The Habits of My heart

Chapter 6: cold feet?

The sun shone in through the uncovered part of the window, impairing my eyes and waking me from my sleep. I sat up slowly running my hands through my tangled hair trying to piece together the exciting night I had previously. Had to have been wonderful to an extent, given my panties laying across the room by the door and love bites on my neck and collar bone.

Waves of memories crashed over my mind, causing me to feel a rush. I had an intimate moment with Ronnie Kray. Not only that, but I planned to see him again for more in the unseen future. Never would I have thought I'd have business of any kind with the likes of him, given his chosen path in life.

It was no secret that Ronnie was a popular man in the underground world of London—a gangster if you will. He was most feared and respected along with his twin brother Reggie. Frances was more than happy to fill me in on her fiancé and brother's type of dangerous work and fast lifestyle. Although she didn't agree with it and preferred Reggie to be more settled into a basic way of life, she admired his drive and above all else, adored him. Love can trump all things, or so I've heard.

Pouring myself a cup of tea, stirring it until it became cool enough to drink, I pulled back the rest of my bedroom curtains to get a nice look at what my day could offer. Gazing along the cobblestone road, I heard a car pulling near my town home door across the block. A black car parked and out came the same driver from game night. Assuming he was sent from Frances, I went out to meet him.

" Good morning Monica," the man smiled, tipping his hat towards me. I replied to him the same greeting minus the hat-tipping and invited him inside.

" There is no need for the invitation, ma'am. I was sent out her for you. Mr. Kray has asked me to fetch you and bring you over to his mother's for some breakfast."

" Okay, well, I'll be more than happy to join Ron. Just let me get dressed, and I'll be back down."

" Yes ma'am. I am not sure if it matters, but it was Reggie who sent for you."

I stopped my hand on the knob before turning to face him. Did I hear him correctly or did he say that Reggie Kray, not Ronnie Kray, wants to see me? Correcting the panicked expression on my face, I forced a small smile, "Oh, will Frances be joining us?"

" I can't go into detail, Monica even if I had the luxury of knowing in the first place."

"Very well then."
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I had never met the Krays' mother, Violet Kray, but I had a good feeling about her. As soon as I entered her home,I felt at leisure. The walls had floral wallpaper and one side was filled with family portraits. The portraits were nice except for the scowling older man who I assumed to be the father.

Catching me getting a closer look, Violet appeared wearing an apron covered with flour and other food stains. " That would be my no-good ex-husband, Charles. The bloke couldn't keep his hands or his pecker to himself, even if he tried."

" He looks just like Charlie." I smiled, not knowing what else to say.

"Hence the name," Violet picked up a frame from the wall. " My Charlie is nothing like his father,though. None of my boys are. They're all good men."

" Nah, we all know they have nothing on me, Mum. I'm quite the angel. " Reggie appeared around the corner.

Violet smacked his shoulder playfully before asking us to meet in the dining room where she served biscuits, tea, jam, eggs, and bacon. Frances was nowhere in sight.

" It's a lovely spread you have for us, Mrs. Kray," I said, making my plate full of the delicious silage laid out before me.

" Nonsense dear. Call me Violet. I've heard so much about you between Frances and Reggie, you feel more than familiar with me now—-you're like family!"

" Oh," I tried not to sound disappointed. It was great to hear that Frances spoke highly of me— Reggie even, which came as a slight shock since he barely knew me. That wasn't what troubled me,, though. Of all of them, I wanted Ronnie to be the one to talk so much about me that I could be made to be familiar with someone whom I've never met.

The time shortly passed before Violet left to run errands and meet with her friends for bridge club. Which left me alone with Reggie. " So, where is Frances?", I asked nervously. " That's what I wanted to talk to you about." Reggie began gathering the plates and placing them in the sink. He looked solemnly out the kitchen window.

" Frances won't talk to me. It's like she's in some spell. She's curled up in her room and won't come out or even speak to me over the phone. Her mother isn't making it any easier either." Reggie looked at me hopefully, "I need you to try to talk to her. See if she's having cold feet about us."

" Her mother doesn't care for me either, honestly." Mrs. Shea barely even liked her daughter.

" Fuck." A plate slipped through his sudsy hands and broke, causing a slight cut on one of his hands. Nerves were getting to him and he looked helpless.

I searched through the cupboards for an aid kit and searched through it for something to clean his wound. After doing so, I put a thin layer of ointment and wrapped it. " She is probably just depressed. It comes in waves and without consistent medication, it isn't preventable. I'm sure it has nothing to do with the Wedding Reggie, she loves you."

" I hope you're right."

"You're all fixed up." I smiled.

" Thank you, nurse Monica." Reggie gave me a playful wink.

" Try not to hurt yourself anymore though because next time I'll charge you for my services." We laughed in unison.

" Am I interrupting ?" A voice questioned startling Reggie and I from our playful banter. It was Ron. He stood in the door frame wearing his usual get-up; suit, with his hair slicked back and black-rimmed glasses. In his hand was a suitcase and a penknife in his other.

" Aye, brother! Monica was just helping me a bit". Reggie said, greeting his twin.

" Frances didn't cut it after all,huh? So, you need to pick up on this slag ?" Ron sneered.

" The hell did you just call her ?" Reggie walked up to him, staring him dead in the eye. " Apologize to Monica this second."

" Don't bother, I was just leaving." I stormed past Ron, but someone grabbed my wrist. Reggie looked at me apologetically. "Don't go, Monica," Reggie said.

" I know when I am not wanted, Reggie. Besides, you should try to check in on Frances again."

Pulling away, I left the Krays family home in tears. What had changed in Ronnie to where he would turn on me in this way? I thought we were starting something good, great even. Was last night nothing to him? Was I just another girl to add to his collection of lays? I knew he was known for being with men,, so maybe I was nothing but a backup. How could I fool myself into thinking Ron had anything but good intentions with me?

Riding back in the same car home, his words echoed in my mind. Slag.