Chapter 2 - Wham-bam, thank you, Ma'am.

˜”*°• Claire •°*”˜

I sat in the salon chair as Lisa continued dying my hair pink. We talked non-stop throughout the whole process, it was the perfect form of therapy for me. The soft hum of hairdryers and the gentle jazz music playing in the background created a soothing atmosphere, but it was Lisa's company that put me at ease.

"So what's the latest about Alessandra?" Lisa asked.

Lisa and I have had this theory that Alessandra was cheating on her husband and I caught them this week red-handed... perks of staying awake at night.

"Oh my God, Lisa! She's totally cheating!"

Lisa's eyes widened with interest, "I knew it, that witch! She acts so perfectly, people who strive for perfection always have something to hide. She practically rules the social scene in this neighborhood and shames other women for even falling in love, that hypocrite."

I laughed, "Well, it turns out that she's been sharing more than just her social charm."

She grinned, "Whose the lucky guy? I meant unlucky because if Tony found out, he'd probably murder him."

"It's none other than Giovanni, the dashing violinist from that fancy orchestra in town."

Lisa's eyes sparkled, "Giovanni? Holy shit, that's why he's always performing at all those high-society events hosted by her."

I nodded, "Exactly! And it gets even better. They've been rendezvousing at an old, hidden jazz club downtown, right under her husband's nose."

Lisa clapped her hand over her mouth to stifle a laugh, "This is unreal! Cindy, where do you get all this gossip?"

I winked. "Darling, the walls have ears, and I've got friends in the right places."

She laughed, "You should start a gossip column. You'd have the entire neighborhood hooked."

I nodded, "I intend to once I figure out how to make money with that."

"All done!" she announced and I finally put down the magazine I had been reading and looked at my hair.

A vibrant pink!

I grinned, "I love it!"

I left the salon with walked back to my home. The sun was shining brightly in the sky, so, now I could go home and finally fall asleep for a few hours.

It had been a month since that night and everything settled down after that. Allegra and Scott were back together and more in love than ever. There was a rumor that Capo was thinking of extending a peace agreement with the Chicago Outfit.

I rolled my eyes, my hate for that man had skyrocketed after that night when they basically kidnapped Allegra. Vincenzo Iceking Capone—future Capo of the Chicago Outfit.

It was hate at first sight and now after this peace agreement, I'd probably have to face him in social gatherings. I swore I'd never see his impassive stupid face again.

For incredibly selfish reasons, I didn't want this peace agreement to come through.

When I was right outside my home, I saw Mrs. Johnson struggling to get her stuff inside her home. She was a frail elderly woman, a complete sweetheart. Her husband died two years ago and since then, she has lived alone. My heart hurt so much for this woman, so I made sure to take care of her every chance I got.

"Hey, Mrs. Johnson!" I grinned as I walked up to her, "What's up?"

Overwhelmed, she smiled at me, "Hello, Cindy, how are you, my dear? I love the new hair color. It's so you..."

My grin widened, "Thank you. Here let me help with that," I said as I took the box of supplies and groceries from her.

She hesitated, "Oh, no, Cindy, it's alright, I can manage."

I took the box from her with ease. Mrs. Johnson gave me a grateful smile in return, "Oh, bless you, dear. This box was heavier than I expected."

We entered her home and I asked her where she wanted me to put it. We took it to her kitchen and I then helped her unload the groceries, putting everything in the cabinet, in the refrigerator.

"Do you want me to cook you something?" I asked, I have been on my own since I was sixteen, and it wasn't as fun as I thought it would be. Loneliness sometimes makes you go crazy.

"Oh no, dear, it's alright. You don't have to."

I shrugged, I had nothing to do. Scott had been busy with Allegra for the past few months and he hadn't called me in for work or anything.

"I don't mind," I answered.

I took out the ingredients for lentils shepherd's pie and creamy vegetable soup. I had cooked for her a few times before and due to her health conditions, she needed to follow a special diet with soft foods that weren't too heavy on her stomach.

"You're too kind, Cindy," she said as she tried to help me with stuff.

I handed her a basket of farm-fresh vegetables. With a bright smile on her face, she began to slice and dice them expertly, her knife gliding through the ingredients like a maestro. Watching her happy made me happy for some reason.

Meanwhile, I focused on the lentils, simmering gently in a rich, savory broth. The aroma of simmering herbs and spices enveloped me.

It took me an hour to prepare dinner for her, once I did, I made sure to put everything into the Tupperware so she could eat later whenever she wanted.

"Bye, Mrs. Johnson!" I told her as I walked out of her home.

"Bye, Cindy, you're a ray of sunshine!"

I laughed as I turned to go over to my place, I locked the door behind me and kicked off my shoes.

You're a ray of sunshine...

Mrs. Johnson's words resounded in my head. I laughed to myself, looking for the thing that makes me feel like sunshine.

My hands trembled slightly as I pulled out the tiny package full of sunshine. I pulled out the small mirror placed it on the coffee table and sat on the floor.

A few moments later, I gazed at the small mirror which now had a white residue arranged in neat lines. My breathing quickened, and my eyes darted around the room.

I didn't want to go down that road again but lately, the loneliness had been chewing me up from the inside.

All these months, I had hoped that he'd divorce and everything would go back to the way it was. But Scott was never coming back to me. I was happy for him, happy that he had finally found his happiness, that he was finally with a woman he truly loves, and that he has all the right to live his life the way he wants but an annoying voice at the back of my head screamed at me.

Why couldn't it be me?

Although I already knew the answer.

I could never be Allegra, she is literally an angel. The kind of girl any guy could fall for. The wife material. While I was just “wham-bam, thank you, Ma'am”

With a shaky sigh, I picked up a rolled-up dollar bill, hesitated for a moment, and then leaned over the table.

I steadied my trembling hand, my index finger gently nudging a line of cocaine into place. With a rolled-up dollar bill in hand, I bent over the mirror, my nose hovering just above the fine white powder.

As I inhaled slowly, the first sensation that enveloped me was a sharp, chemical bitterness that seared my nostrils. It was a taste I knew all too well, one that simultaneously repulsed and enticed me.

The world seemed to blur around me as a rush of euphoria surged through my veins. It was as if I had been transported to a different realm, a place where all my worries, fears, and pain vanished into the air.

A warm, tingling sensation cascaded through my body, starting from the tips of my fingers and toes, and gradually enveloping me like a cozy blanket. My senses sharpened, and every sound, every touch, became intensified and electrifying.

A surge of confidence and invincibility washed over me, erasing the self-doubt and insecurities that had plagued me moments earlier.

My whole body started to sweat, I was suddenly so hot so I decided to take a shower.

Beyoncé's Naughty Girl blasted through the speakers. My fingers brushed through my hair, gathering it in a loose bun atop my head. I began to peel away the layers of my day – first, the tights, followed by my T-shirt.

I twirled and spun, my movements synchronized with the music's pulsating tempo.

I went straight to the en-suite bathroom and stepped into the shower. I turned on the water, adjusted the temperature, and felt it wash over me. It was a nice, comforting feeling, like a warm hug. I closed my eyes and let the water run over me, making sure it didn't get to my freshly dyed hair. The steam started to fill the bathroom, and I sighed happily.

I felt as if I could conquer the world, my heart racing in sync with my racing thoughts.

I wrapped a towel around myself and walked back to the bedroom, I took out denim shorts with a crop top and threw them on the bed. I dropped the towel to my feet and wore a fresh pair of bra and underwear before slipping into my clothes.

I grabbed my cell phone and saw a text from Allegra asking if I was alright or if I needed anything. I have never been happier! Sunshine! Allegra had been texting me every day since the day I apologized to her for what had happened. It was almost as if she felt pity for me. I'm sure Scott had told her everything there is to know about me.

╭───────────────╮

Mrs. Mancini:

You know I'm here for you

If you need anything.

╰───────────────╯

╭───────────────╮

Me:

Maybe some company?

╰───────────────╯

╭───────────────╮

Mrs. Mancini:

Scott is still healing, I can't

leave him alone like this.

Why don't you come over?

╰───────────────╯

╭───────────────╮

Me:

No, it's alright. I'm fine, don't

worry about me. Maybe,

some other time.

╰───────────────╯

I placed my cell phone on the dresser, its screen still faintly lit from the text messages. And then suddenly something caught my eye, a glimmer of black in the corner of my vision. I squinted, narrowing my eyes, and slowly rose onto my tiptoes for a closer look.

There it was, a small, circular device, so perfectly hidden at the top of the dresser that it was almost invisible. A shiver of unease crawled down my spine, and I couldn't tear my gaze away from it.

Carefully, I set aside my stuff, makeup and all cluttering the dresser onto the floor. My curiosity and unease growing, I climbed onto the dresser, my feet finding unstable footing on the smooth surface.

Memories flooded my mind, like a dark tide sweeping over me. That night when Vincenzo Capone and his thugs, planted cameras throughout my room to capture compromising footage of me and Scott.

I thought I had rid myself of all these cameras and bugs, but now, as my fingers grasped the small black device, I realized I had been wrong.

The tiny camera wasn't alone; it was connected to a concealed wire. I tugged at it gently, then with more force until it finally came free, disconnecting from its source. I stared at it, my heart racing, my mind reeling with disbelief.

Had this been here all along, during all those nights when I danced, worked, and changed in the privacy of my room? How long has someone been watching me, invading my most intimate moments, violating my privacy?

The anger and fear welled up inside me as I clutched the hidden camera in my hand. The sense of vulnerability was overpowering, and I knew I had to confront the person responsible for this horrible invasion of my life.

Vincenzo Capone?

Or one of his men?

Oh fuck!

Fuckfuckfuckfuckfuck!!!

Stepping off the dresser, I retrieved my cell phone and held it with seething anger. I knew what I had to do, and I was ready to face whoever was responsible for this blatant invasion of my privacy.

I settled into my chair, my eyes locked onto the screen of my phone. My fingers moved deftly, tapping and swiping as I navigated the internet.

Vincenzo Capone, the name echoed in my mind as I typed it into the search bar. I combed through search results, clicking on articles, images, and social media profiles, searching for any scrap of information that could lead me to him.

Minutes turned into hours because of my condition but slowly I learned details about his daily routines, his favorite haunts, and his associates. I needed to find out where he was, confront him, and demand answers.

The seconds ticked away as my research continued. I would march over to his location and beat the shit out of the pervert who had been watching me.

I finally stumbled upon the location that Vincenzo Capone frequented every night.

Of course, he owns a nightclub. Every corrupted high-class mobster does.

The only problem was, that it was in Chicago Illinois. Without hesitation, I booked a flight to Illinois, two hours and thirty-five minutes, I can do that. It's not like I have anything better to do.

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

I checked into a hotel and then got dressed for the night. It must be difficult to meet the future Capo of the Outfit, I had to come up with a plan, maybe, flirt with one of his soldiers until they slip up about how to meet the bastard.

Because I'm not leaving without knowing who my fucking stalker is.

I changed into a pink dress to match my hair, wore high heels, and wore a push-up bra that showed off my best asset.

I ordered an Uber and waited outside my hotel as it came to pick me up. Once the Uber stopped outside the nightclub, I swallowed, there was a long line to get inside. Back in New York, all the bouncers knew me, I never had to wait in line.

I paid the driver and got out of the car, adjusting my dress as I again pulled out the package from my handbag. I scooped a little amount of it on my nail and snorted it up my nose.

I confidently walked to the entrance of the club. I noticed a few fancy-looking men getting out of their cars.

Bingo!

I ran up to them in my high heels, and waved, "Hello, boys," I said, flashing a charming smile.

Pretty privilege...

I have always had it. Men were attracted to my body and sometimes I didn't mind the benefits that came with it.

All three of them looked me up and down, practically undressing me with their eyes before the tallest one smirked.

Yay! I got him!

I did a little happy dance in my head before turning my attention back to them.

"Are you guys headed for the club?" I asked, intertwining my arms before myself, pushing up my boobs.

"Da..."

Russians, they were Russians.

"Tebe nuzhna pomoshch', krasavitsa?"

I was too stupid to understand what he had said to me, so, I shrugged, "I don't understand..."

The muscular one smiled, "Do you need help getting in?"

I beamed up at them, batting my eyelashes, "Yes, please..."

He smiled, "Come on, pink princess."

I intertwined my arm with the tall one and he led me inside through the VIP entrance bypassing the throng of people waiting in line and straight into the VIP floor. Call it luck but I think I was already closer to Vincenzo Capone.

The men were nicer than I thought, they didn't expect anything in return. They just wanted me to accompany them to a meeting, they offered to buy me drinks and hang out with me afterward. Little did they know, I had a plan of going to powder my nose and then disappearing on them.

They took me to a private room and settled inside, The waiter served us drinks, and my eyes scanned the area to see if he was there.

The muscular one kept his big hand on the small of my back and all I did in return was pass them sweet smiles.

Men with their guns drawn entered, and took their places, spreading all around the room.

A little while later, their boss made his entrance. My breath caught in my throat as I realized it was none other than Vincenzo Capone... Incredible luck, to say the least, Cindy.

"Gentlemen," his deep voice seemed to echo in my mind, and then slowly his light brown eyes fell on me and then I saw it, a flicker of something. He recognized me.

He settled onto the couch in front of us, casually crossing one leg over the other, just as he had in my bedroom. Did he always exude this air of owning the entire world? That arrogant ice king.

The men around me started talking in Russian. I looked around the room cluelessly as Vincenzo answered them fluently in their language.

I grabbed the drink and took a sip, I had to get him alone. Don't know how but I have to. Their conversation suddenly got a little intense. I slowly placed the drink back and the muscular guy pulled me to his side, dropping his heavy arm around my shoulder.

I glanced at the man uneasily and then turned back, I was met with a chilling gaze, the kind that could freeze an ocean.

The man's big fingers dipped lower into my neckline and that's when I tried to pull away.

"Stay, Shlyukha," he snapped at me.

I furrowed my eyebrows, what does that even mean? The way he said it, it seemed like a nice word, maybe, he was complimenting me.

Mr. Kingpin Cool glared at the man, scorching and intense. I bit down on my lower lip, trying to hold my composure.

I put a polite smile on my face, "Excuse me, I have to go powder my nose," I said, it's a line I learned from high-class women of the Cosa nostra. It used to make me laugh all the time, I was so glad that I finally got the chance to use it.

The muscular man finally let me go but as I stood up, I felt a harsh impact on my ass. The idiot had slapped my ass, I had the urge to punch him right in the nose but I controlled it. Smiling and exiting the room.

Now all I had to do was to find out why Vincenzo Capone or his men had been spying on me.

I waited outside the room for half an hour until I saw those Russian men exiting the room. I hid behind a giant pillar, watching as they strode downstairs.

Before I could step out from behind the pillar, two huge gorilla-like men grabbed both of my upper arms, placed a hand over my face, and started dragging me somewhere.

I struggled hard, attempting to let out a scream, but my efforts were in vain, muffled by the large hand. I resorted to kicking at their calves, but it was like trying to move mountains.

They opened a door and threw me inside, closing it behind me. I fell on all fours and then I heard his cold voice.

"Who sent you, Nikolai or Scott?" he asked, standing tall before his fancy-ass desk.

I got to my feet pulled out the spy camera from between my breasts and marched up to him, tossing it on his face, "No one sent me!"

The tiny camera hit his face and he didn't even flinch, he just stared at it as it dropped onto the floor and then back at my face, raising his perfect eyebrow.

I crossed my arms over my chest, "Are you spying on me?"

He stared at me, looking like he couldn't believe what I said, his face showing a mix of surprise and a hint of amusement.

"Spying on you? You?"

The tone in which he said “you” insinuated that I was the world's most insignificant person alive.

I pointed at the camera, "I found this camera in my bedroom, and I'm pretty sure I don't need to remind you that you were the person who put these cameras in my house, even in my bedroom! So it's either you or one of your men. Who had been watching me sleep, eat, undress, dress up, and everything else too! I could've taken this straight to Capo and stirred up another war, but I didn't want innocent people to suffer. So, here I am. Tell me, have you been recording my thrilling life? You pervert!"

He casually slipped his hands into his pockets and let out a deep breath, "A war over you or your nudes?" He scoffed with a hint of dry amusement, "Let's not overestimate your importance here. That camera was nothing more than a useless piece of junk left behind because, well, you weren't exactly winning any awards in the brain department. It doesn't work anymore. Don't flatter yourself into thinking you're some hot commodity in my life. Nobody in the Chicago Outfit is losing sleep over you, and even if they were, I highly doubt they'd resort to spying for a glimpse of your..." his eyes fell on my breasts, and they narrowed from the edges, "...assets. What's your price, anyway? Three dollars and ninety-nine cents?"

I let out a sarcastic laugh, "You want to know my price?" Saying that, I raised my fist and aimed for his face but he clasped my fist into his hand in mid-air.

He pulled me closer by my fist and I fell on his chest, my body pressed against his hot and hard one. My heart suddenly froze before beating in an unusual manner. His expression turned dark and intense, it burned into my skin.

"The only reason you're walking out of here in one piece is because you're a woman—and not a particularly bright one," he sneered, leaning in close, his lips mere inches from mine. "If it were anyone else, they'd be leaving in a box..." he paused, leaning so close that our lips almost touched, "Chopped up into countless pieces," he added before shoving me backward roughly.

I stumbled, glaring at him with widened eyes, unable to hold back my anger, "You're an asshole!" I hissed, berating myself for ever thinking this was a good idea to come here by myself like this.

"Jimmy!" he called and a man entered his office immediately, "Make sure this woman gets back to New York."

The man named Jimmy came to grab me but I shoved him aside, "I can manage just fine on my own!"

"I want her out of my territory," he ordered.

"Fine by me! Your territory is as appealing as a garbage dump!" I shot back.

Humiliation singed into my skin, I clenched my fist before stomping out of his office all the while his men followed me and they didn't stop following me until I was back in New York.

But when the effects of my last hit started to wear off, I realized what I had done. The fleeting sense of invincibility was gone replaced with a crushing sense of shame.

What have I done?