There is No Such Thing as Mafia

Soon

Steam flowed off the searing liquid, as I held it tightly in my grasp. Nuzzling the cup to my chest, reveling in its warmth that it radiated.

This was one of the best parts of the job. 

'Free coffee', I thought as I gave a lazy smile.

"You're awfully cheerful today Mi-mi."  My quirky friend chimed in.

Giving my friend a sideways glance I spoke, "Well you know it isn't everyday that I get to have lunch with my bestfriend Nova, so when I do get to, it's a cheerful day." Nova rolled her coppery eyes and gave an exaggerated sigh as she plopped herself down in the seat across from me with her tray of food.

"We had lunch together this past Monday, it's only Friday. But anyways Phil wants to know if you're coming in on Saturday night, because if not he was going to call Mindy in." Eating a fry, she turned to look at me.

I sipped my coffee and mulled over the idea, before I shook my head 'no'.

"I can't do Saturday because I have two quizzes to take plus another to study. I'm coming in tonight after I finish my shift for the hospital. I get off at six, which is..", I looked at my watch quickly, "five hours from now."

Nova nodded her head, "I'll let Phil know for you since I know you don't have your phone on you. I muffled a thanks as I began eating my lunch.

Nova and I made small talk here and there about work, school, and of course men. I wasn't in a serious relationship, but I have a male friend that blows my back-out almost every other week as needed. I wanted something serious with him, but he said he could never date a 'stripper', but if I was willing to give up being a stripper then he'd give it a chance.

Guys are always intimidated when I reveal I'm a dancer, and none of them are able to handle the quote on quote "baggage" I bring. I'll admit it is disappointing, and more than often discouraging. I'd be lying if I said my confidence hasn't taken a nosedive. But it's something I have to get used to, because no one else will help put me through schooling. My parents are well off,  but believe that if they help me they will be hindering my character growth. Whatever that meant. 

I didn't want them to pay for everything, but a little help every now and then when needed would of been suffice. But I'm the one to blame for that. I'll admit that in my youth to my early 20's, I was out of control.

During those times I experimented with drugs, not just m*******a but hard core drugs. I've popped mollies, x's, oxy, and even perc's. Hell I've even done lines of coke before, and I used my parents money to do it. So no, I don't blame them for being skeptical about giving me money, but I've been clean for going on five years now with the help of Nova. Nova happened to be an addiction counselor, who was assigned to be a mentor to me. 

I was even uncertain about becoming a dancer because I didn't want to be around that type of toxic environment in fear of me relapsing, but I had to do what I could to afford to put me through school. Nova was the one who ensured me that she would help me find a strip club that had a strict no narcotics policy. She did just that. She even works at the club with me now, as counselor to the dancers who may need advice or help.

She and I are now bestfriends, since this was frowned upon, Nova had another counselor assigned to me so that she and I could remain to be close friends.

"Mia Marino!" Nova shouted.

"Huh?", I replied dumbfoundedly.

"You weren't paying attention were you?" Nova asked with a pout.

"No I'm sorry, I wasn't but if you tell me again I'll be sure to listen this time.", I said wholeheartedly with a pitiful smile I knew she couldn't resist.

Nova first gave me the evil, before she accepted my apology.

"As I was saying the first time. You see that man behind you, in the guy in the sleeveless shirt.", I begun to turn around cautiously as Nova continued with what she was saying. "He's been frequenting the club the past two weeks, almost everyday and might I add that he's a big spender. He seems to come in right after you've leave for the night. Don't look straight at him!" I stopped. Frozen in my place. 

I had to think fast. Grabbing my still full cup, I got up as if I needed a refill. When it came to this sort of thing I was bashful, and was never very confident. Keeping my head down as I practically ran to the drink dispenser.

My heart began to thump harder in my chest, as my hand started to tremble with nerves. It was like I was reliving yesterday night all over again, and I have yet seen what this man looked like. My breathing came out uneasy and my grip on my cup tightened, in fear that it may slip out of my now sweaty grasp.

I took my time refilling my cup, slightly praying that by time I turn around he and his friends would of already left and then I wouldn't feel so self-conscious. 

'Alright, here goes nothing.' With my drink firmly in my hand, I turned around slowly. Eyeing the table the sleeveless man occupied. My eyebrow raised in confusion as I realized he was no longer there, yet his friends were there chatting away. Oblivious to what was in front of of me I managed to topple over the slip resistant rug that was expertly placed in front of the drink dispenser.

Falling face first into the tile flooring, I managed to use my hands to take the brute force of the impact. This left my drink flying mid air, only to crash a foot or two away in front of me. Right now, I wanted nothing more but to become invisible. I internally cringed at myself. Out of all times I chose to make a fool out of myself, I chose today.

I attempted to hoist myself up from the floor, trying to compose myself when I noticed a rich olive colored arm being extended out in front of me. Giving me the 'take my hand' gesture. Taking the bear sized paw that was decorated with scars, ranging from reddish new to pink faded scars.

"Thanks for...uh helping me up. I've always been sort of clumsy."

"A clumsy EMT? I would of imagined you'd be rescuing me before, I'd be rescuing you."

Feeling my hand still within his grasp, gently being caressed by his calloused thumb. Sheepishly, I withdrew my hand from his, as not to be taken offensively.

"Well I can't rescue them all, although I'll try." I said wholeheartedly, as I finally gained enough courage to look into this heroic man's face. His face alone told a story that his lips kept secret.

His oaky brown eyes were hardened, and almost vacant from a life that was all too unkind and merciless to those who were weak and powerless.

Then there it was, the thick juicy scar that was etched into his left eyebrow. This was him, the man that frequented the club lately. The man Nova was telling me about, and from the looks of the thick scar on his face to the fresh scars and cuts that decorated his hands, told me he had a bad habit of brawling. And it just may have been his brutish form, but I have a feeling he wasn't the type to lose.

Bashfully rubbing the back of my neck, I spoke in stifled tone, "Thank you again, I really do appreciate it."

Cautiously eyeing his stern face. I waited for a reply, even a 'you're welcome' gesture. He only stared at me. With every passing second that he did nothing nor said anything I became exclusively antsy under his intimating gaze.

It was as if he was analyzing me, making a mental note of how easy it was to get under my skin or how easy it was to psych me out without saying a word or even lifting a finger. 

Not letting another second pass, I spoke up, "Well I should get to cleaning up the mess my drink made." As I motioned to turn a way, I heard his powerful and wettining voice speak up, "What mess?"

I looked to where the mess once was, and now saw a spotless spot. When did he, clean this up? Wait, how could he clean it when he's being with me for the past 5 to 7 minutes. Maybe one of the workers came and cleaned it when I wasn't paying attention. I mean it was hard to stay focus on the spill when you have a divine specimen, looking you up and down acting all mysterious.

"Did you...", turning back around I saw that the man no longer stood in front of me. Spinning around, I try to locate the man but he was gone. But not only was he gone but his friends had left to.

My shoulders hung low just a bit. I was disappointed to say the least. But I should be grateful right? The man didn't have to say much for me to know he was bad news, although that has never deterred me before.

Maybe it was his vibe or his aura that alerted me that he was bad news. But being that close to him made the hairs stand up on the back of my neck, like when you get a suspenseful or even eerie feeling. I thought as I made my way back to my table that I shared with Nova.

As I sat down I saw that Nova's face was imprinted with a playful smirk.

"I know, I know. I made a fool of myself."

She shook her head, "No, not that." She then gestured to the my new refilled cup sitting on the table, with a note stuck to the side of it.

It read, "It was my pleasure, to help you. And yes I had my friends clean up the spill, for you. Oh an d by the way you didn't make a fool of yourself, but you do tend to mumble when deep in thought or when in an uncomfortable situation. I think it's quite cute, and maybe we'll see each other again under different circumstances.

--Sincerely LG

I blushed the moment I read the note.

Oh Luca, if you only knew that our meeting would be happening sooner rather than later.

"Nova, tell Phil on second thought I will be coming in, and that I'll be pulling an all nighter".

I said with a cheeky grin, as I rolled my tongue over my lips in anticipation.