*Bruno*
Lucia stood in front of me in my office in the club. To think she would be standing there was something I had never expected as I always wanted her away from such places, away from men. But there she was. I did not want something different. After our kiss last night, I decided I wanted her to always be around me.
Immediately, I told her about my plan. The door pushed open, and I gritted my teeth in anger when I saw Natasha walking in. Some bad timing she got. I could see the look Lucia gave her, like she shouldn’t be here. She didn’t seem to like her, or was it about the clothes Natasha was wearing?
I squinted my brow. She wore a very short red dress which exposed so much skin. Her hair was packed to the side, and her face was adorned in heavy makeup. I took a quick peek at Lucia to see her staring intently at Natasha as she walked in.
The room seems to become quiet.
Natasha’s step echoes in the room. She walked steadily towards me. All this while, I wondered what went on in Lucia’s head as she watched her. Natasha’s hair moved from side to side. She came to stand in front of me, and before I could move to the side to give her more space, she wrapped her hands around my waist. The dingy blue bulb reflected on her face as she pressed her head on my hard chest.
Lucia furrowed her brows immediately.
I clenched my teeth as I pulled Natasha away from me. Her face fell to the side as the push was unexpected. Some strands of her short brown hair came to rest on her face. “What do you think you are doing?” I asked her through gritted teeth.
She froze. Maybe too stunned that I had pushed her away. I have never treated her like that before. She slowly moved her head upfront, brushing the hair strands off her face. “Did I offend you? Why did you push me away like some parasite?” She asked, moving to stand closer to me. She extended her hands, trying to get a hold of mine, but I quickly moved away from her.
She pouted her lips.
“And you’re avoiding me now?” She gave me a puppy look, but that was not going to work. That has never worked, and I’m pretty sure she knew that. “Did I do something to offend you?” She asked. I sighed internally. Why was she coming now?
My eyes quickly moved behind her to take a quick look at Lucia. Lucia was looking anywhere but at us. She tapped her legs slowly on the floor. Was she angry? I wondered. I had studied her for some time to know what she does when different emotions hit her.
“I am not in the mood to speak to you, Natasha. As you can see, I am a bit busy,” I told her. She turned to look at Lucia. “Who is she?” She asked. Lucia held her gaze and tilted her head to the side before raising one of her brows.
“Well, never mind. She doesn’t look important,” Natasha said. “I’ve missed you, and I know you missed me too,” she said seductively. One of her hands rested on my chest as she slowly traced it with her fingers.
I closed my eyes, trying to control my emotions. I felt like throwing her out through the window. At this moment, the chances that Lucia might have misunderstood were too high. “I don’t have time to chat with you right now,” I told her, hoping she would take the hint and leave, but she didn’t.
“Last time you stopped halfway, how about completing what you started?” She asked. One of her fingers moved under my shirt. I removed it.
“I’ll excuse you for now,” I heard Lucia say. She was standing. “Call me when you are done,” she said, walking outside. I flung Natasha to the side. “it’s not what you think. We can speak now,” I said to her, but she didn’t stop. Natasha held my hands when I was about to go after her. “Let her go; why are you going after her?”
Lucia stepped out and banged the door behind her. “What do you think you are doing?” I asked Natasha again.
“Holding you back. I missed you,” she said and wrapped her hands around me once again. I removed her hands and flung her to the side. “Why can’t you see that this is not the right time to do whatever you want,” I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself from holding her by the neck and pinning her to the wall.
I clenched my teeth.
“Get out,” I said, pointing at the door. “What?” She asked, her eyes widened like she didn’t expect to be chased out like that. Well, life was filled with unexpected things. It was just like I didn’t expect her to suddenly barge in and make Lucia leave. “Why are you like this, Bruno? I don’t know what I did, but just tell me, I’ll be sure to apologize and change,” she pleaded.
“You should know that the one thing I hate is clinginess,” I reminded her, walking to take my seat behind the table. Don’t let the door hit you behind,” I said. I was only holding back from doing anything to her because of the time we’ve been together. She is my favorite girl here. And was trustworthy.
She walked out reluctantly.
I ran my hands over my hair. I need to explain to Lucia. But then why should I? It isn’t like we are in a relationship or anything. I had no obligation to her, nor did she to me.
Sigh.
But at the same time. I have been making advances towards her. And was very much attracted to her. The last thing I wanted was for her to see me as a player. I called one of my men inside. “Where is the girl I came with?” I asked him.
He stands right outside my door, so he should know where she went since she wasn’t at the entrance. The man in front of me held his gun close to his chest. His eyes were sharp. I had specifically picked him, and seeing him right now, I couldn’t stop praising myself for being so thoughtful.
“She should be around the club somewhere,” he says.
“Bring her to me,” I ordered; he bowed respectfully before walking away. I stood up and walked to the window. There was a stick of cigarettes in my mouth. I held it between my fingers and dragged smoke out of it before allowing my hand to fall to the side. I puffed out smoke from my mouth and my nose.
Soon, the door opened, and Lucia walked in.
She stood behind me. I turned to her. “You wanted to see me. Hope we won’t get interrupted this time,” she said, folding her hands across her chest. She has truly grown bolder. “Are you bothered?” I asked her. Her lips were pressed together for a few seconds. She moved her eyes around; I stared at her, eagerly waiting for her reply.
“Why should I be bothered?” She asked.
Why should I expect her to be bothered? I sighed. “Never mind,” I said. “Did you take a look around the club?” I asked her. She looked around my office as if it was the entire club.
“I did. ” She shrugged her shoulders, pausing for some time before she continued, “Not bad,” she said. She let her eyes land on me. “So what were you saying?” She asked me.
“I want you to be a receptionist,” I said.
“I thought you liked my food,” she said, not understanding the reason for my decision. “Why are you changing my assignment?” She asked.
“Who said you won’t be cooking?” I asked her to walk past her to take my seat. She turned around. Her hands were still folded together. “So you mean you are adding to my job?” It seems like she didn’t like this. Or maybe she just wants to be sure.
“I think that’s already clear,” I said, hitting the butt of my cigarette to see a little ash fall off. “You don’t want to?” I asked her, and she scoffed. “As if you care about what I want,” she said.
One side of my lips pulled up.
“Took you a while to figure that out,” I said, not planning on going easy on her. “You will be a receptionist on this floor and also a cook. I’m sure you’d be able to handle it, right?”
“You have already decided. When am I starting?” She asked uninterestedly. I knew she wouldn’t be interested, but there was nothing I could do. I wanted her close and this was the only way I could think of.
“You start today,” I said. She seems to have expected that. “I don’t think you will need any training before you begin. Being a receptionist should be easy,” I said to see her smile big. I knew that smile wasn’t genuine. It has fake plastered on every inch of it.
“Or maybe you do need a little training. We wouldn’t want to lose any client because of your mistake,” she gave me a whatever you say look.
“I understand, boss,” she said. She had never addressed me like that, and it sounded so sarcastic. “Come on, my sweet girl, you should smile. I’m also doing this for you so you don’t get stuck at home every time,” I said.
“I should be thankful, right?”
“That only makes sense.”
“I’m grateful, boss,” she bowed. Her hair fell to both sides. She raised her head and pushed some strands behind her ear with her hand. I smacked. I couldn’t wait to see her begin walking here. She won’t be doing this forever. I just wanted her close to me.
I called one of the managers, asking him to come back immediately.
Lucia was still standing at the side. She kept a straight face. I stole and glanced at her. No matter her expression, she looks very beautiful. My heart raced with the thought of having her this close in this space. All I wanted to do was to draw her closer to me and keep her warm.
There was a knock on the door. I allowed a few seconds to pass before asking whoever it was to come in. The door pushed open, and a man in his late forties entered. He bowed in respect when he stood in front of me.
I introduced him to Lucia, telling him to give her the proper training on how to be a receptionist and, most importantly, to tell her the basic rules that guide us in the club. She needs to be conversant with to work efficiently. The man kept nodding and stole glances at her now and then. I could see the curiosity his eyes contained each time he looked at her. He was probably wondering what talent she held to be introduced to me.
I didn’t bother with who the female workers were. He usually takes care of it.
All through the introduction, Lucia didn’t smile. I wondered if I was making the right decision by making her a receptionist. What if she doesn’t like it? Well, she didn’t seem to like the idea of being a cook at first until she ended up falling in love with the job. I suppose this would be the same.
“I guess that will be all,” I said, ready to dismiss them. “Are there any questions?” I asked her. I wanted her to be cleared.
“I have one problem,” I ached my brow. What problem could this be? I adjusted myself on the chair.
She took a deep breath. It seemed whatever she was about to say wouldn’t please me.
“Let’s hear it.”