The Mafia’s Flower

Ch. 2 Big City Horizon

Rico glances at his designer watch, before greeting the bar tender with a charming smile and requesting two drinks. He pulls out his phone, rereading the message his long time best friend sent him. Ivy and him had been friends since childhood, dealing with that racist, backwards small town together. There was a point he thought they might be more but he realized he isn’t what she needs or wants and he’s fine with that. He always liked her for her company anyways.

“Well aren’t you dressed to the tens,” he hears Ivy coo and turns his head. She’s standing next to the empty stool by him, in a red thin-strapped dress and her wavy hair flowing freely. As always many eyes her as she walks by.

“Always for you my dear,” Rico jokes with a smirk, taking her hand and placing a peck on the back.

She rips her hand away, her nose scrunched up.

“Stop,” Ivy huffs in pseudo anger but he can tell she’s just embarrassed.

“Beauty like yours should never not be appreciated.”

“Yeah? Well I’m about to demolish that beauty of yours that appreciate even more,” she growls half heartedly, motioning to his face that he often admires.

Rico’s eyes widen dramatically then narrow. “You wouldn’t dare.”

“Would I?”

“… fine I’ll stop, for now. Ah and here they are, thank you m’am,” Rico smiles dazzlingly to the bar tender, accepting the two fruity drinks. “Here you go Ivy.”

“Thanks.”

“So, why did you ask me here? New piping hot tea you need to spill?” He asks lightly as he swirls the the drink. His face sobers when he notices Ivys serious expression.

“Let’s move to a booth,” Ivy nods towards one in a hidden corner.

“Alright.” Rico shrugs half heartedly. They quickly maneuver to the booth in the corner, her friend curiously watching her.

Once they sit and Ivy makes sure there’s no eyes, she focuses on her friend.

“There’s something I haven’t been truthful to you about. Senior year of high school, my uncle Hugh sat me down and explained to me he’s a bit in debt after aunt Cins suddenly death,” Ivy hesitates, “but he didn’t want to let me help him pay it off, instead as you know, my uncle was insistent I go to college and finish my schooling. But after I was there for almost two years, my uncle told me that he’s lost his job and the debt has gotten bigger and he can’t afford my schooling anymore. That’s when I left college and I’ve been working as much as I can to help pay off the debt while my uncle looks for another job. It’s the least I can do, they’re basically my parents, they raised me; this debt is our debt. And that’s why today I decided to message you.”

She takes a deep breath.

“Rico a few years ago you were in a much similar situation as me,” Rico stiffens and Ivy gives him a wry smile that’s meant to be comforting. “Your parents and your sisters drug addition put you and your younger sister in a lot of debt that was going to cause you all to lose your home. Then one day, you managed to pay it all off and keep your home. And suddenly you, as a teenager, had designer and expensive items after nearly being on verge of homelessness and losing your sister. I am always so proud you are able to get to where you always wanted to be but the math just didn’t add up Rico. You told me you got a good paying job and you managed to work something out with that bank, but you and I both know that doesn’t make a lot sense for a high school kid with no job background. So,” Ivy glances down for a moment then meets Rico’s eyes intensely.

“Please, I will do whatever it takes but please take me to someone who can help me with the debt.”

Rico stares intensely at her for a long moment. The air feels tense. She could see her friend is at war with himself, and she understands; it can’t be easy what he’s seen and done, and then pull his beat friend into it.

Finally, her friend sighs. “Are you sure you’re up for it? Once you go through with this, you can’t back out, even if you don’t like the deal, and… I can’t promise you what the deal will be.” Rico looks down.

Ivy looks at her hands resting on the table, clenching them. She looks back at Rico with determination shining in her dark chocolate eyes. “I’m sure, I’m aware of all the outcomes, but this is something I need to do.”

Rico looks down. “I can understand that,” he sympathizes gently then sighs. “There is someone I know that might be able to help you with your problem.”

Ivy perks up. “But, be warned Ivy, he’s a dangerous man and his use for you might not be desirable.” Rico grimaces and she wonders for a moment what he’s experiences to make him react like that but decides not to think too deeply in it for now.

“I understand.”

“Good. Now listen very closely,” Rico lowers his voice and Ivy leans in a little closer towards her friend. “I’ll give you an address, go there, ask for Tart, tell them that “Chess” sent you, and that you wish to speak to Tart about meeting with the Czar.” Ivy quickly cements Rico’s instructions in her mind.

“Got it.”

“Good, at some point I’ll slip you the directions. For now, let’s just relax and enjoy a night out together,” Rico announces the last part much louder, raising his glass with a beaming smile.

Ivy taps her with his, matching his look. “To our night out,” she chirps and the rest of the night is a blur.

OooooooooooO

The first thing Ivy is aware of is her tremendous nausea, causing her to lurch from her bed, fling her door open, rush across the hall, and heave into the toilet. Once she finishes, she flushes, and forces her body up.

She doesn’t remember most of last night, but she does remember stumbling drunkenly with Rico back to her house. And she remembers her uncle welcoming her in, and Rico catching a ride, but after that it’s all darkness.

As Ivy pulls on a clothes she suddenly remembers her and Rico’s talk last night. She looks at her purse laying astray, and pauses. It’s just a silly paper, she reminds herself, and without another moment she strides up to it and digs her hand through. Sure enough her fingers catch onto a small piece of paper.

She looks at the address, Carson Drive, 38H, located in the big city of Dubowe just a few or so hours over from the small town of Yellowtuck where Ivy and her uncle lives in.

She licks her lips and quickly packs a bag of essentials, unsure if she’ll be able to live here or even see her uncle again. Despite her certainty with what she’s about to do, her stomach is in knots when she walks out to say her farewells to her uncle. Hes in the living room as always, a beer in his hand, and hockey playing on the screen, just like when she left to the bar last night. He looks as he hears her approach, opening his mouth to greet her until he sees the large bag she’s carrying.

He gives Ivy a questioning look. “What do you got there?” He asks her.

“I’m going to interview for a job; it’s high paying and if I get it, I’ll be able to you back onto your feet in no time.” Ivy assures with a smile, though her uncle seems less than pleased.

“And where did you hear of such a job? Sounds like scam to me,” he huffs decidedly, irritation in his tone.

Ivys smile strains but she’s determined to be positive. “A friend set me up with it, it’s legit.” She brushes off smoothly.

“That friend better not be that Rico kid.” Hugh grumbles hotly, not budging from his opinion. Ivy twitches at the mention of her long time friend but lets it go, knowing that her uncle has always felt that way about Rico and she’s never been able to make him change his mind. He just sees Rico as some dumb kid that’s only into Ivy for her “looks” despite only being her friend, as she’s said many times.

“It wasn’t,” she lies easily, “it was Vicky, you remember her? Blonde hair, short, always wore that light blue jacket.”

“I remember Vicky, I liked her, pretty girl. You should have brought her around more.” Hugh comments thoughtfully, and Ivy rolls her eyes. “Alright, well, where is this interview? And with who?”

“It’s in Dubowe. Not sure who yet, I’ve only talked to a receptionist so far and gotten an address.” Ivy shrugs, it was sort of a truth in a way.

Hugh frowns. “Would the job be in Dubowe too?”

“I don’t know uncle, they’re gonna decide on a position for me. I could very well end up staying in Dubowe and sending money back to you.” She shrugs, Hugh frowns at her answers, clearly unpleased. Her uncle looks down then meets her eyes with an unsure grin. .

“If… that’s what you want Ivy-vine. I still don’t like it but I can’t stop you.”

Ivy gives a half hearted smile. “It’ll all work out, just watch.” Though wasn’t entirely sure of that herself either.