Chapter 6: Isn't That What I Wanted?
"The Don asked you to see him now."
Kaine stood tall at the doorstep as he walked in, giving just a slight bow to Mila. He was yet to acknowledge her as his boss' Lordress.
How could my master choose a lady who doesn't even appreciate him? Who is blind to see he is always fighting and protecting her, and what he gets in return is her accusing him.
The thought barely settled when a sharp slap landed across his face, dragging him back to reality.
Mila stood tall before him.
"How dare you acknowledge me that way? No respect for me as your other master? Is that how Alexander told you to behave?"
Her hands were filled with hatred, shaking as if another slap was ready to follow.
"I'm sorry, my Lordress. I shouldn't give you such manners."
He bowed deeply this time.
"Next time you choose to behave that way to me again, I'll have your hands chopped up by myself."
She hissed and went to sit.
Just then, Alexander walked in.
He had heard her last sentence.
"Leave us alone."
Kaine bowed and left.
"I didn't expect you to be that cold towards my man."
Alexander sat on the table beside her.
She stood up, tidying her bed as if she never heard him.
"You need to follow me somewhere. Somewhere very important."
Mila noticed the tone in his voice. It sounded more like a request than a command.
"Can't you see I don't even want to see you, so leave."
His presence was suffocating her.
She was sure Kaine didn't hear the phone conversation she had earlier.
She didn't expect it when Alexander suddenly carried her in a princess way.
Her body reacted instantly. She pulled out her hidden knife.
"Alexander, if you don't let me down right now, I'll stab you."
She looked vicious, like someone who meant every word.
Alexander's cold aura rose. He had never been threatened before, not even by his enemies, not to talk of a lady.
He dropped her.
He didn't understand this change in her. Since her family's misfortune, everything about her had shifted. And the thought that she believed he killed her father stayed at the back of his mind.
"About your father's death, I'll investigate it. And your mother, I'll bring her back to you."
Then he left.
Mila watched him walk out.
For a brief second, something flickered in her chest.
What if he's telling the truth?
Her fingers curled slightly.
No.
It has to be him.
She didn't know where the courage came from, but she needed it now more than ever.
Jason wasn't picking her calls anymore. Definitely, Alexander had told him not to, so she wouldn't destroy the hospital that refused to release her mother's body.
She needed to leave soon. To Russell Cartel.
Alexander needed to understand she wasn't playing.
Mila left the house as soon as she confirmed Alexander was gone. She didn't take her phone because he always tracked her with it.
It had to be today.
She parked her car in front of a bar. Picking up her bag, she put on her hand gloves and glasses as a disguise.
Inside, she spotted Russell sitting in a corner.
He wore a green camouflage leather outfit with stones on it. He drank from his wine and poured another glass.
"My Lordress, here you are."
He paid respect immediately.
"Yes. Let's get straight to business. I must be back home soon."
"Alright, my Lordress."
He leaned forward slightly.
"Killing Alexander Cora isn't easy. Even my high rank assassins can't get him. Alexander is fast, deadly, calculative. He never sleeps. He is always thinking. His strategies are stronger than mine. I can't even compare."
Smack.
Mila hit the table.
"I didn't come here to hear your weakness or his power. All I want is for him to be executed."
Russell smiled.
"Yes, my Lordress."
"So what's the plan?"
"Take this portion of medicine."
He handed her a small bottle.
"It's filled with poison. You are the only one who can use it since he allows you close. He needs to breathe it in. It begins to work after five hours, slowly weakening his internal system. That is when we strike."
Mila smirked.
"Is that all?"
"Yes, my Lordress."
"I'll leave then. We shouldn't waste time. I'll call you immediately it's done."
"Alright. But remember not to inhale it."
Mila stood up to leave.
As she turned, Russell's smile deepened slightly.
Darker this time.
It was her birthday.
But it was the worst one she had ever had.
Every year had always been filled with her family. Celebration. Warmth. Now there was nothing.
She didn't even remember until later.
She got home, satisfied with the plan.
Alexander was already in the living room, as if waiting.
"Where did you go?"
His voice carried that same dark presence.
A chill ran through her, suppressing the boldness she had outside.
"Hmm… come to my room."
Her voice came out quieter.
Alexander watched her carefully. Nothing looked suspicious. She looked normal, like she had gone for casual shopping.
Inside the room, Mila sat beside him and held his hands.
"Alexander, I'm sorry. I've been violent all this while. It wasn't me. Losing my parents made me that way."
She continued softly.
"I don't mind if we become close. Let me truly act as your Lordress."
She looked at him, almost pleading.
He laughed slightly.
"My Lordress?"
"Your sudden change is suspicious. But we can talk about that after I rest. I had a long day."
Mila stood up quickly.
"I know. Stay. Let me help you relax. Those dreams you have… I don't want them to disturb you."
She rubbed his hands gently.
Alexander watched her.
He knew something was wrong.
He could feel it clearly.
But for the first time, he chose not to fight it.
He walked into his office to rest.
Mila followed him.
She sat on his table, still holding his hands.
This time, Alexander didn't keep his gun close. He dropped it on the table.
Slowly, his eyes closed.
His breathing eased.
Mila waited.
Her heart beat harder than she expected.
What if this is wrong?
Her grip tightened slightly.
No.
This is what he deserves.
She confirmed he was fully asleep.
Then she moved.
She brought out a thick nose cover and wore it. Taking the poison bottle, she pressed it gently.
The content released into his nose.
He didn't flinch.
Her other hand was still holding his, keeping him relaxed.
After a few minutes, she stepped back.
It was done.
She left quietly.
Outside, Kaine appeared.
"My Lordress."
He bowed.
As he tried to walk past, she stopped him.
"Where do you think you are going?"
"He's sleeping. No one should disturb him. Not even you. If you have anything to report, extend that."
"Alright, my Lordress."
Kaine bowed and left.
Mila stood there for a moment.
Then she walked away.
Tomorrow would decide everything.
The next day...
That morning, Alexander, Kaine, and some of his men had already left for a business meeting.
The mansion felt unusually quiet.
Too quiet.
Mila sat in the living room, her fingers resting on her lap, her mind unsettled for reasons she couldn't explain.
Five hours.
It had passed.
Everything should have happened by now.
Her chest tightened slightly.
Just then, hurried footsteps echoed through the hallway.
One of the guards rushed in, his face pale, his breath uneven.
"My Lordress…"
Mila looked up slowly.
"What is it?"
There was a pause. A heavy one.
"The Don… he's dead."
The words dropped like something solid, something real.
Mila didn't move.
"…What?"
"He was shot during the meeting. Multiple bullets. He didn't survive."
Her fingers twitched slightly.
"And Kaine?"
The guard lowered his head.
"He's nowhere to be found. We believe he escaped."
Silence.
Thick.
Heavy.
Mila stared ahead, her mind blank for a moment, like it refused to process what she just heard.
Then her phone vibrated.
She hesitated before picking it up.
A message.
From Russell.
"You can leave". She told the guard.
Her fingers felt colder as she opened it.
A video.
She pressed play.
The screen flickered.
Alexander.
His body on the ground.
Blood spreading beneath him.
Gunshots echoed in the background, men shouting, chaos everywhere.
His eyes were half open… lifeless.
Mila's breath hitched.
Her hand trembled slightly as the video ended.
Another message came in.
"It's done, my Lordress."
She stared at the screen.
This was what she wanted.
Wasn't it?
Her lips parted, but no words came out.
Instead, something strange settled in her chest.
It wasn't relief.
It wasn't satisfaction.
It was heavy.
Uncomfortable.
Her throat tightened.
Why…
Why did it feel like something had been taken from her instead?
Her grip on the phone loosened slightly.
She remembered his voice.
The way he said he would investigate her father's death.
The way he said he would bring her mother back.
Her chest ached.
No.
She shook her head slightly.
This was justice.
This was revenge.
This was what she planned.
So why did it hurt?
A tear slipped down her cheek before she could stop it.
Her voice came out in a whisper.
"Isn't that what I wanted…"