THE MAFIA REDEMPTION DANCE.

It's my 17th birthday, but there's no cake, no candles-nothing to mark the day. My parents used to celebrate it like it meant something. But they're gone now, murdered six months ago. And I've been living under the care of my uncle ever since-a man broken enough to forget what joy even looks like.

My uncle Santiago has always been a man of few words, especially since he got dismissed from his job as a dance teacher in the Elite dance academy.

That night oozed bad omen as no noise was heard in the neighborhood, which is unusual since the place never went silent.

I stood by the window as I watched my uncle who sat down in his leathered brown chair while looking at his watch and facing the door...

It was as if he were expecting someone, but the fear in his eyes gave me a hint of what to expect.

"Are you o..."

I didn't finish my words before the door was kicked open, tearing down the whole door, as the men walked through.

I tried looking at them but the only greetings they understood was gun fire, a trade of bullets happened, my uncle was outnumbered, but that did not even demotivate him.

Not only that, but I stood there shocked not knowing what to do as I couldn't even move

But my uncle stepped in and pulled me to the kitchen while dodging the bullets as he used himself as a shield for me.

"No matter what happens, do not open the door," He made me promise.

Then he kissed my forehead as usual, but he got hit by the shoulder, but he hid his pain from me.

He hid it so well.

He showed a smile though he could see blood, he closed the room quickly and stood against not allowing anyone to enter the room.

As I was in the kitchen confused, I heard him screaming, I could only hope he wasn't hit again.

"How many times did I tell you not to mess with me,"

"Mr. Castelio!" I gasped.

I was shocked to hear that voice. It's been long since I heard it, but it remained the same chilly with fear, but what did my uncle do to the underworld boss?

Mr. Castelio was not a man to be messed with, he didn't hesitate to wipe anyone off who dared mess with him. Killing was his hobby.

"Please sir!" My uncle pleaded.

I couldn't help but peep through a small crack in the kitchen door.

"Just one more week, please," my uncle pleaded again.

But pleading was useless to him, he never gave second chances nor listened to pleading, forgiving was not a word in his dictionary and he believed it would make him weak.

I saw my uncle being dragged and placed down to lie down at Castelio's feet.

"Please just one week I'll bring your money," my uncle pleaded with tears, I couldn't hold my tears anymore, but I also didn't want to make a sound less when I became his next victim.

I really wanted to help, but I was helpless.

I watched with pain as Castelio reached out for his gun and fired twice at my uncle's legs, then his heart.

Furthermore, I was unable to hold my tears anymore.

How can a man be so ruthless, how can he be so cold?

One of the men went to clean the splash of my uncle's blood on his shoes, and he adjusted his suit, walking out as if nothing had happened.

As if he had not taken the life of my only guardian alive.

And the rest of the men, just as ruthless as their boss, rained bullets at my uncle until my uncle gasped his last breath.

I couldn't hold my tears nor scream any longer.

"Stop!" I shouted.

But they didn't pay attention to me as they all walked out, leaving my uncle's lifeless body on the floor.

I quickly ran to my uncle with tears, seeing him in that state hardened my heart.

If tears could bring him back that day, he would come back to life.

My hands and body were soaked with blood, but I didn't care. I knelt in front of my uncle to kiss his forehead for the last time before I fled for my safety.

I was selfish, I know, but I had nothing to fight Castelio with. It was useless reporting because the man was using police officers like the pawns at his own will.

I sneaked out while shaking out of fear, his men were everywhere, and I had to be careful.

I sat down at the bus station, not knowing what or where to go, still burdened with the guilt of cowardice that took over me that I couldn't step in to help my uncle.

He had sacrificed so much for me and at the time he needed me the most, I ran abandoning him and that's something I can never forgive myself.

"Zara right?"

I looked at the man who was talking to me, but the least of my worries was a stranger trying to pronounce my name.

"I can help you," He spoke again, catching my attention.

"Help," I laughed because nothing could help me unless the Almighty performed miracles like I always read in the book called 'bible'.

"Don't you want to avenge your parents and uncle murder," He spoke, and now he had all my attention.

I looked at him with my eyes lit up.

He handed me over a poster written 'The Elite Dance Competition'.

I immediately threw the paper away.

"I'm not going back there!" I spoke bitterly.

I used to dance for them but when I discovered that the school was run by the Castelio's, the same man who killed my parents and the man I was dating then Matteo, I quit leaving anything that connected me to that family away.

"I understand your bitterness, but the only way to defeat your enemies is to keep them close," He whispered.

"Picture you taking down the whole family and their empire like they did yours, and inflicting them with the same pain that you feel even worse," He spoke.

Those words pierced through my heart as a light of hope flickered in my eyes.

I had nothing to live for nor to lose, and the idea of living just to see the Castelio empire crumbling down had me.

"How do I do that?" I finally gained courage.

"By this,"

He spoke, giving me the same poster again.

"First you enter the competition because, from my point of view, it is just a charade to hide something from the authorities. Your job will be to gather information, especially from Matteo..."

"I broke up with the idiot,"

"Well then, darling," he said, touching my hair.

"You go back after all, if you pulled him the first time you can the second time," He said.

"I didn't tell you that,"

"Well my dear, I know everything there is to know about you," He said, standing up.

"My assistant will always be looking after you," He said, leaving.

"What is your name?" I yelled.

"Sultan," He spoke.

Did I just speak to the leader of the opposition gang without knowing?