Leila
From the studio to the club later in the night. Antonio's words cut me a little deep. Don't hit me up when this one breaks your heart, too. Damian would never put me in a position as such. Would he? I've known him this long and for as far as I know he's never cheated or lied to me. Has he? Naaah. I'm not even about to let that thought fuck my night up.
"Ummm, Leila?" Nia questions, snapping me out of my trance as she slams her locker. "You listening to me?"
"Huh? Oh I'm sorry, boo. I was just-."
"Worrying? I can tell, because you're making the face when you do."
"What face?"
"You know the face. The same face that looks like it's about to bust out in tears. You have this expression like you're wandering off into a trap or something unpleasant. What's wrong, boo?" She asks, changing into her bartending outfit.
I let out a long sigh. "I don't wanna lose him."
"Damian? Why would you think that?"
"I don't know. I'm I'm just scared, Nia." My anxiety's beginning to panic. I break down.
"Ohhh honey. C'mon." She takes my hand and rushes us to the employee bathroom. "We can't let none of these assholes see you like this." She grabs a tissue and dabs my dripping mascara away. "You're not gonna lose him. Y'all came a long way and have known each other for so long."
"Yeah, but what if he's not the same Damian I knew back then. You know people do change, Nia. What if..." I trail off.
"No. Don't even do that to yourself. You're just overthinking, babe. You've been happy since he came back." She folds her arms. "What's making you feel this way now?"
I haven't told Nia about my secret liaison with Antonio. It was just a one time thing, so I didn't think anything major of it. I take a deep breath. My eyes beginning to water again. "Nia... I-." The knock at the door cuts me off. It's Romeo. Oh shit. The last thing I need is a Romano brother eavesdropping on my conversation.
"Aye. Y'all okay in there?"
"Yes, Romeo. We're coming out now!" Nia shouts then faces me. "We'll finish our talk at the apartment later. Okay?"
I nod my head anxiously. Quickly taking a glance in the mirror to make sure my eyes aren't pink and my makeup isn't running. We finally exit the bathroom.
Romeo's leaning against the door with an concerned look on his face. "Hey. Y'all good? I saw y'all run in here like someone was chasin y'all or sumn'. I don't have to fuck nobody up do I?"
Nia speaks up. "No, no. We're fine, Romeo. Just... feminine issues. Thanks for checking in on us." She finishes in her flirtatious voice.
"Yeaah. No problem, sweetheart." Romeo licks his lips, eyeing Nia from top to bottom.
This is too awkward for me. "Ohhhkaay. Y'all can stand here and drool over each other, but Ima go clock in."
"That reminds me, Leila. Domenico needs you to bartend along Nia tonight. Brio called out." Cool. I'd rather stay behind the bar instead of dancing on these old ass niggas tonight. Cause if I have to hear another, "I'll take care of you. You shouldn't be working here. Let me take you away from this place. You're all mine" in my ear again, I'm robbing the fuck outta everybody.
...
It's now 2am and it's closing time. Domenico pulls all of the staff members into an unscheduled late meeting. "Nice work today, everyone. I know it's late and y'all are ready to go home, so I'm not gonna hold you too long. All of you are aware of the fiasco that happened a couple weeks ago. I'm grateful no one's hurt." Domenico glances to me. "I've hired more security, they'll be starting next week. So whoever's on the schedule around that time, welcome them with open arms. Remember, keep your distance ladies... and signori." Some snickering and giggling is heard in the distance.
Everyone begins to depart until Domenico stops us again. The sounds of annoyed grunts and teeth sucking filling the room.
"I know, I know. Just one more thing and you all are free to go. Now, I have a surprise birthday party coming up this Halloween at Club Rogue. On the bright side, it's costume themed, but on the other... some of you will be helping out that night." Fabulous.
"Oh come on, Dom!" An employee shouts in the background.
He laughs. "Hey, I don't make the rules. I just... well then again I do. If you're not available, speak now or forever hold your peace." Silence. "New schedules posted in the back. Have a good rest of your night. Leila, stay back for a minute."
Bruh. I just wanna go hoooome. Everyone else clears the room.
"Hey, tesoro. Romeo came to me about you breaking down in the bathroom earlier." Oh, God this is embarrassing. "Se c'è qualcosa che hai in corso, sai che puoi venire da noi. Sei come una famiglia per me e i miei fratelli." (If there's anything you got going on, you know you can come to us. You're like family to my brothers and I.)
This ain't something I can go to a Romano about, so it's best I don't say anything at all. Especially Apollo. Sometimes he doesn't know when to keep his fuckin' mouth shut. "I promise I'm okay, Nico. Solo un po' di PMS." (Just a little PMS.)
He eyes me for a second with a dissatisfied expression then shrugs his shoulders. "Okay then. I'll see you Monday night." I assume he's referring to dinner that Damian informed me about earlier.
"Right." I turn to walk away. "Oh... Nico?"
"Sì?"
"Basta non dirlo a Damian." (Just don't tell Damian.)
He quietly nods his head.
YOU ARE READING
Scared To Love You Again
Romansa"You deserved a real man to protect you and take care of you." Mm. So much for that. "How could I have done that sitting behind bars?" He takes my face in his hands. "There wasn't a day that went by where I didn't think about you, baby." I close my...
