0. The Dating Club by Dannesya

BANG!

…

…

The smell of gunpowder filled the air, accompanied by the sound of bullets hitting the ground.

“Still talking about achievements at a time like this? Ridiculous,” the mocking voice shattered the tense silence.

“Give him epinephrine, prepare the defibrillator,” the doctor ordered.

The machine hummed as it charged, preparing for the last-ditch effort to save Alwin.

“Clear.”

“Clear.”

Alwin teetered on the brink of death, caught between life and death. In that darkness, he became a captive of those unwilling to let him go. Their efforts echoed in the void that held him.

The room held its breath as the electric shock jolted Alwin’s chest. His body arched, then fell back onto the bed.

The medical team froze, staring at the monitor, their faces reflecting the fear of failure to save him.

The doctor checked Alwin’s pupils, searching for any sign of response.

The stethoscope caught the irregular rhythm of his heartbeat.

His chest was pumped again.

Air was forcibly blown into his lifeless lungs, mechanical efforts to revive his respiratory system.

The metal plates were applied once again. The electric shock surged through his chest, like an explosion in his heart.

“Fuck, it hurts,” Alwin cursed through the silence.

The metal plates were placed again. The screech of the defibrillator filled the air.

His body jolted like a lifeless ragdoll.

“Fuck! Fuck!” Alwin screamed, his voice hoarse, breaking the stillness.

•

“ALWIN. WAKE UP, YOU BASTARD!!!”

Alwin’s eyes shot open, his throat choked by the tube inserted into his airways. He came to, thanks to a sharp slap from Arya.

Alwin groaned in intense pain, his moan reverberating through the room with an intensity that could make one’s stomach churn.

His body seemed to refuse to come back to consciousness so suddenly, feeling the violent clash between the agony of waking up and the struggle to return to awareness.

“Alwin!” Arya stared at him intensely, a mixture of relief and worry painted across his face. He slapped Alwin repeatedly. “Listen to me! Wake up! Wake up!”

He held Alwin’s head, gripping it tightly. “Come on, don’t keep sleeping!”

With a desperate move, Alwin gritted his teeth, lifted his hand, and tried to pull the intubation tube from his throat.

“Ngrhhhh!!!”

The pain hit him like fire from hell, every inch of the intubation tube fighting to stay in place. The room trembled with the force of Alwin’s struggle to escape the excruciating pain and reclaim his consciousness.

The bitter taste of metal filled his mouth with every breath he took.

“Oh, shit… shit…” Alwin’s raspy and strained voice filled the air, desperately fighting the sleep that threatened to overtake him.

“Come on, you can do this, Alwin. I know you can,” Arya’s voice encouraged but also urged him on.

When he finally managed to yank the tube out, the pain was unbearable, a burning sensation that echoed throughout his body.

“Arghhh!!! Fuuuckkk!”

Alwin’s saliva mixed with the tube he had pulled out recklessly and violently.

He felt like he might pass out again.

Tears involuntarily streamed down his face, a silent testament to how intense the pain was.

“Shit, it hurts like hell,” Alwin mumbled through clenched teeth.

Meanwhile, Arya had quickly removed the intravenous line, disconnected the wires from Alwin’s body, and helped him sit up.

“Slowly, Alwin. Slowly,” Arya said, his hands moving with a mix of urgency and calm.

“Let’s get out of here! Can you walk? Let’s get out and keep living.”

“There’s no way out for the two of us,” Alwin muttered. “Leave me here.”

“No way,” Arya replied firmly. “I’m not leaving you behind! We’re getting out together!”

Author’s note:

The Complex Layers of Love and Pain

In the world of storytelling, few themes captivate readers like the blend of intense emotions, mystery, and personal growth. A coming-of-age story with elements of dark romance, thriller, and mafia provides an enticing mix of suspense and complexity. But when wrapped in the delicate narrative of healing, friendship, and love, it becomes a journey not only of survival but of self-discovery. This is the story of Alwin and Arya, two characters who navigate the shadows of their past while trying to carve out a future filled with hope, healing, and unexpected bonds.

Stay tuned for more heart-stopping tales of survival and perseverance. Remember, no matter how tough life gets, there is always hope on the other side.

Read next chapter:

1. DATING CLUB BY DANNESYA

1. From Supermarket Clerk to Fake Mafia Fiancée

Ever wondered what it would be like if your mundane life suddenly spiraled into the chaotic world of the mafia? This enemies-to-lovers romance explores Mina Park’s unexpected journey from a supermarket cashier to a mafia fiancée. Happy reading!

——-

Mina Park stood behind the register at the supermarket in a bustling town in the USA, scanning customers’ groceries with automatic motions. As she checked the prices, she reflected on how her life seemed the same every day. The only thing that brought her comfort was the American dramas she watched during her breaks and her daydreams of a more glamorous life.

“That’ll be sixty dollars,” Mina said, staring at the register screen. “Would you like to pay with cash or card?”

The customer in front of her, an elderly woman who looked confused, anxiously rummaged through her wallet. “I think I only have fifty dollars here. Can I pay less?”

Mina smiled patiently. “I’m sorry, ma’am, but we can’t accept anything less than the total due. Perhaps you could go back to your car and look for the rest of the money?”

The woman sighed deeply and dug back into her wallet, finally finding the missing cash. “Oh, thank goodness. Thank you, dear.”

As the elderly woman finally left, Mina glanced at the wall clock and frowned. “Just a few more hours until my shift ends,” she murmured to herself.

Suddenly, her cellphone vibrated in her pocket. Mina pulled it out to see Ji-eun’s name on the screen. She answered with enthusiasm. “Hello, Ji-eun! What’s up?”

“Hey, Mina! I need your help,” Ji-eun’s voice came through the line. “There’s an important event tonight, and I need you to deliver food to a restaurant. Please?”

Mina felt her heart skip a beat. “A restaurant? I’ve never been to a fancy restaurant before. What do I need to do?”

“It’s nothing complicated,” Ji-eun replied. “Just deliver the food. I know you might be busy, but I really need your help. I promise I’ll treat you to dinner afterward!”

Mina laughed softly. “Okay, then. I’ll come. Don’t forget to treat me!”

A few hours later, Mina exited the supermarket, carrying a bag of prepared food. She headed to the upscale restaurant located downtown.

Mina Park was living her familiar routine at the supermarket. Her days were filled with answering questions about prices and dealing with customers who forgot how much money they had. This daily grind had become incredibly monotonous, and Mina often daydreamed about a more glamorous life—perhaps becoming a movie star or simply getting a big discount at an expensive restaurant.

So, when Ji-eun, her friend who worked at the fancy restaurant, asked Mina to deliver food tonight, she felt like she had received an invitation to join a VIP celebration. 

Even though she had to step out of her comfort zone, Mina was excited to imagine what it would be like to sneak into a world filled with luxury and glamorous fashion.

“Don’t forget, Mina!” Ji-eun reminded her over the phone. “I need this food for the party tonight. Don’t be late!”

“Don’t worry, Ji-eun, I’m all set!” Mina replied, checking her bag to make sure the food containers were secure.

She nodded to herself with determination and ended the call, thinking about how spectacular tonight would be. With the bag of food in hand, Mina stepped out toward the restaurant. However, as soon as she walked through the door, the glamorous atmosphere she had envisioned seemed to transform into a battlefield.

Tables surrounded by patrons in evening gowns and expensive suits created a serene ambiance that suddenly erupted into chaos as Mina looked around. 

“Yikes,” she thought, “did I walk into a fashion gala or a mafia meeting?”

As she arrived, the restaurant's atmosphere was a stark contrast to her everyday life. The waitstaff dressed in all black and the luxurious-looking guests made Mina feel as if she had stepped into an entirely different world.

“Excuse me,” Mina said to a waiter standing near the entrance. “I’m here to deliver food. I’m looking for Ji-eun.”

The waiter shot her a somewhat cynical glance. “Oh, you must be Mina. Ji-eun is over there, in the corner.”

Mina tried to avoid bumping into other guests and carefully made her way toward Ji-eun. However, disaster struck when she stumbled over the edge of a slightly protruding table.

“Oh no!” Mina cried out as the bag of food slipped from her hands and slid toward the main table occupied by the infamous mafia boss, Leo Salvatore.

“Whoa!” Mina exclaimed as the food flew into the air and landed messily on the main table.

And who was sitting at that table? Leo Salvatore, the mafia boss known for his impressive reputation, sat calmly in his chair. 

The food splattered onto Leo and his entourage, staining their expensive suits with tomato sauce and pasta.

Leo, a man with a chilling gaze and an intimidating aura, quickly stood up, staring at Mina, who was frozen in shock.

“What’s going on here?” Leo asked, his tone furious. “Who’s responsible for this mess?”

“I-I’m sorry…”

In an instant, Ji-eun bolted the moment she saw Mina causing a ruckus with the Mafia Boss.

“Is this some kind of joke?” Leo asked in a cold voice, standing tall as he glared at Mina with an expression that could freeze flames.

Mina stood paralyzed, unable to look away from Leo in fear.

“I-I’m sorry! This… This is my fault!” she stammered, her voice trembling. “I was just delivering food and—”

“Fault?” Leo repeated, his tone icy and impatient. “This is a very important meeting, and you come in here causing chaos?”

Mina stood frozen before Leo, unsure of what to say. Tomato sauce and pasta clung to Leo’s expensive suit and those of his followers. Leo looked furious, and the tension in the room intensified.

One of Leo’s followers, standing beside him, suddenly whispered quickly, “Sir, perhaps we can make the best of this situation. After all, we need something to divert attention from this mess.”

Leo stared at his follower for a moment, deep in thought. Finally, he nodded slowly and turned to Mina with an expression that suggested he had just come up with a brilliant solution. “Right. Okay, I have an idea.”

Leo stepped closer to Mina and dramatically pointed at her. “You! Girl!”

Mina jumped and looked at Leo in fright. “Y-yes, sir?”

“Starting tonight,” Leo continued with a firm tone, “you will pretend to be my fiancée.”

Mina felt as if she had just been struck by lightning. “M-my fiancée?”

Leo nodded. “Exactly. This will be the best way to avoid excessive public attention and issues with my family. You’ve already disrupted this meeting, so you’ll make up for it by pretending to be my fiancée.”

Mina opened her mouth, trying to find the right words. “But—”

Leo cut her off with a tone that left no room for debate. “There’s no time for arguments. Just go along with this plan, and I won’t have to kill you for embarrassing me.”

“Fiancée?” Mina nearly fell over, her face a mask of panic. “But… I don’t know anything about… being a fiancée!”

To be continued…

Author’s note:

This story offers a perfect blend of romance, suspense, and drama. If you’re a fan of:

• Action mafia romance

• Fake engagement tropes

• Stories about ordinary characters thrust into extraordinary situations

• A mix of humor, action, and heartfelt moments

…then you won’t want to miss Mina’s journey from a simple cashier to the reluctant fiancée of a mafia boss. 

Are you ready to dive into Mina’s world? Follow this blog for more updates and subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive previews and behind-the-scenes content. Let’s embark on this thrilling journey together!