Plain Jane and the Mafia Beast

He didn’t know what would have happened that night if it had been anyone else. If he’d have shot them and left them for dead. It didn’t matter now. Arika had been the one shot, no one else.

He dropped Daniel off where he needed to be and made his way back across town. Pulling up outside of a jewelry store, he climbed out, and went to see if anything caught his eye. Women loved diamonds and jewelry.

Entering the shop, he saw a piece that instantly reminded him of Arika. It was a simple heart-shaped necklace that was sweet without drawing the eye. He bought it without batting an eye at the price. Next, he went to a florist and made sure they delivered the necklace and some roses.

After he’d fucked her body and left, it was the least he could do.

****

Arika smiled across the table at her date. She thought the word lightly. Jesse was one of Rachel’s friends who she’d been asking constantly for her to go out with. On a Friday night rather than work overtime she sat opposite this rather nice-looking man. He seemed kind of nervous considering he was Rachel’s friend.

“So, Arika, what do you hope to do when you … erm…”

“Grow up?” Arika asked.

“That’s not what I meant. Not in the slightest. Rachel told me you were going to college, and you know, putting two and two together I put my foot in it.”

She chuckled. “Well, I’m not completely decided. I’ve thought about teaching and then about writing. I don’t know. I’m taking an English degree at the local college. I don’t do it full-time as I have to work, but I love studying.”

“And you love English. Please just stop me.”

“It’s fine. This is really nice,” she said. “This restaurant.”

“Thank you. It’s Italian, and who doesn’t love it?”

She forced a smile, instantly thinking about Vincenzo.

Very bad move.

Very, very bad.

She wasn’t a big fan of pasta or this restaurant. Sipping her wine, she smiled at him. “So, what do you do, Jesse?”

“Rachel didn’t tell you?”

She shook her head. “I got, ‘He’s a great guy. You’re going to love him. Everyone loves him.’”

Jesse’s face went bright red. “I wouldn’t say everyone loves me. I’m an accountant. Don’t worry though. I won’t bore you with all the details.”

“That must be … challenging?” She laughed. “I really don’t know what else to say to that.”

“It’s numbers. A lot of numbers. The pleasure of your company is certainly a refreshing change.”

“Thank you.”

He held up his wineglass, and she clinked her glass with his.

Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted something and wasn’t entirely sure what. Glancing over Jesse’s shoulder, she froze. Vincenzo was sitting at a table with a blonde in front of him.

Biting her lip, she forced herself to look away.

“What’s wrong?” Jesse asked.

“Nothing. Nothing at all, why?”

“Do you know someone?”

“No. This is the first time I’ve been to this restaurant. There’s no one here I could possibly know. So, accounting? You must meet all kinds of interesting people.”

Jesse started talking, and Arika tried to listen to what he said.

Inside her heart was breaking.

Was that his girlfriend?

His date?

What?

He couldn’t have her in his life, but he could go on dating everyone and everything.

Don’t judge.

You’re on a date as well.

She had no intention of this date ending anywhere other than with a thank you. There’s no way she could be jealous of Vincenzo being with someone else while she was doing the exact same thing.

Eating the pasta without really tasting it, she found herself glancing past Jesse’s shoulder.

Vincenzo had seen her as well. Each time she looked in his direction, he was staring right at her.

After she finished her meal she excused herself to go to the ladies’ room. Passing the tables, she steered clear of Vincenzo’s, entering the bathroom. Going straight to the sink, she stared at the perfect white porcelain, her stomach twisting and turning.

“I had no idea you’d be here,” Vincenzo said.

“This is the ladies’ room. It’s for women only.” She held onto the counter. The last time she saw him, she’d vowed that no matter what, she wouldn’t cave to him again.

“You looked a little upset when you left your date.”

She took a deep breath and looked up at him. “What do you want from me?” she asked, staring at him through the mirror.

“I wanted to make sure you’re okay.”

She shook her head. “I don’t know what I am, but I’m not okay. Nothing right now about any of this is okay. It’s really not. You’re dating someone, and I’m here with someone else.” She bowed her head and felt that pain that hit her.

“This doesn’t mean anything. She’s work. That’s all, just work.”

Arika looked up at him and felt the tears in her eyes. “Then why does this hurt? It was supposed to be one night together. You can’t tell me we can’t be together and then be at my apartment waiting for me. Fucking me when it suits you and leaving. I don’t want to be used.” He went to speak, and she held her hand up. “I didn’t say I didn’t enjoy it. I liked it but not this. Not what happened after. It’s one night or it’s not, Vincenzo. What is it?” she asked.