I Rachel, Take the Malvagio

Six months ago. . .

It was supposed to be a nice day. I was supposed to get another loan to help pay my student loans. Unfortunately, even after begging I was denied. So I ended up putting myself in a mess. It didn't seem too bad. It was just finance and credit. 

That was how I ended up applying for a job at the italian restaurant called the ottimo cibo. Which meant great food in Italian. The people were awesome and the owner was a very decent man. He was pure italian, that was for sure. I could by his thick accent. His name was Dante and he had a head full of grey hair with a clearly aging face. The man looked to be around 50 but due to his fancy suits he always wore I assumed he was a successful man.

For the first week of being a waitress nothing happened. My days were planned out by getting up, helping my mom, attending college, and then working at the restaurant at night. But that week wasn't inportant. Nothing fascinating happened.

The week where my life really had taken a turn was when I meant Dante's son. It was a warm summer night in New York and I was just getting to work dressed in a pair of black shorts and a white shirt with the restaurant logo on the upper right side. My blonde hair was tied in a nun while my bangs rested on my forehead and my blue eyes were wide with alert. The black heels I wore made me just a few inches taller than my actual height.

I approached one of my tables with a notepad and pen in my hands. The man was talking on the phone in some foreign language dressed in a pair of dark blue denim jeans and a nice black long sleeve shirt that had sleeves rolled up. As soon as I reached the table I saw a handsome man with dark brown hair that was brushed back with some kind of gel. A fesh minty smell hit my nose and a flirty smile spread across my face.

The man ended his conversation on the phone and looked at me with teddy bear brown eyes.

"Mi piacerebbe..." He began speaking in a foreign language.

Something that I did not speak.

"Oh I'm sorry I only speak English." I apologized, trying to be as polite as possible.

"Ho pensato cazzo gli ho detto solo ragazze italiane!" The man looked irritated and slapped his palm on the table.

I jumped back, a bit surprised by his reaction. "You're in America how about learning the language before cursing us out for not knowing your language." I spoke between clenched teeth.

The man grew a smile. "I understand your language well."

Oh God, his accent alone sent a tingle to places that certainly shouldn't have at that time. I swallowed the lump that grew in my throat.

"Good. Now what can I get you?" I asked.

His brown eyes went to my legs and he stuck his tongue out between his teeth as a satisfied smirk spread across his face. It was like I could feel his eyes burning into my flesh. I cleared my throat and snapped my fingers in front of him. He brought his eyes up to me and lifted his eyebrows.

"Your order?" I asked.

"How about a bottle of our finest wine, two glasses, and two dinner specials." He held the menu out to me.

"And should I be expecting a guest for you?" I asked.

"Just you." He answered while checking his phone.

I felt heat rush to my cheeks as I shook my head. "Oh no, no I can't do that. I'm on the clock. I'll get fired and I really need this job-"

"No, it should be okay. I own the place with my father. Your job is customer satisfaction. If you want me to be happy then you sit and eat with me. Tell Dante you will be dinning with his youngest son."

I stood a pallet for a second but if he really was Dante's son and did own half the business I had to do what he asked. Not that I didn't want to stare at his gorgeous face enough already. I gave the man a nod and turned on my heels before walking away from him.

Dante was in the kitchen, wearing one of his black Armoni suits, laughing with his cooks. I walked across the red tiled floor and approached him.

"Dante, there's a man here claiming to be your youngest son." I began explaining.

Dante looked down at me with similar brown eyes.

"He wants me to dine with him." I pushed the words out, begging that they wouldn't get me fired.

Dante shrugged his shoulders. "And?" He asked in his booming  italian accent.

"What do I do?" I asked.

Dante gave me a smile making all the wrinkles on his forehead become visible. "Rachel, darling you dine with him. I'll tell Teresa to take your tables. It will be okay, yeah?" He asked.

I gave my head a nodd.

"Alright then, go be a faithful waitress to your special guest." He turned his back to me and began speaking in Italian to the cooks.

I put in the order for two dinner specials and found the most expensive bottle of wine which reached to be 300 dollars alone and two wine glasses. The restaurant was a huge building with two floors. I only worked on the first floor which had beautiful black and white shiny tiles and beautiful windows that surrounded the whole building. The black ceiling held chantilers that presented a nice light for everyone. All the tables were round with white cloths that dangled over them.

It really was a fancy place and it always got busy quick. Especially with the dinner special we were offering. A 8 Oz filet with mashed potatoes and side dish of customers choice for 20.99. I didn't understand how Dante could afford to be so generous. Either way it wasnt my business so I did as I was told and grabbed the two specials that were placed on fancy white plates.

As soon as I placed the plate down in front of the mysterious man he pointed at the empty seat across from him as if to say "sit". And that's exactly what I did. I seated myself across from him to see that two glasses of wine had already been poured.

"So what's your name?" He asked.

"It's Rachel. May I ask your name?" I asked.

The man sipped his wine. "Malvagio." He kept his answer simple.

"So do you usually do this every time you go out to eat?" I asked.

He looked at his phone and then shut it off before turning his attention back to me. "No, you just caught me in a generous mood. Not only am I buying you dinner, but I'm also leaving a generous tip. That is if you keep me happy."

Sounded good to me and he looked good enough for me to stare at all night so I didn't mind. I kept my blue eyes on him as we began to engage in conversation. I explained how I ended up with the job and he explained the world of business he was in with his father.

I couldn't help but feel tempted to ask that annoying question of "is your family in the mob?"  but I swallowed the question everytime it threatened to come out. He made me laugh a couple of times and told me he was glad to hear that I was going to college and felt that it would help make me successful.

After I finished eating and drinking a single glass of wine I stood up from the table and thanked Malvagio for the food and began clearing off the table. The whole time he kept those brown eyes on me with a gentle smile on his face. Before I could even finish clearing off the table he began putting 100 dollar bills on the table. My eyes grew wide, never in my whole life had I seen so much money. 

"This is your tip." He held up two separate hundred dollar bills and my mouth went dry. Two hundred dollars just for having a meal with the man.

"Oh Malvagio, I can't take that it's too much. " I declined.

Malvagio shook his head at me, grabbed my wrist to turn my hand palm side up, and slapped the two hundred dollars in my hand. He looked me in the eyes and for some strange reason I felt a cold tingle travel down my spine.

"You take it and put it towards paying off student loans or bills."

I opened my mouth but closed it once I realized I had nothing to say.

"I really enjoyed talking to you, Rachel. You seem like a good woman. Who knows, maybe I buy you dinner often."  He spoke in his thick Italian accent and just like that, left me in a state of shock. 

That was when my life really turned upside down because Malvagio had a way of getting under my skin without even trying. The image of him was burned into my memory like a brand. And it wouldn't go way. There were even Times where he would pop up at random places. One specific time that I could never forget was when I was in a flower shop, looking to but my mother a gift. It was right after the 4th of July and it had been pouring cats and dogs the entire day so my hair was soaked and my black pants were sticking to my skin in an uncomfortable way. The black tank top I had on clung to my body and was a darker shade due to the wetness from the rain. 

The door to the flower shop chimed and I heard a pair of footsteps come up from behind me. I was too busy looking at some deep purple orchids to realize that someone was behind me. I picked up an orchid and turned around and nearly hit a brick wall. My whole body jumped back and I saw Malvagio dressed in a pair of dark blue slacks with a white button up shirt. His blue blazer was tucked in his left arm and his hair was dripping wet from the rain.

"I'm beginning to think your stalking me Rachel." He teased with a smile. 

I smiled back at him, feeling butterflies flutter in my stomach. "No, just getting my mother a birthday present. If anything I should be asking you what are you doing here?"

Malvagio grew a look on his face that was unrecognizable. He let put a sigh and  made sure to look me in the eyes.

"I actually have a question for you. It's my anniversary for me and my fiance-"

"Fiance?" I asked.

I could feel the color I'm my face just drain. All the butterflies that were flying in my gut died. This man had a fiance yet he was making me have dinner with him 3 times a week and leaving me a 200 dollar tip each time.  He flirted with me and made me laugh. For God's sake he fucking stares at my legs like their a piece of steak!

"I was just wondering if you would know what she would like for flowers. I already got her a bottle of wine and an old fashioned diamond necklace." He finished his sentence.

I let out a huff and realized that if Malvagio wanted to only be my friend I would be fine with that. He had businesses to run and a fiance in a different country, he clearly didn't need another girl chasing him. I suddenly turned cold inside. Emotions. . .off.

"I would suggest getting roses, or whatever her favorite flower is."

Malvagio raised his eyebrows in confusion of my change in behavior.

"Does your fiance know that you and I have dinner 3 times a week and that you leave me a 200 dollar tip each time?" I asked. 

He put his mouth in the shape of an O as if to say "ooh that's why the sudden change in attitude."

"She does. She actually feels threatened by you. She loathes you, Rachel. She says I talk about you too much and it upsets her all the time so I need to make sure I make this anniversary count."

His words brought a butterfly back to life in my gut. The guy was really toxic but like most drugs it left behind an invigorating effect. That was when I decided that I would rather be friends with him. So I just gave him a smile and pointed to a red rose that had wax over it with sprinkles in it.

"The wax preserves the rose and maybe you can write her a cute note that says something like you want the love to last as long as possible like the rose itself." I offered my opinion.

He gave me a smile showing off his white teeth. "Thanks Rachel, I really appreciate it."

I gave him a slight bow and headed to the counter of the flower shop. There was a beautiful girl with long blonde curly hair and dark brown eyes. She was wearing a red dress that had straps like a tank top and ended at her upper thighs. She wore black booties that looked like they were made of italian leather. The woman herself looked to be in her late 30's with little crows feet at the end of her eyes. But she still looked flawless.

"Just the orchid today?" She asked with a smile.

"Yes, thank you." I replied.

She rang up the orchid and I payed in cash before quickly leaving the little flowershop. I felt the warm raindrops smack into my head but I kept stalking towards the bus stop across the street. Malvagio's voice called after me but I didn't reply. I just hopped on the white bus that had

The number 13 on it. As the bus drove by I put it in my two dollars and had a seat on the grey cushioned chair and watched Malvagio stand in the rain as the bus drove by. Our eyes met only for a quick second before I forced myself to look away.

I was mad at Malvagio for keeping his fiance a secret from me. I honestly felt like he was trying to make me the other girl and it hurt that he would do such a thing.

For only a day he stayed away. I was standing on the porch of our white house which wasn't even that big. It was only a two bedroom house but that was all my mother and I needed. The inside was much like the outside with damages and things that needed repair. For instance, the shower constantly dripped even when fully off, there was a big crack in the white ceiling and the wooden floors were very well scratched and even had dents in it. But to pay 800 a month with heat and hot water included was totally worth it.

I was dressed in my work uniform, tying up my blonde hair and talking to my mom through the door when Malvagio proved to me that he didn't want to stay away from me. At first I didn't know it was hin, I just knew that someone in a big black diesel truck pulled up in the driveway.

"Mom you expecting someone?" I asked.

My mother came out into the heat dressed in a pair of dark blue shorts and light blue scoop neck shirt. She looked a little like me with the blonde hair and blue eyes and a similar petite body like mine. She was what everyone called a MILF. We both stood by the steps and watched as a man emerged from the truck.

Malvagio was dressed in a pair of black shorts and a white wife beater. He certainly didn't look like a rich business man that he was. I just stood there gawking at the handsome man that had shades covering his eyes.

"Malvagio, what are you doing here?" I asked.

"I come to give you a ride to work." He answered as he pulled his sunglasses from his face. "I'm Rachel's friend Malvagio, you must be her wonderful mother that she always talks about." He climbed up our steps and held his hand out.

My mom shook his hand. "Amy Lane."

"Nice to meet you Amy."  He brought her hand to his mouth and gave her a kiss on the back of her hand.

My mother smiled at him and turned to me with an impressed look. I just folded my arms over my chest, leaving my bitch face on.

"So how did you find out where I lived?" I asked.

He released my mother's hand and turned to me with his hands tucked behind his back as if he was up to no good.

"My father sent me, he wants you to come to work early." He replied.

I let out a sigh and decided to shrug my shoulders. I was gonna head to work soon anyways. I gave my mom a hug and told her that I would be home as soon as work ended. She told me not to worry but at the back of my mind I always did. How could I not worry about someone who was growing old and frail. She had a bad heart and though you couldn't tell I had been saving her life since I was just a 15 year old girl in high school. I couldn't even count how many times I would come home and find Mom on the floor, having a heart attack.

"So what happened to your silver Audi?" I asked as I climbed in his truck.

I sunk into the nice tan leather seat and buckled myself in. Malvagio turned and looked at me with confusion. The suddenly shrugged his shoulders.

"I still have it, I like to drive my truck from time to time." He replied in his italian accent.

It was times like those I really hated him for having an Italian accent. If he didn't have the accent he wouldn't have seemed so hot and it would have been easier not to like him so much.

When we got to the restaurant I started to walk in and was blind sided when I saw Dante yelling and screaming in Italian. My eyes grew wide as I stepped back and ended up bumping right into Malvagio's chest. I turned to him, hoping he wouldn't yell too. One booming italian voice was scary enough.

"Wait here." He instructed as he followed his father into the kitchen.

All the other waitresses remained quiet and huddled in the corner. I wanted comfort
Them but something kept calling me to the kitchen. I slowly approached the kitchen and cursed myself before walking through the wooden swing doors.

"il visto è scaduto , siamo fottuti!" Dante yelled at Malvagio. "essi vi riporterà in Italia, e il business sarà rovinato!"

"No! lo sposerò americano di rimanere in America!" Malvagio shook his head and yelled back at his father. "l'azienda continuerà a."

When he finally turned his voice down I opened my mouth. "Is everything ok?"

Dante turned to look at me and fixed his messed up hair. Malvagio straighten himself out and walked up to me.

"Come, we have Dinner. We are having a wonderful special on pasta and meatballs. We eat some food, drink some wine, what do you think?" He asked as he walked me out into the dinning room. People were beginning to fill the place up quick.

"Malvagio, I don't want to upset your fiance so how about I just serve you?" I asked. 

He grew a look of anger quick. "If you want job you sit." He pointed to a chair.

I never sat down so fast before. Malvagio seated himself across from me, picked up a menu that was on the table and looked at it. "I notice you have no phone." He commeted.

"I don't have the money for one yet. Once I pay off the loans and get a job as a nurse I will get one." I answered.

"No, I get you one today. It is important you have a phone." He replied.

"You don't have to buy me a phone. I'm not your girlfriend."

"No, but you are my friend, Si?" Malvagio asked, bringing his eyes to my face.

I nodded my head.

"Friends help each other out so I help you. So if I ever need help you help me, yes?" He asked.

I just nodded my head, not realizing the mess I would have gotten myself into. If only I could have seen it then. 

"Si?" He asked again waiting to hear me use words.

"Si." I replied.

He sent me a smile and went back to looking at the menu. I looked back at the Kitchen and saw Dante standing by the door staring at us. I fidgeted in my seat feeling extremely uncomfortable. I suddenly had the feeling what ever it was the Italians wanted from me would be something big.