After the conversation Gaidel, Karlo, and I had inside the conference room, I was left alone with nothing to do but stare at the wall in front of me, as the two of them went outside, and Karlo wanted me to stay. I remained sitting on the swivel chair with both hands at the sides of my head, my elbows pressed against the table, and statuesque in my position. This can’t be true. This must be a dream. The information about being the heiress of this mysterious mafia organization was a lot to process.

If my life were not at stake, would I have known everything about this? Would I have known that my parents built up a dangerous mafia organization where bad people chased them? And now that they are gone, I will take over? What the actual fu-?

“Minerva,” I heard Karlo’s voice behind me, but I still did not turn to where he was. “We will leave now.”

“I think I’m going to throw up first. Where’s the powder room?” I asked before standing up and confronting him. “Or is it kind of a portal again where I know that my parents are secret aliens and we are going to conquer the humans in this fucked up world?!”

Karlo did not even flinch as I hyperventilated. I paced back and forth in front of him. He sighed and closed the door, stashing his hands in his pockets.

“I will answer your questions when we get home. For now, you have to rest and eat in the mansion-“

“I don’t care if I am hungry or sleepy! I want the answers now!” I exclaimed dramatically. “Do you expect me to go out there, knowing that I am being hunted by enemies that I don’t even know? Enemies of my parents who killed them?”

“Fine,” he defeatedly said and nodded. “What do you want to ask?”

“You said that instead of me, you will take over this organization, because my parents want to live my life normally. And now, you are pushing me to become the Red Cartel queen?” I widened my eyes at him. “If you want me to be protected, you can just put stupid bodyguards around me!”

He indulgently shook his head. “I don’t think you understand the situation, Minerva. If there were an easy way out without you being involved, I would risk my life to take that way for you to be safe and happy.”

What is up with his subtle and sweet words? Even though I don't want to like it, I wouldn't deny that it has some effect on me that I can’t recognize. Perhaps because it's been a long time since we got married, and we have always seen each other since we live together.

“The Red Cartel is the most powerful among all the mafia organizations. Many enemies of this organization will attempt to destroy it to the ground. I would bring hell to them if I wanted to. I could protect myself, you, and this organization. But it is not as easy as I thought,” he elucidated without taking his eyes off me. “Every organization that is an enemy of the Red Cartel cannot be underestimated. They may have weaknesses, and we may surpass them from all of the factors, the reason why your parents kept this dangerous stance from you and maintained this secret for a long time, so you could live your life the way you want to, like a normal person…”

I didn’t like the idea at all – people keeping secrets from me, and knowing that it is for my own good. I know I am raised to be selfish because I am a spoiled brat, but if it’s too important like this, I don’t think I could suck up to that.

“Moreover, the situation has already changed. Your parents are not here to maintain the organization's safety and stability. Without a king or queen to lead, it will inevitably be colonized by the greedy organizations out there. You need to step up, Minerva, or the cities will fall into the hands of corrupt and criminals.”

Karlo slowly stepped forward, and his eyes conveyed a pleading look that I would surely fall for. I don’t love him. I don’t like him at all. But maybe it was because of how dangerously handsome, mysterious, and cold he is that I am attracted to him. Hell, if I don’t know him and I am just a random, plain woman, I would kneel in front of him and beg him to be mine.

But here he is, risking his life to protect and take care of me, given to me by my parents.

I sighed. “So it only means that if I don’t get to know how to protect myself, despite these stupid bodyguards around me, I am still doomed, right?”

“Yes…”

“And I should lead the organization in place of my parents?”

“Precisely.”

“What if I don’t want to?”

He slowly lowered his head. He doesn’t seem to be disappointed or upset, though. It was as if he had already accepted the fate of the decision that I will make.

“T-Then I will not force you to-“

“I am just kidding. I liked catfights when I was in high school and was a queen bee praised by a lot of students before, so I don’t think it will be different from this Red Cartel stuff,” I said and crossed my arms. “As long as you don’t get to leave me when you’re the one who introduced me to this secret my parents kept from me…”

When he raised his head with his delighted and astonished expression, his smile sounded as if he was attacking me with his warm embrace. I was left speechless. What the hell? His cologne filled my nostrils. He let out a heavy sigh of relief.

“Thank you so much, Minerva. I am already proud of you,” he whispered. “And I promise not to leave you.”

I felt my cheeks heat up because I was too flustered by his whisper and embrace. He must have realized it when he abruptly stepped backward and casually caressed his nape, his ears reddening like a teenage boy being shy over his crush.

“S-Sorry, I was overwhelmed,” he stated.

“Too overwhelmed,” I agreed back and cleared my throat. “I… I have to go to the washroom.”

“I will escort you, then.”

If I just knew where the restroom was, I would have gone to it without him, so he would not see my flustered face. He even waited for me outside the washroom, but he remained silent after I was done. After that, he led the way towards the door where we entered the headquarters. There were still people training on the ground, barely noticing us from the second floor, except for Gaidel, who was waiting for us. I squinted my eyes when she did not even remove her eyes from Karlo in front of me. When we had already neared, she then placed her gaze on me.

“Ms. Santiago, you can always tell us when you are going to train with us. I suppose you are still not ready since everything must be confusing to you right now,” she pointed out.

I gazed at Karlo first before regarding her. Before answering her, I circled my arm around Karlo’s arm, urging her to look at our arms. I saw her gulp, while I felt Karlo glance at me. I continued looking at Gaidel.

“Please, it’s Mrs. Rodriguez,” I corrected bluntly. “Anyway, I will just raise a head to my husband. But yes, you are right. Everything is still confusing to me, but I know Karlo will help me out since we are just under one roof.”

“Y-Yes, of course, Mrs. Rodriguez,” she said and nodded repeatedly, now regarding Karlo beside me. “Thank you for visiting, Mr. Rodriguez.”

“I just wanted my wife to see the headquarters and know everything. Thank you also for your help, Gaidel. We will leave now.”

“Please take care.” Gaidel barely looked at me but still bowed her head in respect. “Mrs. Rodriguez…”

“Thank you, Gaidel.”

I slightly pulled Karlo’s arm as we went outside. He was slightly flinching when we walked towards the elevator. When I heard the door of the headquarters closing, I slowly removed my arm from his arm. He inhaled sharply and pressed the button of the elevator. It opened, and he guided me inside.

“Gaidel has a crush on you,” I reckoned, and looked up to him as the elevator moved now. “I can see from her eyes...”

He furrowed his eyebrows at me. “After everything that you know about the Red Cartel, the truth behind the death of your parents, and your right to become the heiress of the organization, all you think about is Gaidel having a crush on me?” he said and chuckled as if I was so funny. “You are just so extraordinary, do you even know that?”