Taken By The Mafia Lord

You know the thing about hope, when it shatters, you're broken from the inside and out. That was how Mimi felt when Ruth gave her an answer that was contrary to what she expected from her.

"No, that's impossible," Mimi shook her head in disbelief.

"Arianna is not here," Ruth told her.

"But you must surely know where she is or the men who took her," Mimi still hoped.

"Not anymore," Ruth said and it was then that Mimi realized she was way behind the current happening.

"Then tell me what you know," Mimi told her and saw the unsure look on the woman's face.

"Please," Mimi begged, reaching out to grab the woman's hand, "Arianna might be a friend but she's more than a sister to me and I can't lose my family. I understand the need for confidentiality and you can be rest assured that whatever you tell me won't leave this room," She added," I swear on my life, "

Ruth didn't say a word, she just stared intently at Mimi, and seeing that the girl was sincere and deadly serious, she had no choice but to give in.

"Fine,"

Mimi was finally able to release the breath she was having, a relieved expression on her seat. She let go of her hand and readjusted in her seat so she could be comfortable as Ruth narrated what happened.

Ruth started, "It all began when Red Riding Hood fell for the wolf...."

And at that, Mimi's brows furrowed, no one told her she was supposed to understand the woman's riddles. Ruth must have sensed her confusion as well because she cleared her throat and started from the beginning.

"I've been against Arianna having romantic relationships with my clients judging from the nature of their jobs and most of them don't have the best character," Ruth stared deep into Mimi's eyes as she said, "I took Arianna as my daughter and would not let harm come her way. But I failed her this time,"

Mimi gulped, "What happened?"

"I might have unintentionally exposed Arianna to danger. My client A has a dispute with the leader of a rival gang B -"

"Does the leader of the gang happen to be called Marcel,"

Ruth's gaze widened slightly confirming Mimi's suspicion.

"As I thought,"

"How did you....?"

"Let's just say that Arianna is not the only one in a deep level shit," Mimi didn't mean for it to come out as a joke but it sure did. Considering how grim everything's been lately, a little humor wouldn't be bad.

Ruth went on, "However, the feud wasn't the first load that dipped the scale, rather her uncle's family that sold her off to a loan shark,"

When Mimi heard that, she jerked up to her feet, cursing and punching the air. She was so angry. She should have known those disgusting family members were up to no good and had been lying to her all this while. How could they do that? Sell her?! Arianna was family!

Ruth didn't bother to calm down nor stop Mimi from expressing her anger. As a doctor, well, an animal doctor, she knew the adverse effects of holding in pent-up emotions. So she patiently waited for Mimi and when she was done, went on with her story.

This time Ruth told Mimi how she contacted her Client A aka Elijah - already taken by the lovely damsel - to help her burst out Arianna from the Red Giant's territory and how the plans of getting her out of the country went down the drain when the rival party B aka Marcel came after them.

"So that was what happened?" Mimi murmured after Ruth was done with her story. She was exhausted mentally and worried as well, who knows what Arianna was going through and she wasn't there to provide support. She felt stupid and powerless.

"But I don't understand something, why would Marcel send Arianna back to the loan shark? He should have rescued her already now he had her," Mimi still found it hard to believe that Marcel was that kind of person. He looked so kind and handsome - go to hell, handsomeness!

Mimi remembered clearly, back at the coffee shop, she had been so taken by Marcel's handsomeness that she sent Arianna over to his table to confirm it. Mimi blamed herself for all of this. Who knows if Arianna and Marcel hadn't met that day, perhaps all of this would have been avoided.

If she hadn't made the both of them meet, Marcel wouldn't have known Arianna and she wouldn't have signed up to be his barista. Mimi now clearly understood her role at Marcel's place. She was nothing but collateral - Marcel would use her to keep Arianna in check. In the end, she ended up being a liability to Arianna; she was ashamed.

"He's setting a trap for my Client A and he needs Arianna to achieve that. Moreover, the end goal of every mob is to acquire profit and power, and sorry but Arianna is not much of an asset. What would it profit them going to war with the Red Giant and losing resources?" Ruth told her the sheer truth.

The woman was smart, Mimi had to give her that. And although this conversation had opened her eyes and let her see things clearly, it didn't help her solve her problem, Arianna.

"I need to get to Arianna, at least know she's okay, " Mimi told her but the woman shook her head.

"I'm sorry but I can't help you with that. I'm nothing but a doctor and there are lines I cannot cross. I stand on neutral ground and can't be caught in the crossfire. The only thing you can do for Arianna right now is to wait and pray," Ruth said and with silent command, brought the conversation to an end.

"Then give me something!" Mimi insisted, getting to her feet, "I'm not stood enough to go on a suicide mission, but I need to hear from her! I have to try, at least!"

There was a brief silence before Ruth said, "There's a club downtown members of the Red Giant gang are known to frequent. Who knows, some loose mouth might speak to you. You surely don't need me to teach you how to work your charm on a man as well, right?"

"No thanks. The address is enough, I guess?" Mimi was grateful as the woman bent to pen down the address on a little note.

Ruth handed the paper to Mimi who tried to take it but she tugged at it to get her attention, "I must warn you, this is highly risky."