Waking up in the Arms of the Mafia King

matically once you step inside. Upon entering, you are immediately greeted by an array of exquisitely displayed garments-suits, shir

tting rooms where tailors craft some of the finest suits in the world. Tucked away at the back of the store is a cozy lounge area co

7 to 10 people on the floor at any given time. This group includes our tailors, who primarily work by appointment. However, we als

include Bjorn, Edward, Natasha, Yvonne, Martha, and Josephine. All our tailors and the male specialists are full-time

oan, who affectionately refers to herself as my "store mother." She handles the cleaning duties

store to get from my office to the lounge. Now, I use a staircase located at the back of the upper level, bypassing the

of the fitting rooms where George was holding a session. As usual, we try to si

ady gathered. "Good morning," I greet the room

ver fails to remember everyone's beverage preference. For

in my hands. "I was starting to wonder where you'd got to. Didn't Tash

t him somewhere betwee

nd of understanding. "Tha

in Thomas, sipping h

Joan responds, her tone tinged with concern. She always had a motherly worry for everyone here. "I fear

king double-breasted blue suit new addition, I noticed. "I do

veryone here always looks sharp, but then again, it wouldn't exactly insp

e you only just noticing that? I've been sit

ork,'" I reply with a sly grin. "Isn't that what you're pa

e. "Remember her first day? There is no trace left of that shy

, half-serious. He was always the one urging me to spea

ply, but his attention shift

nly one she calls here. "Bri was wondering if we're up for dinner tomorrow night." Ah, Brittany-how have I not menti

the weekend with Rodney." I pause, puzzled by my forgetfulness. My memory h

of my life. I've told her to get used to it. "Why didn't you mention it sooner? I could have invited some f

igger deal about it, but with everything going on, she seems a bit more forgivin

of me wonders if that might be true. Bri is like a blend of both Emily's and my personalities. She's less extroverted than Emily, but far m

ry nice," Joan

n a night out with the girls or visiting that damned boyfriend of hers..." His tone is

that I'm ready to move on from this topic. "S

before I knew it, the clock stru

g my bag with me this morning, packed wi

our last encounter, and his mid-term preparations have m

ormally, I'd wait for him to finish as it is a bit rude to interrupt, but

other end before muting his call. "See you next

on, especially after the tragedy of losing my mother to a drunk driver. "See you next wee

assing my usual stop at Piccadilly. A short six-minute walk later, I descend into

this station when I first came here, but now it feels almost like second nature. From

of money, especially when my legs are perfectly fine. Moreover, the weather is une

s fraternity house is located, I quickly

tories and houses about 15 bedrooms, all crammed with guys, which you can imagine lends it a certain lived

of party going on, often fueled b

, buried in his studies or at football practice, leaving little time for partying. Honestly, I'm relieved; the thought

ont door. "Damn babe," he chuckles, hurrying over as he sees me w

r a weekend, she packs at least three different outfits per day to have options. I've never really understood why she needs so many choices, but i

es with a smile, gazing down at me. Standing at 5'8", he towers slightly ove

use. "Hey!" I call out, causing him to glance back.

uckles, "Let's get inside, and I'll