I saved your life.

Leandra’s POV

“What the hell? Why did you tackle me? Are you crazy, woman?” Don asks. He tries to get up, but I hold him down.

“Listen, Don, look at the fricking window. Someone just shot at you out of a car. I saw the car coming, and I took a picture because I knew it was somebody that was out for a hit. I grew up in this neighbourhood. I think you should get out of here and go home before somebody kills you,” I say. I look at his expensive clothes. Yeah, he is not one of our normal customers. He is way too wealthy, and I don’t know what he is doing in this part of town. The two men get out guns and surround us.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa. You are not allowed to have guns in this restaurant. Who the hell are you people? Don, I do not know who you are, but you must be very wealthy. The street gangs around here target people like you. They will kill you for the ten thousand dollar tip you owe me. You must be important if you have two bodyguards,” I say.

“Why do you keep calling me Don if you don’t know who I am?” Don asks.

“Ohh, I heard your friends call you Don. There are a lot of Dons in this world. It is not like you are the only person in the world with the name Don. Anyway, I think you should go home. Your jacket is worth more than my whole year's pay,” I say.

“My name is Dante Angelo,” Don says.

“Then why the hell do they call you Don? Shouldn’t take all you Dan?” I ask.

“I am Don Dante Angelo,” He says as if it were important information.

“Oh, so you have two names. That is why they call you Don. Why didn’t you just say that in the first place?” I say.

“Either you are stupid or you never heard about the Italian Mafia,” Don says.

“Holy shit! You watch too many movies. The Italian mafia does not exist anymore. I think they died out when bootlegging stopped. This is Los Angeles. You are making a movie, and I just spoiled your whole scene by tackling you. I’m so sorry. I promise I will get out of the way so that you can finish your movie. Are you planning on staying much longer?  I’m asking because I am starting my new job tomorrow at eight. I do not want to be late, and I do not want to make a bad impression,” I say.

“You are stupid. I am not an actor. Listen, honey, your life is in danger. Whoever was shooting at me must have seen you in their headlights. You saved my life. Now I am responsible for you. You will have to come with me to my house. I have to keep you safe. I cannot keep you safe if you stay in a neighborhood like this,” Don says. I had had enough. He is taking this game too far.

“So you are keeping in character. Do I have to play along? Oh, please, Don, save me,” I say. I put my hand on my head, like in the old movies and dramatically pretend to faint. He is supposed to catch me, but he let me fall on my ass on the ground.

“You are being childish. I do not have time for your games. We have to get the hell out of here. Those guys can be back any time. My men are around. We have been waiting for them. But I did not expect them to shoot at me. We were supposed to have talks here tonight, but they let me into a trap,” Don says.

“Hey, you were supposed to catch me. Listen, I don’t know what is going on in your crazy head, but the Italian Mafia does not exist. Besides, I’m not staying here anymore. And who are they that you are talking about?” I ask.

“They are from the Brasco family. They are my enemies. They are very powerful and will kill you for saving my life. As a Don of the Italian Mafia, I cannot allow that to happen because she saved my life. I would love you to stay here. However, I owe you my life. I am in debt with you for all the rest of my life. Now, let’s go. I do not have time to play anymore,” Don says.

“Listen here. Don, I’m not going with you. My boyfriend is waiting for me at home. His name is Tommy, and he is a leader in the street gang that rules around here. He can protect me from your so-called enemies. Besides, I’m not staying in this neighbourhood any more. I have rented a new place. I told you I am starting a better job tomorrow. I am going to go home, and you are not going to come with me,” I say.

“Fine. If you insist on going home, I will send some of my men to protect you. Don’t cry if you are dead tomorrow. Here is my cellphone number. Call me if you need help,” Don says. I think he’s business card and put it in my purse to entertain him. I am not going to call him.

“Yeah, Don. Thank you. But I don’t think I will need your help. How am I supposed to cry tomorrow if I’m dead? If I’m dead, I won’t be able to cry. And you call me stupid,” I say as I walk away.

“Wait,” Don says.

“What now?” I ask.

“Your tip. Oh, and I want that photo of the car,” Don says as he takes a bunch of money out his pocket and hands it to me. I showed him the photo on my phone, and his friend took my phone and sent it to an email. They deleted the e-mail address from my phone. I was still staring at the money in my hand. This is not only ten thousand dollars. It is more. I am sure of it.  I quickly counted to ten thousand. I take it, put it in my purse and give him back the rest.  I am not going to take advantage of the guy. Our agreement was ten thousand.

“Thank you for the tip, but we have agreed on ten thousand. I’m not going to take more. If I didn’t need it, I wouldn’t even have taken the ten grand. Okay, good night. Have a good day. You should see a psychiatrist, you know. Somebody that can help you with your imaginary Italian Mafia thingy that is going on in your head,” I say. I take my bag and walk outside to Daisy. The manager will lock up. He is still in his office watching p**n. Don, who followed me outside, puts the rest of the money back in his pocket, looking at me surprised. Maybe he is not used to people not wanting all his money.

“Please do not let me down tonight, Daisy. Please start. I will get you fixed. I have the money now, I promise. Just be a good baby tonight and start for Mommy,” I beg Daisy. However, she just gives two coughs and jumps a little before dying on me. Oh great! This is all I need.