Indebted to the Mafia King

*Heidi*

I lug my only suitcase inside the new apartment. It's stuffed with new clothes that I bought over the week.

Since nothing was salvaged from the fire, I had to make a list of priorities of what to buy. My computer is gone, and I've yet to replace it. I spent an entire day at City Hall getting a new social security card, then the DMV for my driver's license despite the fact I never use it to drive. Getting a transit card for the subway was easy, at least, but I had no clothes to wear that didn't smell like smoke, and I also had to do grocery shopping so I'll have something to eat at home. Since I left the hospital, I've been eating only fast food-quick slices of pizza and hot-ham-and-cheese from the corner bodega. Sometimes my aunt would offer to cook something for us, but I knew she was only doing it because I was there. She's not very fond of the kitchen, and if I weren't at her house, I'm sure she would be eating out, too, and I didn't want to be any trouble.

I grunt as I pull the luggage inside the cozy, tiny apartment Cal arranged for me.

I don't want to tell my grandparents the details of how I got this place so quickly because I don't want them to worry about me. I'm sure they will freak out to know I accepted help from a man I don't even know, let alone the owner of the bar who got us into this mess in the first place.

I wonder what type of clients and lifestyle Cal has in order to afford renting an apartment for me. Surely, that dingey corner bar can't be that profitable. I hardly ever see it packed, and if it is, it's not the kind of clientele that looks like they drink high-price cocktails over whatever cheap beers on tap.

I decide to call my grandmother anyway, to see how she's doing, and tell her I've got a place to live. "How were you able to find a new apartment so quickly?" Grandma asks on the phone

“I... I found a broker, Granny, and with the little money I saved from my paychecks, I managed to pay for the first month and the deposit," I explain. It's a lie, but I believe I'm doing this for her own good. "At least until I figure out what to do, it is a great place to stay. It's close to where we lived, so it's convenient."

"Oh, that is good, sweetheart," Grandma informs me kindly. "Please don't hesitate in asking for money, Heidi. I would be very offended if you needed something and didn't ask. New York City can be so expensive."

I smile to myself, walking to the living room window and opening it to let the air of the city inside.

The place Cal found for me is perfect. It's a small, corner one-bedroom on the next block, close to where the bookstore and my old apartment were, so everything around the building is basically the same neighborhood I was used to back in my old home.

The living room is cozy, with a plush white sofa and a small coffee table. There's a simple, sleek bookshelf filled with a few books, which was something that made my heart beat so fast I thought I was having a heart attack.

I was so moved to know Cal was thoughtful enough to have bought me some books. He didn't say he did it, but I know they didn't come with the apartment. He had to have known how much I was missing my books and didn't want me to feel all alone in such a new space.

The kitchen is tucked into one corner with a compact stove, a mini fridge, and a small counter. The bedroom barely has enough room for a full-sized bed, but it's perfect. The white linens are crisp, the duvet soft, and the bed is framed by light gray walls, with a couple of plants in the windowsill.

I love how the morning light floods through the windows, spilling across the wooden floors. It's simple but feels like home already.

I was astonished when I saw it for the first time yesterday when he brought me here. Of course, I didn't come with him; I met him here instead. I still need to keep my guard up whenever Cal is around, and taking a ride from him would've set off alarms in my head.

"I will let you know if I ever need it, Granny. I promise," I tell her.

"Also, the insurance company called your grandfather this morning," she adds.

I stop in my tracks. "Oh, really? And what did they say?" Ansiety washing over me.

"Well, they will pay us in a few weeks, but it's not enough to cover everything we lost, of course," Grandma explains. "It will help us rent out a new store, though, if you want it, that is."

"If I want it? Doesn't Grandpa want it, too?" I frown, even though she can't see me.

"He wants what you want, sweetheart. Now that you have no obligation to the store whatsoever, it's time to decide what you want for your future. You don't have to do it just because you think this was your grandfather's dream. We only want what's best for you."

I feel my heart tightening with gratitude for them but also with sorrow. I hate that this outcome was forced on us.

"But I did love that store. I can't see myself doing anything else," I confess. "None of this was an obligation to me, Grandma. I was proud to be the one to keep the store going."

"I know. That's why this will be a decision for you to make. Think it through. See what you want to do. If you want to get a new place or rebuild this one, it's up to you. We're here to give you our opinion if you need it."

A smile returns to my face as I drop myself on the couch, closing my eyes and feeling the sunlight touching my skin. "Thanks, Grandma. I'll visit you both this week after I get settled into the new place," I tell her. "I still need to get some new stuff, so I might be busy for the next couple of days."

"Okay, sweetheart. We'll be right here waiting for you. Your Grandpa is asking you to bring those Magnolia Bakery's cupcakes he likes so much," she requests, but then her voice sounds muffled when she starts speaking with Grandpa instead. "You should take this as a sign to stop eating sugar, Glen. You're almost diabetic," she scolds, and when I hear him complaining in the background, I chuckle. I'm so happy they didn't let this whole mess ruin their lives. They sound happy, and that's all I care about. "I'll talk to you soon, honey. Have a great day," Grandma says before hanging up.

I open my eyes and stare at the ceiling as I consider what to do next. I have to go to the shopping mall to get some more necessities, but I feel so tired.

I've been barely sleeping lately since the fire. When I do fall asleep, my dreams are full of smoke and heat. Moving to a new apartment has just made my life more complicated. Cal's help was more than useful, with him using his connections to make everything quick and smooth, but it's still a lot to adjust to. I didn't have a lot to bring, but the fact that he got this amazing apartment so quickly is astounding.

It strikes me that tomorrow is New Year's Eve, and for the first time in my life, I have no plans.

Not that I used to have big plans before. Ever since my parents died, I would spend it with my grandparents until they went to bed right after midnight, sometimes earlier. And then I'd go out to see the fireworks by myself, enjoying the alone time I had to make a list of goals for the new year.

But this year, I haven't had time to make plans. I might spend it at home, organizing my stuff and maybe drinking a bottle of wine to drown my sorrows.

At least I have some books now to keep me company, thanks to Cal.

My phone buzzes in my hand, and when I look down, I see his name flashing on the screen as if he heard me thinking about him. My entire body stiffens. What could he possibly want? Maybe he just wants to make sure I got moved in all right. He might just be checking on me to make sure I don't need anything else.

Stop overthinking, Heidi!

"Hello?"

"I don't want you to think I'm stalking you or anything, but am I right to assume you moved into the new place already?" he asks straightaway, his sexy accent disorienting me for a second.

I hate how that alone is enough to tempt me with desire for him.noveldrama

"Uh, yeah, I just got here," I chuckle, scolding myself inwardly for being so easy to win over.

I should be treating him with coldness. Everything that happened was because of him, and even though I have no proof that he was involved, the fact that he's paying for this apartment is enough to make me believe he's to blame. He didn't deny it either, so....

For whatever reason, I can't be mean to him. Or indifferent.

Whenever he's near me, all I can think about; is how badly I want him to pin me to the wall and ravish me with those inviting lips of his and- "Heidi?"

Oh, shit.

"Yes? Sorry! I was distracted for a moment, what did you say?" I ask, glad he can't see my face blushing with embarrassment.

"I asked if you have plans for New Year's," he repeats calmly.

"Uh, not really, no."

"Would I be overstepping if I invited you out to dinner? A friendly dinner, that is. I'm not trying to buy you off or anything, I just wanted a chance to get to know you a bit better, and well, I might also have another offer for you." That piques my interest.

I don't want him to be able to buy me off or whatever he said either, but I can't pretend I don't like the fact that he seems to want to spend time with me.

On New Year's Eve.

Doesn't he have someone better to spend his time with? Why would he want to spend such an important holiday with someone he just met?

I should say no.

I should reject his invitation.

But everything in me wants me to go.

And thinking about staying in this apartment by myself tomorrow sounds awful.

My life is quiet enough already as it is. I don't need to add another night of solitude. If I can at least finish this year with a little fun, I should take the opportunity. "No, you wouldn't be overstepping," I finally reply, determined.

"Good. I'll pick you up tomorrow at seven. I'll send you something to wear."

And with that, he doesn't even wait for my answer, hanging up on me and leaving me alone with my inappropriate thoughts about what tomorrow night could lead to.