Angel Face

Lina Vendetti Arizana was a good assistant, scratch that she was his best. She knew everything he wanted, knew exactly how he wanted it, and was extremely on point when it came to his schedule. He didn't know that hiring her would do anything beneficial to his business because it had. But having a woman around that wasn't as pretty as his previous assistants was not only slightly embarrassing, but annoying.

She was more on top of things than the others were, which made her perfect for the job, but she had this way of constantly asking him about dates and important meetings, especially at the worst times. She was mostly quiet, a blonde with an intelligent mind, a drop out from Harvard who sometimes had the best input. She was lean, had a natural hour glass figure, but unlike other women who had worked for him in the past, she wore the least revealing clothing.

She wore a button up dress shirts and long skirts that ended at her ankles, dull colors with absolutely no view of her plump cleavage. She had tiny freckles on her cheeks and over the bridge of her nose. She wore thick, bug eye glasses and her hair was pinned up in a neatly made bun at all times. She didn't even wear high heels, she wore flats and black stockings, it was like having a young grandma walk around the building.

Today, he just wasn't willing to do with any of her annoying shit. He liked having her around, but she kept things far to professional to allow him any actual fun in the business. She was walking alongside him, somehow keeping up at his pace he wondered if she worked out much, possibly the reason why she never seemed out of breath after their long walks.

They were walking down the hallway of red carpet flooring leading up to his office at the top of the building. A few thugs lined the walls and as usual only one stood out amongst them, the mask of wood imbedded into his skin years ago.

"You have a meeting at Friday with Mr. Cobble pot, he wants to know if you are willing to finance a small drug fund that could easily be shared."

"No."

"It would work out more on your part anyways, think about the amount of income you would receive if you doubled the shipment behind Oswald's-"

"Lina?" He stopped in his footing, he turned to face her and glared at her.

"Yes, sir." She stood up straight, not once breaking eye contact with him.

"Shut up." Her eyes averted to the ground and she bit her bottom lip, holding the paperwork in her hand tightly to her chest. "I mean uh..." He didn't want her to quit, she could easily get a job anywhere else, but she was really good at this one. "Do you not have anything else to do?"

"I do, but my work comes first." She choked out, a lump suddenly had formed in her throat.

"Well uh... Why don't you go and do those things? Like what do you have to do?"

"I had a date tonight."

"A date, really?" He jumped with feigned excitement and nodded his head, starting to clap his hands lightly. He place a hand on her shoulder and gestured around the hall. "Why don't you go and do that then, huh? Take care of yourself, you know?" His voice sounded excited, but he honestly was just trying to get her out of the way.

"Well, I could, but you-"

"I can take care of it doll, don't worry."

"Uh." She was at a loss for words, she don't know how to tell him how grateful she was. Although she didn't want to go on the date, she needed to get out more. "Thank you, boss."

"Alright, huh?" He took the papers out of her hands and held them himself, feeling the surprised gazes from his men. "You deserve it, right?"

"Uh... Yeah, if you think I-"

"Yeah, yeah, go, go. You deserve it more than anyone else in here." He caressed her lower back and gave her a gentle push in the direction of the elevator opposite of the doors that led to his office. "I will see you tomorrow, baby doll."

"Thank you, sir. Thank you so much." She began making steps toward the elevator, before she entered she looked over her shoulder and he waved at her.

"Don't forget the meeting-"

"With Finances tomorrow morning, I know. Don't get yourself caught up, go relax."

"Thank you again, Mr. Sionis."

"No problem." His relaxation time began when the doors to the elevator shut and he let out a sigh of relieve.

Later that night, Roman was bored and tired and most importantly hungry. He decided to go to the little Italy restaurant on the corner of 52nd street. His driver took him there and as he exited the car and approached the restaurant, his goons close at his side. He paused in his footsteps to see... Well he didn't know what he was seeing.

The restaurant was very wide, large windows spanning from side to side of its front to display an italianish style; inside from the crystal clean windows passing pedestrians could see the circular tables accented with white table clothes, mustached waiters, and fresh Italian bread bowls. However, that was not what caused Roman to stop in his tracks. He had been to this restaurant many times, they knew him by name. It was the beautiful young woman sitting at a circular table partially center of the restaurant.

Her blonde hair came down in ringlets hanging over her shoulders and going down her back. Her skin was flawless with just the right marks, tiny freckles lining her cheeks and the bridge of her nose, but they were cute and Roman couldn't help but admire them. Her blue eyes sparkled in the dim lighting of the restaurant, her lips mouthing out words to the man across from her. She was in a sparkling red dress, no sleeves, it went down between her breasts and allowed the eye to linger. It fit tight to the curvature of her hips and ended at her knees leading down to her smooth muscular calves.

Roman had seen many woman in his life, but he had never seen a woman as beautiful as her. She literally glowed, the man across from her did not even remotely come close to being a plausible match for her. He wanted it. That was all that needed to be done. When Roman wanted something, he got it. The man across from her was feeble, his little black suit probably half the cost of Roman's. He was young, black hair slicked back with a cheap gel and powdered cheeks. Roman knew he could easily replace this man and what he did next would set this in motion.

He rose a hand up, one of his goons took notice and stepped closer.

"What's up Boss?"

"You see the woman in red?"

"Yeah, she's pretty." Roman hit the man in the back of the head, the goon rubbed the back of his head. "Shit Boss, sorry."

"You see the man across from her?"

"Yep."

"When we get in, I want him gone. I want you to pay..." Roman reached into the pocket of his suit and pulled out a roll of hundred dollar bills. "The concierge this and tell him to clear the restaurant."

"What-" He hit him in the back of the head again and the man leaned forward holding the back of his head.

"What did I say?"

"Alright, alright." The goon held his hands up in defense and he snatched the roll from Roman. They began making their way closer to the restaurant.

"So what do you like to do?" Damian asked, Lina wove her fingers through her hair and smiled frankly.

"I like to read, sometimes I-"

"I like to work with stocks, that's what I do with my spare time." She frowned and nodded her head, still trying to make the most of the evening. To be honest she was only here because he was paying for dinner.

"Sounds interesting, I-"

"It is, I also like to exercise. I go to the gym every morning, I can lift a car if I really tried actually."

"Cool." She replied, leaning forward on the palm of her hand and staring down at her reflection in the plate.

"I ordered the salad for you, since you showed up a little late."

"Oh..." Lina was starving and he had the audacity to order for her. "Well, I was working."

"Yeah, what do you do for a living again?" She had told him this already, he obviously wasn't listening.

"I work for Roman Sionis."

"You mean at th-" Her eyes widened when he was pulled from his seat, by a man wearing a black skull mask. "What the fuck is this?! Let me the fuck go!" Damian was dragged towards the entrance to the restaurant in a struggling fit and thrown out the door. Lina sat there with wide eyes, everyone was looking in her direction, she lowered her head in embarrassment. Not really caring that her date was just dragged out the door.

"Hello, everyone. I am afraid the restaurant is closing. Please exit through the front doors." Announced the concierge, Lina's eyebrows furrowed and just as she was about to sit up. She felt two black glove-clad hands on her shoulders gently holding her down in her seat. She watched in silent confusion as the people at their tables grudgingly sat up and left the restaurant one by one.

"How are you?" She heard the owner of the hands whisper in her ear, she knew who it was by the husky undertone and by the look of the goon that had just carried her date away. She was extremely shocked and puzzled about this entire thing. Roman circled around the table, one of his goons pulled his seat out for him and pushed it in. He rearranged the collar of his suit and tie, clearing his throat and pulling his gloves off.

"Forgive me for the inconvenience. I just couldn't help myself, you looked like you weren't having fun doll face."

"I wasn't. What are you doing here?"

"Me? Uh... Do you know me?"

"Yes, I do. Very well actually."

"Okay. So a one night stand maybe? High school?" She crossed her arms and rolled her eyes.

"It's me, Lina." Roman paused for a minute, his eyes scanning her features, her clothing... Other things. He didn't believe it, she couldn't have been Lina. Lina didn't wear revealing clothing, Lina never put her hair down, Lina wore glasses.

"No? It can't be."

"It is. Lina Vendetti Arizana." Roman didn't know what to do, he was so mesmerized by this woman, so attracted, that he didn't even bother to truly look into her appearance. She was different, even acted completely different when she was covered in old ladies' clothing.

"I am gonna go." She was about to stand up, but Roman slammed his hands on the table.

"No." He blurted out, she flinched back in surprise. It was silent, his dark eyes glaring straight into hers and hers glaring right back. He was in love, anybody who could gaze at him without fear, earned his respect and she did more than just gaze at him. "I uh..." She sighed and shook her head, crossing her arms. "You look beautiful." The sound of his voice was all that echoed through the Restaurant, every table was empty and every waiter was clearing the remains of half eaten plates and bringing them into the kitchen. "Really, really beautiful, Lina. I mean why don't you dress like this more often?"

"It's not professional."

"Professional? Sweetheart, you don't have to look like shit to be professional."

"You don't have to look good either." He sighed, choking on his words, unable to say anything really. "I didn't want to be another pretty face. I want to be successful in life and I realized that your male coworkers' sexual drive has a lot to do with that. If I dressed like this everyday, your men would throw smart alloc remarks at me and my opinions wouldn't be respected." He thought for a moment on her remark and sadly she was right.

He wished he would have known sooner because she was the mother of all beauty and she was going to be his. If he had known she would have been his already and that man that was once sat in the very spot he was in, would have never even gotten close to her.

"You should dress like this more often... You look like an angel."

"I am sure I do, can I go now?"

"Why do you want to leave?" The waiter came by with a lasagna plate and a salad, they were placed down in front of them.

"What the fuck is this?!" He gestured to Lina's plate, she shrugged.

"He ordered my meal for me because I was a little late."

"What does he think you are? Anorexic? Take this shit out of my face, I want baked ziti with a nice fresh bottle of champagne."

"Yes sir." The waiter turned to face Lina, who was staring intently at Roman. "What can I get you, ma'm?" He was expecting her to say nothing and get up to leave, but a tiny smile formed on her lips. "Fettuccine with extra sauce." Roman clapped his hands together.

"That's what I am talking about." The waiter took the order and walked away. "Can we for a moment forget that we work together?"

"If you agree to get a cannoli on the way out for me I will think about it."

"A cannoli? Okay, making progress here." He comically addressed, she chuckled, it sounded like sweet happiness. He felt happy because of it and it had been a long time since Roman was actually, genuinely happy, which was pretty much never. "So... Uh... Tell me, do you come here often?"

The night didn't seem to end, they ate their food, mostly talked for what must had been hours. Eventually she moved her chair closer to him, close enough to where he could see her fingers and show her a magic trick with his rings. He would move his hand over hers and a ring would appear on her finger. It was a cheesy trick, but she liked it and the smile on her face that it brought made him want to smile. Sad thing was that she couldn't see it.

As the 'date' continued, he noticed how relaxed she became. She would nudge him with her elbow and instead of fiddling with hair, fiddled with his thumb. He was a hopeless Romantic by then, her life story was so interesting. While working together, he never bothered asking, but now he wished he had. Now he wasn't annoyed with her, he had realized she was annoying because she cared about things in the business that he didn't. She was useful, beautiful, he wanted to call her his and show her around to the rest of the world.

It was one in the morning when they finally decided to leave, he got her cannoli and instead of giving her a ride home, she asked if he was willing to walk her home. He chose two goons to stay close behind and they walked to the concrete steps of her home that was not far down 52nd street either.

When they stopped in front of her apartment complex, he snatched her hand and pulled her into a hug. It was a strong hug, the hug someone gave when they didn't want to say goodbye. She reciprocated, leaning up and pressing a kiss against the wooden lips of his mask. He wished he could feel her lips, taste them, but all he could do was stick his tongue out between the slit and ask for more. She pulled away awkwardly and he turned his head downward, shoving his hands into his pockets.

"I had a good time."

"Yeah, it was nice. I am glad I stayed. Thanks for the Cannoli." She held up the miniature box, he nodded his head.

"No problem." He watched as she stepped up the stairs to the front door of her home. He didn't want her to go through that door, he didn't want to see her tomorrow and be completely professional again. He wanted her to be herself. He wanted her to be his.

"I would order a million cannolis if you wanted me to." She stopped at the middle step and leaned against the railing with a teasing smile, but he was serious.

"Really? I doubt that, you don't waste your money on things that are insignificant."

"You aren't insignificant. If you wanted a million cannolis I would mail them to your house, directly. I would have all the greatest chefs in Gotham bake them for you, all for you. If you wanted an island to elope, I would buy it. I would buy you all the gold jewelry at the nearest gem shop. I would buy you a puppy? A pet tiger? You name it." The more he continued, the more her lips pursed. "I would get you whatever you wanted, no matter the cost." She bit her bottom lip and slowly trotted down the steps until she was in front of him. "I would buy you all the perfume in the world, all the makeup, all the goddamned dresses." Her eyes drifted around, she wasn't sure if she should be afraid. She knew him better than most people did and he didn't do anything for anyone unless it got him something in return, he meant it, but at what would be the cost for her. "I would do anything you wanted."

"Listen..." She looked up into his eyes with a strict demeanor, one that meant business and he loved it. "I am not some woman, if you are saying this so-"

"I wasn't gonna ask myself inside because I respect you too much. No... I mean it, sugar lips. I don't want to see you at work only to find out that you are trying forget that any of this happened."

"Is it because of how I am dressed?"

"Well..." His eyes wandered down her body, hands still in his pocket. "I do rather like that dress and I wish you dressed up more. But really, I like you because you've got guts and I love my woman strong."

"What are you trying to say there, Roman?" He preferred her saying his real name over 'Boss' or 'Master', he actually insisted it halfway through dinner.

"That I want you to be mine, Lina." She hesitated and he wondered if it was because his face was a mask. If his appearance had anything to do with it so far, she hadn't let any of that on. She wasn't a gold digger like his last girlfriend, Circe was her model name, who was actually his x-fiancé now. She was genuine and whether she liked him or not, he wanted her.

"I quit." She mumbled under her breath, Roman was angry now. He was so angry that he didn't have the words to explain it. He had bought her a fucking cannoli, was that not enough for the little bitch.

"Fine then." He spat. "Goodnight Lina." He turned and left, but when he looked over his shoulder she was waving good bye and smiling at him as if it was a joke. He should have killed, but he couldn't because he liked her too much. He didn't know why women had to be so confusing, why did they have to be such a puzzle.

He didn't sleep for the rest of the night and when the sun came up, he went back to work. He went up to his office and strolled in, everything seemed to be in order, but as he crossed over the red carpet flooring towards his oak wood desk. His chair spun around, he stopped, within his chair sat Lina. She was in a sleek black dress that accented all the right curves and her feet were bare as she propped them up onto the desk. The skirt of the dress rolling down as she did, revealing the entirety of her slender legs.

"What are you doing here? You fucking quit." His tone was of agitation, but in some lighter sense he was exasperated. She was here and that was all that was necessary to make him happy again.

"I quit because our relationship wouldn't be professional during work if I hadn't and I don't want to be professional with you anymore, but it's business. I want to be with you." She stood up and strode pridefully around the table to make her way towards him. "I also quit because I didn't want others to think I had special privileges."

"With me you get special privileges regardless, you'll be mine, won't you?"

"Yes, I will be yours." He wrapped his arms around her waist and for the first time they shared the only kiss they could share. His tongue reached out into her mouth and his hands grabbed her waist, her arms around his neck. They pulled away when they could no longer breathe and panted against one another in embrace.

"I think..." She whispered in between breathes. "That I can get use to it."

"Well you better, cause you ain't going anywhere for a long time, Angel Face."