Sorry for the delay. Which wasn't really a delay. It was more like I didn't know what the hell to do for this chapter and was really put off of writing for this story after that rude ass person left that rude ass review on the first chapter. This isn't what I had in mind, but I went with it and I think it turned out okay. Dialogue heavy in this one. Um... Google Don Benjamin so you can see the gorgeousness that he is. Do y'all even read these? No mind, let's do this.
Healed
The glow from the lights could be seen from ground floor outside of the New York City building Cass and Carmella picked out for their engagement party. She glanced up taking note that the party was on the fifth floor and realizing that she was definitely going to be running into Enzo on this night. Some things had changed since she had last seen and spoken to him.
"You nervous?" She spoke as her boyfriend Don, closed the door behind her and their uber driver left.
"Nah, I'm excited to meet some more of your people." He rubbed his hand together before draping his arm around her shoulder leading her to the glass door entrance.
"DB, this is a party; a celebration. Not a business endeavor." She reminded as they walked across the lobby towards the elevators.
"What kind of entrepreneur would I be if I didn't try to spread my wings a little?" He turned and faced her, both arms draped over her shoulders.
"For one night, I'd like for you to my boyfriend, Don. Not Don Benjamin the model, blossoming music producer and rapper." She spoke softly, but loud enough for him to hear. She made brief eye contact before the elevator greeted them.
He dropped his arms, "I'm sorry, boo. I'll try my best, but if they ask..." He tipped her chin with the knuckle of his index finger, leaving her standing there for a second as he entered the elevator.
"Fine, whatever. Let's just get this over with." She folded her arms across her stomach and kept her distance from him on the short ride up.
The façade was on. She walked into the room, her arm looped through Don's. She scanned the room before immediately picking Cass out. Sometimes being the tallest man in the room helped.
Enzo spotted her from his spot at the bar. He had to do a double take when he noticed she wasn't alone. The first thing he felt was a surge of sadness tinged with jealousy. He always did tell her she had a lot to give someone and now that she was and he was witnessing it person, he didn't understand why he was feeling the way he feeling.
It was odd for him to try to stay low key at such an important event for his best friend, but if he wanted things to be smooth and peaceful, that's exactly what he was going to do. Lately things with him and Gionna had gone from going sideways sometimes to straight to hell in a hand basket. They argued more often than not and over the most stupid shit. He was trying to prevent that from happening by keeping his distance from her. That had been easy enough considering she ditched him as soon as they got there.
He turned slightly keeping his eyes on the party. He couldn't help but notice how mystery man kept pulling her body into his as they spoke to Cass and Carmella. Her body language was all wrong, he could see that from where he was sitting. She excused herself from the group just as he turned back to the bartender to get a refill.
She approached the bar, sitting her clutch on it ordering two Jack and cokes.
"What are you a waitress now?"
"Hello to you too, Eric."
"How you doin'?"
"I'm fine."
"I noticed." He jutted his thumb back in the direction of where he saw Cass and Carmella last.
She rolled her eyes, but stayed silent.
"So, who is he? Looks like a sweet boy."
"Why do you care, E? Huh? I did exactly what you told me to do."
"But you ain't happy. That's clear as day."
She opened her mouth to speak, but an arm wrapped around Enzo's waist. She rolled her eyes again.
"What's going on over here?"
"Nothing. We were just catching up."
Clutch hanging from its strap on her wrist and her drinks in hand, "And I was just leaving."
Enzo stared at her retreating form until Gionna stepped around to be fully in front of him.
"You're pathetic, flirting in front of me. Are you trying to make me jealous with her of all people?"
"Don't cause a scene. You're just gonna embarrass yourself. We weren't flirting so calm your ass down."
"So yeah, I do a little bit of everything. Here's my card, we should work together some time. I'm all over the place these days."
She rolled her eyes then took a deep breath, "Excuse me, here's your drink."
"Mmm, thanks baby." He kissed her on the temple, "But seriously if you're interested don't be afraid to use that number." Don left with his arm around his girl and his drink in his hand. He went to stop but she kept pulling him closer to the door they entered the room through.
"What the hell was that about?"
"What did I tell you outside? They asked about me and I let them know. It's nothing, boo. Chill."
"I'm not gonna chill. I wanted you here to meet some people that are near and dear to my heart, not for you to expand your brand. I just wish for two seconds you could turn the shit off and just be. I just wanted my boyfriend, but I still got Don Benjamin the entrepreneurial business man."
"What do you expect when you mix business with pleasure?"
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me. This is me. You're my PA first and girlfriend second. So if I need to make new connections, I will. I don't give a fuck if it is at your friends' engagement party."
She was stunned, "I'm so glad you said that shit out loud," she shook her head and chuckled humorlessly, "Guess it's time you find someone to replace both of those roles in your life then."
Don's dark eyebrows rose in surprise, "Just like that, huh? You're done with me?"
"I'm tired of always playing second fucking fiddle in everyone's story. I'm not a priority to you, Don. Nothing will ever come before your career, so yeah I'm done. You'll have my resignation on Monday and you can just throw my toothbrush away."
His light green eyes stared at her for a long time until his phone rang, "I gotta take this." He mumbled before walking out of the room.
She watched him as she exhaled deeply, only she could simultaneously quit a job and dump someone at the same time.
"Look, I'm not doing this here. I'm not gonna let you ruin their celebration, Gi, so chill the fuck out."
"Don't fucking talk to me like that. I see the way you look at her, Eric. I'm not dumb."
"What the hell are you talking about?"
"You're fucking her, aren't you? Just tell me. Tell me right now."
"You've lost your damned mind. For the last fucking time, I'm not saying this shit again; I'm not cheating on you. Not with her, not with anybody."
"I don't believe you."
"Then don't. That doesn't have shit to do with me."
"Two can play that game though. You wanna fuck around on me... You're never home so I've been fucking around on you."
He stared at her with a straight faced, "Do you fucking hear yourself right now? You're drunk. You wouldn't..."
She cut him off, "But I have. How does that feel?"
'Like nothing, if I'm honest.'
He shook his head, "Are we done here?"
"No, I'm not done. Why won't you fight for me? Don't you love me?"
He was looking behind her, but she didn't seem to notice. The other woman he had been accused of cheating with was standing there, hands on her hips facing the door.
"Why would I fight for someone that doesn't trust me and does dirty shit behind my back? This should've been over months ago, Gionna, but like they say, better late than never. I'm sick of this shit. Go hop on the dick you've been riding this whole time while accusing me. You're a toxic person. I'm out."
He side stepped her, walking over to Cass and Mella.
"What's up?" Cass noticed the look on his face.
"I'm gonna head out. Um..." Enzo scratched the back of his neck, "Gi and I just broke up. She's either gonna storm outta here or tell you a bunch of shit. I don't wanna get into it right now and I don't wanna ruin the party so I'm just gonna go. I'll make it up to you with the bachelor party."
"You better not do anything too crazy, Zo. I'll kill ya." Mella warned as Cass chuckled
"Yeah yeah, whatever." He hugged her first then Cass.
"I'll text you when I get back to Jersey."
He made his way back to the door where she was still standing, but she was off to the side, facing the bar.
"Where's your boyfriend?"
"What?" She blinked rapidly as if she was coming out of a trance.
"The pretty boy you were with. Where's he at?"
"He had a phone call..." She trailed off.
He watched her intently until her eyes finally lifted towards him. As she was about to speak, she felt her phone vibrate in her clutch.
'I have to hop a flight to LA tonight. You have a ticket to go back to Florida day after tomorrow. I need you to stay on until I can find a replacement PA and when I do, I need you to do a follow up interview with them and show them the ropes. You'll b fully paid during this time, of course. This is a business after all.
-D'
She replied to the text almost telling him to go fuck himself but decided against it considering she'd need the money while she looked for another job.
As she put her phone back in her clutch. She couldn't make eye contact with Enzo, "But um, he's not coming back."
"You wanna talk about it?"
She laughed, but it wasn't jovial, "Sure, as soon as you explain why Gionna is looking at me like she's gonna beat my ass."
He shook his head, "Not tonight. Let's get out of here."
Chapter 4 is in the works. Leave a review please!