Chapter 4
Elli
Walking around the small town I am hiding in for the time being, I give small smiles when anyone deigns to give me one.
A little girl waved happily towards me and I gave her a finger wave in return.
I am heading to the restaurant that has a vacancy.
I’m hoping it’s still open because it was only last evening that my neighbor told me about it.
My neighbor Tia, short for Tiana, is a small, feisty twenty-year-old who was in the system for a long time.
She seems to have befriended me, and has helped me quite a lot since I took the lease on the seedy apartment I’m now calling home.
Walking into the restaurant, I’m pleased to see it’s quiet with being early in the day.
A couple are sitting on one side of the room with notebooks on the table, with an opened laptop.
They seem to have a business meeting between them.
Stepping forward to the bar at the top of the room, I wait patiently until the man working the cash register has finished what he’s doing and looks up.
“What can I do for you?”
He asks, giving me a once over as he speaks.
“I was told that you have a vacancy and I would like to apply for the position.”
I do not know at this point what the vacancy is for, but I’ll do anything to earn enough to pay my landlord and keep food in my stomach.
I don’t want to delve into any of the savings I have left, as I could need that if I have to run.
“The job is still open, and it’s helping the chef, so you’ll be peeling, chopping, washing dishes, or whatever else he asks you to do.”
He is giving me a raised eyebrow as though he thinks I will walk away because the job is menial, to him at least.
To me, it’s a lifeline.
“I can do that,”
keeping my reply calm and confident.
“Okay, I’m the manager and you can call me Boss or Orsen.
Don’t even ask where the name came from!”
I hold my hands up in a sign of surrender, but give him a cheeky grin nonetheless.
“Okay, Boss.”
“What’s your name?”
Orsen asks, and my stomach flutters a little before I respond.
“Elli Harriman, and I’d like to work off the books if that is possible.
Cash in my hand works best for me.”
Stopping and looking at me with a frown, I can see he’s trying to work out if I’m going to be trouble or not, but he must decide I’ll be okay as he states, “Come on, I’ll get you introduced to the chef, one of the two we have.
Today is Chef Pesto Pete.
His name is officially Peter, but he makes the best pesto you have ever tasted; hence, he earned the Pesto Pete moniker.”
Walking into the kitchen behind my new boss, I see three women sitting at a table on one side, looking at menus and discussing the day.
“Chef, I want you to meet Elli.
She is going to be your new gofer, you know, peeling, chopping, running around, that sort of stuff.”
Chef Pesto Pete stands and steps over to me with a large smile while holding his hand out to shake.
“Welcome, Elli.
We are not all as abrasive as Orsen, so take no notice of him.
I’m pleased to have you in the kitchen and if you can work fast and efficiently, you’ll be a great help to me.”
“I will do my best, Chef.”
I give him a warm smile in return, and wait for whatever is to come next.
“Okay, if you can start tomorrow, which, of course, is Monday, then we can get you up to scratch by Friday when it gets busy.
Be here around 4:00 pm and that will give us time to get you rigged up with an apron and your work area.”
“Thank you, Chef.
I will be here.”
Orsen leads me back to the bar area, hands me a coffee from the machine and writes my name down on a list, before informing me of the salary, times and days I’ll be working and he’ll pay me cash on Sunday nights once I’ve finished working.
All of that suits me and I hope I can stay here for at least a few months.
Back at my apartment, I can’t believe how seedy the area is.
Tia has warned the kids that sit around outside to make sure no one messes with me or she’ll mess with them.
I’m thankful she has taken a liking to me because she is someone I would never normally come across in my family circle.
But she is refreshingly honest, capable, and kind, although she would deny that last thought.
“Elli!”
Turning, when I hear my name called, I give Tia an enormous smile before giggling as she claps her hands excitedly.
“You got the job?”
“I did.
I’ll be cutting, peeling, chopping, dicing, and washing dishes, but it’s a job and I’m very grateful for it,”
I reply, giving her a hug before she pushes me away, frowning.
“None of that girly shit.
Now come on, let’s invade your apartment and have something to eat.
I’ve been waiting to celebrate with you.”
Inside my apartment we make a hot chocolate drink, and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, which I have to say I’ve not had before but I like it.
Another introduction Tia has given me to normal day life.
Finishing our sandwich and drink, I’m shocked when Tia speaks.
“Okay, now you can fill me in on who you really are, and who or what you are running from?”
Sighing, I consider if I should tell her or not.
It could get her into a dangerous situation, but it could also save her from one.
“Come on, I’ll have your back, Elli.
I have lived through some shit stuff in my life, and I like you.
I’ll help if I can.”
Tia grabs my hand and gives it a comforting squeeze.
“I ran from home.
My family is part of the Vincholetti Mafia.
My father is an Underboss for the main boss.
I have had nothing to do with the Famiglia, as it is called.
My father told me I had to marry the boss, Nico Vincholetti although he had promised me from being a child that I could marry for love, and not have an arranged marriage.”
“Noooo, that sort of thing should not be happening this day and age.
Well, girl, I would have run too.”
Tia is squeezing my hand tightly at this point.
“The boss was to be married and the young woman ran on the wedding day to only be in a fatal accident.
Now he is looking for a replacement.
Tick Tock, you are it!”
I say, pointing at myself.
“So, what are we going to do?”
Tia asks, picking up our mugs and plates to wash.
“Well, I know how to fight, as my brother helped me with that.
I need to purchase a good knife and gun, but keep it from registering in my real name, which is Elliana Palmeri, and not Elliana Harriman.”
“I can get you those without being registered.
I’ll speak to the street kids.
They can get me whatever I need and keep quiet about it,”
Tia grins.
“Are you sure? Because this could be dangerous for you, Tia.
Getting involved with me could be life-threatening for you.”
“Hey, you are my sister now from another mister, oh, and another mother, but who gives a toss about that.
I’ve always wanted a sister and you are it,”
Tia giggles at what must be my shocked expression.
“I have some cash from savings, and I have my brother's help if needed.
I have to call him every Monday.
If anything happens to me, you need to contact him.
I’ll give you his contact details and I will mention you to him so he will know who you are.”
“I’ll speak to Spinner and see what he can get for us.
Then you can teach me what you know, so I’ve the same chance to fight and help you if needed.
Sisters stick together, Elli.”
Tia walks out of the apartment full of determination, and it gives me a boost because I have to admit I was feeling deflated.
Getting ready for bed I look in the small cracked bathroom mirror and know I’m going to have to do something about the way I look.
I’ll be easier to find if I keep my waist-length hair.
It’s a beautiful chestnut brown, but the length alone is a giveaway if anyone is looking for me.
I’ll have to speak to Tia and see who she knows that cuts hair, and maybe do something a little different with it.
During the week, I need to find a gym where I can keep my stamina at a peak.
I don’t want to jog around the area and be seen by too many people.
At least inside a gym, I am only visible to those who are training.
Nobody knows me here, so I shouldn’t create any form of interest, and no way am I interested in getting involved with a man.
After locking up and making sure I’m safe for the night, I take a quick shower and climb into bed.
Laying staring at the ceiling, I’m thinking of how to stay off of my father's and Nico’s radar.
Alex will do whatever he can, I’m sure, but Nico has a long arm with the sheer number of men he commands.
I have to play it smart and I have to be ready to run at a moment’s notice.
I need to make sure Tia either runs with me, which I’m sure she’ll do, or I need to leave her behind to keep her safe.
Whatever I choose, she is in, or will be in, the eye of the mafia once they know who I’ve been associating with.
Turning onto my side, I pick up my phone and Google hairstyles, colors and how to change your appearance.
I think I may have a new look about to happen!