Guido Mista didn't have the slightest idea why he had chosen to step into that bar that night. It was located on the ground floor of an old multistory brick apartment. It looked dodgy with the faded letters and darkened windows. The place didn't have a name. A plate on the door simply said OPEN.
Actually, he knew exactly why he had stepped in. First, he had missed the last bus. Normally that didn't matter much since it was a half an hour walk home from work but the small Italian city had been hit with the worst rain and wind all spring. To top it all, he had received a text message from his long-time girlfriend. She had told him her trip to France would be an extended one. Mista had been thinking of running home but after that he had looked for the nearest café or other place. He had entered the bar when nothing else was open this late.
What Mista didn't understand was why he was venting all his frustration to a barmaid. She was the only employer in sight besides the man behind the bar counter. Maybe it was because she had spotted him as soon as he had entered the bar. She had smiled at him and taken his jacket somewhere to dry. After that she had guided him to a seat and given him a shot to warm him up.
"Really?" the barmaid smiled, twirling her beautiful curly blond hair, "What do you do at a shooting range? Besides shooting, of course."
Their conversation had moved to Mista's work at the local shooting range. He had always been a good shot. He even owned a revolver. A mutual friend had introduced Mista to the place's owner who in turn hired him. It was a part-time job. One of many. He had worked in the harbor loading and unloading cargo as well as a guard among many more.
"Nothing much", Mista mumbled into his drink, "Cleaning, both the guns and the place."
"But this one is your favorite?"
"Yeah. I guess I like it there. It's quiet. Not a lot of customers", Mista took a good look at the girl sitting next to him.
She had to be a minor. Mista had heard some of the patrons call her Goldie. Must've been because of her golden hair. Goldie was wearing a black pencil skirt and a white ruffle neck blouse. The blouse was partly covered with a black satin corset around her waist, highlighting the feminine figure. It was decorated with lace and had some flower embroidery. Mista couldn't tell what the baby pink flowers were. His best guess was roses.
"Must be nice", Goldie nodded.
There was an awkward pause before the man behind the counter shouted at the girl to get back to work. He must be the owner of the place.
"You better get back to work! The drinks aren't gonna serve themselves!" he screeched.
"Sorry. Back to work", Goldie jumped off the barstool and grabbed a tray, "I'll be back."
Mista stared at the retreating back. She had a nice ass. The front was a bit lacking. Damn, he must be getting drunk.
As the night went on, Mista noticed how friendly the other customers seemed with Goldie. She didn't seem to mind, even encouraging their behavior at times by posing or showing of details of her outfit with a smile.
"Oh! These feel nice Goldie!" a man was currently fondling her breasts, "You really are perfect!"
Goldie was sitting on the man's lap, smiling as the others around the table voiced their agreement, "I do try my best, for our dear regulars. Luca is grateful too, even if he doesn't seem like it."
The man behind the counter grumbled, slamming down a glass he had been cleaning. So Luca was the man's name? He didn't seem too friendly. Mista decided to keep his distance.
"You spoil us, bambina", an older man laughed, coughing afterwards. His small frame shook with every cough.
Goldie was off the lap in an instant, offering a glass of water to the man, "Don't get too excited. I don't want to call your wife because you chocked to death."
The others by the table laughed.
"Boss's wife said she had some clothes for you", one said, "Cleaned out the closet the other day, it seems."
"Purged the closet", the boss corrected having recovered from the fit, "They're not this season or anything but I'm sure you don't mind."
Goldie smiled, hugging the man, "You spoil me. Tell her I said thank you. I'll come pick them up when I have the time."
"We could bring them in for you. You're always so busy with work."
"No. No. I wanted to see her anyways."
"So you could gossip again?"
"Maybe", a sly smile.
As Goldie went to serve another table, a very drunk man slapped her behind. He laughed loudly and commented something. It was so slurred Mista couldn't make out what he had just said. Whatever it had been, it wasn't very polite. You could see it from the faces of the men sitting nearby. Some even cracked their knuckles.
Mista had expected the girl to laugh it off or even flirt the man. Not a heel to the crotch and a hand to the collar. The atmosphere around the blonde was menacing, dripping with open disgust.
The black heels weren't tall. They were rather short and thick. Definitely something worn knowing you'd be doing a lot of walking and standing. They looked like dancing shoes. Mista had seen his girlfriend wear those.
"Don't kill him", Luca shouted from somewhere by the bottles.
"Have I ever done that?" was Goldie's innocent reply. Said with that sweet voice like honey.
If Goldie didn't kill him, the other men definitely would. Mista was quite sure he could hear a gun being loaded.
"W-What?! I saw the others do the same!" the drunk tried to defend himself, "It hurts!"
"And you think that dirty hand on my ass didn't hurt at all? Huh?" the grip on the collar tightened, "Don't compare yourself to our best customers. Do you even know who that man is? That's Pericolo."
"P-P-Pericolo? The capo Pericolo? I thought he was just some grandpa!"
"Goldie, you're scaring the man", Pericolo laughed., "Though I could say I am a grandpa. My boys here are like children to me. That includes you, bambina."
"Always so kind, Pericolo", the girl smiled returning her attention to the drunk, "Now, what should we do with you?"
"Just put him somewhere where he can cool down. I'm sure he didn't mean any harm", Pericolo said, "Don't dirty your hands with something like this. My boys can teach him a lesson later."
Goldie nodded, glaring at the other men who had been sitting with the drunk. They knew to leave the two alone and move to a vacant table. They wouldn't want to be associated with him tonight.
"I'll bring you some water", she smiled as she left the table, "You should go and pay after that."
It was like nothing had ever happened. The bar went back to doing whatever had been going on before the incident. Luca had even flipped the radio off before, putting it back on now. It played a jazzy tune as the man counted the cash in the register.
Mista was left dumbfounded sitting with his drink. It was his fourth one tonight.
"Wait a second", Mista glared at the glass in his hand, "Another one!"
"You know he'll be jumped as soon as he closes that door?" Luca mumbled as he handed Goldie a tray full of drinks as well as pouring Mista a glass, "I don't want the cops coming in and asking questions."
"That's not our problem what he gets himself into outside the bar", she shrugged innocently.
Goldie returned to Mista's side later, "How many have you had already? Luca has been sliding drinks your way all night. I really hope you can pay for all that. He is strict when it comes to money."
"As strict as you?" Mista smiles goofily. He had had too much to drink. Tomorrow morning would be fun.
"What could you possibly mean?"
"Nothing."
"I'll get you some water", Goldie patted Mista's back, the hand lingering longer than necessary, "Wait for me."
"Where would I go from here?"
The bar was almost empty. A couple lone drinkers there are there. The groups had left some hours ago, talking something about work. The isolated drunk had left as well, followed by a group of muscular thugs.
Luca had mumbled to Mista that the three mountains of men had a crush on Goldie, deciding to protect her innocence at all cost. Goldie had just shrugged at that, waving to the men and telling them to come again.
"Good for you that it's Friday. I can tell you're not a drinker", the barmaid slipped back onto the stool next to Mista, "When was the last time you drank this much?"
Mista hummed. He couldn't remember. It wasn't just the alcohol in his system making it hard to remember. It had really been a long time.
"Don't remember", Mista replied honestly. His voice was slurred.
"You don't have anyone waiting for you back home, right? I think you've had enough to drink for the night. I'll call you a taxi", Goldie told him, fishing out his wallet for him, "Pay. I'll go make the call."
Mista tried to argue that he wanted to stay longer but the girl put a finger onto his lips, silencing him, "You've had enough. Pay up."
Just like with the man before, the girl really had a way to make people do what she wanted.
Luca took the bills and counted them, nodding as he handed Mista the change, "Remember to give her a tip. Deserves it."
Mista nodded. Guess Luca was nicer than he looked. He dropped the coins into a jar by the register.
Goldie waited for the taxi with Mista outside. The rain had stopped but it was still cold. The girl had thrown on a woolly jumper. It was cream in color and swallowed the girl's small frame.
"You look cute", Mista blurted out.
"Don't cheat on your girlfriend", Goldie was quick to reply.
"I'm nooooot! It's the truth."
"Thank you", that earned a smile, "Remember to drink lots of water when you get home. Do you have any painkillers?"
"I do. Had a headache last week."
"Good."
"Can I get your number?"
"I don't have a phone right now. Broke it."
"Don't lie to meee!" Mista was being held upright. It was hard not to stare at the barmaid.
"I'm not."
Her eyelashes were unnaturally long. Mista wondered if she used any makeup. Her skin looked so soft and nice. Perfect.
"You're staring", Goldie pointed out. She smiled a bit so it couldn't be that uncomfortable.
"Can't help it. You're beautiful", Mista sighed, "You really don't have a phone?"
"No."
"But I want to see you again", Mista whined.
"You can always come again. We're open every night if Luca feels like it. But promise me you won't drink so much, it's hard to carry you."
"Sorry. Sorry. Won't happen again."
Before Mista could ask anything more, the taxi rolled in front of them. The driver's door opened and a man smiled at them.
"Evening Goldie! Another delivery?"
"Drank a bit too much. Could you drive him home for me? I need him home safe", Goldie kissed the man on the cheeks, greeting him, "How is business?"
"Sure thing! Do you have an address?" the man nodded, taking a paper from the girl, "This isn't too far."
It wasn't pickpocketing if it was for a good cause. Goldie had found a letter addressed to the man in his bag. It had the address on it. She doubted he could remember it himself right now.
"Business is good. Thanks to you", the driver said as Goldie helped Mista onto the back seat.
She snorted a laugh, "I'm sure you have other customers."
"There aren't that many tourists out here this time of the year. Driving you or your drunk boyfriends keeps me floating."
The two checked the man on the back seat. He was out, snoring loudly.
"Here, some extra", Goldie handed the man some money, "In case you need to carry him in."
The man nodded, "Sure. Goodnight. Be careful, my dear."
"Same to you", she waved as the car drove away.
"How long are you going to keep playing around with my customers Giorno?" Luca asked as soon as the door was closed and locked. They were closed for tonight.
"Shut it. You like it. Brings you customers", Giorno kicked off the shoes and sat down to count the contents of the tip jar.
"Crossdressing", Luca huffed, "Those dirtbags fucking love it."
"Better keep that mouth shut around them. You wouldn't want to say that to a capo", Giorno said. He had gotten used to his boss' bursts of anger and foul mouth. It was almost funny at times.
"Yeah, yeah", Luca took the money Giorno offered him. It was the month's rent. Giorno had the attic to himself. He could work for Luca to help pay his rent. The place wasn't that big or clean but it sure beat living outside.
"Got yourself a new toy back there?" Luca smirked, wiping his leaking eye, "Haven't seen you interested in a guy in a long time."
"Maybe you haven't paid attention then", the boy huffed, crossing his hands, "But yeah, he seemed nice."
"Always playing with fire. He said he had a girlfriend."
"Like that has ever stopped you? You had a lady with you last night."
"Got me there", Luca shrugged, "Any other theme nights coming soon? More crossdressing?"
"Chancing the topic? Sly. How does a bunny girl sound?"
"This isn't that kind of a place."
"Just joking with you. I have some friends coming over soon. I should make them something to eat. You don't mind, do you?" Giorno stood up, ready to retreat to his room.
"As long as they pay", Luca took out a cigarette, "You pay for the ingredients too."
"Sure", Giorno smiled as he took the cigarette from the man and tossed it away, "Go out if you want to smoke."
