Mafia by Blood (wlw)

15 - Facing Noelle

( A/N: Cover is Mac's ex Charlie ;) )

The week had dragged on for Mac. After the events at the villa, she had taken time off from school, telling everyone she was sick. It was a convenient excuse, giving her the necessary distance and time to process everything and decide her next steps. She had avoided Noelle's persistent calls and messages. She knew she was seeing Noelle today at work, but she had no idea to how either of them would react, or what she would even say, she'd just have to improvise.

As she slipped out of her sweater and started to change, the door swung open. Noelle stood there, her expression a storm of mixed emotions. Her anger was evident, her eyes dark and intense, a contrast to the warmth Mac was used to seeing. Mac flinched at the sight, and backed against the wall, covering herself with her uniform shirt.

"Noelle, I—," Mac began, but Noelle cut her off.

"Where have you been?" Noelle's voice was sharp. "I've been worried sick. You disappeared. I thought you were kidnapped again!"

Mac's hands trembled as she held her shirt close, trying to shield herself. "I was scared, Noelle. After what happened, I just needed some space to think."

Noelle's anger didn't subside. In two swift steps, she was in front of Mac. "Space to think?" she echoed bitterly. Before Mac could react, Noelle yanked the shirt away, exposing Mac's bandaged and scarred body.

"Let me see," Noelle demanded, her voice a little softer. Mac didn't think of herself as a person who was easily frightened, but the thought of a merciless killer in a mafia gang standing over her was terrifying. She probably knew many ways to kill a person, quietly. Mac thought she probably had weapons hidden under her uniform right now.

Mac hesitated but lifted her arms slightly, revealing the wounds on her stomach and arm. Noelle studied them closely, her anger slowly giving way to concern. She reached out, gently tracing the edges of the scars with her fingertips.

"I was terrified," Mac admitted, her voice trembling. "I didn't know what to do. I just needed time to process everything."

Noelle's anger seemed to fade as she listened. She took a deep breath, her shoulders relaxing. "You could have at least let me know you were safe," she said, her voice softer now, almost pleading.

"I know, and I'm sorry," Mac replied, her voice barely a whisper. "I just couldn't face anyone after what happened. I haven't seen Marley either."

Noelle nodded, her eyes still lingering on Mac's wounds. "I understand. Just... please, don't shut me out like that again. I can't bear not knowing if you're okay."

As the tension between them eased, Mac felt a wave of relief. She had feared Noelle's reaction but was glad to see her calming down, even if just a little.

Their shift together was awkward at first, but as it got closer to its end, Mac noticed that Noelle seemed to have accepted her cover story. The atmosphere between them had returned to something somewhat normal. Madison arrived just before Mac was about to leave. She joined Noelle in the office, closing the door behind her. Mac couldn't help but wonder if the other managers would join them and if they were all part of the mafia. Her mind raced back to a previous shift when she had seen a black, shady car parked outside the building. She glanced out the window and saw the same car now, a chill running down her spine. She debated on whether she should hide somewhere just to see what would happen.

"She acted weird today," Noelle explained to Madison behind closed doors as they prepared for tonight's after-hours meeting.

"But she hasn't realized anything? It's weird that she left the villa right after I was in the same room as her. Why didn't she just ask me for a ride home?" Madison wondered.