Need A Light?

Chapter 7

Peridot was awake. He was awake and he didn't want to be, but the nausea was a little too much for him to handle. He quickly got out of bed and rushed to the bathroom, stumbling over his feet a few times before almost missing the toilet bowl. Luckily he made it, and wouldn't have to clean up anything once he felt a little better. Leaning up against the sink cabinet, Peridot rubbed his face with his hands, feeling the impending headache getting stronger and stronger.

"Why did I have to drink so much..." Peridot said, pulling himself up from the floor. He stumbled but eventually made his way to his desk chair resting his head on the wooden desk.

There was a knock on his door. "Boss?" Of course. It was Emerald.

"Come in..." Peridot mumbled loud enough for Emerald to hear.

Emerald came in with some papers in his hand. A sight Peridot hoped he wouldn't see today.

"New assignment, Boss." Emerald placed the papers down on the desk next to Peridot's head.

"How are you standing...?" Peridot asks, sitting up enough to read the papers.

"I stopped drinking way before you did, Boss."

Peridot sighed when he looked at the papers. "Don't these people know that they owe us money? And don't they know what happens to them if they don't pay?

"Can't win 'em all, Boss."

Peridot inspected the papers more. "Its in one of the worst parts of the city too. Make sure we have extra bodies with us. You and Citrine won't be enough protection."

"I'll round 'em up now, Boss."

Peridot didn't want to do this today, but when you get direct orders from your mother, you kind of can't ignore them. He got up and made his way back into the bathroom, shedding the rest of his clothes to get a refreshing shower. Although still a little hungover, he found the energy to get dressed decently enough to make an appearance in public. After chugging some water, putting his holster on with his revolver, and topping it all off with a suit jacket, he made his way downstairs to the garage to meet the rest of the guys.

One of the good things about being a mafia boss is that you get chaperoned everywhere. Even though peridot likes to be independent, telling the people around him he doesn't need their help, sometimes it is nice to be treated like a king.

"We're here, Boss." Emerald says putting the car in park.

Peridot and about five other men arrive at the front of the Pizza Place. Fish Stew Pizza it read on the outside. A relatively new pizza shoppe, but one that has been around long enough to know when their payments are due. The bell on the front door alerted the person who was standing behind the counter.

"We are not open yet! Can't you read... the sign..."

"Is that how you treat all of your customers, Kofi?"

"N-no! No! I always treat you boys with the utmost respect! W-what can I do for you today?"

"You know what I'm here for, Kofi." Peridot sat down at one of the tables, taking out a cigarette from his pocket.

"I-I'm not sure what you mean..." Kofi shifted uncomfortably under Peridots gaze.

"The money, Kofi. Its three weeks late."

"Oh! The money... I-I need a little more time... service hasn't been great you know, especially since we are in a bad part of the city."

"The Frymans make their payment on time. And there only a few doors down. That can't be your excuse anymore, Kofi. I need my money."