Julie

I woke up feeling good. I rolled over and grabbed my phone to check the time. 2:17pm. Holy shit. I don’t remember the last time that I slept in. Then again, last night was unusual. I was still up and out at the time I was usually asleep if I wasn’t up studying, and I didn’t have class today. Then I was up daydreaming about my boss until lord knows what time. This shit is definitely not normal. I don’t know what it was about him that I was drawn to him. I knew it wasn’t right, but it seemed like the more I told myself this was stupid and to stay away he came closer. If I didn’t know any better, I would think he knew and was doing the shit he did as retribution.

Like at the bar, why did he have to be so close? Then making me get in his car to drive me home. My mind had been preoccupied with my own personal shit last night, but I am certain he said he was going to take me to work today. Yea, that wasn’t a good idea.

I saw I had messages on my phone.

Henry: Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Monday, you will work 9 – close. Sunday you’re off. Tuesday and Wednesday, I can give you 7 – midnight, but I need you to let me know how that works for you with school.

I smiled. I liked him. The fact that he took into consideration my school and worked the schedule around it without complaint wasn’t something that was typical. I think I was going to like working for him.

I needed days to make sure I kept up on work, but I needed money more. We’re not around finals or anything, so I should be able to manage if I took one day.

Me: I’ll work on Tuesday, and not Wednesday if that’s alright.

Two minutes later, his response came in.

Henry: Perfect. See you tonight.

I squealed, happ that I got that all settled and noticed I had another unread text.

Giovanni: You didn’t text me your schedule. I got it myself. I’ll be there to pick you up 30 mins before… be ready.

I couldn’t help myself.

Me: Stalker…

Giovanni: Says the fucking loon.

Me: I’m totally sane & ur not the boss of me.

He answered right away.

Giovanni: Yea, I am. I’m THE fucking boss. Quit your shit, and I’ll see you later.

I grinned. I could always leave before he gets here… yea, I had a death wish apparently. Before I could type a smart response, another one came in.

Giovanni: This isn’t an option. Don’t think of fucking with me on this one.

I pouted. Well, he was no fun.

I spent a couple of hours just being lazy hanging in bed while I played games and watched Netflix on my phone. Eventually, I got up and got dinner ready and ate. Then I went through the same torturous process as yesterday trying to pull together something to wear to work. Last night, I’d made $374 in tips and $42.00 in wages. $13.75 an hour isn’t bad, not bad at all… especially with tips. If I can pull together enough outfits and keep up this momentum for the next couple of days, I’d be able to go shopping. Once I have a decent wardrobe, I can start saving up my cash.

Just because I had a job, I didn’t have any real intentions to change up my lifestyle that much. I was still going to walk everywhere I could. My body is accustomed to it, and it’s good for the health and all that. Plus, what’s the purpose of working if I’m just going to spend all my money on transportation that I didn’t need?

I wasn’t going to be stupid though. I mean, I would take the bus after my late shifts. No use looking for danger if I didn’t need to. I also planned on continuing my morning and evening schedules with cooking. I might splurge to make sure I have lunch meat to take lunches and some waters for my walks. Small things.

It may seem a bit drastic to some people. Me being so extremely tight with money, but you haven’t grown up in my household. There’s always that small chance I’ll go home one day and the next time I left would be with all my shit. My mom was unpredictable like that. Our personalities clashed… we didn’t like each other very much, and it wouldn’t be the first time she kicked me out. It’s been a while since she’s tried because I’ve been trying to toe the line since I turned 18. I didn’t care much before because I was a minor and I always reminded her of the repercussions of certain hasty actions that could be made when you were dealing with a kid. That shit wouldn’t fly now, and until I was ready, I needed to keep shit calm.

Jeans were a no go, so I opted for a pair of navy blue straight leg slacks that was a size too small. Thankfully the material was stretchy, and I was able to stuff my ass into them. I paired it with a white button-up blouse that was also too small, so it highlighted my breasts. With a pair of fire engine red heels, that I bought my senior year in high school to go with my dress for a dance, this would just have to do.

I double checked my bag to make sure I had everything I needed and began to head out. I passed the kitchen and saw my mother and Taylor at the table talking. My mother spotted me first “Going back to this mystery job?” she asked.

I nodded and kept walking. She wasn’t done though, “you going to tell me what it is?” she asked.

“Do you really care?” I asked. I didn’t believe she did, I figured it more her being nosey than anything else. That or she just didn’t believe me.

She snorted. “Not really. When do you get paid? You’re going to need to start helping out here you know… how much they giving you?” she asked.

I sighed. “I didn’t get that far yet. Today is my first day.”

Her eyes narrowed. “I thought you went to work yesterday.”

“It was just a trial run to make sure that I could do the job.”

Taylor scoffed and rolled her eyes. “I bet she doesn’t even really have a job. She’s probably just shacking up with some loser that she’s ashamed to tell us about.”

I glared at her. “You would know all about that right?”

She scowled. “Julie, I’ve seen the guys you date. Or should I say, guy, because no real men are into you.”

Bitch. I crossed my arms. “By the way, what were you two chatting about? Were you telling mom about the exciting adventure we had the other day?” I asked.

If looks could kill, I’d be dead. I had her ass there. I know that my mom had no idea she’d borrowed money from Giovanni. She wouldn’t have told mom where it came from, but I know my mom would have never let me live it down. She would’ve been rubbing it in my face how awesome Taylor was for coming into any kind of cash. It doesn’t matter how close they are, we know our mother. It would be a form of betrayal in her eyes holding out on her with that kind of money. If you haven’t noticed, the woman is addicted to it.

“What adventure?” My mom asked looking back and forth between us.

Taylor laughed nervously. “Oh, nothing. We ran into each other and hung out for a bit. Nothing big.”

I laughed. “Yea, nothing big.”

I was done with the both of them and continued towards the door. I checked my phone, 8:39. Shit, I needed to get moving. I paused before turning the knob and turned around and ran to the bathroom. I knew I had to use it for the past 15 minutes and figured I’d be able to make it until I got to work. It was obvious now that wasn’t going to happen. I just finished relieving myself when the doorbell rang. I groaned. Now I wish I would have just held it to avoid an unwanted introduction to one of their latest squeezes. At least I was leaving now. I washed up and made my way back to the front of the house, my feet moving faster than usual. I sped past the kitchen hoping that I wasn’t seen.

“Nut Job.”

My footsteps faltered at that statement. I knew I had to be white as a sheet because this just could not be possible. I turned around slowly, and sure enough to my horror, Giovanni was standing in my kitchen with my scared to death and confused sister and delighted mother.

“What are you doing here?” I asked.

He frowned and stalked towards me. “I told you that I’d be here thirty minutes early to get you.” He looked down at his fancy watch. “It is 8:45. Do you have difficulty reading time little girl?” he asked.

“You do realize that technically I don’t have to do what you say.” I reminded him.

He grinned, and I didn’t like it. It was like he knew something that I didn’t. “You sure about that?” he asked, and a shiver went through my entire body. His smile broadened, and once again I was under the impression that he thought my reactions to him were out of fear. No buddy.

“I’m going to be late.” I pointed out.

He shrugged. “That would suck to be late on your first day, I’m sure your boss might fire you.”

Oh god, he was enjoying this. “That wouldn’t be fair if he’s the one holding me up. Move it, Corey… we got places to go.” I said gripping onto his sleeve and tugging.

He began grumbling under his breath, “stop calling me those bullshit names. I’m my own fucking mob boss, my name will work.” He scoffed. “And now you’re abbreviating their names like you know them personally. Corey, really?”

 As soon as we cleared the door and I had it shut he crowded me against the door. “Are you fucking mental? Didn’t we already have a talk about being physical? I don’t like to be touched.” He said.

I frowned. “Giovanni, that’s just really fucking weird, but it explains a lot,” I said as I slid past him and walked to his car and hopped into the passenger seat.

He followed suit and began pulling out the driveway. “What exactly does it explain?” he asked.

I grinned and looked over at him. When he met my eyes, his expression turned wary. “You don’t like being touched. No wonder you’re so grumpy, you need to get laid. But you can’t because that requires a whole lot of the physical stuff.” I wiggled my eyebrows. “If you know what I mean.”

He just stared at me for a beat, not even blinking. “I hate to be the one to tell you this, sweetheart, but you’re fucked in the head.”

I laughed. “Only to you mob boss.”

He shook his head and sighed. “What the fuck am I gonna do with you?” he asked.

My belly rolled in excitement. I’m sure I can think of something…

 

*****

Giovanni

Don’t ask me. I’m about certain that I’m a glutton for punishment. I should be holed up in my office taking care of business. Instead, I’m here at a table on the floor in the nut jobs section. I told myself that if I really cared about my club and staying in business, then it would be in my best interest to keep an eye on her. Make sure she doesn’t get into no shit. When it comes to Julie, I won't put anything past her. She could probably set the place on fire washing dishes.

I was sitting at the table with my right and left hands, Dante and Angelo. They were essentially my guards, and 95% of the time if you saw me, you saw them. Funnily enough, they have yet to meet Julie. I was both excited and nervous about the pending encounter. These two weren’t known for their pleasant personalities to outsiders, although if you ask me, I’d say they were two big fucking goofballs. I wonder if one of them would try to pop her ass if she got out of hand. In reality, the if wasn’t necessary… more like when. She has yet to come over to our table, and I’m sure that wasn’t a coincidence. I have a strong feeling that she was intentionally trying to avoid serving me.

When she couldn’t avoid us any longer, she made her way slowly over to us scanning all of the other occupants in her section, like she was hoping one of them would need her. No such luck.

She finally made it to our table and looked over to Dante first and gave him this cheesy ass grin. “Can I get you anything?” she asked.

Dante smiled back at her and checked her out. I scowled at the fuck. “I’m not sure, can you tell me what’s on the menu?”

My hands clenched into fists. What the fuck? Now, I kept my mouth shut because I expected her to call him on his shit. She seems to have a habit calling people out on their come-ons.

Imagine my surprise when her ass said, “don’t worry then honey. I’ll take care of you.” Then winked at him and turned her attention to Angelo without another word.

“You have got to be fucking kidding me,” I said not able to keep it in.

She turned to look at me and gave me a small frown. “Don’t worry sir, I’ll be right with you.”

She was fucking playing with me. She was acting like she didn’t know me and she was being all cute and flirty for my fucking men. I didn’t hear a word said between her and Angelo because I was too busy fuming in my seat. Finally, she turned to me, and the smile fell from her face, and she looked at me uninterested. She looked down and began picking at her nails and fucking sassed me. “You wanted something?”

I’m more convinced than ever that she just needed someone to punch her in the fucking forehead and knock some sense into that noggin on her shoulders. “Julie, if you want to keep your job and your life I suggest you cut the bullshit. Rick knows what I drink.”

Her eyes sparked, and I knew I was in for it. She pushed out her bottom lip pouting. “What’s the matter with the big bad thug?”

I groaned. “Wait a minute…” Dante said looking back and forth between us. “This is the girl?” he asked.

I looked at him and frowned. “The fuck you mean?” I asked. I never talked about her.

“Man, everyone been chatting about her. They were talking about some new chick that got you on your toes. I didn’t believe that shit, of course…” he trailed off then waved a hand at Julie. “But I guess they were right.”

She liked that shit because she grinned. “You heard that? I got you on your toes, running in circles…” her smile widened. “Pissing your pants.”

I was done with her and her big mouth. “You can leave. Get the fuck out of here and get our orders or else you’re fired.”

She rolled her eyes. “I’m convinced you just like hearing yourself say that. You’ve threatened to fire me a good 50 times already, and I just started today. You’re not going to fire anybody, so stay calm. I’m going to get your drinks.” And then she was gone.

Angelo started snickering almost immediately. “What’s so funny?” I asked.

“I like her.”

I shook my head. “That’s only because you don’t know how crazy she really is.” Then I turned my attention to Dante and gave him a hard look. “And quit your shit. You fucking look at her again I’m going to shoot you in the fucking eye. I don’t care who you are, got it?” I asked.

I turned my attention back to the floor looking for the little firecracker while those two exchanged looks to each other like fools. They can take it how they want to, I spoke my peace.

Julie came back a couple of minutes later holding two glasses. If you’re surprised, I’d have to worry about your sanity too. I expected her to pull some shit. What I’ve been catching on to is that her motive is to get a reaction out of me. If I don’t give her shit, maybe she’ll quit the bull while she was ahead.

I pulled out my phone and began messing with it as she approached the table. I watched her out of the corner of my eye as she wooed Angelo and Dante all the while waiting for me to acknowledge her or the fact that she didn’t have my drink. Nope, I’m not feeding into it. Eventually, she walked away and came back a minute later with my drink. She put it down on the table, hesitated then walked away. When I was sure she was gone, I slid my phone into my pocket and looked up to two angry men.

“What?” I asked.

Dante shook his head. “That was cold.”

Of all the things I’ve done… he considers that cold? “Whatever.” Think what you want.

Angelo piped in. “Forreal, that poor girl. She was looking at you waiting for you to say something. Why’d you do that to her?”

I groaned. “Is this an intervention?” I asked. Why the hell were they going on about this for?

Dante shrugged and arched an eyebrow. “Should it be?”

I mimicked his movement. “Depends. Will it end with me offing you?” I asked.

He held his hands up in surrender. That’s what I thought.

How the hell did she get my most loyal men defending her and she spoke to them for all of two minutes? I’m not liking how things are moving, and I feel like it’s only going to get worse until I can get rid of this pain in my ass.