The Second Chance - Mafia

Days into weeks

LANEY

It’s been 2 weeks. I’ve tried my hardest to avoid Becker. Luckily he’s been away a lot on business. I try not to think about what business is. I’m finished my designs and ready to pitch my design to Becker. If he likes it then we can begin straight away getting the room designed. The sooner physical work starts the sooner I can get home!

I arranged an appointment with Becker at 3pm to pitch him my design ideas. I’ve gone over it several times to ensure it’s what he wanted and something I’m happy with. What can I do to pass the time? I look at the clock 11am. I glance around my room, my eyes land on my drawing pad and pencils. I grab my cardigan, pulling it on over my mom jeans and plain black vest top. I redo my hair, securing it in a messy bun on top of my head, with the odd strand framing my make up free face. Grabbing my pad and pencils I make my way to the door. Once I exit the building to the garden I wander around until I find the perfect spot near some wild flowers, facing the house on the opposite side of the lake. Perfect. I sit myself down on the grass. Put my headphones in and begin playing some music through my phone. I pick up a pencil and open the pad, I start to draw the house, with the lake just front of it. I get lost in my world for several hours.

The next time I glance down at my phone it’s 1:30pm. I yawn and stretch, admiring my drawing. I decide I’ve had enough of drawing now, I fancy a coffee before the big pitch. I step up dusting the grass off from my bum, I grab the pad and pencils and make my way back to the house. I walk into the gorgeous kitchen, white granite worktops with matte black painted cupboard doors. A matching island centred in the middle. Stunning pendant lighting hanging above the island. I go straight towards the coffee machine, grabbing a mug out of the cupboard I place it under the machine and press for a cappuccino. The coffee machine gets to work while I’m still listening to my music full blast. I suddenly feel hands on my waist. Jumping forward I spin yelping out. I pull my earbuds out and see a man I’ve never met or seen before around here. He’s also bigger built, bulky. His face is slightly rounded with big brown eyes. His teeth are crooked. His nose also crooked. He smirks at me, cockily. “Can I help you?” I ask him. He smirks even more, “oh I’m sure you can.” The coffee machine beeps thankfully indicating my cappuccino is ready. I use this distraction as a way to scoot past him. Grabbing my coffee I smile politely at him and make my way to my room not giving him any time to stop me.

Once in my room I calm my nerves and begin to drink my coffee whilst going over my pitch one last time. I check the time 2:35pm. Nearly time. The butterflies in my tummy begin to flutter. The nerves of the pitch are starting to get to me. This will be my first official pitch as a qualified designer. And my client is the mafia boss. I have every right to be nervous!

*knock knock* I stand impatiently waiting at the office door for Becker to shout me in. Time for the pitch. My hands are sweating, I feel like I’m about to throw up. But I need to get this over with so I can start the renovation itself. “Come in” his voice shouts through the door. I open the door meekly, stumbling in his office with my laptop on hand. I set up for my pitch without a glance at Becker. He sits back in his chair resting his chin on his hands, watching me carefully. Once I’m all set up I turn to him. Smile brightly and begin the pitch.

After explaining and showing Becker my designs I can see the cogs ticking in his brain. Once I’m finished the pitch I wait nervously for his opinion. He furrows his brows as his eyes remain on the laptop screen. Twisting his lips I worry he doesn’t like it. If he doesn’t like it what does that mean for me? Will he kill me? He did say he would if I didn’t do well. I can’t look at him any longer, I fiddle with my bracelet charm looking down waiting his response. Glancing up he tilts his head to the side. Weighing up my design. “It’s a strong pitch” he finally says. My eyes dart to his, trying to decipher if that’s a good thing or not. “Do you like it or not Becker?” I blurt out. Unable to contain my nauseating thoughts any longer. His eyes quickly dart to mine and narrow. He sucks in a breath through his teeth. “I do like your design yes. I don’t however like your tone. Call yourself a professional. You don’t blurt that out at the end of a pitch if your a professional..” I narrow my eyes at him now. “Well this is hardly a professional setting is it? Nothing about this job is professional! A normal client wouldn’t force me to live here, wouldn’t force me to watch them perform a live s*x show! Would f*****g force me against the wall teasing me! Nothing about this is professional.” The anxiety, anger, tension is all coming out. I can’t contain it any longer. Becker stands instantly and makes his way towards me. “I’m sick of telling you to watch that f*****g mouth!” He slams me into the wall. His eyes roaming my face, looking for a hint of approval. I glare back at him refusing to back down. I know his status. I know what he’s capable of, I know he’s this monster. But I also know how my body reacts to him, I also am aware of how exciting I find this whole situation! I know how intrigued I am and curious to learn more about his basement. I challenge him back. He seems amused by my response. He glances down to my mouth. Then back to my eyes. I continue to keep my eyes on his, he leans in brushing his lips against mine. I inhale sharply. He smirks against my mouth. Then without anymore warning he harshly pressing his lips to mine. I instinctively kiss him back, the feelings I’ve been resisting these last few weeks have broken free. The urge to kiss him, to feel him has now taken over. I owe myself some fun. I try to tell myself, after my failed marriage I haven’t been with anyone else. I deserve to let myself live a little. I won’t fall in love. Not again. So I enjoy the moment. Our mouths mould together, his tongue slips into my mouth, I moan against his lips. I’ve never been kissed like this before, it’s new to me. I want more of it.

He pulls away and my mouth instantly feels cold, lost. Suddenly the realisation of what happened dawns on me. I swallow hard and look away from him, suddenly embarrassed. He turns his back to me to gather his own thoughts. While his backs turned I feel the urge to escape. So I do just that. I leave my stuff and I open his office door and run. I run straight to my room. Mortified that I let my urge take over. I slam my room door and run to the bathroom. I strip and get in the shower, I need to wash away the sins I let out.