Never assume that loud is strong,

and quiet is weak.

The fiercest storms rise from the calmest seas

{Tommy Shelby}

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I was shook with what Antoinette told me. After that day, I'd stayed more alert around the hospital. Not saying anything out of line. Not talking to people I didn't trust. Not that I talked to strangers, but still, this time I had to be more cautious. Nothing was as it seems and I quote-"Laila, Señor Rey has many enemies, they know his reputation, they know of him, but they haven't seen him. That makes you the perfect target for them as they will use you as bait to get to him, and bring him down, so please for the love of god, look after yourself"-and end quote. That was what Antoinette informed me as I was leaving.

And safe to say, her words remained with me for the night. I was a tossing and turning mess!

Well I'll be damned. My life should be produced as a movie at this point. Involved with the scary mafia. A proposal from the said mafia leader. Drama in Spain. It'll be a classic telenovela, but with a mix.

Suddenly, a ring called out in the silence. I walked towards my bed, answering my parents call. I Inhaled and exhaled a couple of times off camera, just to calm me down.

"Assalamualaikum mama, baba" A smile faked it's way on my face, as I stared at my beautiful parents. They did not know anything of my life at this point. If only I could confide in them. I felt all alone, despite residing in a loving home. I guess at this point my only solace was the demon, to some extent.

Only he could provide me with answers which would fulfill my burning curiosity and put me at ease. Only then would I be able to meet this test head on.

"Wa alay-kamus salaam" They both cheered in synch. "how is my beti doing" mama asked, her smile lighting up the dark crevices around my heart. I attempted to smile back, but I guess it came out more as a strangled and permanent grimace. Thankfully the connection was too low for her to catch onto my changing facial expressions.

"I'm good mama, how are you and dad? Is Nadir still annoying you" I asked.

"Of course not Laila. Ever since you left he's actually been a good boy, and takes responsibility around the house now a days" she gleamed seemingly proud of him. I nodded in happiness.

"Alhamdulillah" I thanked the one above. "That's great, I'm glad to know you guys are doing well" I said lowly, a whole display of emotions taking place in my eyes. At least they were away from this mess Laila. I chastised myself for being too selfish. Them knowing about the Mafia and all that's happened to me ever since I moved here would only land then in more trouble. I couldn't ever afford that. Ever.

"Laili is there something wrong?" Mum's smile instantly turned upside down upon inspecting my face. I nodded a bit too eagerly.

"Yes. I just miss you all" no matter how much i willed myself together, my voice still broke and tears still welled up in my eyes. My innocent parents, mistaking my tears for something completely different. Was I too selfish if I told them what has been happening to me? Would it make me a bad daughter for hiding everything from them? Would they understand?

Too many questions left in the dark, unanswered.

"Oh dear" mama said, holding back her own tears, as she passed the phone over to baba. He looked proud. As proud as a father can be. He looked past my wet face and attempted to light me up.

"Laila dear, you're in Spain because of your university course, it's not your marriage yet, so save your tears" he gloomed but I could detect the teasing behind his words. From afar, I heard mama slap his shoulder playfully, chastising him. I giggled from their childish behavior.

Yep. This is exactly what I needed to boost my serotonin levels. After a couple more minutes of banter and small talk we ended the call.

I went downstairs to see everyone in the living room, watching a Turkish drama. I sat down between Lameesa and Sajdah, as they made space for me.

"You okay" Lameesa asked putting her hand around my shoulder. I rested my head against her shoulder, nodding tiredly.

"Yeah, alhamdulillah" and soon both our focus was on the drama ahead of us. Everyone was sat on the edge of their seats as they watched forbidden love. In normal circumstances I would have also reclined to the edge of my chair, awaiting for the daughter to find out she'd been cheated on by her step-mum and fiance, but I couldn't bring myself to it.

What was the point when I'd watched this before. During a time when all my worries were not serious.

There was so much to go over. So much to think. There was just so much of everything right now. After having sat staring at the screen for a good half an hour I couldn't have felt more thankful for the credits rolling in. I was the first one to excuse myself, wishing everyone a good night.

Locking the door behind me, I decided to message the demon. If I wanted answers, I had to take action now, otherwise, I would forever remain in the dark.

I took out my phone, my fingers hovering over the keypad. I began writing a sentence, short and simple, but then ended up deleting it. This went on for about five more tries until I grunted in frustration, throwing the phone on the mattress.

After having calmed myself down, I'd decided to just ask when the demon would be free. It was twelve 'o' clock on a Saturday, of course he wouldn't reply back so late.

But of course to my surprise, I received a message from him almost instantly. Actually not to my surprise because I kind of guessed he was upto some mafia business. The text read something which made me grit my teeth so hard, I was afraid they'd chip away.

Couldn't keep away from me could you wifey- that darned wifey. What the bloody hell was his problem. But I carried on reading- and to what do I owe this pleasure of meeting you.

I want to meet tomorrow, in person. I've got a few things I wanted to talk about.

There keep it simple and discreet.

I'll meet up with you. One of my men will pick you up after your shift.

Yay! I did a little victory dance in my head. Alhamdulillah. At least this time he agreed to meet up, unlike last time.

Okay I replied back eagerly.

Now all I had to do was try to get some sleep.

It was finally the day I'd been looking forward to. From this point on, my mind would be free of worries and my questions would finally be answered. Or so I hoped.

I had completed my shift and was waiting outside the hospital for a car. I'd stood there, in the cold as light droplets hit my face. Soon it was going to rain, but I also hoped soon enough the demons so called worker came to pick me up.

It wasn't until a car screeched in front of me that I stopped my bitter thoughts. Was this person here for me. The car was luxurious. That was for sure. I had enough time to notice that it was a huge SUV before the back windows rolled down. The heavily tinged windows gave way to the demons face. In all his mysterious glory.

Had I known he would also be coming to pick me up, I wouldn't have agreed to be picked up, but rather completed my Q&A in a remote cafe. God knows where he'd take me.

He smirked down at me, motioning for me to come in. He could have at least been chivalrous about it. But then again, I doubt no mafia man was that knowledgeable on such information. Or maybe they were but instead their version of chivalrous was serving the head of an executed enemy to their family and writing a letter explaining, "oops, my hand slipped. Hard". God was my humour turning morbid.

I rolled my eyes at him, walking to the other side of the car and getting in. The driver didn't need an order to start the car, as we whizzed past the hospital.

Rafael pressed a button beside him, completely shutting us off from the driver. The wall was up and I was left alone next to the demon. I didn't like this at all. But thankfully he made no move to come closer and instead did all the talking.

"What did you need me for" he started, his eyes on me. I looked away, not being able to match up with his intensity.

"Em... I wanted to ask you a few questions regarding my involvement with you and some other things" I'd expected him to lash out or brush me off, but he simply nodded once.

"Bien. Well talk more in my house"

It was silence after that. We'd reached his mansion of a house after a good half an hour. I exited the car, thanking the driver as I did so, whereas Rafael didn't even bother to acknowledge the driver as he slammed the door shut. Looks like someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed.

We entered the foyer, and like the last time, I was thrilled yet again at seeing the beautiful interior. I followed behind him, all the while my eyes soaking In every little furniture detailing the mansion had to offer.

From the grand and expensive diamond chandeliers to the simple yet pricey paintings on the walls. It was surreal. I almost banged into his back had I not realised soon enough.

He looked from over his shoulder to make sure I was still behind him before entering some type of office room. He made way to sit behind the huge desk, gesturing for me to also do the same. I sat down hesitantly. Now that I was here, what would I start off with.

"What did you need to talk about" it wasn't a question but rather a statement. I looked straight at his face, but decided to look away. This whole eye contact thing was never my style anyway. But it was his as he leaned over the desk suddenly making me aware of how close he really was. Or maybe the desk was small. I didn't have the brain cells to figure that out at this moment.

"Well i-it was actually about my reasoning in the m-mafia" just saying out that was terrifying. What was more terrifying was his stoney, expressionless face. I couldn't tell if he expected these type of questions, but I continued.

"Whenever I'm at the hospital, I f-feel something off. Not to mention, Itzel said you dragged me into your world a-and I don't want those close to me to fear for their lives like I am" Gosh that was so ridiculous. Why didn't you just upfront him about your problems rather than beat around the bush.

"So what you're telling me is that you want to know why I'm keeping you in the dark about my world and why I'm not answering your questions" spot on. But did I have the nerves to say that? Hell no. Otherwise I'd fear his rejection of not answering my questions and In the end I'd look like a fool. Again.

"You have not succeeded to attain my full trust, but you don't really have a choice but to keep your mouth shut now do you, wifey?" He smiled down at me for the first time, but of course it wasn't real. It was as fake as this entire happy go-to persona he had on. He was testing me, I'm sure. Testing my limits.

I nodded fearfully, not liking this side of him at all.

"Well..." He relaxed back in his chair, lighting a cigarette and blowing out a puff.

"I'm that case, why don't we start from the beginning" his face lit up with a cruel smirk.

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