Angelic Sins (Part 1)

Chapter 7: The Job

Every Saturday I meet with Giovanni at the coffee shop. We talk for hours and hours about general things. My imaginary work, his daily workouts, or how our week has been. It never fails to end the same, with a deep question, that triggers deep thought, and a hug that I wish would last a lifetime.

One rainy Saturday, before our routine meeting, I go to Mendel's coffee shop and ask for a job application. To my surprise, the manager offers to interview me on the spot since I'm a loyal customer.  I have never been to a legit interview before. Sounds fancy. I go in an office and sit down as the manager Mr. Bartels joins me, cleaning out his ear with a Q-tip. Maybe it's not fancy after all.

I notice the family photo on his desk, consisting of him, his wife, four sons, and one daughter. He sits at the opposite end of the desk, and shuffles through his paperwork. 

"So, Heiress, is it? Why do you want to work for Mendel's Coffee Shop?" He asks.

"Well Mr. Bartels. I am honestly like no other candidate you will ever have. I am very consistent with my work, and I have excellent planning skills. I'm good at reading people, and I can adjust to any attitude."

For a minute it was silent.

"You know...I'm good at reading people too Heiress, that's why, you're hired!"

I stand up excited that getting a job as a cashier was that easy. In the mist of shaking his hand, in the proud acceptance of my new job, he leans in closer.

"All you have to do is give me a little thank you under my desk and we're all set."

Every fiber in my body aches. I look at him seeing the lust in his eyes, and my intuition tells me that I am not the first woman to apply for this job position.

"Whatever you want." I say smiling, and going to close the door.

He unzips his pants and leans backwards in his chair.  I approach him, straddling my leg across his lap and running my fingers through his semi grey hair. He leans back more, enjoying my touch, and closes his eyes. They are only shut for a few seconds before reopening in terror as I stick the Q-tip stick deep within his ear, without the cotton attached. I quickly cover his mouth.

"Five kids...a wife...and you don't deserve any of it." 

I hit the Q-tip in further.

"I will get this job, we will not speak of this again, you will not make any sexual advances to me or anyone else that may want to work here, or I will have you arrested. Understood?"

I wiggle the Q-tip until I see blood.

He squirms, nodding in agony.

I snatch the Q-tip out leaving the blood to squirt behind it.

"I'll start Monday, ok?" I ask, though I doubt he would oppose otherwise.

"Y-y-yes." He stutters.

As I am about to walk out, I turn around and walk back to his desk making his family picture face him.

"I'm always watching Mr. Bartels... and so are they."

I release a powerful right hook to the ear that's bleeding, causing him to swear and tremble with pain.

"See you Monday." 

I exit his office shocked to find Giovanni just walking in. I didn't realize the interview had taken so long. I walk to greet him hiding my hand, with Mr. Bartel's blood on it.

"Heiress, I had to catch you before you ordered because I actually don't want to have coffee today. I want to show you something else. Trust me?"

I am skeptical, since this definitely wasn't a part of our routine, but I slip my left hand into his right.

"That's fine. Of course, I trust you."

He pulls me along, as we jet outside in the rain. Within minutes, we're both soaked and running the streets.

"Where are we going?" I yell through the thunder.

"You'll see!" He responds.

We run for about six minutes straight before entering the gates to the community park. Giovanni pulls me under the biggest oak tree there, where the leaves seem to block the rain. 

"Why are we here?" I ask while brushing water droplets from my eyelashes with my hands.

The blood has washed away. He leans my back to the base of the oak tree and puts his forehead against mine.

"Years ago, this oak tree saved my life. I was in some serious trouble with people who wanted me dead. I took out a five thousand dollar loan with a gangster named De'Jose to help get me through my last year of college. I never expected he would add so much interest that I would practically forever be in debt to him. When I couldn't pay it, he sent his goons after me. I had taken a serious beat down, but I managed to escape before the attack became fatal.  I had nowhere else to go, and pretty much considered giving up. I wandered into this park, waiting for them to find me. As I sat against this tree, thinking about the life I had lived, I decided not be another victim to this gangster's squad. I climbed this tree and hid within the thick leaves for three days, only leaving to use the portable potty, or get a hot dog from the street vendor. On the fourth day, when I got down to dart to the vendor, to my surprise I found a newspaper that revealed the entire clan had been viciously murdered. Since that day I vowed to never let myself fall victim again, to any force. "

It's taking everything in me not to say "you're welcome," since I definitely remember that night of fun. Nine in total. Three deaths by headshots, 2 deaths by Chinese daggers to the heart, and four deaths from a single grenade.

"Why are you telling me this?" I say instead.

"Because I lied, Heiress. I have fallen victim to you.  You have my heart. I wanted to bring you to the place I made the vow, to break it. I want to be with you. Be mine. As long as you are with me, I will be your oak tree."

I take a deep breathe, looking in his eyes.

"I love you." He says leaning in and kissing me on the lips.

I kiss him back, feeling like a normal person for the first time in my life. As usual, he walks me home, and I go into my apartment. As I lay in my bed, I understand that tonight was a fantasy that I can only afford to replay in my mind until the morning. Tomorrow is Sunday, and reality sets in.