Death And Love Poems (2) Mafia Romance

13. Lambada

Roxana

I like working at the bar. I like the little mock life Thiago dragged me in. It's so nice to feel normal again even for a little while, but I have to be reasonable. In a week we will be gone. Dani has to accept that it isn't safe. I know what he will be saying, 'but isn't one little bar in a huge city, one bar in the millions of bars in the world'. And it sounds reasonable and so seductive.

I used to have ambitions years ago before it all started. I wanted a glorious career but now I am happy with no career whatsoever, only with a little life as a waitress but without bloodshed or guns.

"I met your mom yesterday." I share casually leaning against the bar. It's six in the morning and we open only at eight.

Thiago raises an eyebrow. He is often here but not always. I wonder where he goes when he isn't.

"Oh. Julia told me she was here but not that you two met. Then again, it would be strange if you didn't meet in these circumstances. It's her bar and I just employed someone without asking her. She probably thinks we are sleeping together."

"Everybody does."

"Do you mind?"

"I don't really care. There are worse things said about me."

"Like? What's the worst," he leans closer and smiles cheekily.

"You don't wanna know."

"I most certainly do. Tell me and I will share one secret too."

"I don't care about your secrets."

Is that true though? To some extent I care but only because I hate surprises.

"Delightful again, aren't you?" He steals a kiss on my cheek. It's objectively cute but I try to suppress flinching. The last year made me damn jumpy.

"I am a grumpy bitch. I don't know why you like me."

"And I am naturally happy and light-hearted. You balance me out, I guess."

"Ok fine, I want to know you better." I don't want you to know me better though.

"Then tonight is the perfect opportunity for that."

"Tonight I don't work."

"I know. Tonight is Henrique's barbecue. You got a special invitation, remember?" Yeah, I remember and I thought it passed and we were over it.

"Wasn't it supposed to be last week?"

"Yeah, but he postponed it because he had a fight with his girlfriend. Now they made up and it's back on."

"Where is it?"

"At his house. It's an hour's drive from here."
Ok so it's not in a public place, but the guy is a policeman.

"I can't." Better safe than sorry.

"Why? You said you want to know me better, well that's the perfect occasion. Most of my close friends will be there."

"Still can't."

"Caterina, why are you afraid of meeting people?" He grabs my elbow and leans a bit closer.

"I am not, I just... Don't..." What the fuck can I say? "...Want my brother to get too attached because we will leave soon and he is already."

Thiago frowns.

"You don't have to go, you know."

"Yes, we do. I don't want to get into legal trouble." Or be found as already being in legal trouble.