.
It's packed tonight just as I expected. But I'm glad. I need to get my mind off things.

"Come on scar! Were doing shots!" Anthony yells over the loud music.

***

After a while of dancing and drinking I slip away from my friends. Weaving through the crowd until I find a quieter corner. I lean against the wall, letting the beat wash over me. I close my eyes for a second, trying to pretend like this isn't the last time I'll be able to do something like this. Just be Scarlett...be free.

When I open my eyes there is a man beside me. A presence, standing too close. I turn my head slightly to catch a glimpse of him from the corner of my eye.
He's tall, dressed in dark clothes. Black hair. His aura is...intense. Dangerous.

I clear my throat, hoping he'll take the hint and move. He doesn't, of course.
"Need something?" I ask, louder than necessary.

He doesn't look at me, barley acknowledges my existence with a side ways glance. "No." He says.

The one word is clipped, like he's not interested in conversation. Which would be fine if he wasn't standing so damn close. "Well, you're in my space." I say folding my arms over my chest while holding my drink.

This time he turns his head, his gaze finally meeting mine. And for a second I wish he hadn't. His eyes are dark, sharp and emotionless. When he speaks his voice is low, almost bored.

"Your space?"

I clench my jaw, refusing to be intimidated. "Yeah. There's plenty of other corners in this club, but you picked the one I'm in." I say.

"It's a corner, you can't own it." He says. And before I can react someone falls onto the man beside me and he stumbles into me making my drink explode all over me.

You've got to be kidding me!

I glare up at him my mouth open in shock. Barley able to contain my anger.
"You just couldn't pick another corner, could you!? This is all your fault!" I yell at the man.

"It was an accident. How is this my fault." He says unbothered. The nerve of this guy.

"Just shut up and go." I say trying to pat the soaked dress with paper.

"You can't give me orders." He says. What a jerk. Who does he think he is.

"Stop acting like you own the place." I say.

"I do." He says, and my head turns back to him. "What...?" I say looking confused.

"I own this club, princess." He says with a mocking smirk. Shit.

As I'm about to continue this argument Anthony yells my name from the dance floor.
What am I even doing? Arguing with an asshole. I'm done with this conversation.

"Don't worry, I'm not interested in arguing with you either." He says as if he's heard my thoughts. Good.

"Great. Go be an asshole to someone else then." I say walking off. And I swear I see the faintest flicker of amusement in his eyes.

Am I going good so far? Be honest😅>>>