Chapter 3

I enjoyed the lunch we had with Theo and his family, and the movie we watched together. My mind was finally free of worry. I could laugh and smile being side by side with Alexey. But now it's Monday, and we are back to work.

After we returned from our friends, the mafia man came to mind. The payment is due this week, and I keep trying to figure out how to pay it. If I go through the bank, Alexey might find out. Plus, I don't even have the full amount ready yet. Damn!

Alexey seems to stare at me more often, catching on that I am hiding something from him, and this makes me even more stressed.

Can't I solve anything?

I bite my lips as I sweep the shop with the broom. Alexey is at the counter, talking to a customer, but he keeps glancing at me like an eagle, making sure I don't mess up. Feeling utterly helpless, I pause for a moment.

Why am I so dumb?

My phone rings, and I take it out of my back pocket, still depressed about my lack of skills in solving anything.

"Hello. Sunset Flowers, how may I help you?" I mumble without much excitement, unable to fake my mood.

A male voice resounds in my ear, and I freeze, "Nina, darling! Tell me you haven't forgotten me."

How can I forget him ? He is the reason for my stress these days. Glancing at Alexey, I don't know how to address the man on the phone without catching his attention. Then a brilliant idea comes!

"How could I forget you? The flowers will be delivered on Matteotti Street. I will arrive in a few minutes. Have a nice day." I take off the apron, and in a hurry, I grab a rose and give it to Alexey.

I cut off the mafia man's words by ending the call. I hope he understood me. He just gave me a chance to reach him without having to pay through the account, which means Alexey will never find out! If he accepts the money I have ready, then this problem is halfway solved. A good start, right? I pray this will work out.

My hands fidget as I wait for him to wrap the flower.

"I can go deliver it, Nina." He offers while checking the wrapping one last time.

"No. I will go. It's close by." I look him in the eye and grab the bouquet from his hands. "Don't worry. I will be fine!" I take my purse and, opening the shop's door, I leave in a hurry.

I can do it! I keep repeating this in my mind as I cross the street. The guilt of hiding from Alexey blends with the fear of dealing with the mafia. It all makes my head ache, as if my body is warning me that this isn't right for me. I rub my temples and, walking past the buildings, get ready to cross the next street. As the traffic lights turn green, I keep walking and finally reach Matteotti Street.

I instinctively glance back, knowing the shop is hidden behind the buildings, out of my sight now.

I am on my own.

As I search for the mafia man, my eyes scan the people sipping coffee at the terraces. I take a few more steps, and suddenly, a hand pulls me into the darkness of an empty alley between the blocks.

My heart pounds, my head feels dizzy, and I hope this man isn't a thief or a killer. The smoke I smelled that day in the shop makes me cough again, but his voice reassures me, "It's me, darling." For the first time in my life, I'm actually relieved it's the mafia man.

I pull away from his embrace and turn to face him. It's definitely him. His suit accentuates his silhouette, the black hair is styled back, and his usual smug smirk is present. I've met him twice, and I can already tell he's more than addicted to smoking. The cigarette between his fingers makes its way back to his lips.

"You could have greeted me properly." I mumble while looking around, the dark alley sending a chill down my spine. The way he dragged me here was enough to put me on edge, ready to spring like a rabbit.

"You scared, Nina?" He teases while taking a step closer.

"I am… not." My hands clutch the purse handle pressed against my chest as I take a step back. The only sign of bravery is my chin, held high, as our eyes meet.

"Sure, sure… How have you been?" He takes another puff, and I am slightly annoyed. Did he have to drag me here- where only a murder could occur- to ask about my well-being?

"I am fine. Aren't you supposed to ask me about the money I brought?" I frown while my stress levels are over the top. What is his deal, actually?

I want to leave!

"You are right, but also not. I am trying to make you relax. You are ready to spring the moment I touch you, Nina." He touches me with his finger, and I flinch. "See! You are scared. This is not how business is done, darling. You have to trust me." His crooked smile makes me frown more. Why would I want to trust him? I just want to pay him the money and leave.

I can't argue that I am not scared, but keeping it under control, I open my purse and show him the money I brought.

"This is all I have now. Could you wait for one more week for the rest?"

He takes the money, counts it, and glances at my pitiful face. I am sure I look completely like a total loser. Pathetic… but at least that's all I can do to keep Alexey out of this. I will take care of it one way or another. I have to.

"This is more then half of it… But you know it's not me that has to wait for the rest. It's the 'La Cosa Nostra' that waits for you." He stares at me, and I feel like my air is slowly being cut off, leaving me breathless.

Of course, I know it's not him who asks this of me. It's the mafia that he works for.

"Please… I will make sure to pay the rest as soon as possible." My hands grip the base of my shirt while I look at him with hope.

"Well, there might be a way." He throws the cigarette on the ground, and comes closer to me. "Are you willing to do anything?" He smirks, and a shiver runs down my back as his hand grabs my waist.

I bite my lips, and lowering my gaze, I stare for a few seconds at his suit.

Am I willing to do anything to handle things myself?

"What exactly do you want?" Raising my eyes, I stare at him.

"One night. You will let me do whatever I want." His crooked smile makes me gulp.

So that's what he wants. Men; what else could have he ask if not that? I should have guessed.

I remember that back then, after I left the orphanage, I used to sell myself for a piece of bread. But now, for some reason, I feel like I can't do it anymore. Just the thought of kissing him makes me feel sick.

I cant face Alexey if I were to do it.

"I need one day , to think about it." I push him away, and turning to leave, he grabs my hand.

"Don't pull any tricks, darling. I will not forgive you if you screw around like a bitch. I will call you." I don't need to glance back to know that he was serious.

He lets me go, and I leave the alley in a hurry, heading to the shop.

Damn, damn, damn!

My chest beats, and my steps slow down as I reach the last place where I have to cross the street. The shop is in my sight, and I feel somewhat relieved. I want to see Alexey…

My thoughts are a mess.

Maybe I should give up taking care of things myself. I am angry at myself that this thought crosses my mind…

I know that Alexey hates the mafia even more than I do. However, I'm not sure if he would be willing to pay the protection money. That's partly why I wanted to handle this myself, without involving him. But mostly, I saw this as a perfect opportunity to take control and solve something on my own.

Arriving in front of the shop, there is a sign on the door saying, "I'll be back in ten minutes."

I take out my phone and call Alexey while taking off the sign and enter the shop.

The call ends without a response, and the beeping serves as a reminder that I need to try calling again. My heart tightens—he usually answers within seconds.

Calling him again , he finally responds, "Nina…"

"Where are you?" I ask him in one breath, with one hand pressed to my heart. Of all the things that could go wrong, I know I couldn't handle it if Alexey were in danger. After dealing with this mafia man, I need to see Alexey. I'm still relying on him to calm myself… Pathetic.

"I just went to deliver some flowers. I will be back in a few minutes. Take a break and leave the sign on the door. See you in a bit." The serious tone of his voice is unusual compared to his typical seriousness, but maybe I'm just overreacting.

"Ok ! See ya." The phone call ends, and I rise up to put the sign on the door as he said.

I place the paper, hoping he'll arrive quickly.