In The Shadows ✔

[52] Tending Bar

 She gets behind the wheel of the Charger and drives to the topless bar she worked at every weekend for two years. She walks in and hears Frank whistle at her. 

"Finally she returns! Need to make some money baby?"

Scorpia laughs and says: "Nope, sorry. More money than I can spend these days. I might consider it just for fun though."

Frank comes from behind the bar to hug her. "You look good girl. What brings you here?"

"Five guys are coming over tonight and I'll pick up the tab for them. Only one of them knows I used to work here and there's a very special one in that group of guys. I have something to make up for and this is the perfect place for it."

Frank looks at her all intrigued and asks: "Bruno? And who's the special one? And do I have to take your pictures down?"

"Yes, Bruno with my other two brothers and a good friend. And the special one is a tall Scot with ginger hair." She unbuttons her blouse a bit and shows Frank the tattoo. 

"Yeah, you can't work here anymore, looking like that. No man wants to see some other guy's name on a naked boob." Scorpia laughs and he says: "So the little tough lady gave her heart away. To a Scot even."

Scorpia nods and says: "Yes. I love him. Forever. And you don't have to take the pictures down. But as said, they don't know about it."

Frank grins and says: "This is gonna be fun." Scorpia hands him her business and credit card. "Ooh, the lady is truly rich." He writes the number down and hands the credit card back to her. "We'll take good care of them! Come back some time honey!" 

Scorpia waves and walks out of the door with a smile on her face.

She drives back to the office and parks the Charger neatly next to the other cars. She walks through the door, waves at Annette, and watches a confused Logan step out of Ciro's office. He looks at her and searches her eyes for an explanation. She walks over to him and pushes the door to office open further. 

She looks inside and asks a startled Ciro: "No hookers on your desk?"

Ciro shakes his head and Logan looks at her like she suddenly grew a second head. 

"Did you see my message?" Both men nod and Scorpia says: Good. See you tonight."

She takes a few steps towards her office and Logan asks: "You're not mad anymore? And what about the cafe?"

"Not mad anymore. And I will run the cafe, with a little help from my friends."

 She waves and walks into the office, smiling at Manon and throwing the car keys back at Bart. 

She sits down at her desk and breathes out slowly.

She dials Marco's number and hums while she waits for him to pick up. "Hey Marco, it's Scorpia. Are you working in the cafe tonight? (...) Nice, you'll be working with me then. Logan has the night off. (...) Yeah, I know more about it than you think. You'll find out tonight. Bye!"

Bart gives her a questioning look and asks: "You're behind the bar tonight?"

"Yes. Come over for a drink if you want to see that. Oh and could you drive Logan home? I'll take the jeep when I'm done here."

Bart laughs and says: "I keep discovering something new about you every day." Scorpia thinks about the guy's night out and says in her head that Bart won't be the only one. 

Bart gets up and tells Logan he will give him a ride home.

Scorpia's phone rings and Bruno's name shows up on the screen. "Sorellina! The first guy called me within a minute after you sent that message. I've spoken to them all by now. They are confused and want to know for sure that you actually sent that message yourself."