He's Fire and She's Playing with It - Mafia Version

Chapter 38: Nightmare

Two weeks went past fast and Halloween neared. For years Ally, Clara, and Jamie had held a party, celebrating the holiday. This year was different though. With everything going on, not being able to get even a second to herself, and the effects of the year still fresh in her mind, Ally didn't feel even an ounce of holiday spirit. Still, Clara was relentless.

"You can't just cancel on tradition! That's not how it works", she said, her arms full of pumpkins.

Fittingly enough, the store was selling pumpkins, together with other fall and winter plants.

Ally and Clara had barely seen each other all week. Ally was on the morning shift, Clara on the evening, and Jamie had volunteered to work nights rebuilding the warehouse. So, they said 'hello' at the end and beginning of their shifts. Jamie to Ally in the morning, Ally to Clara in the middle of the day, and Clara to Jamie in the evening. Today wasn't an exception. Ally had just gotten off her shift and met up with Adryan at the store entrance. They were on the hunt for a string lights to decorate his patio with, since she had mentioned that she liked them. She hadn't meant anything by it, they had just driven pass a house twinkling slowly and peacefully and she had pointed out that it looked beautiful. That had been enough for him to jump on the opportunity to make her happy.

"You can have the party at mine."

Ally turned to Adryan. Clara gave him a long look. This was the first time they met and Clara wasn't easily impressed by people. She rarely gave them any part of herself until she was sure that she found them enjoyable to be around.

"Really?"

Ally knew that Clara was still making her mind up about Adryan, but so far so good. Him offering to host the party was a step in the right direction.

He shot her a flashing smile. "Of course."

Ally liked his smile. His genuine one. Not the one he gave to people he didn't know. No, the one he gave her and his friends. It made him light up in every way. It was only when he was smiling that he looked his real age. He wasn't even thirty yet and still his face was forged from the life he had lived. Pain, brutality, and death. Sometimes she wondered who he would've been if he had been born into another family. Would he still have found his way into the criminal world or would he have turned out completely different?

Clara turned to Ally. "So?"

Ally sighed. "Okay. Let's have the party."

Clara's suspicious look turned into glee. She wasn't surprised though. Her bright personality and relentless attitude usually got her what she wanted.

"Good! I'll tell Jamie at the shift change and we'll start planning in the group chat later." She gave her friend a hug. "I'll see you." Her breath was warm as she whispered: "He's gorgeous."

She took a step back. "I know", Ally mouthed.

As Clara walked away, with a knowing nod to Adryan. He pulled Ally closer to him by wrapping his arm around her waist.

"Did I do something wrong?"

She gave him a small smile. "No. You did everything right."

"But?"

"I don't have any energy to plan it. I just want to show up dressed in a costume and drink."

"Then tell your friends that. If you want, I can help them decorate the house while you're sitting in the sofa, zipping a drink of your choosing."

"That sounds great."

He kissed her on the head. She could feel him inhaling the scent of her shampoo.