The Second Chance - Mafia

Charming?

LANEY

I can’t get much sleep tonight, I roll to check the alarm clock 2:56am. I lay there, starring at the ceiling. The thought of what today holds running through my head. I pick up my phone on my nightstand, sighing I rub my tired eyes.

“Okay Mr Ramono. Let’s see what I’m dealing with here.” I open up google and search Becker Ramono. The search instantly comes up with crimes linked to him, that they could never pin on him. Photos of him. I click on one photo of him in particular, that same look in his eye follows him everywhere. That icy cold stare. His handsome face holds barely any emotions whatsoever. He seems completely numb. I stare at the photo of him a little too long before I finally click back and scroll through the articles I can find on him. One article catches my attention ‘THE HEARTLESS ONE STRIKES AGAIN.’ Most articles are just assuming, they can’t say for sure. Maybe it’s due to them not knowing or maybe they just don’t want to get on the wrong side of him. But this article definitely isn’t a speculation. This is a full blown accusation. Apparently he witnessed a crime committed by Becker, he recalls the time he was hidden in the alleyway when Becker and his men pulled up with a young boy, around 16/17 years old, dragged him into the alleyway and shot him dead while he begged for forgiveness. I look for the authors name, no way would someone be dumb enough to sign their actual name on this article. That’s asking for it. When I find his name I’m completely gobsmacked at this man’s clear idiocy. ‘Michael Grover’ I quickly click off the article and search into the search bar Michael Grover. Missing. According to these results Mr Michael Grover went missing not even 24 hours after that article went public. No leads. Yeah right, police have since closed the case. That’s ridiculous! Clearly they know who did it! I get lost in all these articles and revising about my new client, I don’t realise the time ticking away. Suddenly a loud buzzing makes me jump, I turn and look at my alarm clock. The buzzing of doom, letting me know it’s time for me to get up and go to my meeting at the estate belonging to this monster.

I sit there for 10 minutes plucking up the courage to get myself out of bed and ready for the day ahead. What if I can ring in sick? Would that work? I consider my options but I know deep down there is no option here. He’s a man that always gets what he wants. And right now, he wants me to design his home.

What to wear? I decide on a simple black trousers and white T-shirt tucked in, with a black blazer to compliment it. Some black heels. I leave my hair down, straight. And add very minimal make up. I want to look professional but not too done up. The last thing I want him to think is that I’m trying to impress him. If anything I want to be as unnoticed as possible to him. After a quick once over in the mirror I’m happy with my look, I grab my bag with my portfolio in and everything else I need to take to a client meeting. Gaining the courage, it’s now or never. I push my way out of my apartment and make my way to the street. Here goes nothing.

I stand at the curb near my apartment building, put my hand up to hail my taxi, but before I can get one’s attention a black car pulls up. I gulp and take a step back. The door opens and 3 men in black suits step out, I recognise them instantly from yesterday. “Ms Watson. We’ve come to escort you to Mr Ramono’s estate.” The tall man with slicked back black hair said. I stare dumbfounded. “I could of made my own way, there really was no need to send out a car for me.” I said finding my confidence. I don’t want to appear scared or weak to these kind of people. His eyes glisten a little at my response. “Mr Ramono’s orders ma’am. Now if you please, Mr Ramono doesn’t take well to tardiness.” I nod my head and get into the car hesitantly. The door shuts after me and the 3 men climb in the front. As the car starts I take a deep breath. No going back now.

The car ride is extremely awkward, no conversation at all. Just the odd stare now and then. I glance at the man driving through the rearview mirror. How many people has this man killed? I wonder. As if reading my mind he smirks. Clearly likes the fact he’s a known mobster. The drive feels a lot longer than it actually is, I spend my time going over in my head how to be professional & what not to do. Just treat it like another client. You’ll be fine. I take a deep breath as we pull up to a massive estate, sweet Jesus! This place is beautiful! I really hope he isn’t expecting me to redesign the whole thing otherwise I’ll be here for years!

The car pulls to a halt, I gather myself, take a deep breath and get out the car. The men all stand around the car one near the gate, one near the car and the other starts to walk towards the main entrance. “Right this way Ma’am.” The gentleman says. The door opens and a young girl, maybe early 20’s stands at the entrance. She looks me up and down with her lip snarled upwards. Jeez. What’s up her arse. “Milly” the gentleman in front acknowledges the young girl, her bleach blonde hair framing her gorgeous face, she has way to much make up on to flatter her features. Instead she’s overdone it and completely made herself look worse. She is a natural beauty, I’m sure she’d look a lot better without that all over her face. Her body,

Stick thin flat tummy, perky boobs. Lovely long thin legs. Her short maid outfit shows them off perfectly. Surely she isn’t the maid, she looks like she’s wearing a role play costume. “Andre.” She purrs back. Suddenly her behaviour is flipped to flirty as she throws herself around the big man infront of me. He shrugs her off, looking disgusted. “Ms Watson, I’ll show you to Mr Ramono’s office. Follow me.” I nod my head and give Milly one last glance and a small smile, only to be returned by a scowl. I shake my head following the man, who I now know as Andre up the stairs to a big oak door, he knocks on the door and opens it without waiting for a reply. “Ms Watson is here sir.” “Send her in.” I gulp as Andre pushes the door open for me, stepping into his office I glance around at the space. Wow. This is unbelievable! What the hell needs redesigning here?! Everything I’ve seen so far is absolutely gorgeous. I then land my eyes on the mysterious man behind the big oak desk. Who has a stack of papers in-front of him. He looks up towards me, his glare penetrating my brave demeanour. I glance back away nervously. Waiting for him to speak, Andre shuts the door behind me as he leaves us too it. “Please, take a seat.” He gestures to the chair in-front of his desk. I gulp nervously, pleading my legs to move. However his glare has me frozen in place. He c***s his head to the side. Waiting for my response. I take one last glance around the space before finally my legs unfreeze and I make my way to the seat. Lowering myself down into the seat, I finally glance back up towards him. He’s smirking, aware of the affect he has upon me he leans forward. Placing his elbows on the desk, he twists his lips in a thoughtful way. I don’t like the gleam in his dark icy eyes. “Let’s begin.”

His voice is enough to stir a reaction in my tummy, the husky sound is enough to send anyone into a meltdown. My stomachs doing loops. I finally take the time to take in his devilish handsomeness. He c***s an eyebrow as I have a good look. Embarrassed that he caught me I look down blushing like mad.

His smile seems almost charming, but I know better than that. I won’t fall for his charm. I know what he is, them articles and the suspicious disappearance of that reporter. It’s all too obvious. He’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing. I need to remember that.