Hannah

When I was a little girl I thought of Prince Charming taking me away and proposing. He was handsome, rich and he took me away to live in a mansion. I think every girl dreams of this happening one day? I especially wanted the prince charming because of how I grew up. I grew up in hell, isn’t it only fair that I would dream of one day living in a fairytale? My parents were alcoholics and made my home unstable. I never knew where my next meal was coming from or if it was coming. I also never knew if my parents would go out one day and never come back.

Thomas is handsome, rich and his house could be considered a mansion compared to where I live. Thomas Is no prince charming, he’s a ruthless cold-blooded killer who is in the mob. I hate to call him this because the truth is Thomas has saved me and protected me more than my own family has. When he asked me to marry him, I laughed? It was either laugh or cry and my instincts kicked in and I laughed. How can I marry a man not knowing if he would come home every night to me? It will only take one time for Thomas to get caught by the cops, one time for the cops to show up and pull their guns and kill Thomas, my husband, the man that I love. One time for the person he’s trying to kill to pull their own gun. Not to mention he is in the mob, I read about mob families going to war all the time. How can I jump from one world of uncertainty to a bigger world of uncertainty?

What if I get pregnant? Do I want our kids worrying about their daddy not coming home every night? Thomas was so angry when I gave the reasons for not marrying him. I knew I was being brutal by reminding him he’s in the mob, I just didn’t have a choice. I just didn’t expect for him to be as brutal “You didn’t mind who I was when you spread your legs open for me.” He spits at me in anger. It felt like he just punched me in the stomach and his eyes went cold. I wanted to pull him into my arms and apologize, but he warned me not to get any closer. There was something different in his eyes, so I knew to listen. Thomas told me that he was taking a shower and leaving, and I was to be gone when he got back, he doesn’t want to see me again. The moment the words came out of his mouth, I knew I had fucked up.

Thomas warned that I should think of a way to keep myself safe. I don’t think I care at this point. Thomas hates me and wants nothing to do with me. If I don’t have Thomas I have nothing else to lose. After I get dressed, I walk through the entire house. I try to remember every inch so that I will never forget. I walk into the bedroom and stare at the rumpled sheets. I close my eyes and remember every moment that I spent in this bed with Thomas.

I head home jumping at any noise and staring at everyone that walks past me. I keep thinking about Thomas telling me that there is a target on my back. I can’t expect him to protect me anymore, he is so mad at me he might just do it himself the next time. When I finally get to my apartment I toss a few clothes into a tote bag for a few days. I don’t have many friends, but hopefully I have one that will let me stay with her for a few days. It’s four blocks to Nikki’s apartment and I pray most of the way that she’ll let me stay. After a few knocks the door swings open and Nikki stares at me in shock. When she finally lets me in, I swallow my pride and ask if I can stay with her for a few days.

“What happened to that hot man of yours? Wouldn’t you rather be staying with him?” Nikki teases and I choke back the tears as I explain to her that Thomas and I are no longer together. I look away when I see Nikki having to fight back her smile. Nikki agrees to let me stay with her and shows me the spare bedroom that I can sleep in. I can’t complain, it’s nicer than my bedroom at my apartment. I smile at her and thank her before giving her a hug. I promise Nikki that I will be out on my own in one week and she tells me I can stay for as long as I need. I wonder if she would say that if she knew I was hiding from the mob?

It’s been two weeks since I moved in with Nikki and she is starting to get suspicious. I haven’t left the apartment and I have been insistent that she not tell anyone that I am staying with or that she has heard from me. I wasn’t always this paranoid, but Nikki gets the newspaper. Most of the news has been about the spike in Mob crimes and the vicious ways they have murdered people. The last few nights I have dreamed of being caught and the awful ways they have tortured and killed me. The worst part is the person that kills me always has Thomas’ eyes.

While Nikki and I are watching tv, I feel her eyes on me.

“Have you started looking for a job yet?” she asks, and I turn to look at her

“You know the diner isn’t going to reopen and I don’t mind you staying with me, but I can’t afford to take care of you Hannah. You need to start applying for a job. I started working at a new place, do you want me to get you an application?” she advises. Nikki is right it’s time to move on and I can’t expect her to take care of me. A few days later, Nikki has a surprise for me.

“I have good news for you!” Nikki yells as I take leftovers out of the fridge. When I turn to look at Nikki I noticed that she is dressed for work.

“Ok…what is it?”

“You are coming with me. You have an interview today!” she replies

“WHAT!”

“I said you have an interview today. Just get dressed, trust me the job will be yours.” Nikki tells me as she pushes me out of the room and swats my butt

“I don’t even know what the job is Nikki!”

“What do you think it is Hannah? Brain Surgery? You will be doing the same job that you did before, you’ll work with me as a waitress. The only difference is we have a better class of customer, with better tips. We just increased our value because instead of working in diner we’ll be serving drinks in a bar.” Nikki announces, and I hesitate to think I need to ask more questions, but I don’t. My mother always told me that beggars can’t be choosers and I do need a job.

Nikki pays our bus fair and I sigh realizing how pathetic I am not even having bus money. When I question Nikki about the job, she just reassures me that the job is already mine. She explained to her boss that we both were left jobless after Stan’s death and that I was still searching for one. He took pity on me and asked that she bring me in and that he’ll hire me right away.

“Ok…what is this bosses’ name?” I ask her as she smiles and tells me how I will love working at the bar, which is more of a high-class night club

“His name is Alex and before you ask he is happily married, so don’t even try anything with him.” Nikki teases and I roll my eyes because the last thing I am thinking about is men. I still can’t get over the last one.

When were finally off the bus, Nikki explains that the club is another block over. I notice the sign is blocked and the building is being worked on. I stop walking and glance at Nikki.

“Don’t worry…they are making improvements. They wanted a larger sign, so the old one is being taken down and the new one should be up in a few days.” Nikki tells me as I sigh, and I follow her in. I suck in a breath the minute we are inside. This can’t be…. I have been here before, with Thomas. I didn’t recognize the place because Thomas came in the back way from the alley, but this is the club that the mob owns. I must get out of here before any of them notice me. What if Thomas is here? I am seconds away from escaping when a girl walks over and holds her hand out to me.

“HI… I’m Adele! I am so glad you’re here, we really need the help! We have been so busy lately that I barely get to see Alex. You can go right up; I’ll call him to let him know you are on the way!” Adele advises, and my eyes lift as I turn away from her. I glance towards the door, wondering if I would be able to get out before anyone had time to stop me.

As I glance back at Nikki and Adele an attractive man approaches and puts his hand on Adele’s lower back. He leans over to give her a kiss before his eyes meet mine.

“You must be my new waitress?” he asks and before I can respond, Adele does. He holds his arm out leading me to his office and my feet feel heavier as I make my way up the stairs.

I walk into the office and he stop within a few inches from me as he closes the door.

“Your Hannah?” I nod, and he sighs and looks me over. I suddenly feel paranoid as he almost seems to be inspecting me. “I’m glad to finally meet you Hannah, I’m Alex Deluca and I have been looking for you.” He leans as he whispers into my ear.

Alex grabs my arm and pushes me onto the couch. He grabs a chair and moves it so that it’s within inches of me. He leans over with his elbows on his knees and just stares at me. I don’t know if I am going to pass out or throw up. They finally caught me, and I won’t be leaving this office. I only wonder if Nikki was part of this whole set up.

“Does Nikki know about this?” I whisper

“Do you think you’re in the position to be asking questions?” he asks, and I take a deep breath realizing this guy is nothing like Thomas.

“You have really complicated things for us Hannah. Why the hell do you even walk the streets that late at night? You should have never been near a fucking alley while Thomas was taking care of business. You are a beautiful girl; you should have been warming someone’s bed”

“I already promised Thomas…”

“Your promises don’t mean shit do they Hannah? You went to the cops, you talked to that prick Howard and now I have to deal with you.” Alex barked

“What are you going to do to me?” I whisper

“What do you think?” his voice is now as cold as his eyes