The Auditor and the Mafia King

Chapter 3

Charlotte’s POV

The weekend came fast. I fly out on Saturday morning to JFK international airport. I have two suitcases packed to check-in, a carry-on and my briefcase. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous. New York City is huge. Coming from Raleigh, North Carolina, New York City is a huge change. I don’t actually live in Raleigh; I live in a very small community called Holly Springs outside of Raleigh. Since I only have to commute to the office once every other week, I’d rather live out in the country on the outskirts of even the small-town Holly Springs. Leaving small town life for such a large city is a little intimidating but also very exciting. I used to dream of living in such a big city as a child. I always wanted to live on the outskirts of Boston. Close enough to the action to experience city life but also far enough from the center of the city to enjoy some peace and tranquility.

I have no siblings. My parents are gone. My friends are all living their lives. I really have nothing but my own successes. As an only child I received my parents’ entire estate when they died. They weren’t rich but the house was paid off and they both had some life insurance money. The money they had in their savings was used for their funerals. The retirement accounts and life insurance money are all sitting in my own investment account now. I haven’t decided what to do with it. Between the different accounts I have $1.2 million in the bank. I still own their house, I couldn’t sell it yet, it was my childhood home. It’s in Texas. Somewhere I loved growing up but haven’t been back to in the last year. I haven’t gone through their things either. I just couldn’t. Not yet. I don’t want to admit to myself they are really gone, it’s just too hard. They were brutally murdered, and I can’t accept that reality yet.

I asked for a transfer out of Houston a year before they died. I regret going now. I wish I had that last year to spend so much more time with them. I got tired of the heat and humidity of Houston and wanted to a fresh start somewhere else. Raleigh was opened up at the time and so I took a chance on it. I’ve been here for two years. I own my small little house. It’s a three bedroom, two bath farmhouse on five acres. My neighbors are about a quarter of a mile from my door. We all have similar style homes on five-acre tracts. I don’t have animals at this point, my dog died a month ago and other than some stray cats I hadn’t decided what other animals I had wanted. I do have some gardens and a greenhouse, but I asked my neighbors to keep it up and go ahead and take all of the crops since I won’t be back for a while. They agreed to do so and will watch the house for me. I don’t want to rent it out since it’s only for six months. I figure I can always fly back a couple of times to check in myself if needed.

I have a cab taking me to the airport, so I don’t have to pay for long-term parking. My car is in the garage, and I have my security system set. As the cab arrives, I look around one more time, this is the last time I will have this peace for the next six months and I will miss it. My nights consisted of a glass of wine while on my porch swing watching the sunset. My mornings consisted of coffee and breakfast on my screened-in back porch watching the wildlife. It’s only six months I remind myself. This adventure is one I may never have again.

My boss booked my airfare and told me the car was parked in a secure parking lot and the attendants had the key for me. I just have to figure out how to get so much luggage by myself. After I land, I have to find a luggage cart and find the shuttle to the parking lot. Then it’s off to my new apartment and exploring New York City before Monday morning. Flying in on a Saturday morning may not have been so wise, it is packed at the airport. I’m standing at the luggage carousel waiting for my bags when I see the hottest man I’ve ever seen in my life. He stands at least six feet tall, is muscular, has short dark hair that is starting to grey and a million-dollar smile. He exudes confidence and strength. He is dressed in a suit, black pants and jacket, crisp white shirt and a blood red tie. He looks like a movie star. I’m not familiar with celebrities but he must be one, he has three other men with him that look dressed similar and are big not quite as muscular as this one. I noticed my bags coming out, they have a small ring on the handle, so I know which one is mine since they are the generic black hardcase luggage.

“Excuse me,” I say to the man, “You’ve grabbed my bag.”

He looks down at me and the bag I’m pointing to. “How do you know this is your bag? It looks like mine.”

“I always put a small ring on my handle so I can tell mine apart. Wouldn’t want someone to walk away with my things.” I say with a smile and point to the silver ring on the suitcase handle.

He grunts and hands me the bag without saying another word. “*sshole” I say under my breath. I turn to leave and hear him say, “Excuse me? Did you just call me an *sshole?”

“I did and if you weren’t being such an arrogant *sshole I would’ve just said thank you.” I replied with a sickly-sweet smile. I turned to walk away, and the man grabbed my hand and turned me back to him.

“You have no idea who you are talking to, and I don’t think it’s wise to just call anyone you meet such terrible names,” he says through clenched teeth. “I am not someone you can just disrespect.”

“Oh, I am so sorry mister narcissist douchebag. I will bow at your feet and then take the stick out of your *ss so maybe you can treat other people with some common courtesy. I was not the one who had someone else’s bag in their hand. Maybe next time you should just apologize and smile when handing someone back what belongs to them,” I retort.

I can see two of the men holding a snicker back. They probably have never seen someone speak like this to their boss. The third looks like he is about to panic. The man leans over to me and quietly says in my ear, “If you spoke to me like this anywhere but here, I would have to teach you a lesson.” Then turned to walk away.

“It was so nice meeting you sir; I hope you have a lovely day. Bless your heart.” I say in as sarcastic of a tone as I can muster. I smile and walk away from the jackass, hoping the rest of my trip is better.

Finally getting to my apartment I see that the government isn’t making me live in the slums. Instead, they found an apartment on the same block as the nightclub. It’s small but fairly new. There are two bedrooms, both with a queen bed, and two bathrooms, more than I will need. A decent updated kitchen and a small furnished living room. This wouldn’t be too bad. The second bedroom has a desk as well where I can set up my home office equipment that the IRS had shipped here for me. It should be arriving any minute since my boss told me it would be here Saturday afternoon; they have a courier service delivering it.

I decided to unpack my belongings and take a shower. Then I would venture out to the nearest grocery store and load up for the week. I would also like to try many of the restaurants around town, there is no way I am going to be living in New York City and not try out the many different cuisines. I am a foodie at heart. I love to cook, and I love to eat. I also love to workout so finding a gym is necessary as well, I think the apartment building has its own, but I don’t know if it is good enough, so I’ll have to take a look when I go out for food. Then I plan on people watching from my apartment balcony this evening since the club is close by, I can see who the patrons are.