Luciano

Going steady

Stacey knocked on the large brown door, she was visiting her best friend they had not seen each other at school today and she wanted to catch up. A young maid came to answer the door.

"Good day miss Stacey". The young woman greeted as Stacey entered the large foyer

"Hey, Margaret". Stacey greeted with a smile.

"Should I go call miss Maybelle". Margaret spoke gesturing towards the large staircase.

"No thank you. I'll just surprise her myself". Stacey spoke as she walked towards the staircase and ascending up the large brown wooden stairs. She walked down the hallway and stopped at large white-colored double doors. She knocked softly remembering that Mr. White's office was nearby and he didn't tolerate any noise when he was working.

Maybelle answered the door dressed in her pajamas. Stacey furrowed her brows at her friend at it only 5 pm and it was Friday so she should be glammed up to go to dinner.

"What the on earth is going on with you, it's Friday we are supposed to be going out for dinner".

"I'm sorry Stace". Maybelle coughed.

"I think I am coming down with something". She coughed again sniffling before grabbing a tissue blowing her nose. Stacey looked at her friend in disgust.

"Eww don't come near me. Now you're going to get me sick". Stacey exclaimed dramatically earning an eye roll from Maybelle.

"Are your parents home". She asked Maybelle shook her head.

"It's Friday so they have alone time". Maybelle replied coughing.

"But it's fine you can leave I will be okay". Maybelle said quickly.

"Are you sure". Stacey asked with skepticism and Maybelle nodded.

"Mmm yes plus I don't want to get you sick too". She said coughing. Stacey nodded.

"Okay you make a good point but if you need anything you can call me and I will bring my father". Maybelle nodded, Stacey's father was a successful doctor so the White family often went to him for medical inquiries. The two girls hugged before Stacey left.

Maybelle watched from her balcony as the car transporting her best friend pulled away. She quickly removed her pajamas and put on the dress she had chosen earlier. It was a knee-length white dress which was fit for the winter she paired it up with a pair of white heels and her grey and brown fur coat.

Charles' black car pulled up and Maybelle smiled bringing her coat closer to her. He got of the walking towards her with a smile on his face.

"My my an angel has fallen from the sky". He said as he walked to her and stood in front of her. He put his hand on the small of her back bringing her close to him before he bent down to her height and gave her a kiss. She looked up to him feeling giddy after he pulled away, she could taste the whiskey on his breath.

"You look beautiful". He whispered kissing her and she smiled looking up at him.

"Thank you". She replied softly as he gently took her hand leading her to the car.

He opened the door for her on the passenger's side and she slid in, he got into the car starting it before driving off. She looked at him as he was concentrating on the road

"Charles". She suddenly spoke her gaze still on him.

"Mmmm". He replied not looking at her, his eyes focused on the road.

"I called you earlier and you hung up on me. What was that about?". She asked softly and watched him ran his hand across his face and sigh.

"I was caught up in a business meeting it's been a really stressful day". He replied still not looking at her.

"You sounded like you were in pain or something". She asked remembering how he was hissing before he hung up.

"I had a bad headache like I said it's been a really stressful day". He said this time looking to her for a little before turning his gaze back on the road. She looked at him before nodding.

"Look I'm sorry if I upset ya". He said looking at her and moving his hand to her thigh and began brushing it softly. Her breath halted at the physical contact.

"It's okay I am sorry you are so stressed out is the something I can do to help?". She asked softly and he shook his head.

"Ya existence relaxes me". He said smoothly and she giggled.

Charles parked the car in the parking lot of the small restaurant. He managed to find a restaurant in the city where Chalky White had no ties so they were safe. He had to admit that he was impressed by her lying to a friend pretending to be sick so they could have dinner together.

He got off the car going to the other side and opened the door for her. He held out his hand and she took it thanking him as she exited the car. He watched her gracefully walk towards the door, her dress looked like it was made for her and her fur coat made her look like royalty. She was beautiful and he wanted her badly however he knew she wouldn't let him have his way with her tonight or any time soon she was not that type of girl any way he was still worn out from f*cking Grace the entire night last night and most of the day today hence he had to hang up on Maybelle.

He held the door open for her she walked in. Contrary to what most people thought Charles was a gentleman well he had gentleman tendencies. His former boss Arnold Rothstein had taught him how to behave around a lady, he also taught him how to dress like a gentleman hence Charles' love for expensive suits and silk shirts imported from France. Problem is most women he met were not ladies and therefore he believed not worthy of being treated as such but Maybelle was different, she was like no other woman he has met, everything she did was delicate and graceful. She was a proper lady and that brought the gentleman out in him.

A waiter led them to a table, Charles noticed how most men looked to him as he walked in, of course, they looked at him he had the most beautiful girl in this entire city, he thought to himself as he scoffed. They both took their seats after he had helped take off her coat, the waiter took their orders and left.

"Did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight". He whispered in her ear his five o'clock shadow tingling on her skin. He had not shaved today, he was too busy f*cking Grace and getting high.

"You have been saying the entire night Mr. Luciano". She whispered with a sweet smile on her face. She was flattered that he found her beautiful.

"AR once said there is no such thing as too many compliments for a lady". He replied smoothly.

"AR". She questioned as her brows furrowed.

"Arnold Rothstein. He was a friend of mine, he taught me everything I know about business". He replied with a soft sigh as a waiter brought their drinks before leaving.

"You said was does that mean he as passed on". She asked softly before taking a sip of her water.

"Unfortunately yeah. He got sick last year and died". Charles lied. In honestly Arnold Rothstein was shot dead the previous year in 1958. He was a huge gambler and this resulted in him being in debt. But Maybelle did not need to know that in fact, she did not need to know anything about that aspect in his life. To her, he was an upstanding American businessman and not an Italian mobster. He loved playing that role, she didn't fear or was disgusted by him because of his occupation. He could have conversations with her without being judged and that was something he relished.