Taken By The Mafia Lord

802 A Mother Like Her

“Grip the gun with your dominant hand,” Arianna mentally recited as wrapped her middle, ring, and pinky finger around the handle, resting it comfortably in her palm.

Although it was a mere target, Arianna took it seriously as if she was on a battlefield already. For starters, she wanted to impress Marcel and at the same time have the ability to protect herself. Marcel was right, anything could happen and if push comes to shove, Arianna wants to be able to handle herself before help comes.

The target was a piece of corrugated cardboard with a printed image of a silhouette. The target system consisted of the target object, the target carrier system, and the target control system. The system allows the range to operate more efficiently and safely by transporting the target between the firing line and the target line in both downrange and up-range directions.

In one word, Arianna did not have to wait for a “ceasefire” and her mother physically walked downrange to examine and set up the target. Natalie also controlled the operation and movement of the targets through control modules that can be operated in the shooting booth.

“Press your non-dominant hand so that it covers the portion of the grip that’s uncovered by your dominant hand. ” Natalie called out when she saw the way she supported the gun.

Damn, this was too much pressure, Arianna could feel the sweat rolling down her forehead. She nervously pulled the trigger and swore to God her arm almost left her body. It hurt like a bitch.

“Fuck!” Natalie swore before removing her ear protection and strode over to her daughter, hitting her on the back of the head hard.

“Mom!” Arianna whined, removing her ear protection and looking at the woman with an exasperated expression. What did she do wrong now? She flexed her arm in the process, it had not been easy pulling that shot.

“Are you dumb or what?!” The woman shouted at her face and lifted her arm so the loaded gun pointed away from her and onto the target.

.....

She continued to scold her, “Can’t you use your common sense to figure out that you hold the gun tightly?!”

Arianna swallowed, “I did hold it but…” She began to doubt herself and her palm got clammy.

“You should know that you’re holding a projectile and with it comes a small explosion, physics should have taught you that.” Arianna pulsed her lips, fearing like a child under her mother’s disapproving gaze.

Natalie went on, “All guns have at least some kick to them and that is why you should hold it tighter than you think you should, but avoid holding it in a ‘death grip’,” With her mother’s palm guiding her hand and under her guidance, Arianna shot at the human silhouette.

When Arianna came to check the target, she found out that her nervous shot hit the number nine on the chest while the shot under her mother’s guidance hit a lower score. In one word, she scored better on her own.

“I think I might have a knack for this, thanks for your guidance.” Arianna was smug when she skidded over to the woman

“Really? Is that so?” Natalie’s smile was tight, viewing her daughter’s response as a challenge, “Sure, have a go at it.” She said, putting on her ear protection.

Compared to the last time, Arianna was much more confident and released a series of shots before she excitedly checked her result, and let’s just say, pride comes before a fall.

Arianna was bewildered to know that out of eight shots, only one got even close to hitting the silhouette square in the chest, the others derailed and hit outside the target with two shots scoring number six and her face fell at once.

“What a great student you are,” Natalie glanced at the result from over her shoulder, clicking her tongue and taunting her on purpose.

Arianna rolled her eyes, “Why don’t you try shooting yours if you’re so perfect,” she retorted, vexed by the sarcasm in her voice.

“I thought you were never going to ask,” Natalie winked at her, causing her brows to narrow in suspicion. Her mother was hyper-excited about this opportunity and her stomach fluttered nervously.

And indeed, Arianna’s suspicion was right. Natalie has been waiting for the opportunity to show off, annoyed by the fact that her daughter has been underestimating her prowess all this while.

Arianna stood at the side and Natalie turned to her and said loudly, “Watch and learn,” with a wide smile before putting on her ear protection and facing her target.

Unlike her daughter, Arianna, Natalie was more relaxed and her aim was precise and experienced. And just as Natalie intended, she was here to blow her horn. So when the results were out, Arianna’s jaw dropped to the ground from the shock – and she was lucky no fly was around.

Her mother scored a perfect twelve, a direct hit on the target’s head. And it wasn’t just one, but all of her shots. How was this possible? On no, this ability was on another level, Arianna’s eyes twinkled with pride and she was close to falling on her feet and worshiping her mother. She never knew that she had a badass mother. The revelation was too shocking.

Of course, Natalie was not oblivious to the reverential looks of her daughter and so she flipped her hair over her shoulder, basking in the glory. Who wouldn’t want to have a mother like her?

“How did you ….no, why didn’t I get such a result? Gosh, you are so O.P!” Arianna gushed over her.

“What is O. P?” Natalie didn’t answer the word. Young people and their slang these days.

“Overpowered?” Arianna explained to her, “You know, like in those animes when the character has a set of skills or does things that make him or her distinguished. You are so overpowered right now,” She continuously praised her and Natalie shamelessly relished them all.