BABY MAFIA

THE NEW BOSS

Present day: A year since Melany's parents disowned her...

By 19:00, I was standing in front of my mirror double checking my appearance before heading off to work. For those of you who are wondering most people say I look like Mariah Carey, just more figured.

I have what they call an African figure. (shaped like a bottle) I have long curly black hair that represents both my black and white origins. I have white facial features and a perfectly tanned skin colour.

Today my looks weren't doing it for me though. I was having a really bad hair day and the peach coloured mini dress I was wearing was a little too tight, because I had gained some weight. "I need to go on a diet." I said, thinking out loud. I didn't have time to change because I was already late, so I just grabbed my handbag and coat and headed out the door.

When I got to the club, there were no cars in the parking lot. Which was strange because there were always cars regardless of the time. When I entered the club the entire staff were sitting on bar stools and our supervisor Digby was standing on one of the stripper platforms with a man I've never seen before. When I realized we were having a meeting I slipped onto one of the empty bar stools at the back, hoping I entered without being noticed.

Only after a few minutes of settling in did I notice that some of the staff members were crying. "What's going on?" I whispered to Rudo who was sitting next to me.

"Simon was found dead in his home this morning. Heart attack." He whispered back.

I have been working for Simon for a year now and he has always treated his staff well. So it broke my heart to know he wouldn't be around anymore. He was a good man.

"A funeral will be held for our late boss Simon on Friday at ten O'clock, at the cemetery just down the road. Now on to the good news. I was able to find a replacement for Simon sooner than I hoped. Staff, please welcome the new boss of the Foxy Tail; Konstantin Brusilov!" We all welcomed our new boss Brusilov, who turned out to be the unknown man with warm applause. "You can say a few words to your new employees, Brusilov!" Digby said, handing over to Brusilov.

"Thank you." He said and we all stopped applauding. He had a very strong Russian accent. "I am Russian for those of you who are wondering and I am very happy to be the new boss of the Foxy Tail and all of you. I expect that you will treat me with the same respect you did Simon. If you do so then we will have no problems. Let us all work together and not forget the reason why we are here; to satisfy our customers and make profits. Now you will all have the privilege of having the rest of the week off until after the funeral. When you come back though, I expect all of you to bring up your A-game. Thank you, you may leave."

We all got up and began to leave. I was halfway to the door when Digby asked me to join him and Brusilov on the platform. I slowly made my way to the platform and got on. Digby introduced me to Brusilov and we shook hands. Brusilov kept looking me up and down with lustful eyes. I didn't feel comfortable about it and the massive scar on his left cheek didn't put me at ease either.

Brusilov eventually stopped looking me up and down and just looked me dead in the eyes. "I don't think you made a very good first impression by showing up so late, Ms. Trey." He said.

"I'm really sorry sir. I just had a disaster of a day and then I had trouble with my outfit."

"Please call me Mr. Brusilov. I won't penalise you for that this time, but next time make sure you get here on time."

"Oh yes sir, Mr. Brusilov sir!"

"Good. You may leave Ms. Trey." I immediately got off the platform and walked out the door.

"What was that all about?" My best friend Nelly asked, as she rushed after me.

"Just about getting to work on time since I was late today."

"Oh, not a very good first impression I see, Mel."

"Yeah, but it won't happen again Nel."

"Yeah I know. You won't let it. So what do you think of this Brusilov guy?"

"He gives me the creeps Nelly. He keeps looking at me with these lustful eyes and not to mention the massive scar on his cheek."

"Yeah like, what the heck is up with that right?" Nelly agreed.

"Well at least he gave us the rest of the week off."

"Yeah. I'm not complaining about that. It's just sad that it had to come at the expense of Simon's death."

"Yeah, what a shocker."

"Yeah. So since we don't have work for the rest of the week, how about you come over to my flat for the week? We could have like a lady sleep over. What do you say?"

"Yeah, sure Nel. You know I can never say no to my best friend."