The boss

Annabelle just chuckled after seeing his reaction. "Why are you laughing Belle" He asked curiously. "Well it's been long since I've seen that expression on your face so it's funny" she replied.

"So will you please offer me a job, I really need it" Annabelle pleaded. "Well, I have a branch North East you can be the manager there. That's the least I can do for you" Dylan replied after racking his head for a while.

"That's not right Dylan. I don't have the qualifications for a manager and then I just want to be a waitress that's all maybe afterwards you can promote me to a manager" she was quick to reject his offer.

"Annabelle you still haven't changed, you don't like to bypass protocol" Dylan sighed. "Hey why did you call me Annabelle I love it when you call me Belle " she complained with a pout.

"You better pull yourself together I have a girlfriend" Dylan said sternly bringing back his friendly vibes.

"Okay you're hired. You'd be getting 80 dollars per month" Dylan said monotonously. "Hey that's too high for a waitress....... " Dylan glared at her "Hehehe I'd accept it " she said nervously.

"Can I start working today" Annabelle asked with an eager

"Morning and afternoon shift , you'll be in the next roster to know your working hours" Dylan said sternly and Annabelle smiled.

"Okay let me give you a ride home, so I'd know where you stay at least" Dylan offered but Annabelle stood in a defensive position blocking his way.

"No don't do that. I plan on keeping my personal life from my work life differently. Please understand me" Annabelle pleaded and Dylan sighed.

"Just give your number then" Dylan passed his phone to her and she imputed her digits before grabbing her purse.

"See you by 7am Miss Rodgers" Dylan said I'm a bossy tone. "Yes sir I'd do my best" Annabelle replied like a soldier almost laughing.

Annabelle bade Yvonne goodbye after telling her she was hired, Yvonne was very excited but she had to let go of Annabelle so she'd get ready for tomorrow. she walked outside and it was very hot which made her curse "Shit why today".

Annabelle decided to wait for a cab since she didn't know how to book a ride. "Hi, it's a beautiful day isn't it"

A tall and lean young man with broad shoulders and dark hair that was a little disheveled. He has dark blue eyes that seem to see right into your soul, and a crooked smile that lights up a room. He has an air of confidence, but it also has a tinge of warmth.

"I'm sorry do I know you from somewhere" Annabelle managed to speak despite being swept off by his handsomeness."I'm sorry, do I know you from somewhere?" Annabelle asks, looking confused.

"I don't think so," Adrian replies. "I'm just a stranger who happened to notice you standing here." Annabelle shrugs and says, "Well, it's nice to meet you. I'm Annabelle." Adrian smiles and says, "It's nice to meet you too, Annabelle. I'm Adrian."

Annabelle waits for a cab to show up but she still didn't find one even after 5 minutes.

"You won't see a cab here by this time of the day. I suggest you take the train" Adrian said casually hopefully she'd agree

Annabelle sighs in frustration, and then she looks back at Adrian.

"You're right, I should probably just take the train. But I hate waiting at the station - it's always so crowded." Adrian nods sympathetically.

"I know what you mean. But it'll get you home faster than waiting for a cab that might never come." Annabelle nods in agreement. "I guess you're right."

"Well you see I'm new in this environment can you please show me where the subway station is, and I don't mind if you're busy I'd just find it myself" Annabelle muttered cutely causing Adrian to chuckle.

"Okay then"

"It's no problem at all - I'd be happy to show you where the station is," Adrian replies, smiling.

"Just follow me, and we'll get there in no time." Annabelle gets up from the bench and follows Adrian, who leads her down the street. They chat as they walk, and Annabelle finds herself enjoying the conversation.

After a few minutes, they arrive at the subway station. "Here we are!" Adrian says, pointing to the entrance.

"Just head down the stairs, and you'll be on your way home." Annabelle smiles gratefully. "Thank you so much for your help, Adrian. I really appreciate it."

"No problem at all. I hope you have a safe journey home," Adrian replies. Annabelle turns to leave, but then she stops and looks back at Adrian.

"By the way, I never asked what you were doing here. Are you waiting for someone?"

"No, I just came out to have some air. My office is kinda stuffy" Adrian said and he began admiring his nails.

"Some air Really? You could have done that anywhere but by the road isn't something anyone will do" Annabelle said scrutinizing her gaze on Adrian trying to tell if he was lying.

"Ha, I guess you're right. It's not exactly the most scenic spot in the city," Adrian admits, laughing a little. "But I like the hustle and bustle of the city - it makes me feel energized." Annabelle considers this for a moment, and then she nods in agreement.

"You're right, there's something exciting about being in the middle of all the action."

"Yes, you're right about that, but then you look familiar" Adrian said and he squinted his eyes like he was trying to remember something.

"Yes Annabelle Rodgers" Adrian snapped his finger after the name.

"Wait, you know me?" Adrian asks. "I know her story, but I didn't realize that was you!" Adrian replied to his own question Annabelle nods, a little embarrassed. "Yes, that's me. It's been a really tough time, but I'm trying to stay positive and move forward."

"Wow, you're really brave. I can't imagine how difficult it must be to go through something like that," Adrian says, admiration in his voice.

"I really admire your strength and resilience." Annabelle blushes, flattered by his words. "Thank you, that means a lot to me," she says, smiling.

"I know it's probably been hard to talk about what happened, but I'm really glad you shared your story with me," Adrian continues. "It takes a lot of courage to open up like that." Annabelle is touched by his sincerity.

"Thank you for being so understanding. Most people just judge without even knowing the full story."

"That's not right. Everyone deserves to be heard and understood, no matter what they've been through," Adrian says, his eyes filled with compassion. "The world needs more people like you." Annabelle feels a tinge of emotion well up inside her, and she looks down at her feet, trying to compose herself.

"Thank you, that's really kind of you to say," she manages to say, her voice a little shaky. Adrian reaches out and places a hand on her shoulder.

"You're very welcome" Annabelle looks up at him, and their eyes meet. There's a moment of connection, and then Annabelle smiles.

"Thank you, I'll keep that in mind." Annabelle said before she got into the train.

..

In the silent, hidden spaces of the Mafia's domain, power was wielded with ruthless precision, loyalty was a matter of life and death, and the truth was a luxury few could afford.

A figure got down from a limo as he walked into a big house, immediately he entered the atmosphere became hot and unbearable for the people around him. The sound of his shoes echoed giving them the chills too, and from a distance you could hear the screams of people who were going through hell. The hall was bright and well lit making it impossible for you not to spot an ant, it was also a scary scene no one wants to see.

"Boss we caught another mole but this time it's a woman" there was a tinge of fear in his voice.

"Does that stop your judgement or the torture session " The boss asked, his high pitched menacing voice with strong sense of anger scaring the man, who had a deep cut on his face like a face which just popped out from hell.

A woman is brought into the room, and she's tied up and gagged. She can't speak, despite the torture she still didn't get scared of the person in front of her.

Her designer clothes were ripped but he recognized her, it was Jessie one of his badass assassins. Jessie goes by the code name "ice" which equally matches her expression, Jessie has always been a cold and aloof woman with a devilish aura which made the men scared of her.

What the couldn't get is the fact that she'd betray him, Jessie has always been the loyal one who carries out a mission singlehandedly and comes back victoriously which made the rest of the team envy her. Once they found out she was the mole, they were all happy to torture her.

The boss signaled someone to free her mouth so they could talk, immediately he came and untied the clothes in her mouth.

"I'd only ask this question once Jessie, who sent you here?" He asked placing his gun on her head.

Jessie started laughing hysterically,and it unnerves everyone in the room "You know I'm not scared of that boss" Jessie said with a jest and then continued laughing which got Harry furious so he slammed the gun on her face causing her to fall.

Harry knew he had a strong enemy but the fact that he didn't know who the person was terrified him more, but then as a Mafia lord he's not allowed to show it.

"My boss told me to tell you, watch your back. He's coming to hunt you down and no matter your influence or power it can't outshine his" Jessie continued talking with a smirk.

"Go ahead kill me, I won't spill a word to you. Wait I should be dead by now" Jessie continued and he wondered why she said "'I should be dead by now"'. Just before the boss could shoot her Jessie dropped dead on the floor.

The boss checked her pulse and he confirmed she's dead, but he was surprised how she died that way.