The Mafia Boyfriend

The Plan

I was going to start big. 

I needed a list of every single member of the Cinco gang. I knew they had to be a couple of hundred members since they were almost everywhere in Los Angeles. 

After my much needed shower and some hard scrubbing to get all the dried blood out from my skin, I called one of the gorillas downstairs up in my room. The idea of having him in my room wasn't one that I would get used to, but I wanted to be quiet about this. It's not like I could hide anything in this house and Alex would know sooner or later, but I just didn't want him up in my business right now. I knew what I was doing. And I didn't need any opinions.

- So, you understood, right? I need that list from everyone inside the Cinco gang, categorized into children, adults and elderly. Also, don't forget to write if they are male or female, since I will also need to do Parent Planing. Got it?

The member looked at me like I was stupid. We hadn't gotten acquainted yet and I guess he completely doubted my skills. However, being that Alex had given specific commands that I would get anything I needed, he obeyed without a comment and left my room after his confirming nod.

The plan was quite simple actually. The Cinco members never had gotten the chance to profit from periodical medic evaluations, allied to their fear of authoritative figures and the police. I had noticed many of them were in bad shape, with wounds or chronic diseases and even some of the cleaning ladies of the mansion I had seen, had terrible back dis-figuration and pain from all the incorrect postures over the years. My job as the Stitcher would be a meaning one. I wanted to change these people's lives into better ones. Painless ones. And that meant I needed to prevent them from getting sick in the first place and to teach them how to avoid it. My job would be much simpler once I would stop from getting sick so often.

I decided to head down to the makeshift clinic and categorize every tool and resource I had. That would allow me to start planning my actions according to what I had in hand. Man, it was a mess. The last Stitcher hadn't know what organised environments were. It took me a while to get it all done. But it wasn't like I had anything better to do. 

While accomplishing my goals for the day, I found myself remembering the similar details of the job in the ER. I had to say I missed it there. I was a good nurse and I made a difference, even if the patients never really thanked me for it. I remembered Lia and Hayden and how we often did dinners together when we were both free from our shifts, which wasn't so often anymore. I also remembered Charles and my mom and how I was supposed to have called them when I left Julian, worry flooding my brain. 

I had been in Alex's domain for over a week now and I was starting to ask myself if these people were worried about me. They had to be searching for me. I hadn't seen my phone since the kidnapping at the gas station and I had no personal belongings ever since either. That made me feel very secluded and alone. Alex felt now more like a friend than a stranger, but he wasn't someone I could open up to. These thoughts would give me anxiety at night when I slept alone in this amazing room at his mansion. No room could take away my worries. I just couldn't stop thinking about the people I loved and how much I missed them.

My back is turned to the plastic curtains as I squat down to work and finish organizing the lower cabinets of the clinic. Suddenly, I hear some ruffling of plastic behind me. Alex pokes his head inside the room, offering me a timid smile.

- Hey. - He says quietly. - I heard you are making some big plans for the gang. I trust your judgement. I just wanted to say thank you. You don't have to do so much, but I appreciate it.

I guess he found out sooner than later. I don't know if I should be proud of myself or just still mad at him.

- If that's all you wanted to say, you can leave me alone now. - I choose mad.

- A... Come on. 

- What?

- This is still my house.

Wrong words, mister.

- And this is my clinic. Since you don't let me leave, I might as well state my ownership right now.

His eyes are heavy and disappointed. I can see that something weights him down. The amusement that usually always lingers in his features is gone. He just seems sad.

- It's not like you can't leave, of course you can. I just need you always protected, that's it. If you try to run away, that's another talk. But I am not keeping you trapped inside this house.

I look at him with sad eyes. This doesn't make it any different from being a prisoner.

- Can I at least call my family and tell them that I am okay? Maybe call my boss and come up with an excuse? They will be wondering where I have been.

With his hands back in his jean pockets, Alex retreats his earlier weakness to his domination stance. He is in charge here and he knows it. 

- I will allow you to talk to your parents, as long as I can be here listening to the conversation and making sure you don't say anything you are not supposed to. But your boss is out of boundaries. Let her think you blew her off.

- Alex, please... I can't just..

- No. Don't push your luck.

I give up my fight against the wind. I know I won't win. Tears start to fill up my eyes as I feel, yet again, trapped. At the end of the day, Alex is still a criminal. I don't know why I expect him to be considerate of how my life was shattered the moment he came in it. I extend my right hand to him as a sign of my acceptance of his conditions.

- Fine. Can I have your phone then?