THE MAFIA QUEENMY MAN HAS A MATE

Chapter 1

REA E. SUWAIB's POV

"Rea, child! Wake up, Reyang!" I heard my grandma, Areah, shouting at me. I was startled by the deafening volume of her voice. Be warned-my grandmother has a voice like a loudspeaker.

I scratched my head and buried my face in my pillow, covering my ears with both hands to block out her voice. I just wanted to go back to sleep. My sleep was so good, Grandma.

Grandma Areah serves as my morning alarm clock. Just her voice alone is enough to wake you up, even if you're in a deep sleep. I'm sure she could wake up the people resting in the cemetery too.

Grandma's voice is truly painful to the ears. It seems like the whole house shakes, and you feel like all our furniture will move around. My grandmother is like my mother-she doesn't show any signs of weakness, even though she's getting old.

She's already 65 years old but still very strong. My grandpa Henriko is the same. They're the same age.

"Reyang! What's with this child! I've been calling you for a while now! You sleep like a log no matter what!" she yelled from downstairs. Yes, even though our house is old and antique, with a second floor like them, you can clearly hear their voices from below.

This house belongs to them, and it's where my father grew up, became a man, and everything. That's why I call it antique.

"Areah, the neighbors can hear you. Let our granddaughter rest. You know she was tired yesterday," Grandpa Henriko said.

I am close to both my grandparents, but Grandpa Henriko is more of my ally in the house. Grandma Areah always picks on me, but I know she loves me. It's obvious from the way she takes care of me, even though I'm already grown.

"What rest, Henriko? Did you forget what day it is?" Grandma Areah snapped at Grandpa.

I moved in my small bed and slightly opened my eyes. I looked at my closed window, covered by black curtains. Yes, they're black instead of colorful, because that's what I prefer. I like black; it kind of matches my personality.

Wait, I thought about what Grandma said. What's special about today? I tried to remember what today was about.

"The exhibit!" Grandma and Grandpa shouted at the same time, and I quickly sat up, remembering!

I was part of our barangay's exhibit, and they invited guests from Manila who might buy our artworks if they liked them.

It's fiesta time here, so we have events like this. It was organized by our barangay captain. I had been preparing for this day, hoping someone would buy one of my paintings. That would add to my savings. Oh no, I need to get ready!

I hurriedly got up as my small room door opened.

"Good morning, Grandpa and Grandma!" I cheerfully greeted them, even though I wasn't fully presentable yet.

My long, curly hair was a mess, and I knew there was dried drool on my cheek. Grandpa Henriko smiled at me, but Grandma Areah gave me a stern look.

"Good morning to you too, granddaughter," Grandpa greeted me back.

"If you're late, I won't ask the captain for any favors again!" Grandma threatened. Yes, she was the one who talked to our barangay captain to get me into the exhibit. No one else would remember me. Like my favorite color, I'm dark in the eyes of most people.

I feel insecure because other artists here even get invitation cards to join the barangay exhibit. It's undeniable that they are all smart and talented. Some are well-known and have sold out their paintings in Manila several times.

Unlike me, it seems like only my family supports and appreciates my artworks. And the kids? Oh, they're scared of them. I can't blame them-my paintings are pretty scary, especially to children. But they're not really meant for kids.

"Come on, Grandma. Don't be like that. Besides, I know you won't do it. You love me too much," I babbled, but she just frowned at me.

"Go take a bath already!" she shouted at me. I scratched my head again and headed for the door. The bathroom is downstairs, not in my room, so I had to go down.

"Ouch!" I yelped as Grandma slapped my butt. She often does that to me, even though I'm already grown. It's embarrassing if someone saw-they'd think I'm a troublemaker.

"Areah, come on. She's a grown woman now, yet you still do that to her." I smiled at Grandpa's defense. See? He's my ally whenever Grandma bullies me. Yes, she bullies me.

The bathroom is in the kitchen, and I hurriedly went there, but I slapped my forehead when I realized I forgot my towel. I didn't want to go back to my room.

"Really?" I heard Grandma say as she threw my black towel at my face. I smiled. See? She loves me too much to resist or stay mad at me.

"Hurry up, so we can have breakfast," she said, making me move even faster.

The water was freezing because I forgot to ask for hot water from Grandma, but I endured it, knowing I might be late.

Our exhibit starts at 9 AM, and there are only fifteen of us artists. I hope I get lucky today. After my quick bath, I rushed upstairs and into my room.