The Mafia Boyfriend

The Fancy Dinner

One and a half hours later, I was here, sitting at a table for two at "Enrique's", a fancy schmancy Latin Fusion restaurant in Downtown LA. We had gotten right in, with no need for a reservation check up, avoiding the reception altogether and entering through the back door of the establishment. I was beyond surprised.

I looked down at myself and I couldn't recognize me. I was the one who was now wearing a very tight and very short red dress, which I had been forbidden to refuse, by the way. All my curves were absolutely hugged to the extreme. I felt like if I tried to dance it in, my ass would greet the world. What was Alex thinking in the first place?

He, on the other hand, wearing one of his body fitting grey suits, looked mouth watering. And today he couldn't stopped giving me "the hunger look". His piercing grey eyes were darker and playful. Alex seemed pretty pleased with his result. He had bought my clothing for the night himself, thus the marvelous red dress. I, on the other hand, had doubts that he knew my right size, this dress was obviously way too small.

This exquisite male specimen was sitting across from me, in a private table at the back of "Enrique's", which I can only imagine meant no interruptions. He had gone out of his way to have a romantic dinner with me. But why, I couldn't still figure out. He obviously was attracted to me, like I was right back at him, but we all know that he didn't need all of these theatricals to get in my pants. Hell, I would even unzip them for him myself! If that meant that I got to enjoy him for a while. It felt like he might have been trying to make up for something. At least that was what was on my mind as I sip a very expensive glass of red wine.

- So, what's all this for?

- All what? - Alex asks, intrigued. He crosses his legs under the table, in a slow and painful pace which makes my eyes follow his every move. And those wore some nice built legs. Alex definitely hit the gym very often. 

- All the fancy, the red dress, the suit...

- I almost always wear a suit.

Playful Alex is having a day. I don't know if my mood can follow him though. Not after the rough couple of days.

- You know what I mean, Alex. Cut the crap.

Alex remains quiet, his eyes focus on mine, two pointer lights aimed at me in the dim restaurant's lighting. I feel uncomfortable all of the sudden. I readjust my position on the chair, feeling too observed. My palms sweat a bit as they rest on the top of my thighs, the only place where they feel comfortable, hiding my very visible skin. I pray that Alex doesn't really notice my nerves. I still don't want to show my weak side to him.

- I wanted to make you a bit happier.

He pauses again after his blunt statement. It had been something that didn't feel like Alex again. It felt like raw feeling. And from all I had known from Alex until now, he didn't really do feelings. My pupils are dilated, a reaction to knowing that deep down, Alex cared for me in his way.

- Why would you...? - I ask, without words. My own blabbering head was out of words, so not me.

- I know what it's like to not have your family around. Especially when you have a good one. I'm not a complete animal, A. I care for my people. And I care for you now too. As long as you stay with us, I will take care of you.

My eyes start to prickle. I don't wanna cry in front of him again, but it is pretty hard to swallow the lump that is now in my throat. I can't seem to describe the feeling in my heart at the moment. I felt that I was getting weak to Alex's charms. He was getting through to my heart. And that terrified me. I look up, trying to keep the wetness inside my eye sockets. A few moments go by. The waiter brings more drinks to our table. 

Once I dare to direct my eyes to Alex again, I notice the gentleness in his face. It isn't the playful, confident or rugged Gang Leader look anymore. His eyes show emotion and I noticed as he gently places one hand across the table, asking to hold mine. We aren't in the touchy level yet and that is the only reason why I refuse him, shaking my head. In any other occasion, holding his hand would have made me feel a tiny bit better.

I can't out any more words throughout the whole dinner. I let Alex choose the menu, as he seems way more experienced in this type of fancy meals as I do. My top fancy meal was having ribs in a all-you-can-eat kind of place. I knew nothing of Latin Fusion stuff. What did that even mean?  In the end, we shared an exquisite meal together, all I could tell was that it had meat in it, but it had been an amazing palate opener. 

As the meal comes to an end, Alex wipes him mouth with his cloth napkin and places it at the table. I do the same, not knowing what to do next. He doesn't ask for the bill yet, even though we already had dessert. He crosses his legs again and starts to talk.

- My dad was never the caring type. I watched enough of you and your family to know that you have a deep connection with your stepdad. I will allow you more calls with him, as long as I can watch you.

A tiny excitement runs through me. And I am curious again, as Alex mentions his father for the first time. He had surely been the former Gang Leader of the Cinco. I wanted to ask what kind of man he had been, surely very similar to what Alex is now, ruthless and powerful. I mentally slap myself as my tongue speaks before my head again.

- How was he, I mean, your father?

Alex chuckles. A cold and dry chuckle, not of amusement.

- He is not a father, I would say. Nowadays we don't really communicate verbally, we mostly shake heads. Hell, we never got along in the first place. He is a cold, cold man, A., who only thought of war instead of peace. The Cinco are in far better hands now.

I am fairly surprised as I hear him say that his father is still alive. With him never talking about the man, I always assumed that he must have been buried with his wife and his daughter. In fact, I always thought that Gang Leaders kept their positions until they were dead. I guess that was my mistake.

- Don't worry, A. You'll never meet him, hopefully.

Alex asks for the bill. He pays with one of his gold cards, one of many in his wallet apparently. I ask myself how he gets to have so much money. The gang must do many illegal businesses in order for him to keep this lifestyle. My mind wanders again to his father and what Alex had said. Maybe it was better if I didn't meet the maker of this criminal. It could only mean more trouble. And I had had my fair share already.

As we walk back to the car, I can't help noticing that Alex immediately places his hand on my lower back and how that tingling sensation sends small shocks through my skin, electrifying me. I look up at him and I can tell that he feels it too. His dark eyes are glued to me, as we finally enter the sports car waiting for us at the alley. It's going to be a long night.