The Beauty & The Gangster

- Two -

---- Nanon ----

I walked out of the bar where Cherry said someone was waiting for me. I saw the same guy with a scar on his face that I had seen with Ohm that dreadful night. I took a deep breath praying to god for allowing me to live one more day. Tomorrow it's my birthday. I can die post that. At least people will have two days to recall on my name. If I die on my birthday, I will make my birthday my funeral day.

He smiled at me which could have been cheerful one for him but was creepy to me. I felt like he was mocking me for being brave enough to come to work when I know they are going to kill me.

"Hello!" To my utmost surprise, he bowed. "Boss sent this for you." He then extended a bag towards me.

"What is it?" I asked skeptically. Will it explode as soon as I hold it?

"Please take it"

Did he just say please? Do gangsters talk like that?

With shaking hands, I took it and checked inside. There was a pair of shiny velvet red shirt and a leather black trouser. There was a note along which I took out to read with my heart almost in my mouth.

'Wear this tonight. And check the size. The guy in front of you has shirts and trousers of all sizes in his car. I will wait for you tonight at the terrace of Hotel Calahan at 9 PM – Ohm'

I rolled my eyes and looked at the guy who was still creepily smiling at me. When our eyes met he looked down. I feel strange about everything. Do they ask people to dress up before they kill them?

"You can leave now. And tell your boss that I can't meet him before 10:30. I have my shift to finish." I said braving all my courage. If at all, like even if for a 0.001% there is a chance for me to survive considering all my past good deeds that I have done, then I wish to keep my job secured too.

"Please try the clothes once. Boss has asked me to make sure it fits." He said ignoring whatever I said making me question myself if I actually even said that.

"What the..." I started to say but then realized whom I was talking to. I picturized the guy in front of me holding a hatchet and running towards me. I stomped into the bar and right into the changing room. To my surprise both the jeans and the shirt were my exact size. I changed back to my uniform immediately and went out only to find that guy chatting with Cherry.

"Oh Nanon, your leave is granted for tonight." She said with a weird smile.

"What leave?" I asked confused side-eyeing the substitute of Satan standing in front of us.

"You will be meeting boss tonight at 9. So we asked for a leave on your behalf. I will have one of our men work in replacement." He said.

I took a while to understand it. "Ummm... That's all very considerate and all. But... What is your name?" I asked tired.

"Mek." He replied in a deadpan.

"Look Mek. We need to treat customers with smile, booze and noodles. Not with scowl, blood and needles. So, I'd rather take my shift myself."

The Satan's substitute, named Mek kept looking at me without changing even an ounce of his expression like I never said anything. He did not glare or smile or anything. Just kept looking plainly. Am I that scared that words are not coming out of my mouth? Or am I day dreaming?

"Nanon..." Cherry interrupted when the we kept looking at each other without a word. "I don't even need a replacement. It's ok. Hehehehe." She smiled awkwardly at Mek and then turned to me. "I'll manage. You get ready and leave fast." She tried to shoo me away from her hand towards the changing room. I could see she was scared of the gangster.