The Mafia Boss's Secret Lover

Nora’s POV “Hey, is somebody sitting here?” I looked up from my phone to see a woman already halfway into the empty chair across from me, purse sliding down her shoulder like she planned to stay whether I liked it or not. “Uh—yeah,” I said quickly. “I’m waiting for someone.” “Oh.” She paused, and stood back up, before excusing herself. "I'm so sorry." "It's okay." I said, smiling. I glanced at my phone again and saw my "date" still hasn't replied to my text nor returned my call. He's more than an hour late. I sighed and lifted my wine glass, staring at the little amount left at the bottom. Okay maybe I'm a little nervous about this whole date thing. I haven't really been on a date in more than 2 years ever since Andrew and broke up. And this felt like a fresh start, even though he was running awfully late. Taylor swore Jacob was “sweet,” “normal,” and “not emotionally unavailable,” which honestly already felt like three lies stacked on top of each other. I waved a hand at the waitress and she came promptly with a smile. “Can I get another bottle please?” I asked and she raised her eyebrows slightly, but nodded. “Same one?” “Yes, please." I replied. "And I swear, I'm not a drunk." The lady chuckled but decided not to judge me. And shortly after, she returned with the bottle and placed it down gently. “Rough night?” she asked. “You have no idea.” I twisted the cork out myself and poured a generous amount into my glass. And then—why not—kept going. I was mid-pour when a shadow fell across the table. “Wow,” a male voice said. “Starting without me?” I turned and saw it was Jacob. He was... actually more good-looking than the picture Taylor had shown me. And definitely much taller than I expected. He had a white shirt on, its sleeves rolled up with faint grease stain on his hand. He glanced at the two bottles, then at my glass. "Took you long enough." I finally said, pretending I wasn't nervous to have him here with me. I thought he had bailed on me. There would have been nothing worse than that. Imagine me running away from men for 2 years only for the first one I decided to go on a date with bail on me. “I deserve that,” Jacob said, pulling out the chair beside me. “And I’m really sorry for taking so long." "What happened?" I asked. "I had a flat tyre." He answered, holding up his stained hands to show me proof of him fixing it. “And I rushed here right after. Didn’t even have time to wash up first.” I admit, I kinda liked that. And besides, I like my men a little rough so it was a win for me. “Well,” I said, lifting my glass, “points for effort.” He finally sat down and relaxed a little. And I offered to pour him some of the wine I was having before we kick start this whole "date" thing. "Do you mind?" "Oh, no please. Thank you." Jacob said, bringing forward an empty glass. We both talked easily after that. About work. About Taylor and Brian being obsessed with matchmaking and about whatever topic popped up. “Taylor has been reminding about this date and made me swear not to bail on it." I said, laughing as I recalled Taylor's warning. She had threatened to steal my precious antique album collection and had sworn that I would never find it if I didn't agree to at least talk to Jacob first. “Same,” Jacob said. “Brian texted me reminders even while I was at work to come see you.” “Reminders?” “I'm telling you.” Jacob said. “Those two are unbelievable.” I said, shaking my head. I took another sip, studying him and he wasn’t trying too hard. He listened, asked questions, and didn’t interrupt when I spoke. To my own surprise, I felt myself relax. “You know what?” I said suddenly. “What?” Jacob asked. “I think I like you.” “Oh yeah?” He smiled softly, leaning closer. “Yeah.” I replied. “Well, I'm glad. Because I think I like you too.” Jacob then reached across the table and his fingers brushed mine slightly. Normally I wouldn't even give a man the chance to sit with me for more than 5 minutes but I actually liked Jacob. He's cool, he's easy going, and he has that smile that says he's going to be a good father. Just as I'd began to fantasize about what our children would possibly look like, a voice suddenly broke through my thoughts. “BABE???” The word sliced through the moment like a knife and I pulled my hand back instinctively. “Babe?” I echoed and Jacob went pale. Oh No. This cannot be what I think it is. A woman stormed toward us from across the bar, heels angry against the floor, with her eyes locked on him. “So this is her?” she snapped. “This is the b***h you’re cheating on me with?” “Excuse me?” I blinked but she ignored me completely. “Answer me, Jacob.” She said loudly. "So this is the wh*re." “Okay, I’m gonna stop you right there.” I said, standing up slowly. “b***h, I wasn’t talking to you,” The lady snapped. “Okay.” I laughed once, sharp and disbelieving right before reaching for my purse. “Where do you think you’re going?” She said, as she grabbed my shirt, ready for a fight. I looked down at her hand and then back up at her face as I imagined she mustn't be serious. I must be dreaming right now. “Let go please.” I said, calmly. “And if I don’t? Huh?” She asked. "What? Whatchu gon' do? Huh?? I'm asking you whatchu gon' do?!" “I will embarrass you in front of everyone here,” I said calmly. “The choice is yours.” “Babe, please,” Jacob said desperately. “I can explain.” “So this is what you do?" She said, turning back to him. "Leave me at home and come spend money on this wh*re?” “That’s enough,” I said sharply, pulling myself free. “Oh, so you wanna talk now?” She said, turning back to face me again and I simply sighed. “You know what? I don’t even care.” I said and got ready to walk away right before— SPLASH—a cold liquid drenched my chest. Gasps rippled through the bar as Phones started coming out instantly to catch the drama. I stood there, soaked in red wine as my heart started pounding. For a split second, I considered giving her a good slap to knock some sense into her. But instead, I laughed and then decided to walk away. "Yeah wh*re!" The lady said, loudly. "You better run!" This is what I get for finally giving Taylor a chance and accepting to go on one of her "dates." I am definitely never doing this again. I was just about leaving the premises when a waitress hurried over with paper towels. “I’m so sorry, ma’am.” She said, as she handed a good measure to me. “Thanks,” I said quietly, blotting my shirt before quickly pulling out some change in my purse to cover the 2 wines I'd ordered. "You can keep the change." I said to her and walked away with whatever dignity I had left.