Luciano

All that jazz

Charles looked at his friend with a smile.

"So ya wasn't gonna tell me about this". He said with an amused tone.

"I wanted it to surprise a Charlie it's your birthday soon".

"What ya sentimental or some s**t". Charles spoke with a smirk.

"No, but you did with the young lady, you seemed almost taken with her". Meyer said in a questioning tone. He was interested in what his friend wanted with the young woman. She was a beautiful girl but she was forbidden in more ways than one and knowing his friend, he would find her more intriguing than anything.

"She's a beautiful dame. I'm a red-blooded male I was just admiring".

"Yes, she also happens to be Chalky White's daughter". Meyer reminded his friend. Charles had a knack of getting himself into trouble especially when it came to beautiful dames.

"I know that. Look I ain't gonna do nothing with the dame okay, besides she's young".

"How old is she". Meyer asked. He knew his friend couldn't afford to get into more legal trouble. Even though the girl was colored and the police wouldn't care, she was Chalky White's daughter so the police had to care whether they liked it or not.

"She's 16". Charles answered with a smile her age always intrigued him. She was so innocent, untainted and that made him want her more.

"Jesus Christ Charlie she's a child even by my standards and you are 5 years older than me". Meyer whisper yelled. He knew she was young but he didn't think she was underage. He knew that his friend had a peculiar taste in women but an underage colored girl who also happened to be the daughter of a powerful gangster was far fetched even for him.

"Ya make me seem like I'm some kind of predator or something". Charles questioned not liking his friend's tone. Meyer put his hands up in defeat.

"Just be careful". He warned his friend who in turn smirked.

"Meyer, Meyer ya worry too much. Let's enjoy this moment". Charles spoke raising his whiskey glass. They clinked their glasses together and sipped the amber liquid. Charles had a smirk on his face despite his friend's warning he did not plan to stop pursuing the young dark-skinned beauty. After this, he would call Joe and tell him about the deal and then he would see her, he had to see her before going back to New York. Spending one more night in Atlantic City was not such a bad thing if he was spending it with her.

Maybelle handed over the bowl containing carrots to her mother. They were seated at the large dining area, a large chandelier hung above the long dark brown wooden table. Everyone was seated at their seats with Chalky at the head of the table.

"How was your lunch date with your father". Lenore White spoke softly. She was beginning to worry about her husband and daughter's relationship. They seemed strained for the past year, she was glad they were spending time together.

"It was swell mother, daddy and myself spoke about a few things hence I could not make it to the church gathering tonight and for that, I apologize". Maybelle spoke looking at her mother. She admired her mother's beauty, the older woman's her was styled in a short curly bob. The yellow dress she donned complimented her caramel skin.

"That is no matter sweetheart as long as you enjoyed yourself isn't that right Albert?". She spoke looking to her husband who seemed to be deep in thought. He broke out of his trance.

"Yes, yes". He nodded and his wife smiled at him. Lenore turned to her son.

"Lester, how was your day". She asked. Lenore always wanted to make sure her husband and children were fine, she lived for them. They all continued to converse whilst enjoying their meal.

After supper, Maybelle had taken a shower and was now sitting on her bed reading a book before bed. Her phone rang and wondered who could be calling her at this time of the night. She initially thought it was Stacey before she answered the phone.

"Hello". She answered in a soft voice.

"Whatchu up to". A deep voice came through the receiver and her heart lept out her chest.

"Charles". She breathed out, looking around the room as if she would be caught any minute.

"I'm outside". He whispered.

"What?" Her shock was evident. Her eyes were wide and her heart was beating fast.

"Come outside. I have something to show ya. I'm sure ya parents are sleeping, sneak out the balcony". His deep voice came out making her heart flutter. She contemplated rejecting his offer before agreeing. She snuck out of her balcony door being careful not be heard. She was grateful for the outdoors lights being on tonight otherwise she would have had to navigate her way in the darkness. She finally spotted the lights of the car outside the big gate and went to it. Fortunately for her, one of the security guys must have forgotten to lock the gate because she simply opened it slightly and snuck out. She spotted Charles, he seemed to be on a phone conversation using his car telephone. He saw her and ended the chat

"Fancy face, my God even before you go to sleep you still look like a goddess". He growled causing heat to rush to her cheeks. She looked down remembering that she still donned on her sleepwear.

"What do you want to show me". She asked softly and he smirked.

"Ya trust me? ". He asked. She thought about this for a moment, did she really trust him she barely knew him but here she was at midnight sneaking out to meet him. Something she has never done before but she ignored her consciousness and nodded slowly.

"Yes, I do". She answered smiling. He smirked before giving her his hand.

"Well come join me for an adventure". She took his hand and he led into the car, she was unsure of the events to come but all she knew was that this man brought out a side of her she never knew existed.