The Cartel’s Queen

A Happy Reunion

I looked over at the clock and saw that it was 9:23pm. I served a couple of people more drinks before I wiped the bar down. I even snuck myself a shot, bending down and avoiding the cameras. If I was gonna be up all night, the least I needed was a shot.

I watched more people pile in the casino as the time passed by. They were more wealthy than the regular people who came in. I could tell by the way they were dressed. Fancy suits, with their shiny and fancy dress shoes. Slicked back hair, and tattoos. Some even had gang tattoos on them, I could tell by the writings. These were some serious people. Cartel people.

What the hell is going on?! Who are these people and why are they here?

I looked over at the clock and saw that it was 9:45pm. I could see the men walk off towards the private room. Of course they were here for the meeting in the private room. Just great, I will be serving people from the cartel. I’m sure they are savages and have no respect for women.

I sighed frustratedly, trying to get my anger under control now. I cannot lose my job, nor my life. I mean I want to live, I want to explore the world. Live a better life than to just have been surviving this whole time. I need something more than this life. I deserve better, and I’m willing to live to find out what’s in store for me.

As I was pouring a drink for a customer, I looked over at the casino doors. A man I knew from Rio walked in along with some other people. The guy's name was Santiago.

Santiago was very wealthy. I could tell by his suit and the custom rolls Royce he pulled up in everytime. Santiago was an older gentleman, yet very handsome. But his aura was very dark and evil. I stayed far away from him, even when he gives me “f**k me eyes.”

I’ve carried on small conversations with him when I make him drinks to be polite, but I try to stay busy and out of his hair. He creeps me out and makes me feel so dirty by just having a mere conversation with him.

As his crowd walked through the casino, a familiar face caught my eyes. I couldn’t help but see that the man had similar features to Enzo, but the man’s hair was so much longer. It was dark brown and curly like Enzo’s used to be, but I couldn’t tell if it was Enzo.

The man turned his face, revealing the same scar Enzo had from when he fell down the stairs of our house and had a gash above his eyebrow.

OMG! Is it really Enzo?!

Before I could even process anything, my feet carried me over to the man before he made it into the private room.

His features were more manly and distinct. He had a yellow skin complexion, with tattoos peeking out of his black suit. We still looked similar in the face, yet Enzo looked so different from the last time I saw him.

I tapped him on the shoulder as he waited in the crowd. Santiago talked to Rio at the private room door as we stood behind everyone.

The man turned around and looked shocked when he recognized me. It really was Enzo because he pulled me into his arms, hugging me.

“Is that really you Enzo?” I asked out emotionally as tears ran down my face

I’ve missed my brother so much. I just wanted him to be safe, and it killed me not knowing what happened to him.

“It’s really me, Amina.” Enzo said out shocked as he hugged me lovingly

He pulled back from the hug, laughing amusedly. I could see his pupils and knew he was on something. I could see him stagger a little as he stood in front of me. He was definitely on coke, I could tell. I mean I did it at one point of my life, so I know.

“Look at you, so beautiful.”

I laughed out amusedly at his shocked face as he gazed over me.

“I’ve gained weight.” I replied back, wiping my tears

He rolled his eyes and laughed at me.

“I didn’t know you were working here? I come here all the time.”

“I’ve been working here for the past two years and haven’t seen you until now.” I said out confusedly

“I’m usually here at like past two in the morning. That might be why.”

I shook my head understanding him, not pushing him about it.

“Where have you been? What have you been up to?” I asked out to him curiously eager, wanting to know

I want to know what my little brother has been up to.

He ran his fingers along my arms, seeing the scars I had from fighting.

“You don’t have an old man beating you up do you?!” My brother questioned out to me angrily

“No!” I snapped flusteredly “I just found another route to make fast money.”

He looked at me curiously, but didn’t push me on the subject.

“All I can tell you is that I’ve been okay. What I do is totally irrelevant.”

His words had a lot of mystery behind them. I honestly didn’t want to know what he did, I’m assuming it’s not good if he’s hanging around Santiago.

“So you don’t have anything to do with the cartel and those people over there?” I whispered out annoyedly, looking him in his eyes

He sighed frustratedly

“I can never get anything past you huh?” He said out frustratedly

“I just want you to be safe Enzo. All I ever wanted to do was protect you. You are my little brother.”

Enzo’s face softened, giving me a look of love.

“You’ve always protected me, now it’s my turn to protect you.”

“Enzo!” Santiago yelled out from the private room door, rushing him over “Stop flirting with the staff.”

“Coming Boss!” Enzo yelled out frustratedly

He turned back to me, giving me one last hug.

“I gotta go, we’ll catch up later okay.”

Enzo ran towards the private room, disappearing inside with Santiago and the rest of his men.

I could see Rio looking at me confusedly. He knows about my past, but he doesn’t really know about my brother. I mean I told him I had a brother and that I left him at home, but he doesn’t know who my brother is. He knows I haven’t seen my brother since I left home.

Rio disappeared into the room with the rest of the crowd, leaving me with so many conflicting thoughts.

I looked back at the bar and could see people waiting for drinks. I still had about ten minutes left on my shift and needed to finish up. I rushed back over to the bar and made the people their drinks. After I was done, I wiped down the counter.