My Artistic Mafia Man

Chapter 5: Friends

Chapter 5: Friends

Eltan Storm

It was like it was just the two of us at that moment, boring into each other's eyes until Faith broke it by letting out a meek, "Sorry?"

I realized that I was far too close for her comfort and backed off. I sat back on the bar stool and lied, "I mean, I don't want to disappoint my employees."

I noticed a faint stroke of red on her cheeks as she turned her head away and nodded her head.

I took a sip of my drink and started, "So as we were discussing, tomorrow can I expect to have you as a partner?"

She shook her head and said, "I work from evening till morning."

But there was no rule that I couldn't bend as long as it was my territory.

"Well, then, I'm giving you a paid-off day tomorrow." Her eyes widened for the third time tonight. "So will you come now?"

She considered it for a moment before finally nodding her head in agreement. I almost wanted to scream in happiness.

Yes, finally, I would get the chance to know her more personally. I couldn't wait for tomorrow night.

###

I finished all my work beforehand, just to keep my night free of any other business, though I did earn a few suspicious looks from Denver. I just wanted my entire focus to be on Faith.

I was waiting outside the Berserkers in my car, my eyes trained on the entrance. I wish I had asked for Faith's address, at least for her cell number so that I could contact her, but it felt too soon to ask for either of them. Given how much she cared about her job, she would give it to me. No doubt because I was her boss, but I wanted her to ask for my number. In that way, I would know that it wasn't all one-sided.

Too lost in Faith's thoughts, I didn't even notice her approach the car until her knuckles knocked on the windshield. I snapped out of my trance and opened the door.

"So you're finally here," I said.

She smiled shyly and said, "You say as though I'm late."

I glanced at my wristwatch to find she was right on time. It was me who was early.

"I hope you didn't wait too long," she said.

"No, not at all." I would wait an eternity for her. "By the way, you look..." I couldn't find the right words to describe her. If I thought she looked beautiful in the bartender uniform, she looked phenomenal tonight in that knee-length halter-top burgundy dress.

However, she misinterpreted my silence and panicked. "Oh, my God, do I look bad? I knew this dress was too bold for me," she chastised herself.

I wondered what was too bold about her dress until my eyes followed her gaze toward her bare shoulders and cleavage. I averted my eyes instantly and said, "No, you don't look bad. In fact, you look perfect."

"Thank you," she accepted the compliment with grace and asked, "Shall we go in?"

"Only if you take my arm," I offered.

She hesitated. "You're my boss. How can I—"

"Not tonight." She didn't seem convinced, so I added, "Okay, fine. I'm your boss, and it's an order."

That worked on her like a charm as she instantly looped her arm around mine.

I chuckled and started to walk toward the entrance. "You really don't want to get fired, do you?"