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The Boss's Nanny

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Episode 12

Sophia

"Waitress!"

"Coming" I announce as I juggle my way to table five with the colossal pizza, nearly eclipsing the round table itself.

"Your order" I manage to say as I finally set down the pizza on its wooden plank.

"Thanks" echo five men in unison, clearly coming from a baseball match, judging by their attire.

I hurry to the woman who called me earlier, who's busy wiping a child's mouth, one of the two she's with.

"A family-sized pepperoni pizza and three cokes, please."

"Regular or diet?"

"One diet, two regulars."

"Right away" I say and head to the kitchen. "One family-sized pepperoni, two regular cokes, and one diet" I repeat the order.

"Sure, sweetheart" replies the chef and the owner of the pizzeria where I've been working for over a fortnight.

I guess I'm lucky, it's a pleasant place to work. Don Benito is kind and pays well. After that jerk fired me, I didn't want to go back to my uncle's place, especially since my uncle's wife made it crystal clear that I was an adult now and needed to fend for myself.

I suppose she's right. At least I've managed so far.

I'm staying at one of those roadside motels, costing me fifty dollars a day. The room is tiny, and I have to share a bathroom, but at least it has windows and is clean.

My chest tightens at the thought of Mia. What's she doing now? Are they giving her the formula she likes? Did anyone rub her belly today? Did they play her favorite lullaby?

I miss her. I miss her sighs when in my arms, her scent, and the warmth when she cuddled against me. I miss her smiles, but most of all, her beautiful eyes.

Eyes as stunning as her father's.

The only flaw of my little one is having that brute for a father, but it's not her fault. I firmly believe she would have picked anyone but Gabriel if she'd had any say.

While I detest all that the Capo stands for, he haunts my dreams. Every single night. And it's maddening.

Maybe it's time to start dating. Find a boyfriend to calm my wildly misguided hormones.

"Ready!" shouts Don Benito with a wide grin and a belly full of dough.

I smile back, taking the easier-to-carry pizza.

"Anything else?" I ask as I set the items on the table.

"That's all, thank you" the woman returns the smile.

Everyone seems to be smiling today.

I turn, colliding with a solid chest.

"Sophia" he greets.

I look up to the first scowling face of the day.

"How did you find me?"

"I have connections."

"I can imagine." I try moving past him, but he blocks me. "As you see, I'm working" I mutter, hands on my hips.

"Not anymore. You're coming back with me."

"Excuse me?" I laugh incredulously.

"You heard."

"I'm not interested" I say and try again to dodge past him. "Enough already, let me work" I snap, infuriated.

"No."

"You have no power over me here."

He leans in, whispering, "I am your Capo."

"Didn't they tell you? I quit the Camorra, now I'm a regular citizen."

His lips twist into a semblance of a smile.

"No one leaves the Camorra, except in a body bag."

I shake my head. "Now you resort to death threats?"

"It's not a threat."

"Sure sounds like it."

"Must you always argue with me?"

"Because you're a fool and someone needs to point it out."

I try a third time to step out of his reach, but he's still in my way.

Who the hell does he think he is?

"Get out of here" I demand loud enough for the attention of the patrons.

The five guys who ordered the giant pizza get up from their seat.

"Seems the lady doesn't want you here."

"I don't give a damn, she belongs to me."

The women scream in shock, then start hurling insults. I enjoy watching his face grow angrier and angrier.

"I'm calling the police" says the woman with the two kids.

Gabriel looks at me, and I smile maliciously.

Take that, you fool.

"Out of my establishment!" orders Don Benito, advancing with the massive wooden spoon he uses for stirring sauce, as if it were a weapon, ready to wield it.

"This isn't over" he mutters.

I flip him off, and all the women cheer as the mighty Camorra Capo storms out enraged.

Sophia one, Gabriel zero.

*****

After my shower, I reach for my favorite vanilla and sweet sandalwood cream, applying it as I reflect on the day's earlier events.

It was thrilling to see him so infuriated and powerless, unlike his usual self, slaughtering all in his path.

I slip into one of my pajamas and start brushing out my unruly hair. I've always wished for my mother's hair, auburn and straight, instead of inheriting my father's black, curly locks.

I look at the photograph that never fails to bring a smile to my face. It's of my parents when my mom was pregnant with me. Both radiating happiness and love, it's a joy to behold.

It's sad how brief their love lasted. As a child, I used to feel guilty, as if I caused my mother's death, but dad assured me it wasn't my fault – these things happen. He told me mom's last words were to take care of our beautiful little one, and dad did just that.

I sigh, feeling lonely, even after seven years. I have no one except my aunt and uncle, but even with them, I know I was an imposition; they never showed affection. The abrupt shift from living with a father who showered me with love, to a distant existence with my aunt and uncle was harsh.

A loud noise turns me towards the window, and in terror, I try to flee when two hooded men break in.

My fear mounts as I realize they're not Gabriel. These men are shorter and stockier.

One grabs me around the waist as I attempt to escape through another window.

"Let me go!" I command.

I kick wildly and try to scratch at his face, aiming for his eyes.

"Be quiet!" he barks and shrouds my head with a fabric bag.

I scream, but then feel a gun against the back of my skull, silencing me instantly.

I don't want to die; my life still has so much left.

For what seems an eternity, I am dragged before being roughly thrown onto a cold surface.

Then a door slams behind me.

Removing the bag, I find myself in the back of a car.

"I believe we have some unfinished business."