Now Sofia Bellini
1300 Words
The air outside was cold, Sofia Bellini wrapped her fur-lined jacket tightly around her as she stepped out of Club Mirage through the staff door. It was almost 3:30am as she walked to her car. The night air in New York was thick with cigarette smoke and the hum of the city that never really slept. She got lots of tips from the customers, and this made her very happy. She needed all the money she could get.
Her feet ached from wearing heels for hours, but she couldn't complain. This job paid her bills. Just then her phone rang. She smiled when she saw the caller’s ID. It was Jasmine, her roommate.
“Hey girl, sorry I didn't tell you I was leaving.” Jasmine's voice was loud.
“I figured you left with Denzel.” Then Sofia noticed someone was following her. She turned, looking across her shoulders but she didn't see anyone. “I need to go now. I'll see you when you get home.”
“Okay, stay safe.”
She walked faster, almost breaking into a run. Her heels clicked on the floor as she walked. Then out of nowhere, she saw two figures. One tall and thin, the other built like a wall.
“Hey mama,” the tall figure called. “You look like a fine piece of ass. Got a minute?”
“Back off,” her grip on her purse tightened.
“Oh, come on, don't be like that.” He took another step closer to her. The other guy was behind her. She was trapped. “I love difficult girls but I think I'm too old for all of that now.”
“Don't you dare come close to me. I'll scream.” She could hear her heart beating really fast.
“Save the scream for when I spit in that fine ass and fvck you real good.” His eyes were dangerous.
Sofia knew she couldn't stand a chance, not still wearing those stupid heels. Before she could think of another plan, the man behind her grabbed her.
“Let go of me!” She screamed, struggling.
“Relax doll, you've got the whole night to scream.”
Then a voice cut through the alley.
“Let her go.”
The two men froze.
Sofia turned and saw him.
Scott.
He leaned against the hood of his car, a cigarette dangled from his lips. His eyes were still on her.
“Did you not hear me?” His voice was lethal. He stepped towards them. “I said let her go.”
The bigger guy chuckled nervously. “You need to mind your business.”
“I’m trying to, but my business just happens to be her.”
Before the man could blink, Scott's fist connected to his jaw. The thug stumbled backward, crashing into the wall. The other guy tried to swing at him, but Scott ducked, grabbed his arm and twisted. Bone cracked. The scream made her blood run cold.
Both men ran away.
“You okay?” He asked, concerned.
She nodded stiffly, “thank you.”
“You're always welcome.”
“You know you didn't have to, I would have handled them.”
“I know. You looked like a badass whipping their asses.” He teased, but she smiled.
He's never really seen her smile.
“You shouldn't have followed me.”
“My bad, your route just happens to be where I smoke. Lucky me.”
“Thanks again, I should get going.”
He held her back. “You know, if you really are thankful, you'll have a drink with me. Please.”
She hesitated at first, but there was no harm in having drinks especially with a man that just saved her. Since she left Milan, she's tried to avoid every single man that crossed her part. It was safe to say she hated men. “Fine. Just one drink.”
……..
The small bar down the street was almost empty. Sofia wrapped her hands around her glass, nursing her drink.
“So,” he said, leaning back in his chair relaxed. “You work at Mirage right?”
She nodded. “You already know that.”
He raised both hands over his head. “Guilty as charged.”
She laughed.
“You're not like other girls at the club. There is something different about you.”
She rolled her eyes. “I bet you've said the same thing to every bottle girl at the club.”
“Hell no, that's not how I move.” He paused, looking into her eyes. “I like you a lot. I've been watching you from a distance and I know you're my kind of woman.”
“I think I should leave now, I'm exhausted.” She grabbed her purse, but he stopped her. “I hate it when people flirt with me.”
“I was doing that. I'm just telling you the truth, Sophia Bellini. Please sit, please.” His voice was low.
He knew her full name. That's strange. The men at the club do not even care about your name, all they want to do is smash, so she was surprised.
“Fine.”
The rest of the conversation flowed easier than expected. Small laughs, short silences that weren't awkward. She listened to him talk about his life, places he'd been to. She didn't really have much to say and the last thing she wanted to do was talk about her past. She told him she didn't really travel much and he told her he'll take her to nice places when she gets comfortable around him.
When they finally stepped out of the bar, Dawn was beginning to touch the skyline.
“Thank you for having drinks with me.” He said.
“No, thanks for inviting me.” She smiled. Surprisingly she was already comfortable around him.
“I'll walk you to your car.”
As they walked, he invited her to have lunch with him, since it was her off day and she agreed.
“I'll see you later.”
“Sure.” She had a smile on her face as she drove home.
………
Milan, Italy
Dante slammed his glass on the table. “Naya what the hell is this, fifty thousand euros for what?”
Naya sat on the velvet couch, robe half open, as she scrolled through her phone. “What does that even mean? Why are you yelling over a few thousand euros when your family is worth millions.”
Dante couldn't believe his ears. Since Naya moved into his mansion against his family's will, it's been one problem to another.
“I got new clothes for the boys, and a little something for myself.”
“You did that last week. Come on Naya, you're becoming insensitive.” Sometimes he wondered if brining her home was a mistake.
She flared up. “Don't you ever speak to me like I'm Elena. I won't take any more disrespect from you, over some change, you call money.” She stood up and left the room. Almost immediately, her phone vibrated.
She looked at the caller ID and almost lost it. She went into her bedroom and shut the door behind her.
“Why are you calling me? I've told you never to call me especially when I'm at home. If you have anything to tell me, text me and I'll call you when it's safe.” She whispered.
“Let me make something very clear to you Naya, you'll pick up the phone any damn ti
me I call you. If you don't, I'll be forced to visit.” His voice was stern. He meant every word he said.
Her blood ran cold.
- Writer
