Ghost Of You (Michael Berzatto X Black!OC X Eventual Richie Jerimovich)

2. C Is For Chaos

2022-Chicago, Illinois

The warm gentle breeze and sounds of traffic filled Angie's senses. She leaned against the brick wall, cigarette in one hand, while the other played with Mikey's wedding band that she had strung a gold chain through.

"I love you." She whispered before tucking it inside her shirt.

The door swung open and loudly hit the wall. "Sorry." Sydney apologized. "I didn't mean to bother you."

"You're not." Angie blew the smoke downward, away from Sydney. "You know, I've talked to you so many times this past week, and I feel like I don't know shit about you." Angie sighed. "So, what's your story, Syd? You have family?"

"Yeah. I live with my dad. I'm an only child, so it's just us."

"Your mom?"

"Uh...she died."

"Fuck. I'm sorry."

"It's fine. I was super young. Lupus."

"My mom died when I was a kid too. Suicide, ironically."

The women sat in uncomfortable silence for a minute. Sydney looked over as if she was about to speak.

"So, I asked Carmy about a permanent position here."

"You asked Carmy?"

"Yeah. I would've asked you, but Carmy told me that you were leaving soon, and I didn't want you to think I was tryna replace you or anything."

"Oh, uh, it's fine. I mean, I'm not intimidated by you or anything." She took a long drag. "And I'm not sure if I'm leaving yet. Well, I am leaving, I just don't know when."

"Oh. Okay. Cool."

"Cool." Angie sighed. "I'm gonna head back in." She squashed the cigarette before walking back into the building. As she made her way through to the front, she saw an older woman talking with Richie.

"The owners dead." He told her.

"Hi, I'm Angelina Berzatto."

"What's going on?" Carmy asked as he joined the group.

"Nancy Chore. I work for the Chicago Board of Health." She shook Angie's hand. "I'm here to inspect the property."

"Carmen Berzatto."

"I'm the owner." Angie and Carmy said in unison.

"They don't look dead."

"No, my husband's dead. My brother-in-law and I are in charge."

"Can I see some identification?" Richie asked the woman.

"Sure." She pulled her badge out of her pocket and held it up.

"Interesting."

"Why's that interesting?" Carmy asked.

"The logo is interesting."

Angie rolled her eyes and sighed. "Ms. Chore, make yourself at home. Let me know if you need anything."

"Thank you."

🤍

"So Sydney works here full time now?" Angie asked Carmen as she stood in the office doorway.

"I'm not sure. Maybe."

"You don't know?"

"I'm thinking about it." He sighed. "We don't have money to pay her for full time work."