The Mafia King’s Teacher

Chapter 1 : Debt

Lisa sighed as she adjusted her heavy bag. Her bike broke months ago, and she could not afford to get it fixed. In London, that meant only one thing, she had to walk. Not that she minded, but the children at her primary school had just finished their projects on the solar system, and they were heavy.

Lisa stopped for a moment to catch her breath. It was then that she noticed a tall, dark man crossing the road. The man did not seem to notice there was a speeding car heading towards him. Lisa didn't stop to think. She dropped her bag and ran towards the man. She pushed him out of the way, and they both landed heavily on the pavement. The car didn't bother to stop and continued down the road at great speed. "Arsehole!" Lisa shouted at the car, now in the distance, as she sat up. "Are you OK?"

The man sat up and looked at Lisa with his amber-brown eyes. Thanks to you, I am!"

"It is fine, don't worry about it," Lisa said, dismissively. The man seemed to study her for a second. Lisa was highly aware of her mousey brown hair, which was cut into a practical bob, and her grey eyes. Lisa was under no illusion that she was average looking and did not mind this. In fact, she wanted to melt into the background.

Lisa studied the man. The black tailored suit hid a well-toned body, and he had perfectly placed locks of black hair. His skin tone was unmistakably Hispanic, and his accent sounded South American. Whatever it was, Lisa was not interested. She had been out with a pretty boy before and was paying for it even now.

"Please, you are bleeding. Let me attend to..." the man said. But before he could finish his sentence, Lisa had jumped up.

"Oh, no!" Lisa said as she ran across the road to get her bag. Some of the students' projects had escaped and were fluttering down the street. She was desperately trying to catch them and was surprised when the man crossed the road and helped. When they had succeeded in catching all the projects, Lisa put the safety back in her bag and said, "Thank you!"

It is my pleasure and it is the least I can do. That bag looks heavy. Can I carry it for you, Mrs.? " The man said.

"Oh, no thank you! It is quite alright. " Lisa said with a smile.

"Please, let me repay the favour. It is the least I can do as a gentleman, and I won't rest easily tonight unless I help you. " The man said, with a smile, as he grabbed her hand, which was bleeding. "This won't do!" the man muttered as he got out a clean white hankie and wrapped it around Lisa’s hand. The hankie had the initials MM sewn on it in red. He tied it and said, "There! Now that is much better, don't you think? "

"Yes, thank you!" Lisa said, trying not to blush.

"All right, where are we going? And my name is Matto Maldonado, but my friends call me Matt." Matt said.

"And I am Elizabeth Barlow," Lisa said with a smile. It was a lie, but one she told many times. She saw a small flicker of something in Matt’s eye, but it was gone before Lisa could identify what it was.

"Well Mrs Barlow, shall we get going?" Matt said. Somehow, Matt had managed to get the bag and it was over his shoulder. Lisa could not get it back without making a scene. 

"Sure, my home is just this way," Lisa said as she started walking. 

"Excellent! So, you are a teacher. What age group do you teach? " Matt asked casually.

"I teach primary school age." 

"That must be interesting. Have you been in London long and do you like it? " 

"You ask a lot of questions, don't you?" Lisa said.

"I apologise, it is my nature as a Brazilian to be open and friendly!" 

"Ah, so that is your accent! From where in Brazil are you from? " Lisa said as she turned a corner to a block of high rise flats.

"Rio Janeiro" 

"Ah, the city of beaches and sun! How wonderful. So, this is me and thank you once again. " Lisa said with a smile.

"You live here?" Matt said, a little unconvinced.

"For my sins, yes. I would invite you in for a cup of tea, but I am afraid that the place is a mess and... " Lisa said, desperately trying to get rid of him politely. 

"That does not matter to me, and I would love a cup of coffee. Or you can go upstairs, change, and I could take you out for dinner. " Matt said with a smile, that Lisa was sure would melt most women's hearts.

"I am sorry, but I am married." Lisa lied once more.

"Come now, there is no ring on your finger," Matt said, looking at her hand.

"What are you, a detective?" Lisa snapped, and Matt chuckled, as he put his hands up in surrender.

"Ok, OK, I get it, today is not a good day!" Mat said.

"No day is a good day. You have walked me home and have returned the favour. Thank you so much and I really, really hope you have a good evening, Mr Maldonado," Lisa said firmly as she took the bag from him.

"As you wish, but know this: you saved my life, Elizabeth, and that is a debt that cannot be repaid easily. I am honour bound to make sure the debt is repaid or bad karma will come back to haunt me. " Matt said.

"Well, good luck with all that!" Lisa said as she walked away in the direction of the door. 

Matt watched her walk down the path and through a coded gate. It was the first time he had been rejected by a woman in his life, and he was not sure how to process it. Most of the time, women flung themselves at him because he was the heir to the most powerful gang in Brazil, the Sun Gods. This also meant that he was next in line to be the chairman of the South American syndicate. This position brought extreme wealth and power. Even when he hid his identity, he had no difficulty charming women into his arms and bed. Yet, this woman had rejected him outright. Mat was broken from his thoughts by a familiar voice.

"Are you OK, Boss?" 

"I am not sure, Simon." Mat said as he turned to his second in command. Simon was a couple of years younger than he was. He was darker in colouring than Mat but had the same black hair and brown eyes. Simon was incredibly sharp and could find solutions to major issues in seconds. As childhood friends, there was no one Matt trusted more than his childhood friend.

"Are you hurt? Do you need medical attention? " Simon said with a frown.

"No, but I need you to do something for me." 

"Of course, Matt, what is it?" 

"I need you to find out everything you can about a woman called Miss Mitchell. She lives in this area and works at St Paul's Infant School." Matt explained. He had taken notes when he was collecting the children's work. He couldn't help it, it was just a habit from the business he was in. It also intrigued him why a woman, who had just saved his life, would lie to him.

"You don't know the woman's first name?" Simon said, frowning.

"No, but I know with your skills you will be able to find out soon enough." 

"True. Can I ask the reason why you want to find this woman?" Simon said.

"Just call it curiosity," Matt said.