Chapter 6

Ma.: Okay. A date then.

A few minutes passed and he thought she wouldn’t reply to him tonight, but as soon as he left his phone on his desk, the screen lit and his phone chimed.

Me.: You make it sound like you are doing me a favor, so I am going to pass.

Ma.: What? No, that’s not what I meant.

Me.: But that’s what you said.

Marco was getting frustrated. This woman was driving him crazy.

Ma.: What I was trying to say was that even though I don’t do dates, I would like to take YOU on a date. Since you don’t drink and you clearly have trust issues, I am not suggesting dinner, which would include me picking you up from your place, but instead I offer again to have an ice cream date.

Me.: Will Johnny be there? And I don’t have trust issues, just a healthy sense of self preservation.

Ma.: If you will feel more comfortable, he will be there. Self preservation? Do you think everyone that walks around you is a potential organ harvester?

Me.: I would feel more comfortable, so thank you. And no, I don’t think everyone around me is a potential organ harvester. They could be serial killers, cannibals, child abusers. Plenty of options, according to the crime shows I have watched. So better be safe than sorry.

Ma.: Okay, I will bring Johnny to this date, but not on the next one. Crime shows are not crime documentaries. Don’t believe everything you see.

Me.: What makes you think there will be a next date? And I am not naive. I just choose to be cautious.

Ma.: Because once you spend time with me on our first date, you will know you want to see me again. And there will be nothing to be cautious about.

Me.: Hmmm overly confident. Red flags are being raised left, right and centre.

Ma.: I hope you know I am joking. I did mean that I don’t do dates, so that’s new territory for me.

Me.: I know you are joking and I am sorry. I turn sarcastic when I am uncomfortable.

Ma.: Did I make you feel uncomfortable?

Me.: I just moved here a few days ago. Everything makes me feel a bit uncomfortable, so I will say the cliché - It’s not you, it’s me.

Ma.: Ha ha ha okay - How about we take it slow and we see how it goes? We’ll go for ice cream and we can walk around. I can show you around the city and then at the end of our date we can evaluate how it went and whether you want to see me again.

Me.: What makes you so sure that you will want to see me again?

Ma.: You are too interesting to not want to see you again bella and plus I don’t like sharing.

Me.: Like “Joey doesn’t share food” sharing you mean?

Ma.: ah a fan of the classics - I will be sharing your attention with Johnny, so I know I will want to see you again to have your full and undivided attention.

Me.: Are you jealous of your dog?

Ma.: In general no. In this situation yes. You seem to be more eager to see him than me.

Me.: I am sorry if I made you feel this way. It’s just that the whole “I don’t do dates” situation has put me on the defense. I am obviously not expecting any commitment after one date, but taking something off the table kind of feels like my options are limited and I don’t like having limited options. Plus I don’t like situations that are pre-defined. If you already know what is not going to be, then automatically you have decided what it is. And that is even before we even know anything about each other. I am not sure if I make any sense. As for Johnny, you are right. I am very eager to see him.

Ma.: You do make sense and I am sorry for that comment. I think he is very eager to see you too.

Me.: Was it not true?

Ma.: It was. But I do want to go on a date with you.

Me.: Why?

Ma.: Because you are challenging me and it is refreshing. People usually act very timidly around me and they always do as I say.

Me.: You mean women.

Ma.: I mean people. But yes, mainly women. You say what you think. I like that bella.

Me.: Hmmm me not having any filter has never worked on my benefit, but hey ho it’s a whole new world I suppose.

Ma.: You can say exactly what you think when you are around me bella. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Me.: Thank you.

Ma.: okay, it’s late and you should go to sleep. How about at 17:00 tomorrow. I will text you the address of the place and if you are comfortable enough by the end of our date, I can drive you home.

Me.: Sounds like a plan. I will wee you tomorrow. Goodnight

Ma.: Goodnight bella.

Marco left his phone on his desk and he smiled. Tomorrow he had a date. He gave up on working and walked to his car and drove home. When he lied on his bed, he kept thinking about Melina and what he had learned about her. Her fixation with crime shows amused him and he wondered how she would react when she found out that he was the leader of the Italian Mafia. He shuffled uncomfortable, as a voice in the back of his head said that she might not accept him. He would have to be cautious how he would tell her. Even though he didn't understand his feelings at this point, the thought of her rejecting him for good, caused his heart to clench. He would do everything in his power to keep her by his side. He was determined about that.

Before he closed his eyes, he messaged Alessio and asked him to place a couple of their men around Melina's building to keep an eye on her discreetly. He had a lot of enemies and he didn't want her to be in danger. He finally closed his eyes and felt excited about the following day and his first date.