The Mafia’s Flower

Ch. 5 Not a Great Ice-Breaker

Ivy wasn’t sure what to expect living with the mafia; she isn’t even entirely sure what they did either. But it isn’t as tense as she thought it would be.

She took on more of the chores as part of her work here since Czar is often busy. So she does chores most of the day, and is often left with a lot of free time.

T and her are becoming quick friends, and not just because he’s forced to watch her. His cheerful, fun-loving attitude reminds her fondly of Rico.

Speaking of Rico, he had messaged her the other day, asking how she is and just now warning her of the Czars fondness of annoying people. She had messaged back that she was fine, and that the plan worked out. Her uncle also contacted her; he had been worried when she didn’t call him that night she left for the “interview.” Ivy answered back, apologizing for worrying him and telling Hugh she got the job, and they offered to pre-pay her salary for their situation. He didn’t seem too happy to hear that for some reason, but Ivy written off as shock. She then also told him that because of it she needed to stay traveling with them, but she promised she would see him as soon as she could.

He wasn’t happy with that, and stated word by word: “I don’t know about this Ivy-vine, seems too good to be true. You should just come home, I miss you and this situation is really worrying me Ivy. You know I can’t be worrying with my health...” and so on. Ivy ignored it; he just wanted her to comfort him about it.

And she can’t.

In the week Ivys been here, she’s barely seen Czar. He’s been slammed with work and the few times she has seen him, it’s only been for a second, and he always ruins it instantly by opening his fat mouth. He just so infuriating, and Ivy can’t stand how easily he gets under her skin.

And that darn devilish smirk of his! She hates it!

“You know frowning causes wrinkles,” speak of the devil.

She nearly sighs. Ivy turns from where she’s sweeping the hallway, an exasperated look on her face.

“And you think I care about getting wrinkles? I’m still going to be hot, even as an old lady,” She retorts to Czar, a confident smirk on her lips. The smirk disappears when she sees him grin.

“Oh I’m sure you will be,” He croons, his blue eyes sparkling with mischief.

“Ew, what are you, a p*****t? And don’t imagine me as an old lady,” She snaps in revulsion, wrapping her an arms around herself protectively.

His devilish grin only widens.

“Too late, and must I say, you are correct. The wrinkles would only add to your beauty. Ahhhhhh, I can see it now,” he suddenly grabs Ivys hand from the broom, causing the broom to fall, “my old wrinkly hand holding yours as we age together.”

“Jeez, got a fetish for old people? And we’re not actually engaged,” Ivy reminds sharply, ripping her hand free.

Czar touches his chest. “You wound me, my dear Ivy,” he sighs dramatically.

Ivy rolls her eyes. “Choke on a hammer.”

“Jeez, you guys act like you’re been married already,” Tum chortles, reminding both Czar and a Ivy of his presence. She had forgotten about him for a moment, so droned into work and then bickering with Czar.

“That hurts,” Ivy cries dramatically, to her friend, pouting.

“There, there, I know the truth can hurt,” T teases, patting her shoulder.

Ivy playfully swipes his hand away, laughing. Czars eyes narrow, but he quickly smiles to mask it.

“Ivys just shy about our engagement,” Czar quips.

“You wish.”

“I don’t have to wish, it’s already happened,” he grins. “Also, we’re going on a date.”

“We are?” Ivy asks incredulously.

“Yes, right now in fact. That’s why I’m here.”

“All right,” Ivy breaths, grabbing the fallen broom and setting it against the wall. “See ya later T.”

“Later Ivy.” Tum waves.

Czar motions for her to follow. He leads Ivy up to the roof, and when he opens the door the cool air gushes through, soothing her skin. But the bright light on the other hand burns her eyes for a moment, after being inside for a week straights. But once the pain subsides, she’s left speechless.

They were in fact in a small mansion, but it’s in a countryside that is filled with hills as far as the eye can see. The hills are filled to the brim with luscious, dark green fields of tall grass.

“Great view, isn’t it?” Czar asks in a knowing tone. Ivy ignores it for the beauty of the sight.

Yellowtuck is nothing like this…

“It’s gorgeous,” Ivy admits breathlessly. She finally turns her gaze from the fields, and sees a set of gold chairs under a sun umbrella. The pair sit down, Ivy coolly gazing at the leader. She wasn’t going to let some view impress her, even though she is a little impressed. Maybe because she’s used to the dry, flatness of Yellowtuck.

“So, what’s your favorite color?” Czar suddenly asks.

“My favorite color?” Ivy asks incredulously.

“Yes, it’s basics we should know about each other. So, what is it?

“Red. And yours?”

“What shade of red? And mines green.”

Ivy gives him a look, but shoots back with a smirk. “Hm, more deeper shades of red, like crimson. What’s your favorite shade?”

“Emerald, though light greens are occasionally soothing,” he adds thoughtfully. He seems to actually be taking this seriously- “Though I’d never expected you to a red-kind of person.”

Ivy twitches. And just when they were doing so well. “What’s that supposed to mean?” She’s asks.

“Don’t be so touchy,” Czar chuckles. “I just mean I didn’t expect you to favorite red. You seem like you would favorite black or maybe dark blue, with your mysterious and rebellious nature. But red is very romantic and loving.”

Ivy tenses, clenching her jaw. Already making assumptions of her, her irritation is already high.

She stares at the field for a moment, watching the grass wave softly in the wind, before turning to him. “I’m not usually like this; you know, rebellious and mysterious.” Ivy doesn’t say it’s because of him that she’s acting this way and holding herself back, unsure if it would anger him.

“No, I think you’re not only rebellious and mysterious, but you’re also fiery and passionate at heart,” his sharp rebuttal has her instant attention. “I see you try to bottle it up, holding back how you truly feel, but I can see the fire burning behind your eyes. It just needs some more woods before you let it break free.”

Ivy blinks at his description, and she can’t deny a pit didn’t form in her stomach at his words. She’s not any of that; yeah she’s confident and extroverted, but she’s always been told she’s too soft, too delicate for her own good.

“Oh? And how do you know so much about me? We’ve known each other for just a week now, and during which we’ve barely seen one another. I think I would myself better than you would,” Ivy declares coolly.

She doesn’t like Czar telling her what she is and isn’t like that; he doesn’t know her, he just knows how to annoy her.

“Why else would you be here if you weren’t passionate about your family?”

She recoils, her anger ignites, “don’t bring up my family.”

“Don’t significant others know about one another’s family?” Czar asks. “Tell me about you family Ivy. What about you uncle?”

Ivy suddenly stands. “I think it’s been enough for one session,” she states with a glare, and starts angrily striding off.

He doesn’t say anything, letting her go, and she’s thankful he does. She doesn’t talk about family to other people; even Rico gets the bare minimum sometimes, and she considers him family in all but blood. And Czar doesn’t respect it.

She had expected that though, he’s a mobster, a Mafia-boss. Of course he’s not going to respect some lower civilian he hired.

She’s knows she needs to cool down. Glancing at a clock on the wall, she notices it’s nearly time to start making dinner and decides to busy her mind with that.

She heads towards the kitchen, and as she nears the doors, she sees Tum leaning near the entrance. Likely waiting for her since he knew she would probably start on dinner next after her “date” with the devil. Ugh, Ivy doesn’t want to think about that.

Tum’s lazily scrolling through his phone, but once he hears Ivys footsteps, he looks up.

“Didn’t go well?”

“You expected anything else? We can barely stand one another.”

“Yeah I guess that’s true,” he chuckles, “well, I hope you two can get along soon, because it’ll be bad news for both of you if you two get in this act by your audience.” Tum adds thoughtfully.

Tingles run down her spine thinking about it; she knows this already. No one would be happy realizing they’re being scammed, and she can’t imagine how another mafia-boss-level mobster would take to that.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be careful.” Ivy assures with a seemingly careless wave. She knows she needs to get along with Czar in order for this to work, but the man also has to stop being so insufferable.

OoooooooooooooooooO

A girl in her early twenties with long black hair, and olive skin is standing before her father, holding a magazine in her hands. Her father, an 50-something man with salt and pepper hair, aging olive skin, and a strong face is staring at the news on his phone while sitting on his luxurious white leather couch in the middle of his grand, expensive living room.

The girl steps onto the soft, snow white rug, next to her fathers knees. He looks up at her and sees the magazine she’s holding.

He sets his phone down, his eyes soften.

“What is it Olive?”

“How would you feel about Para Mona or The Cri Islands?” She asks, shoving a magazine in his face with pictures from both of the beautiful, tropical islands of Para Mona and of The Cri Islands.

He raises an eyebrow at her.

“Why?”

“How would feel about going there, I mean? They’re pretty, and we haven’t traveled in a while.” She shrugs. “Please, daddy?”

He thinks about it for a moment. He has been needing a break form work, and last time he went on vacation was years ago; it was also the last time Olive has gone on vacation as well.

“All right, how about we plan a trip to Para Mona soon hm? I hear the waters are warmer.”

“That sounds perfect! Thank you daddy!” Olive smiles, hugging her father. He embraces her back with a small chuckle.

“Anything, my daughter.”