Miss Blue

When Mr. White found out that I was no longer with Tom Ferretti he wanted to take my mind off him further, which is why he had invited me to help him with his work the following day. I arrived at the club down town not knowing what to expect.

When I entered, the club was rather dark, low lamps hung over booths that evolved around a stage that was kitted out with golden poles and other platforms. I heard saws and hammering coming from around and noticed that it was under construction.

I had to duck out the way of a couple of men with a pole. They smiled to me and I waved softly back to them before they left the club. Another man was following them, he was holding a clipboard and wearing a suit. Catching him by the arm I leaned over and whispered in his ear softly, “I’m looking for Mr. White?”

He used the end of his pencil to point towards a secluded both in the middle of the club; Right at the front of the stage. I saw two men sat at it and thanked the man before walking over. I caught my reflection in one of the golden poles; I glanced, checking my hair and makeup. I looked lovely today just like my father had told me this morning. I scowled at the memory.

“Where are you going?” He had caught me by surprise as I headed to the door, clutching my bag in hand, I turned to him reluctantly.

“You’re still here?” I had asked spitefully. “I thought you would have jetted off to your next appointment by now.” He glared and walked over to me, smoking a foul smelling cigar. He puffed out a few clouds of the toxic stuff. I smirked inside; I hoped those cigars would kill him in the end. He looked me up and down with those judging, cold eyes.

“You look lovely” he noted. I was stood before him in a knee-length black skirt and a ruffled collar red top. I had on black heels that made my legs look amazing. Over the top I had a black thigh length coat and a matching clutch purse. My hair was up in a smooth ponytail that left some of my bangs down at the front to frame my face to perfection that I could establish on a daily basis.

“I always look lovely” I had just shaken my head. “Just like my mother, where is she by the way?” My father didn’t answer; he continued to smoke his cigar silently watching me with intimidating eyes. I guessed that was the end of the conversation and turned to leave.

I saw that Mr. White was one of the men at the booth and smiled sweetly to him. He grinned to see me and put out his cigarette, standing up. The booth’s table was covered in papers, blue prints and letters. I paid little attention to them and concentrated on Mr. White; he held my arms by my side and kissed my cheek softly.

“Ah, mio caro” He let me go and gestured around him. “What do you think?” I scanned the club and gave a false smile.

“Looks great” Truthfully, it did, but I couldn’t get my mind past the sleazy things that happen here. The other man at the desk stood up and collected plans off the table.

“I’ll show you out my friend” Said Mr. White politely, they grasped each other’s hands in a firm handshake and then Mr. White turned to me. “I will be right back, beautiful” he told me with a wink. I smiled and then watched Mr. White escort the man outside. I leant casually against the table waiting for him to return.

I noticed the club had a lot of wood paneling around which made it so dark. and all the fabric was pink or red. Red. I considered that color. It was the color of lust, passion and love. It didn’t seem right to have it in a strip club, after all, men didn’t find love here; they just found pleasure.

I heard footsteps coming towards me, they were lighter though then Mr. White’s; I turned to see who it was curiously. It was a young girl. I raised an eyebrow and studied her closely. Her face was youthful and pretty, dotted with freckles across her rosy cheeks. Thick black eyelashes framed perfectly framed her gray eyes. I looked down at what she was wearing; shorts and tights with boots and jumper on top. Casual and fashionable but I had a feel every single item she owned was designer. Including the small purse dog that peeked out of her bag with wide eyes and floppy ears. It yapped at me and I stood up straight staring it, as the girl smiled with her very pink lips.

It was clear the girl was a teenager from her figure, her breasts were still developing and her hips were wide but she still had a very tiny waist. She was small, much smaller than me, I was pretty sure she was a little taller than Blaze. She also wore a necklace with an old-looking bullet hidden under her jumper. I noticed that the bullet had a tiny carving that was only noticeable when the light hit it right. The carving was of a Rose.

“Hello” She said, in a sweet soprano voice.

“Hi” I replied, still keeping an eye on that puppy in her purse.

Just then, Mr. White returned. Me and the girl both turned to see him walk back in, his face lit up to see such beauty stood before him but to my surprise he went straight to the teenager.

“Rose!” He said and opened his arms to her; she stepped up and hugged him tight.

“Daddy!” she smiled what seemed to be a soft loving smile as she hugged him and I watched them both in surprise and suddenly felt rather nervous being around Miss White. It amazed me how Mr. White, someone so composed and so ruthless, melted around his daughter. He kissed her forehead tenderly and I remembered the way my father never looked at me like he looked at her. I suddenly felt envious over her relationship with her dad. It wouldn’t have surprised me if I turned out to be adopted or something; my father never showed me love like that.

Mr. White did not strike me as a family man; I guess I learn a little more about him each day. Slowly the mystery of the man named White was revealing before me, although I still had a long way to go. I had seen Rose a picture of Rose before, I realized; the first time I had visited Mr. White’s apartment a picture of her was up on display.

“How have you been?” He asked her lightly as he pulled back from their hug and held her face in his hands, admiring her.

“I’m great” She grinned. Her grin lit up the whole club. Another little pang of jealousy coursed around me. She was sweet though, very sweet, like candy.

He smiled. “That’s great” he said before he snuggled her close again, she closed her eyes and enjoyed his warmth. With one arm around her still he gestured to me.

When she looked me up and down curiously and smiled, I saw a slight glimmer of a sparkle from the corner of her eye. She pulled away from her father and hugged me. I was taken aback; I didn’t really know that people hugged so much in this line of work. After a second, I hugged back.

“This is Sadie Blue” He put a hand on Rose’s shoulder and pulled her off me slightly seeing the surprise on my face. “Sadie, this is my daughter, Rose”.

I smiled. “A pleasure to meet you, Rose” she grinned.

“You too, Miss Blue” her voice was a lovely as a song. She probably had a slight idea in the back of my head - all teenage daughters are bound to suspect something when their single father introduce them to a pretty friend. She looked between us and I saw her smile drop a little bit. There was a long awkward silence until her dog started to yap again. It made me jump and then I glared to the animal in her purse.

“This is Piccolo” She announced pleased. “One of dad’s friends got him for me” Her father rolled his eyes.

“Remind me to thank John later” Mr. White said sarcastically. I admired them both. I wasn’t sure how to react to the change in Mr. White’s behavior. For once he wasn’t formal or ready for action, he was relaxed and friendly and I rather liked it.

“Hey Boss!” called one of the words from behind the bar. “I finally got the sound system fixed!” He announced. Mr. White grinned.

“Well don’t just stand there, play us some music!” after a minute of watching the man press buttons and fiddle with CD’s, music finally began to fill the club. A whole new atmosphere filled the room and lifted it to a whole new level, as soft, classic Italian romance music filled it. Rose skipped over to browse through the CD’s and left me alone with Mr. White.

“She’s beautiful” I noted watching Rose order the poor workman around as he offered something she didn’t approve of. Mr. White smirked.

“Like her mother” he responded, I knew he was saddened by the memory but he was still composed. Whatever had happened, whatever wounds were inflicted were mostly healed.

“She looks just like her” He spoke proudly.

“What happened to her mother?” I asked softly, hoping it wasn’t a subject I shouldn’t cross over into. He looked at me for a second, a soft sincere considerate look and I looked back with wide curious eyes. He nodded.

“Her name was Lauren, She died just after Rose was born” He told me. “She was the only girl I’ve ever loved...” His voice trailed off. I nodded understandably and smiled politely. He took comfort in my warmth.

“At least you have a piece of her in Rose”. He looked back to Rose and grinned.

“That, I do” He agreed. A new song played over the sound system and he offered his hand.
“Would you care to dance, mio caro?” He asked with a grin. I looked at his hand carefully before my eyes darted up to his handsome face. His eyes, the same as his daughters, had warmed. I nodded and took his hand, letting him help me onto the stage. We took hold and swayed together in time to music.

I noticed how Rose occasionally glanced in our direction but tried to keep her eyes to her own business. But she didn’t seem upset over us. In fact, briefly I thought I saw another sweet smile cross her pink lips.

Mr. White spun me around and then pulled me back into him; I laughed softly enjoying the dancing. He pressed his forehead against mine and sang along in Italian with a smirk on his lips. Show off; I muttered inside of my head. But I smiled a bit my lip as his seductive Italian voice melted into my ears like the sweetest of honey.

And then we just swayed slowly moving in a slow circle letting the world go by as I rested my head on his shoulder, closing my eyes and dreaming of a better life.