Snow

Chapter Two

Rowena listened for Snow's footsteps patting softly up the stairs. Stepping back into the room, the coffee table gleamed with a lustrous glow. Satisfactory. At least that insolent little girl was good for something. She could have thrown her into the orphanage, but no, out of the pure goodness of her heart she sheltered the child. And it paid off- she doesn't have to clean. Ever. Smiling to herself, Rowena a glided over to her "book shelf." Pulling on a copy of Romeo and Juliet, a piece of the shelf swung open revealing her personal alcohol stash. Rowena grabbed a bottle of good Canadian whiskey and set two glasses on the table.

The door bell rang, and within a few moments Rowena opened it to find a guest on her doorstep.

"Mr. Mario De Luca, come in darling," she said. Before her stood a stout man, a bit stocky, mid-late forties. He had a clean shaven chin, and little brown eyes rimmed with thick black lashes. Protruding from his lips was a large cigar, and covering his slightly balding head was a snap brim hat. Overall, he had the appearance of a fat rat.

"Hotsy-totsy! You're the fairest of them all!" Mario said, placing a kiss on her manicured fingers. Rowena gave him a fake giggle. The truth was, Mario repulsed her- but it was the only way to keep him wrapped around her finger. Though she wasn't involved with him, she liked to keep her business relations "close"... Or at least keep them believing they were close.

De Luca over saw her shippings of products into the speakeasy she ran, called The Ocean Blue. One always needs a couple loyal guard dogs to protect their property. Also he was great for giving her boosts of confidence when she was feeling down. Almost like a magic mirror that gave you compliments...

"Oh Mario..." She sighed, "Come now, darling, we have business to discuss," Rowena moved away from him and walked gracefully over to the coffee table. She poured the two glasses with whiskey, and handed one to De Luca.

"Of course, my sweet," De Luca replied, lust gleaming in his beady eyes. Rowena gagged inwardly at his expression. "So, my dear, the last shipment went through great! No police to deal with- or none who we couldn't bribe. We brought it round to Ocean Blue last night for opening." De Luca smiled proudly at his "achievements"

"Oh that's fantastic dear, just fantastic," Rowena stared down to the floor. She had a feeling she knew what he would say next.

"But Rowena, my boss is starting to ask questions about the money, and when he'll get his payment. And Mr.Mangreta does not like to wait for his cash," he said, swilling the golden liquid in his glass.

" Yes, yes I know that...I'll have it soon enough..." Rowena shifted her eyes away nervously, avoiding De Luca's pressing gaze

"Well how soon is soon?" De luca demanded.

"Well, you know...soon..."

"Oh doll, not this again. You and I know well enough that Mr.Mangreta can get mad real easy, and before you know it you'll be out on the streets again with nothing but the clothes on your back. Tread carefully, my dear." He said, sternly looked at Rowena. She was born on the streets, and would fight tooth and nail to keep her home. She was almost as determined as she was vain. A spark of anger lit in Rowena's eyes, and she gave De Luca a sinister glare. He had most defiantly hit a nerve in the normally collected woman.

"Look, you go tell your boss that I will get him his precious money. And so help me if you or any more of his goons badger me again I will... I will tell the police. Give them evidence. Yes, Yes, that's what I'll do," Rowean exclaimed, thoughts rushing through her mind. "And you just watch, just watch, as your whole empire falls apart! See, cause I got stuff on you all too!"

"Do you want to end up dead?" De Luca replied frankly. His hand slowly reached back for the small pistol in his pocket. Rowena's eyes glanced quickly to his gun and she grimanced

"Don't be stupid, you idiot," She said sarcastically.

"Then shut that pretty trap of yours or we'll have to shut it for you. Don't forget who you're messing with, Rowena" De Luca replied menacingly. Rowena slowly lowered herself back to the chair, and plastered on a false smile. The fact was, the cash was running dry, and until Ocean Blue started pulling in more dough, Rowena was broke. "Look, dear," De Luca said, his tone softening,"If it helps, payment doesn't have to be cash strictly. Like, a diamond necklace or something like that. Whatever you can think of that's worth enough to pay Mr.Mangreta back, whatever you can give. Or perhaps, maybe you could give me something, and I could handle your debt," a spark of lust and longing shot across the mans face as he made his offer. Bleech.

"Well, you know, I am unfortunately unavailable for, erm, such dealings," Rowena implied delicately "Ever since my husband passed, you understand..." She leaned forward towards the gangster, batting her eyelashes

Stunned, De Luca stuttered for a moment before clearing his throat. "Well, we need some kind of payment. And my offer will always be open, my dear," he responded, puffing out his chest liked a stuffed peacock.

"Oh of course, of course," Rowena replied, seeing her opportunity, "There is, of course, an alternative I can offer you. You are married, though?" De Luca stiffened, nodding curtly. Rowena felt an inkling of pity for whatever poor woman was married to this dirty man. "Oh that is too bad, my dear," Rowena, shifted closer towards De Luca, placing a hand on his, "But your boss, Mr. Mangreta, is not?"
De Luca nodded again. Rowena smirked at his confusion- she had him trapped in her gaze... "You know of course, my little step daughter Snow White is unmarried. Very compliant, pretty little face. About 8 years my junior, you know... I'm sure that she would cover my payments to Mr. Mangreta- this time, and perhaps a few times to come..." De Luca's eyes shot up in surprise, but then a smile cracked across his round face.

"Yes, I'm sure that the boss would like that offer..."

Suddenly a loud crash sounded from the stairs. At the base of the stairs sat Snow, disheveled at looked at Rowena in anger

"How dare you, Rowena! I am not your object to sell! Good lord, I just can't believe... You are truly evil, Rowena. And I wish I never see you again!" Show then walked up to Rowena and firmly slapped Rowena across the face, before running out the door with nothing but a coat and her cat.

Rowena was dumbfounded, but De Luca couldn't pry his eyes away from Snow. She watched in stunned silence as she saw Snow begin to run down the street.

"Snow White..." De Luca breathed, placing a hand over his heart.

"Well what are you waiting for?" Rowena snapped out of her shock, shaking De Luca's arm "Go after her!" De Luca didn't respond, staring straight ahead with his jaw wide open. "Mario!" She screeched, whacking him . He seemed to snap out his trance, looked at Rowena.

"I have seen angel," He whispered. Rowena felt jealousy pierce her like a knife. "The most beautiful creature I've ever seen..."

"My darling, surely she's not an angel." she replied offhandedly. Rowena maintained her cool exterior, but inside she was green with envy. As she approached 30, her male attention had slowly but surely dwindled. And she couldn't lose another one- not to that little minx.

"She is the fairest of them all..." Mario stood and left, obviously off to chase his fair maiden. Jealously pierced Rowena's heart. She was the fairest of them all! Not Snow White!

Insolent little girl. How could anyone be more beautiful than Rowena. Stupid girl! She can't let her go- if she did, she'd tell the police about Rowena's operation. Yes, yes of course... She can't let her go.

Something had to be done.

Rowena dialed up the phone, speaking impatiently to the operator and waiting for the person she needed.

"Hello? Will here," a voice sounded at the other end "What can I do ya for?"

"It's Mrs.Rowena White, Will. And I've got a job for you...

I need you to kill a girl for me." She said, twirling the phone cord between her fingers.

It wouldn't be the first time Rowena ended someone's life.

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Dun dun dunnnnnnn!
I hope you guys liked that! I just redid this chapter so I hope is better- this story should finally be moving along now. Yay!

-michellec812 xx