Gangsters Girl

Chapter 2 - Questioning

***Oliver’s POV***

Tommy had hired a new barmaid, and she was too pretty to be working here. She wasn’t a prostitute, and she seemed to have a great deal of morals, even though I could tell she hadn’t eaten a decent meal in quite some time. She was thin, too thin, but she smelled nice and hummed while she cleaned, and that was enough to catch my attention. She didn’t ask for special treatment, and when the drunk rabble harassed her, she kept a clear head and didn’t let them get away with anything. She was well spoken, obviously educated, but somehow ended up in my bar.

I followed her home the first week she worked there, and she must have known someone was following her, because she always took a small path that led under the bridge and when I’d drive to the other side, she’d be gone. I started to notice little things though, like, she wore the same dress to work every day and although she kept it clean, there was no mistaking it was the same dress. She stayed late to finish cleaning, and never complained. The books had also been on track for the first time since she started working, and Tommy was letting her train to deal with the ordering.

He must have told her not to bother me, because she never spoke to me unless I asked her a direct question, and even then kept it as short as possible. It didn’t take me long to figure out she was homeless, she was just too proud to go to the workhouses or w***e houses, and I had respect for that. I made sure her wages were a bit more than she expected, and the next day she came to work with a new dress on, and a large bag. I wasn’t one for charity, but a woman like her, that wasn’t afraid to work, intrigued me. “Tommy.” I called before she came on for her shift.

“Yeah boss?” He asked.

“The new barmaid, is she doing well?” I asked, trying to look uninterested.

“Ya know, she is. I didn’t think she’d cut it, but she seems to handle these buffoons rather well, and the bar hasn’t shined like this in years. The patrons that aren’t so handsy all love her, and her till is to the penny every time. She’s a good worker.” He nodded.

“Are you saying that because you want to f**k her?” I asked as I looked at him over my paper.

“No sir. She’s not that kind of girl anyway.” He smiled at me, “She is a real help, and I hope you keep her around.”

“She’ll be serving the box today.” I said without care, “I have a meeting at six, and she’s less threatening than you are.”

“Yes sir.” He said surprised.

“Fill her in on etiquette.” I said abruptly standing and walking upstairs to the box. It was a private room, with tables and billiards, that I used for business and no one was allowed there without invitation.

“Yes of course sir.” He replied.

***Elliyana’s POV***

After a week of work, I had convinced Tommy to keep me around, and he gave me my wages. I bought a large bag and a new dress and a blanket, and decided if I couldn’t fit it in the bag I didn’t need it. I brought my bag to work with me and hid it under the bar. Tommy didn’t say a word, and I assumed he figured it was just my personal bag.

“The boss has a private party tonight. He requested you to serve his guests.” Tommy said to me. “Keep your mouth shut and serve them well, and you stand to make a week's wages in tips. Private functions always bring in extra pocket money, and as the new girl, I’d wager the extra wouldn’t hurt.”

I nodded. “Thank you Mr. Gance, I appreciate it.” I tried not to sound over eager, but a couple more weeks of good money like this and I could afford to rent a room. That idea was very enticing indeed.

“Miss Fox, please, for the hundredth time, call me Tommy, and you may not thank me by the end of the night. Private party’s are hard to deal with sometimes, and if any of them put their hands on you, there is not much you can do besides politely decline. Mr. Payne requested you specifically for this evening however, so there isn’t much I can do to protect you. Just keep quiet and keep your head down and get in and out of the room as fast as you can. Don’t linger.” He tried to warn me.

I nodded, and started about my other duties. After a little while, Tommy handed me a serving tray filled fuller than I was used to with drinks, and once I had it, he set another on top of it. “Not a word, and don’t linger.” He reminded me as he pointed to the staircase that led to the private room. “Don’t even smile, just get back as soon as you can, and don’t listen to anything they’re talking about.” He was worried for me and I could see it.

I nodded to him reassuringly, and made my way up the stairs. The decor was quite different from the bar downstairs, and everything up here seemed to have a much richer quality. I knocked on the door before I went in, and kept my eyes down as I served the men in the meeting with Mr. Payne. I set his drink in front of him last, and he grabbed my wrist quickly, causing me to freeze and swallow my breath. “Nice dress Miss Fox.” he said without looking at me.

“Thank you sir.” I said with a small curtsy. “Will that be all sir?” I kept my eyes down but waited for him to dismiss me.

“Well I can think of a few things I’d like before you go.” One of the men in the meeting said.

“That won’t be necessary Miss Fox, you’re excused.” Mr. Payne said, as he stared hard at the man that had said that.

“Thank you sir.” I curtsied again and quickly left.

“But I hadn’t even begun with her.” The man tried to interject.

“Touch that woman, and I’ll cut your bloody hands off.” I heard Mr. Payne say as I hurried to close the door.

I only had to go up there once more this evening, and no one said a word to me and I was able to serve everyone without incident. “Miss Fox?” Mr. Payne called to me just as I was walking out the door.

“Yes sir?” I asked, keeping my eyes down.

“Bring me a pack of cigarettes.” He tossed an empty pack on the table after he pulled the last one out of it.

“Of course sir.” I excused myself and went down to the tobacco cabinet. There were stacks of loose tobacco canisters, rolling papers, and on the top shelf were packs of pre rolled cigarettes. I took a pack and marked it in the talley that it was for the boss, and made my way back up the stairs.

I knocked once before I entered, like I had been told to, but I was surprised to see that Mr. Payne was the only one in the room. His guests had all slipped out the back door. I set his pack in front of him. “Do you have a match?” He asked me. He still had the cigarette he had from before between his fingers, and he was staring right at me. I rummaged through my apron pocket until I found the matchbox, and when I shook it, there were only two matches left in it. I set it infront of him, and curtsied before I turned to leave. “Did Tommy tell you not to speak?” He asked.

I turned around slowly, not sure of what I should say, “Of course not sir. He did say not to bother you with useless chitchat, and that you’re a very busy man.”

“Is everything you say useless chitchat?” He asked, lighting his cigarette.

“No sir. I just try and be respectful of you and your time, sir.” I smiled a little while I kept looking down.

“Did he tell you not to look at me as well?” He asked.

“Of course not sir.” I looked up to see him staring at me intently. “Not you specifically, sir, just in general. He’s worried someone might take it as I sign that I might be fair game.”

“Are you?” He asked. He never let his eyes move from me, and he looked like a lion about to pounce a giselle. I paused for a moment, and he must have known I was flustered. “Free that is. Are you unmarried?”

“I am not married sir, but I am also not interested in a relationship.” I said honestly.

“And why is that?” He asked.

“I don’t have time for courtship, sir.” I didn’t know what else to say that wouldn’t embarrass me.

“I see. Why do you insist on calling me sir?” He asked.

“Would you prefer Mr. Payne, sir?” I asked, and I watched as the side of his mouth ticked up into a small smile.

“My name is Oliver, I’d prefer that in informal settings.” He stamped his cigarette out on the table. “That will be all Miss Fox.”

“Elliana.” I said. “Please, call me Elle.”

He stood and handed me an envelope. “You’re wages for serving the box tonight.

I looked inside and was shocked. “Sir there must be some mistake. There's six pounds inside. I don't want to take advantage of your generosity."

He smiled and walked up beside me, judging to see if I would cower. "Hmm." He huffed shortly before walking past me. "Private service retains three percent of the business deal that takes place the night they serve. That's your cut." I was speechless. "Good evening Elle." He said softly as he left the room.