Chapter 9: The Intrusion
1110 Words
POV: Reece
A group of men and women walk into the warehouse. I stand by the door. Joseph and Eddie pass me.
"May I talk to you for a moment, Joseph? You have some missing paperwork."
The butterfly sensation in my stomach is back again as I make eye contact with Joseph.
I look down at the blank pages in my hand and forget to breathe. This is my moment. For a week, I've thought about how to talk to Joseph again.
I need his help because he knows how to get out of a mafia family. If he believes my "friend" needs help, I'll go with it until I get the required information.
Joseph glances at me and keeps walking.
"I need your signature on your," I pause, speaking louder. "W-2."
Joseph exhales, stops and stands in front of me. He acts reserved--almost cold towards me. However, he doesn't make eye contact with me.
"I'll take it and bring it back."
I fold the papers and press them against my chest. "Um, can you stop by my office before you leave to sign it?"
"I don't have time." He stares at the ground and backs away.
My shoulders sag as I watch him join Eddie and the others.
***
I'm alone in my office, standing in front of the old, beat-up filing cabinet, trying to avoid a papercut. My mind is still in the warehouse because I'm obsessed with Joseph's behavior.
Did I do something to him?
Did I insult Joseph in some kind of way?
Maybe he knows I'm lying. I need help, not a friend.
I shrug.
Maybe Joseph has something on his mind.
I grab a file from the cabinet. Why does Father have such an old filing system? I could put all of this on the...
I sigh, remembering where I am. But unfortunately, the mafia doesn't have a secured intranet system.
It's been an hour since I approached Joseph.
There's noise in the hallway.
Laughter.
Loud talking.
Footsteps.
I hold my breath and hope.
The noise decreases.
I exhale.
Nothing.
The front door shuts.
I walk to the door and open it.
The hallway is empty.
Father's office door closes.
My shoulders slump.
***
Twenty minutes before I leave work, I'm making new folders for the "maintenance men" Father hired. On the corner of my desk are folders to be stored away. They are Father's former employees.
I'm not sure what happened to them. However, Dennis's name is on the top folder lets me know something terrible happened to them. I send their last checks to their home addresses.
My office door opens as I scratch out the name on a new folder and toss it aside. When I grab a new folder, I glance up, expecting Father to be staring at me.
It's Joseph.
I look past him at my opened door.
He stares at me, void of any emotion. His behavior reminds me of a police officer approaching a witness for information.
"You need me to sign something."
I open my mouth to speak but nod instead.
After searching for a W-2 form for a few minutes, I give him the paper and a pen. He grabs Dennis's folder and uses it as a clipboard.
I bite the inside of my cheek, trying to figure out what to do. This is my unexpected moment.
"Um, Joseph," I pause and walk to the door. After I close the door, I lean against and hug myself. "About my friend. Do you have some advice for her?"
"I thought I completed this form already." Joseph tosses the form and Dennis's folder on my desk and turns to me. "Look, I'm here to do a job."
We stare at each other for what seems like an eternity. Yet, I wasn't willing to look away. He had to know how important this was.
Joseph looks away and shrugs.
He runs his fingers through his blonde hair and looks at me.
I lean forward, hoping that his cold stare changes to a more compassionate one.
Joseph doesn't speak.
Joseph stares at me, scratching his chin with his thumb. Finally, he sounds frustrated as he asks me, "Why do you think I can help you?"
We stare at each other for a long time.
Joseph's blue eyes don't seem so cold. His business-like exterior softens, and he shakes his head.
This time, I look away, not knowing what else to do?
I can tell the truth. I'm the one who needs help. Also, I can say to Joseph that I know he's Dean's son. What would the latter accomplish?
"I wouldn't ask, but..."
Joseph's expression becomes unreadable. He squints at me as if he's sizing me up.
I cross my arms under my breasts. A flash of s****l desire shoots through me as I watch Joseph's eyes linger on my breasts.
We make eye contact.
Joseph's eyes fill with a mix of longing and desire.
I bite my bottom lip as I move some invisible strains of hair behind my ear. Nervousness seems into my stomach, and I slowly exhale.
I want him to carry me out of the office and save me from my doomed mafia life. However, I know that won't happen.
Will he kiss me?
My office door opens. Eddie walks in and addresses Joseph as if I wasn't there.
"Man, let's go. There's nothing in here you need." Eddie threw up his hands. "We have some sh*t to move."
Joseph doesn't stop looking at me immediately. Instead, he licks his bottom lip and winks at me. Then, he tells Eddie, "Let's go."
Eddie pumps his fist and marches towards the door. Joseph passes me, then stops.
He takes out his phone and punches some buttons. After he's finished, Joseph faces me and says, "What's your number?"
I take his phone and type my telephone number, and hit call. Seconds later, I hit the "call" button—my phone rings.
***
According to my bedroom clock, it's seven o'clock at night. I've just received a text from Joseph. It was simple:
Do you still need help?
My stomach flutters as I rest on my bed and stare at his text. The black words on my pink background give me hope more than s****l desire.
I text back:
Yes.
He writes back.
Okay, shoot.
Joseph sends another text with a smiley face emoji:
No pun intended.
I don't smile. The shoot Joseph saved me from flashes through my mind.
I write:
Remember the girl I told you about earlier? She needs help.
Minutes pass.
No response.
My phone buzzes.
Joseph responds:
Let's meet. You pick the place.
- Writer
