MAFIA’s OBSESSION

Chapter Five

After dumping the groceries in the kitchen, I retreated upstairs, flopped onto my childhood bed, and officially launched my pity party. I reached for my phone, ready to scroll mindlessly until my thoughts numbed, but the moment I unlocked it, a message notification made my stomach churn.

Josh: Cleo, can we just talk?

I scowled. Oh, now he wants to talk? As if the sight of his pasty ass wasn’t burned into my retinas forever.

Josh: I know you’re mad, but let’s be adults about this.

Oh, sure. I’d love to have a mature, civil discussion about how he raw-dogged some random girl in our bed. I clenched my jaw, thumbs flying over the keyboard.

Me: There’s nothing to talk about, Josh. We’re done.

Me: I’ll come by soon to get my things. Just don’t be there.

A few dots appeared, then disappeared. Then again. Then nothing. Good. He could sit with that.

I tossed my phone onto the bed, exhaling sharply. As if my mood couldn’t sink any lower. I needed reinforcements.

I hovered over our three person group chat “threesome” as Vee called it and tapped the call button. After two rings, a dramatic gasp filled my ear.

“Oh my God,” Kimberly shrieked. “She lives!” “Barely,” I muttered. “You finally decide to call after how many days of radio silence?” Olivia’s voice cut in, dripping with faux betrayal. “We thought you’d been abducted!” “Or worse,” Kimberly added. “Gone broke and sworn off brunch.”

I huffed a laugh. “Not quite, but it’s been a hell of a week.” That was an understatement.

Kimberly and Olivia had been my ride-or-dies since college, where we became inseparable after being assigned as roommates. Kimberly, born into wealth and effortlessly glamorous, had built a name for herself as a rising fashion designer. Meanwhile, Olivia, the self-proclaimed gossip queen of Manhattan, worked as a journalist and somehow knew everything before it even hit the internet. Between Kim’s love of couture, Vee’s knack for stirring drama, and my ability to talk my way into (and out of) any situation, we were an unstoppable trio. Kimberly’s tone shifted, instantly picking up on the exhaustion in my voice. “What happened?” I hesitated. “A lot.”

There was a brief silence before Olivia sighed. “Okay, how much wine do I need to pour before you spill?”

“All of it,” I deadpanned. “Jesus.”

Kimberly’s voice softened. “Cleo, talk to us.” I exhaled, squeezing my eyes shut. “I got fired.”

“What?” Olivia gasped. “Oh, hell no,” Kimberly snapped. “What happened?” “Ethan happened.”

A deep, knowing groan came from both of them. Olivia muttered something suspiciously close to I knew that snake would pull some s**t.

I rubbed my temples. “Long story short, he set me up, I got blamed, and Vivienne suspended me, which is technically a nice way of saying ‘b***h be gone’. No warning, no chance to explain, everything I’ve worked so hard for gone in the twinkling of an eye.”

Kimberly cursed under her breath. “That that hag is unbelievable.” “I’m going to key Ethan’s car,” Olivia declared. I snorted. “Appreciate the thought, Vee, but he Ubers everywhere like a pretentious prick even when he has a car.”

“Then I’ll key every black Tesla I see and hope it’s his.”

Kimberly sighed. “Okay, so that’s reason number one to drink. What’s reason number two?” My stomach twisted. “Josh was cheating.”

Silence. Dead, ominous silence.Then

“I WILL MURDER HIM!” Kimberly shrieked.

“Where is he?” Olivia demanded. “Where does he live?”

“You know where he lives.”

“Oh, right.”

More silence. I could practically hear the unspoken murder plots being drafted in their heads.

“How did you find out?” Kimberly asked, her voice sharp with anger. I swallowed. “I went home early after being fired. Walked in, saw the clothes on the floor, heard… things from the bedroom.”

“Ugh!” Olivia made a gagging sound. “That little weasel!” Kimberly scoffed. “We knew he was too bland to be faithful.” “I mean, come on,” Olivia huffed. “A tech bro with a closet full of plain navy T-shirts and an emotional range of a teaspoon? Red flag.” “Major red flag, I bet the s*x wasn’t even that good”. Kimberly agreed. “Honestly, Cleo, we should’ve staged an intervention.” I groaned. “Okay, okay, I get it! My taste in men is questionable but in my defense the s*x was kinda good, he really did know how to use his tongue.”

“Understatement of the century,” Olivia muttered.

“But we still love you,” Kimberly added sweetly. “And we are so taking you to brunch so we can properly drag Josh through the mud. I smiled, warmth creeping into my chest. “Sounds perfect.”

“Good.” Olivia clapped her hands. “Now, what’s the plan? You staying at your parents’ for a bit?”

“Yeah. I told Josh I’d come back soon to get my stuff.”

Kimberly scoffed. “Oh, I’m coming with you.”

Olivia gasped. “Me too! Can we throw his computer out the window?” I grinned. “Tempting.”

“Oh, we’ll definitely be discussing revenge strategies over brunch.” Kimberly’s voice turned deadly sweet. “Now, get some rest, Cleo. You’ve had a week from hell.” I exhaled, feeling lighter already. “Love you guys.”

“Love you more,” Olivia cooed. “Josh sucks,” Kimberly added.

And with that, I ended the call, a small smile lingering on my lips.

Maybe my life was a mess, but at least I had them.