Cleopatra, The Mafia Queen

Cleopatra

"So it is 2022?" I asked, it was more of a question to myself than it was to Harley, but she still answered.

"Yes, boss," she said. And I nodded, and I don't know how many times I had done this. So it was a rebirth. No matter how hardcore the mafia had made me, I was still shaken. I had really died, and it was true. Don killed me.

I felt a shiver run up and down my spine. And it was not only from fear—no, it was from something else. So that allure I felt from him—it was all true? He was hiding his true self from me? From the world? But why?

This got me intrigued, and as I thought heavily about it, there was a sudden knock on the door. They did not even wait for me to answer before they just barged in. My eyes turned cold.

"Cleo, darling, how could you be so heartless?!" my first aunt, Deborah, said, making her way toward my bed.

"Yes, big sister Cleo, how could you leave us stranded at the boutique? Our cards declined, and you were nowhere to be found!" my first aunt's daughter, Veronica, like her mother, barged into my hospital room to complain about money.

"Yeah, and I had to give them my card, big sister, so now you need to pay me," my uncle's child, Riley, said.

That's right. Welcome to my world. My family—or rather my father's side of the family—all come to me seeking one thing: money. That's all I am needed for in the Santiga family.

I instantly felt a headache on my neck and the lower part of my head.

"Ms. Young master and young miss, the boss has been admitted here because of a health problem. Can all your complaints wait for later when she feels better?" Harley said, reprimanding them.

This shook them. Immediately, my aunt took two steps back, and the other two followed.

"What is it that could take you down? Rabies?" my aunt asked, and I almost facepalmed.

I wondered who would tell her that I'd have to be bitten by a dog before I got rabies, and right now, the only dogs barking up my tree were them.

"Or it could be one of those illnesses, you know, the ones you get from blood, because you're always covered in blood," my snobbish cousin Veronica said.

She struck a nerve. While I was "covered" in blood, they used the same blood money I earned for the family to do whatever the heck they wanted—from traveling to buying many unnecessary things. Honestly, out of all the things I would regret in getting a second chance at life, it was my paternal family.

My uncles and aunts, along with their children, could be considered one of the dumbest mafia families in the region. I bust my ass off for them. But worse still, they had been eyeing this position, trying to take the leadership role from me, which was why, in my past life, I am sure, they betrayed me.

I remembered Don saying, "My cousin sent him the pictures," which ultimately meant they schemed against me.

Honestly, I wouldn't care less about this position. They could have it if they wanted, but they would drive this family into the ground because of their selfish needs and greed. They would kill off whatever legacy my father and grandfather left.

"Aunt, if you have nothing else to say, I'll meet you guys at the house later, and yes, I'll fix your cards. Maybe it's just a mistake from the bank's side," I said, suddenly feeling exhausted.

In my past life, I tolerated them, and in this life, I guess I would be doing the same, because family is family at the end of the day. This is something I couldn't escape from, like, ever.

"Oh, honey, thank you so much! But seriously, what's wrong with you?" my aunt said, trying to sound like she cared, but I clearly knew she was just too happy about the bags of money she was counting on my head.

"It's nothing serious. You guys can go now," I said dismissively.

"Aww, big sister, my mom is worried. Come on, tell us. Or if not, you, tell us," Veronica, the oblivious girl, said, pointing at Harley.

They'd been seeing her by my side for years, and yet they didn't even know her name.

"It's Harley, young miss, and the boss fainted due to low blood sugar," Harley said, and I smiled at her sassy comment.

"Oh, it's just low blood sugar—not a big deal, then," Riley said, playing with his latest iPhone Pro.

"Oh, yeah, you're right, it's not a big deal. But what is low blood sugar?" Veronica said.

"Oh, honey, a low blood sugar means you have little sugar in your blood," my aunt said.

"Yes, but why?" Veronica asked.

"Well, because—"

I had reached my limit for the day. I pinched my nose and looked down at my bed.

Harley took this as a signal. "Please leave. The boss wants to rest," she interrupted them.

"Oh, yes, of course, let's leave you to rest. But be sure to fix that problem today, okay? I have a trip with the girls, and I need new outfits. Ciao, little niece," my aunt said as she was being ushered out by Harley.

Click.

The door closed, and I let out a breath. They are still as exhausting in this life.

"Harley, I'll finish the discharge procedures. Please bring the car around. I want to go visit my husband," I said.

I couldn't keep dreading life. The Santigas had taken up so much of my time in my past life, and right now, they reminded me of the many sacrifices I had done for the family, and yet they still betrayed me in the end.

Now, I want to stop all that, and instead, focus on my husband.

What if he had the potential to be my ideal type, and I never knew it because I was busy nursing the Santigas? In this life, it's not too late. I will pay a little more attention to him. Let's see what he is hiding behind that weak act.