"Hi my name's Carmelia, I'll be you waitress today. I'll be right with you sir." I said and smiled at the older man. He nodded softly and I smiled as I walked to the kitchen, fetching someone's meal. I brought to them. "If there's anything wrong with your steak, you just let me know sir."
"I'm sure it's perfect, just like you." I blushed as I slowly smiled, walking away. I returned to the mans table, taking his order. When I got home that night I sighed. I took a shower and got ready for bed. The next morning I went to work and was waiting tables when my manager walked over.
"Carmelia."
"Yes sir?"
"Table ten asked for you to be their waitress." I glanced and my heart skipped a beat.
"Of course sir. Let me serve this family and then I'll go over." He nodded and I brought them their food. I turned to the table and walked over. He looked up at me and smirked. He looked me over once, then twice. "My name's Carmelia, I'll be your waitress today."
"Hello beautiful." His voice was a hard baritone, commanding attention, and very attractive to I'm sure every woman he met. I could feel his eyes piercing into my soul as I looked down to meet his eyes.
"What can I get you sir?"
"A hot fudge sundae. Replace the cherry with yourself." I blushed and gently shook my head with a smile.
"Fresh out of hot fudge sundaes." He smirked and sighed.
"I'll settle on a t-bone steak then."
"What do you want on the side?"
"You?"
"Sorry, I'm not on the menu."
"Baked potato. Sour cream and butter." He said with a soft smile. I returned it. "Oh, can I get a coffee too?" I nodded and went to get it for him. As I was walking over to him with it, a man sat across from him. He noticed the hesitation in my stride, but I sucked up and walked over.
"Here you are sir. Is there anything I can get you sir?" I said, looking to the other man. He was absolutely terrifying but I held my gaze.
"A bite of you would be perfect." The first man growled.
"Off."
"Yes sir." The man said. "Coffee is just fine miss." I nodded and glanced at the first, noticing his gaze follow me. I got his coffee for him and walked away, serving my other tables across the diner, before bringing his steak and potato. He smiled warmly as he looked into my eyes.
"Carmelia, when do you get off work?" He asked.
"3, why sir?"
"It's 3:15." I looked at the clock and smiled. "Would you have dinner with me? At my place?" I blushed as I looked at him.
"I'm not supposed to flirt with the customers, sir. I'll have to decline."
"I may be a customer here, but you're not working right now." He said. "And, it's Justin. Not sir."
"Mr. Romano..." The other man said, seemingly shocked about him telling me his name. He smiled flirtatiously as I smiled, biting my lip.
"Mr. Romano, I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to decline." I said, and turned, freezing when he touched my hand.
"Carmelia."
"My brother and I get together once a month. I haven't missed it in five years. I don't intend to start. Now if you let go, I'll be getting home." He whistled and the other man pulled out a bill. Justin put it in my hand and I gasped. "I-I can't t-take this!"
"Yes you can."
"B-but-"
"Carmelia." I looked at him and he closed my hand around the bill. "Take it." I frowned.
"This is way too much."
"Not for you." He smiled. "Now go home. You need to hang out with your brother, Carmelia." I pursed my lips and walked away. I didn't deserve this money, but I would use it. I went into the back room, grabbing my purse and changing, putting my uniform in my cubby. I walked out and went home to get ready for Jack to come over. I was pulling a pizza out of the oven when the doorbell rang twice and he stepped into.
"Hey Jack!" He walked over. "You'll never believe what happened at work today."
"What's up?"
"A man tipped me $1,000!"
"What?!" I nodded my head.
"Justin Romano was his name, I think." He frowned.
"Justin Romano?!"
"Do you know him? He was rather nice to me."
"He's the most sought after extortionist in the country! Everybody knows him!" He snapped. "He talked to you?!"
"I was his waitress, I had no choice, Jack."
"Let me see that bill."
"No!"
"It's probably stolen money!"
"I don't think he-"
"You trust this guy?!"
"No! If he comes back tomorrow, I'll-" The doorbell rang, effectively silencing me. I answered it and gasped.
"Hey. I was next door, heard some yelling." Justin said with a warm smile.
"It's okay Justin."
"Are you sure?"
"I'm okay." His eyes softened and I saw the insecurity in them. "Would you like to come in?" He stepped inside.
"I understand from the yelling that he's afraid it's stolen." He said, not acknowledging Jack.
"You're him?!" Jack snapped.
"Yes He was. I can't help worrying as well."
"It's okay to use. It's not stolen, rest assured."
"How do we know-" Jack started.
"Because I don't lie, Jack Francesca." He said, looking him in the eyes. Jack faltered. "Would you two like to have dinner with us?" He looked to me with an award winning smile, to which I nodded.
"That would be lovely." I said before Jack could say something. He was on edge and I didn't want to deal with him alone. "Jack come on."
"But-"
"Jack." We locked eyes and he nodded. I smiled at Justin and he led us next door. He opened it and the man from earlier stood up.
"Carmelia, I'm sorry about earlier. I didn't know..."
"You're okay." I said, smiling at him.
"I'm actually shocked. You're a very nice girl in a very horrible world."
"Takes one to know one." I said. He blinked and Justin took my hand.
"Shall we, Carmelia?" I nodded and blushed as Justin led me to a couch. "So tell me about yourself, Carmelia."
"I'm just a waitress. Nothing special."
"A beautiful waitress, at that." He said softly, making me blush more, hiding my face. "With a beautiful name. Carmelia Francesca. Rolls off the tongue quite easily."
"Mr. Romano, please..."
"It's Justin." He said, making me melt. "So-"
"Sir!" A man said as the door swung open.
"What?"
"Your ex-girlfriend is here. She-"
"Can it Piper." She snapped, walking in. "Kane, you lied to me!" She roared at Justin. Why was she calling him Kane?
"Heather-"
"I trusted you! You twat!" She backhanded him across the face and his head wrapped around. He turned to her and you could see the fear in her eyes.
"Gage will show you out, darling." He said gently, but you could tell he was mad. I touched his hand and she looked at me. "And Heather? The name isn't Kane. It's Justin Romano." Fear struck her once more. "Get her out of here Gage."
"No! Kane please!" She was crying her eyes out.
"Justin?" He looked at me.
"Hold on Gage." He said.
"What is he going to do?"
"He'll drive her somewhere quiet."
"Justin, what is he going to do to her?" I said, almost ordered.
"Baby-"
"What is he going to do?!"
"It'll be a painless death." I was terrified now. "Baby-"
"Do you care about me?"
"Yes-"
"Let her go."
"I can't." I turned to Heather and took her hand, giving her a look.
"Gage let go of her." I said and he looked to Justin.
"Sir if she gets off free, she'll tell the police where you are."
"Let her go. If Carmelia trusts her, I trust her." He let go of her and she looked at me.
"Promise me you won't?" She nodded eagerly and I smiled. "It'll be okay. Go home and get some sleep." She was crying as she hugged me, before running off. I turned to him and he backed up, seeing the anger in my eyes. "How dare you try to hurt her." I growled. Gage backed up as well. "How can you live with yourself, knowing that people die because of you?!" He reached for my hand.
"Baby-"
"Don't call me that!" I snapped. "You're a terrible person! I want nothing to do with you!" I grabbed Jacks hand and ran out, crying. I fell against the wall of my apartment, Jack holding me in his arms. "I thought he'd be different, Jack."
"I know. It's okay. It'll be okay." He soothed. I fell asleep right there. When I woke up, there was someone else in the room. They were sitting at the foot of the bed.
"Jack?"
"No." I froze.
"G-get out."
"You weren't afraid of me until Jack told you who I was." He looked at me, and I locked eyes with you.
"Now I know you're a murdering extortionist. Get out of my house!" He stood up and walked closer. I backed away, covering my body with the blankets.
"Carmelia. I don't want to hurt you." I started crying. "Carmelia, don't cry." He soothed as he sat beside me.
"What are you doing to me, Justin Romano?" I croaked through my sobs. He pulled my into his arms and I cried into his chest.
"It'll be okay, Carmelia. I swear on my life, to protect you no matter what."
