I really wanted to name this chapter as 59: Laila the trickster, but IK that my readers scroll through the chapters first, and if they read the title for the chapter, they would probably get a gist of what's gonna go down :,-) It pains me, but yeah, you can now proceed to the remainder of this chapter. Let me know how it is!

Madrid Police station, Spain:

Being here right now was a much more easier and less daunting task in my head. The building read 'Policia Local' and I couldn't help but think what made me arrive here. So much happened in this past week of being in Spain.

The wind was picking up its speed. My coat doing nothing but allowing my body heat to escape. The sky was grey, awaiting a storm to happen very soon.

One moment me and Lameesa were sat patiently waiting for the police officer before us to reply back on our case. And in the next moment, Officer Bernando was lying in a pool of his own blood.

Lameesa from beside me shrieked out like an animal untamed, as fresh, warm blood clutched to our clothes and skin. I felt sick, and before I had time to do so, I quickly rushed me and Lameesa behind one of the desks. I could hear the prayers that she whispered under her breath.

The alarm was deafening and it didn't help that gunshots were going off simultaneously. I had to press my hands against my ears in order to tone down the horror.

A man was perched against the entrance, looking directly at me. His outfit was small on him and I'd realised then this was the physical nightmare I'd faced multiple sleepless nights and turmoil for. A sickening feeling appeared in my gut. He was bad news. His hand floated in the air, waving at me and in that moment, that action alone was enough to paralyse me.

With a single blink he was gone.

My widened eyes met Lameesas' scared ones, but for an entirely different reason. Her reaction told me she didn't witness the man stood there seconds before. Could he have been a police officer? Or was he in disguise? Her face reflected mine. Those same widened eyes that couldn't believe what was happening.

After a few minutes of sitting there in our thoughts, two female police officers came up to us asking if we were okay. One of them clasped onto my hand as if to soothe me. But something was amiss. Just before she could let go she clasped my own hand in itself, into a fist.

She'd given me a paper.

I felt as if the weight of the world resided upon my shoulders in that moment.

"Estas Bien?" The other one asked.

We nodded in fear. I couldn't trust no one. That guy was surely a police officer right? Or was he an imposter? And if he was, it meant he was after me. There was simply no other explanation.

It was after an hour exactly that we reached home. Both of us too shook from the incident, we excused ourselves to our rooms. There I finally had time to open the letter addressed to me. One was from the imposter and another was from the police How they knew me, I did not know. I decided to read the Police officer's one first, because from hereon out I knew the worst was yet to come.

The police department of Madrid would like to aid you in your situation regarding your complaint. We had been informed that you have been receiving suspicious letters from the most dangerous and sought after Mafia of Spain, upon you being able to identify their stamps. Their leader has never been seen by the public, which makes your job as our ally, much more crucial. Through you, we believe we are one step closer to justice. On behalf of the Police department of Madrid, I would like to meet with you personally and discuss further arrangements.

Please burn this letter after reading and noting down the location, date and time. Keep in mind this is for your safety. I hope to see you soon, Misses Laila Bakhash.

My hands shook upon discovering my task. Did I really have a choice? I thought so until the final sentence played out in my mind like some sort of haunting tune.

I hope to see you soon, Misses Laila Bakhash.

And just like that, I became the rat of the most feared Mafia of all time. The only question running through my mind right till the very second I fell asleep was, did I make the right decision?

Rascafria, Spain:

After a torturous one and a half hour journey to the quiet city of Rascafria, I jumped out of the car in record time, thanked the driver with a wad of notes and entered the cafe, which overlooked the scenery.

I had no idea whom I was looking for, whether it was a female or male. All I knew was this was my appointed place. Soon, a waiter arrived at the table, asking if I wanted anything to eat.

"A cup of coffee please, black" I found myself saying, despite how much I despised it. My tongue was accustomed to tea, not bitter coffee and the fact that I'd ordered black meant I would need to be alert for anything which would be instructed to me.

My gaze followed the waiter as he walked to other customers who seemed to be waiting patiently for their order. Just then, the door bell clinked with more customers, and immediately I knew, just like in the movies, that this was the person I was supposed to meet.

The mysterious person came and sat down opposite me. I was taken aback by how they knew who I was. Must've seen me at the police station. It was a female, donned in black from head to toe, from the black fedora down to her black shoes. Way to look like any other person here. I thought and slightly squirmed, looking around.

Surely the mafia would not bother themselves with such a cafe, in such a remote town. I could only hope so.

Out of sheer curiosity, I compared my own jeans and oversized jumper against the ladies black, two piece suit. Safe to say, it looked like I came here to have fun and her, on business. It was anything but the former.

"Misses Bakhash, a pleasure to meet you. My name is Louisa May" she announced stretching her hand out to greet me. Subconsciously, I straightened my back at the formality. I should not come off as a slouch.

I cleared my throat. "Nice to meet you Misses May"

She smiled slightly, taking back her hand and rubbing it against her black blazer. My eyebrows shot up at her action but then I realised who this person was. Don't mind her rudeness, Laila. I wasn't one to have sweaty hands, so her grimace and poor behaviour was uncalled for.

"Let's get straight to business, shall we?" She smiled that fake smile, not waiting for me to reply. I clamped my mouth shut. Just then, the waiter came back with my coffee and took out his notebook to order from Misses May. She declined in Spanish before he could even ask what she wanted.

She wasn't someone to mess with, was she?

"Before I continue, I want you to sign these agreements. If you read through, you will see what is expected of you during this mission" she exclaimed, handing me the manila folder which seemed to have many sheets full of information.

I glanced over the pages, not being able to focus. Coffee. Have some coffee Barakah. And so I did, talking a sip, and mentally recoiling at the bitterness in my mouth. Who drinks this for a passion. I remembered thinking then.

Soon after, I signed the papers, waiting patiently for the women before me to explain what was expected of me.

"Firstly, our communication will be kept limited, since this is the Mafia we are dealing with, and if they found out about our plan and you, things will go badly. So, we will personally contact you when we deem fit and safe to do so. We expect to know anything and everything that you will discover from the mafia, even if it seems like the most minute, unimportant piece of information. Since nothing like your case has been reported before to the Police, we will take great precautions and measures. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to bring back justice for all that had been happening at the hands of the Mafia" she'd concluded with a fierce glean in her eyes.

"And what would I get out of all this? And how do I know you won't take me as an accomplice of the Mafia if something happens"

"Why you will become a national, if not global sensation. The great Spanish Mafia, defeated by a Muslim girl. How does that sound" not very pleasing. Especially if this Mafia has ties with other Mafias across the world. They would surely come for me if they were to learn what was to happen to the Spanish Mafia. The most feared in all of Europe.

"If that does not appease you, then be sure to know that you will be rewarded generously. Your mission is now in the hands of the government, who will not hesitate to pay you enough for a lifetime. That's if we are able to defeat the Mafia. God forbid that doesn't occur" she huffed out in exasperation, already sure that her plan would go smoothly from point A to point A. No plan B needed, simply observing from our short meetup, she looked like someone who got what they wanted. No bs.

"The answer to your second question is this file. Sign it and the Police force will know your loyalty stands by us". I nodded once, processing the information.

It wasn't until her plan failed in my mind multiple times, that I held back my scoff. In such situations, I needed to think with a cool head. So I asked her for some time, to which she smiled fakely, nodding. I expected for the conversation to be over and done with for now, however, she had other plans in mind.

"Well I guess I'll see you in a few days, I just need some time thinking this over" I announced awkwardly, clasping my fingers tightly between themselves.

A sad look crossed her face, her mouth working into a grimace "I'm sorry Misses Bakhash, but that will not be possible. It's a decision which needs to be made right now. I've got the entire police force in Spain waiting for your answer, so please do answer wisely" she said professionally, however I could see the act running thin. She was impatient for my agreement. Dare I say, on the edge.

Quite literally. Her hands jittery. Her jaw hard. Shoulders tense. Stare unusually fixed on my face.

"I-i..." I don't know what to say.

It's like the world was wearing thin, and only I and her were stood face to face. As if a battle between two bulls was about to start. She stared at me long and hard, adding onto my pressure. The chitter chatter and the occasional cutlery noise toned down until there was a buzz of silence.

"Y-yes!" I breathed a sigh of exasperation. Happy that the pressure was lifted off of me. "I'll do it. But if anyone of my family members or even anyone that I come into contact with get hurt, you can say goodbye to this deal" I exclaimed fiercely.

It doesn't matter if anything happened to me. As long as those close to me remained alive and well.

"You have a deal, Misses Bakhash. We will meet again, soon. Have a good afternoon" her lips widened in glee, almost to the extent of creepiness, picking up the papers I'd just signed and stretching her hand out. I didn't take it, remembering her behaviour the last time I extended my kindness.

Her smile faultered the slightest, bringing happiness to my heart, before she covered it up with a grin, turning away to leave. Once she was out of the vicinity, I finally crouched my back, my mind all over the place.

If stress doesn't kill me, this line of work definitely will.

Wednesday 13th November, Madrid Convenience Store, Spain: 6:13 am.

It was just after I'd offered Fajr prayer, when my phone vibrated with a ping. It was an unknown number but I knew exactly whom it was. After a couple of hours, I found myself at a corner shop which supplied newspapers mainly amongst other things.

A streak of recognition passed by the shopkeeper, before he reached for something behind the desk. It was a stack of newspapers. I gave him the red file which I'd stolen from the hospital upon the Mafia Lord's order. God, I'd become a plaything for the Mafia. What had my life come to?! The question emerged as I thanked the man, whom nodded once.

Not wanting to arise too much suspicion, he went back to his customers, as they payed for their sandwich. I retreated back discreetly, my heart in my ears. In that moment I remember feeling afraid, as if someone could hear how loud my heart was palpitating.

Just in time, I made it for the train. I practically sprinted once out of the shops vicinity towards the station. Leaning against the door for some air, once sorted I walked over to the seat in the corner and skimmed through the stack of newspapers. Looking around, thankfully no one was around.

I was practically itching to see what was hidden in the stack, but that thought died down the second I realised if I did anything out of the ordinary in public, suspicions would arise. And that was the last thing I needed. I was pretty sure the Mafia had eyes everywhere. They could have installed cameras in this very train.

I knew then I just had to be cautious because I was no longer in my previous world. I was in a world of casual killings, kidnapping, drug smuggling. Everything illegal. And somehow I'd been caught up in it all.

It was still early on in the weekend and thankfully no one was yet awake. Those were my thoughts until I saw Lameesa coming out of her room. We both stood there, surprised to see the other awake at, looking at my clock it read, eight forty-seven. Her gaze travelled to a place much more eye-catching than my face and unfortunately that was the stack of newspapers.

"What's that?" She'd asked, casually walking towards me, tilting her head to analyse what the paper read. "Una pila de periódicos?" I looked at her stupidly as she mumbled to herself.

"Why did you buy so many newspapers chica? My mum has tonnes downstairs collecting dust in the drawers?" She'd inquired.

"Oh! I'm so stupid" I slapped myself on the forehead, "you should have told me that before!" I chuckled wryly. Why was I acting like this in front of her.

"Hmm" she hummed as I went towards my room "I didn't know you were such a fan of newspapers".

"Neither did I" I mumbled but she seemed to have understood anyway. Raising my hand in the air as if to say farewell, I shut the door and immediately got to removing the unwanted newspapers until I reached the file, burrowed deeply within them.

To say it looked exactly like the real one would be an underestimate. Skimming through the pages, everything seemed to be like how it was in the original red copy. Whatever, I needed to keep this safe, because according to Louisa May, this was the first thing the Mafia would ask for and when they did, "we were one step closer to victory" her words. Not mine.

To this day I still did not know where I stood in this cat and mouse game.

Friday 15th November, t

This wasn't supposed to happen. Rafael came to the hospital for the red file, but ended up leaving with me to the Mukhtar residence.

There, it was awkward, having to inform everyone whom this guy was dropping me off so late at night. Ultimately, then, he became my boss. Manager within the hospital. Whatever went with our story.

I dreaded most for him to enter my house, but that's what happened anyway. Now that he was here, and alone with me, I couldn't help but realised how big his stature was. I remember how at that time I seemed like a mouse before the cat. Prey for the predator. Vulnerable in the room that he made look so small.

I'd given him the fake file, which he didn't seem to suspect. If anything, he didn't show any feelings towards the content in his hand, meanwhile I glanced about the room nervously, not wanting him to see through my facade.

I was unsure of that, but didn't dwell any longer on the matter, coming out of my trance as he cleared his throat. I'd regarded him with wary eyes as he placed something on the table. Omertà as he called it. A code of silence within the Mafia. I'd heard of this watching Mafia documentaries but didn't exactly know what it was until the demon so explicitly explained what it was, and the consequences for those who didn't abide by the promise.

I was terrified as I signed my life away. Now I was broken. There was no way I'd make it out of this country without getting myself killed.

T

A couple of month passed away and I slowly became aware of the fact that the demon wasn't what I had him out to be.

I'd been blind to it all. Now I was his wife. I remember feeling like the most unluckiest of bride's on the day we married, but over time, I witnessed a side of Rafael I'd never even imagine.

Before I'd viewed him as a ruthless Mafia leader. A fugitive. Criminal. The list could go on, but now, more than anything he was my husband. A father.

I regretted joining hands with Louisa May. Initially I thought I could bring a change to the country. To shed light on dark. Make myself feel good about accomplishing something so grand at a young age. But all that changed.

My focus changed to becoming a mother for a child I'd never given birth to. To be a wife. And then, that changed too. In just a matter of seconds, the tables had been flipped. I became the rat to the most feared Mafia in all of Europe.

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