Real Men Wear Black

Orlando Burton
Played by Bad Street Boys


Paige Johnson
Played by Forever Yours

Orlando Burton had just become in charge of the largest gang in Manhattan, after his father who had run it for over 30 years passed away. He was at the ripe young age of 22 but held of lot of power, money, secrets, and respect. His men had known him since he was kid, or he had recruited them out of high school. Orlando's father had taken the gang over after his grandfather passed, and they all have run the gang the same way. Orlando's grandfather ran it during the 60's as a greaser gang, hidden with a mechanic shop layover. His father did the same. Orlando planned to follow exactly in those steps. He did not want to conform to current standards of gangs, which he deemed unsophisticated, arrogant, and silly. His men were hard, but respectful and respected. They looked like the cover of The Outsiders. As he walked down the street, towards the Pomfron Cafe, he wore his signature white tee, covered with a custom made black leather jacket, it had the symbol of the gang that his grandfather designed, a beautiful crested viper. His hair was gelled back, and Orlando wore dark form-fitting jeans. Orlando's presence was almost as large as he was, his family was all large men and powerful women. He stood at 6'4" and his weight was compromised mostly of muscle. He had to stay fit to survive in this line of work.

As Orlando entered the coffee shop he removed his sunglasses and glanced around the room. He walked over to the register and ordered a black coffee, one sugar. Orlando was leaning against the counter as he waited for his drink, glancing at his watch and humming to the song playing on the radio overhead. He was taking the day off from his 'business' as he wanted to visit his brother. His brother was older, but didn't want anything to do with the gang. His brother was an emergency room surgeon, which came in handy when Orlando got himself into troubel. But that, coupled with his own job, kept the two apart as they were both busy. Today was a day they would be able to meet, planning for dinner together at his brother's house. His coffee arrived from the small barista and put his glasses back over his eyes and began his way out of the coffee shop.

@ BadStreetBoys

Coffee, that was the only thing Paige could think of as she made her way down the street. The last few days had gone by in a haze. There was hardly anytime for Paige to do what she wanted. Seeing the coffee shop come into view, she smiled. Just before she reached the door, her phone rang. Glancing down at the screen and seeing her brother’s name, Paige answered. The call was cut short when Paige ran into the man that had been walking out. A gasp escaped her lips as her phone fell to the concrete and his coffee covered his shirt. “Oh no, I’m so sorry! I looked at my phone for one second, I’m sorry about your coffee...” Paige apologized, finally looking up and making eye contact with the man.

She brushed her hair behind her ear as she looked at him, “I can’t believe I did that, can I buy you another?” Paige picked her phone up from the ground, sighing in relief that it hadn’t broken. The call with her brother would have to wait. Sliding her phone into her pocket, Paige gave him an apologetic smile. Truth be told, she was beyond embarrassed. There was just so much going on, between lack of sleep and the pressure she had put herself under, she was wearing herself out.

@ foREVerYours.
Orlando was also not paying attention as he left the shop, when he felt someone bump into him. The coffee he had spilled onto his white tee, leaving a large brown stain. The heat of the coffee stung, but wasn't horrible. Orlando knelt down to grab the crumpled paper cup and glanced at the girl across from him and saw her face as she saw the aftermath of the accident. "Oh no," he said quietly, "Are you okay? I'm sorry I didn’t see you either." He gave Paige a reassuring smile as he stood up, and offered her his hand to help her up. Orlando gave her a quick glance up and down, smirking to himself. He quickly tried to cover that up. Orlando reached behind him, turning slightly, opening the door behind them for her. "Ladies first." He said and smiled again.

Orlando nodded slightly as she spoke and let Paige go in first. "Why thank you, usually I'm the one paying on a first date," he said coolly. Orlando respected that she hadn't freaked out at him, blaming him, or only worrying about her phone. He followed Paige back up to the register and gave the cashier a goofy smile and shrug. "Can I get another of my usual, Brenda? I had a little accident," He chuckled and waved his hand towards his shirt. Brenda handed Orlando some wet wipes and he began to blot at the coffee but his actions were futile. "Oh, I'm Orlando by the way. Orlando Burton, you?" He asked, raising an eyebrow and holding his hand out to Paige.

@ BadStreetBoys

“I’m fine, thank you,” Paige said as she walked into the shop with him. She laughed softly, “Well, hopefully your first dates don’t all start with you covered in coffee.” Paige couldn’t help taking a moment to look him over. He was attractive, and that smile would probably be enough to catch any girl’s eye. Once he ordered, Paige ordered herself a caramel latte. Paige smiled at the barista as she paid for their drinks. Taking a sip of her latte, Paige listened as he introduced himself.

Paige took his hand, “It’s nice to meet you, I’m Paige Johnson.” She was hoping not to get a reaction, her father was so well known, and not necessarily liked, that everyone seemed to have their own opinion about him. Paige sipped at her drink.

@ foREVerYours.
Orlando shrugged and nodded in agreement, "You're right, usually that doesn't happen on a first date, but there is a first time for everything," he quipped. He took his sunglasses off and hung them on his shirt. After shaking Paige’s hand and hearing her name, it clicked in his head. He knew the name of her father, he was powerful and rich, though in much more legal ways than Orlando was. Orlando liked to think that he would hold the same respect and power her father did if his means were completely legal. As their drinks arrived he grabbed his coffee, then walked to the sugar bar and grabbed a stirrer for it. He reached over and grabbed a straw, offering it to Paige. "Very nice to meet you Miss Paige." he said, pretending to tip an invisible hat.

"So, what are you doing bumping into big guys like me this early in the morning?" He asked, walking towards the bar seats on one end of the store. Orlando pulled a chair our for Paige and sat in the one besides it. He had time to kill, so he didn't mind getting to know her. She was very pretty and he was curious to learn more about her father and her involvement with it. Orlando sipped his coffee as he watched Paige move. He zipped up his leather jacket to hide the stain of the coffee, noting that he would have to go home and change before going to meet his brother.

@ BadStreetBoys

Paige took the straw from him and smiled. She followed him over and sat down on the seat. “I’m supposed to meet my brother in about an hour, I just wanted to grab coffee to help me wake up,” Paige told him as she laughed softly. Normally she would be excited to see her brother, but they weren’t meeting just to be social. Paige was slowly becoming more and more involved with her father’s business and her brother, Cooper, was helping her figure it out. Paige didn’t mind taking some time to talk to Orlando, he caught her attention.

“You must come here often?” Paige asked, noticing that not only did he call the barista by her name, but he had a usual. She drank her latte, knowing she had enough time to relax and talk with Orlando. It had been awhile since she had any time to herself so she was trying to enjoy the day as much as she could.

@ foREVerYours.
Orlando nodded, sipping his coffee as he listened to Paige. "I get that, coffee is a good start to the day. Helps me wake up too. What are you guys meeting for?" He asked, noticing her expressions change as she mentioned it. He was curios if both the siblings were going to take part in the business and politics of her father. He thought that maybe he could get in with information of them if he could get in with her. It would be nice to get a handhold in there and possibly get some more power for himself.

"Usually at least three times a week. It's close to my house so I can walk on nice days, or just a quick drive." He explained, finishing his coffee and setting the empty cup down. "I've got a day off from work. My brother is an ER surgeon, so when he has free time. I have to capitalize on it so that we can spend time together." Orlando smiled as he looked across with her. "I'm gonna spend the afternoon there. but I'm free tonight." He purred and winked at Paige.

@ BadStreetBoys

“Mostly we’ll talk about work. He’s going to help me get caught up on a few things,” Paige said, knowing Cooper would be focused on business. Her brother was better with politics and Paige was more comfortable with the business end of it. Their father had planned for Cooper to take over, but Cooper had pushed to get Paige involved. When the time came, their father’s business would be split between the two.

Paige nodded, listening to Orlando. She finished her latte as he spoke about his brother. “That makes sense, spend time together when you can,” Paige said. Hearing him say he was free tonight, Paige smiled slightly, “Well, maybe with some luck we might run into each other again later.” She laughed softly, liking the idea of getting to see him again.

@ foREVerYours.
Orlando nodded as he listened to her, he owned his mechanic shop, which was a real business but also a front for his gang business. So he knew what it was like. “I get that, I’m always talking work with everyone, gets boring after a while though.” He said with a shrug. Orlando didn’t discuss much though, his word was what went. He mostly dictated orders. Orlando leaned back in the seat as he watch Paige.

“Yea, I mean, it’s life though. I’m busy with my work too.” He told her, giving Paige a smile. When she said they might run into each other again he grinned. “Well I mean, if you give me your number, then we could definitely run into each other again.” He teased, his fingers tapping on the table between them. “I plan on going and getting some pizza tonight, you’re welcome to join.”

Paige nodded in agreement, it got old talking about work all the time, especially with her brother. “It’s always nice when there’s a chance to talk about something else,” Paige said. Truth be told, she didn’t have much time for a social life. Seeing him smile as he said he was busy with work too, Paige couldn’t help smiling in return. She was going a little out of her comfort zone, but Orlando seemed to be worth taking a chance on.

“I can definitely give you my number,” Paige laughed softly, liking the idea of being able to spend more time with Orlando. Once he was ready, Paige told him her number. Seeing the time, Paige sighed softly, “I should probably get going before my brother starts blowing up my phone.” She smiled over at Orlando, “Let me know when you’re getting pizza and I’ll join you.” Hearing her phone ring, Paige shook her head, “Right on time.” She turned her attention back to Orlando, “I’ll see you later?”

@ BadStreetBoys

@ foREVerYours.
Orlando nodded and smiled. "Very true, real life is much more interesting than business." He quipped. Orlando relaxed a bit more as they spoke. He had completely forgotten that she had spilled coffee on him earlier. He thought she was gorgeous. He also had figured out who her father was, which he found interesting. He thought to himself that maybe, just maybe, he could get in with this girl and get into her father's head. He had campaigned against Orlando in the public eye multiple times.

Orlando smirked when he got her number, he was proud of himself. After getting her number he slid his phone back into his pocket. "Lucky me, get a cute girl's phone number after only 15 minutes" he teased. When she told him that she had to go he nodded in agreement. "I understand that. Good luck, have fun." he told her. Following Paige out the door as he went to his own car. "See you soon."

@ BadStreetBoys

Paige didn’t really want to leave anymore. Orlando was handsome and interesting, Paige couldn’t help wanting to know more. Hearing his comment, she laughed softly, “Good way to start the day.” She walked to the door and stepped outside. “Yeah, see you,” Paige responded, smiling as she started walking.

It wasn’t too far to where she was meeting Cooper, just a block or two. As Paige approached the diner, she could see Cooper’s blacked out Bentley in the parking lot. Paige took a moment to prepare herself before going inside. Sighing softly, she opened the door and walked over to the table where Cooper was. She sat down across from him, “So, what have I missed this time?” Paige was used to their father keeping her out of the loop and making her talk to Cooper rather than bother him.

When Cooper mentioned their father wanting Paige to get more involved, she raised an eyebrow, “Why all the sudden? Before he was so hell bent on slowly bringing me in and now he wants to give me a chance?” Cooper sighed, “It’s not like that Paige, he wants to talk to you tomorrow.” Paige shook her head, “What else?” Cooper went on about everything else, until they had nothing else left to talk about. After they finished at the diner, Cooper have Paige a ride back to her apartment. Once she was inside, she relaxed and waited, hoping to get a text from Orlando.

@ BadStreetBoys