Filed to story: Bring It On My Mafia Life Novel (Rhea & Lukas)
…..
Mimi was finally able to release the breath she was having, a relieved expression on her seat. She let go of her hand and readjusted in her seat so she could be comfortable as Ruth narrated what happened.
Ruth started, “It all began when Red Riding Hood fell for the wolf….”
And at that, Mimi’s brows furrowed, no one told her she was supposed to understand the woman’s riddles. Ruth must have sensed her confusion as well because she cleared her throat and started from the beginning.
“I’ve been against Rhea having romantic relationships with my clients judging from the nature of their jobs and most of them don’t have the best character,” Ruth stared deep into Mimi’s eyes as she said, “I took Rhea as my daughter and would not let harm come her way. But I failed her this time,”
Mimi gulped, “What happened?”
“I might have unintentionally exposed Rhea to danger. My client A has a dispute with the leader of a rival gang B -“
“Does the leader of the gang happen to be called Lukas,”
Ruth’s gaze widened slightly confirming Mimi’s suspicion.
“As I thought,”
“How did you….?”
“Let’s just say that Rhea is not the only one in a deep level shit,” Mimi didn’t mean for it to come out as a joke but it sure did. Considering how grim everything’s been lately, a little humor wouldn’t be bad.
Ruth went on, “However, the feud wasn’t the first load that dipped the scale, rather her uncle’s family that sold her off to a loan shark,”
When Mimi heard that, she jerked up to her feet, cursing and punching the air. She was so angry. She should have known those disgusting family members were up to no good and had been lying to her all this while. How could they do that? Sell her?! Rhea was family!
Ruth didn’t bother to calm down nor stop Mimi from expressing her anger. As a doctor, well, an animal doctor, she knew the adverse effects of holding in pent-up emotions. So she patiently waited for Mimi and when she was done, went on with her story.
This time Ruth told Mimi how she contacted her Client A aka Elijah – already taken by the lovely damsel – to help her burst out Rhea from the Red Giant’s territory and how the plans of getting her out of the country went down the drain when the rival party B aka Lukas came after them.
“So that was what happened?” Mimi murmured after Ruth was done with her story. She was exhausted mentally and worried as well, who knows what Rhea was going through and she wasn’t there to provide support. She felt stupid and powerless.
“But I don’t understand something, why would Lukas send Rhea back to the loan shark? He should have rescued her already now he had her,” Mimi still found it hard to believe that Lukas was that kind of person. He looked so kind and handsome – go to hell, handsomeness!
Mimi remembered clearly, back at the coffee shop, she had been so taken by Lukas’s handsomeness that she sent Rhea over to his table to confirm it. Mimi blamed herself for all of this. Who knows if Rhea and Lukas hadn’t met that day, perhaps all of this would have been avoided.
If she hadn’t made the both of them meet, Lukas wouldn’t have known Rhea and she wouldn’t have signed up to be his barista. Mimi now clearly understood her role at Lukas’s place. She was nothing but collateral – Lukas would use her to keep Rhea in check. In the end, she ended up being a liability to Rhea; she was ashamed.
“He’s setting a trap for my Client A and he needs Rhea to achieve that. Moreover, the end goal of every mob is to acquire profit and power, and sorry but Rhea is not much of an asset. What would it profit them going to war with the Red Giant and losing resources?” Ruth told her the sheer truth.
The woman was smart, Mimi had to give her that. And although this conversation had opened her eyes and let her see things clearly, it didn’t help her solve her problem, Rhea.
“I need to get to Rhea, at least know she’s okay, ” Mimi told her but the woman shook her head.
“I’m sorry but I can’t help you with that. I’m nothing but a doctor and there are lines I cannot cross. I stand on neutral ground and can’t be caught in the crossfire. The only thing you can do for Rhea right now is to wait and pray,” Ruth said and with silent command, brought the conversation to an end.
“Then give me something!” Mimi insisted, getting to her feet, “I’m not stood enough to go on a suicide mission, but I need to hear from her! I have to try, at least!”
There was a brief silence before Ruth said, “There’s a club downtown members of the Red Giant gang are known to frequent. Who knows, some loose mouth might speak to you. You surely don’t need me to teach you how to work your charm on a man as well, right?”
“No thanks. The address is enough, I guess?” Mimi was grateful as the woman bent to pen down the address on a little note.
Ruth handed the paper to Mimi who tried to take it but she tugged at it to get her attention, “I must warn you, this is highly risky.”
A Spy For The Government
Ruth might have given her ideas but Mimi had other plans and it sure was as risky as hell. But then, this was for Rhea; she would do anything to get her back.
Right now, Mimi was dressed in what could be described as a slutty dress. With half of her thighs exposed and her boobs almost popping out of the dress, Mimi attracted attention – which she wanted. However, that attention was reserved for a different set of people. Mimi set her eyes on men from the Red Giant gang.
To hide her identity, she was wearing a short straight bob wig with flat Bangs, her face coated in thick layers of makeup that Mimi swore even her mother wouldn’t be able to recognize her if they happened to cross path – although her mother would have a lot of questions to answer if she bumped into her in this club without her father by her side.
All in all, it was a good thing. So if her crazy plan failed, they wouldn’t be able to trace her back to her place.
Many men approached her and though she fancied them for a moment, it was all a ploy to check out the red gang tattoo on their neck and if it wasn’t there, she rejected their advances flatly.
Mimi met some members of the gang as she wanted, however, they were not suited for the plan she had in mind. Either they were too big and brawny, taller, or came on too strong – or they reeked of sex and alcohol.
Eww.
With the negative results so far, Mimi was close to giving up. Maybe Ruth was right, she indeed needed a crash course on how to work her charm around a man. But it would be a sub-topic: How to run your charm on a gangster. Yeah, she still was in the mood to joke about.
“What is a beautiful woman like you doing all alone?” A voice said from behind and Mimi turned with a weary sigh, a rejection already on the tip of her tongue only for her to freeze.
…..
My oh my, here was her target.
He was a head taller than her but unlike the other huge-looking gang members, this one was normal. She could take him out. Or try to take him out. Mimi hoped it wouldn’t get to that. Yeah, her crazy plan was still in motion.
Her eyes brightened at once and she propped up her chin on the bar top, Mimi turned her flirty mode on.
She flashed him a sexy smile, “Who knows? I might have been waiting for a man like you,” She batted her eyelids at him.
He smiled back, probably thinking he won her over. What a fool. If only he knew he was prey right now, he would be running with his tails in between his legs.
“Charlie,” He said, stretching his hand for a handshake.
“Belle,” Mimi was surprised at the ease at which she lied. Gosh, now she thought about it, she could become a spy for the government and play different roles like in the movies. That would be so cool. Be serious for once, Mimi! She scolded herself mentally.
Mimi took his hands, caressing the top of his palm knowingly with her thumb, giving him the green light. However, Mimi couldn’t help but notice the way the Red Giant tattoo at the side of his neck flexed with his movement.
For people with the name “Giant”, Mimi had been expecting their tattoo to be that of a majestic giant or something close to that. But then, it was a mere detailed red sun.
Their name, “Red Giant,” was referring to the universe. A red giant, the dying star in the final stages of stellar evolution. Once at the red giant stage, a star might stay that way for up to a billion years. Quite poetic if you asked her.
“Can I buy you a drink?” He offered, already preparing to call over the bartender.