Chapter 7

As I headed towards Nico's office with Marco, I realized that I had not planned what to say. Despite being tough, I had never encountered a situation like this before. I wondered if I should approach him as a worker to Boss or a worker to Nico.

I was determined to convince Nico to reconsider the uniform policy, and I was willing to go to great lengths to do so.

When we arrived at Nico's office, I was immediately struck by the stunning view of the city through the floor-to-ceiling window. The black-tiled walls, brown marble floors, and elegant furnishings all contributed to an air of sophistication.

As I took in my surroundings, Marco turned on the lights and I got a better look at the room. Nico's luxury wooden desk and office task chair were positioned at the front of the room while the rectangular rug in shades of grey, underneath it, added a touch of warmth to the space.

Two tube chairs with a glass desk in the center were situated on one side of the room, while a floor-to-ceiling shelf filled with vases, modern sculptures, and a few books to occupy space, I think. Nico doesn't look like the reading type.

I couldn't help but admire the flower vases placed at either end of the window. Just as I was about to take a closer look at the view, the door opened, and Nico entered the room. He had his usual expressionless expression on his face and wasted no time in getting down to business. "Make it quick," he said, eyeing me warily.

I took two steps closer to him, folding my arms in front of me. "You're the one wasting my time," I replied. "I wouldn't be here if you hadn't given female workers a ridiculously short skirt as their uniform."

"You have an issue with the uniform?" He sounded more like he was saying than asking.

"In what way did you not understand what I just said?"

"If you need my help, then you have to change that attitude of yours."

I say nothing and stare at him for a while before sighing. "The skirt is short. I won't feel comfortable wearing it while serving the crowd."

"I can't change policies for you. For someone who tried to kill me." I rolled my eyes as he said the last part, and then he continued, "If you have to work here then you have to wear the uniform."

"Give me something else then. A longer skirt like Edith's skirt or pants."

"No." He says in a firm voice.

I chew on nothing as I stare at him in hate. Stupid of me to think he would help. He's no angel, remember? "Whatever." I attempt to start walking out but stop when he speaks again.

"Do you know why you're working here, Bianca?"

"It's the sweet punishment your father chose to give me for trying to kill his precious son."

"No." I raised a brow at him, waiting for the excuse he was going to give for his father. "He wants you to work on your manners."

I scoff. "My manners? and he made me work under you." Mission impossible. "And what do you think, Nico?"

He's quiet, watching me with his usual blank face. I wonder how he managed to do it because, for me, my facial expression speaks before my mouth thinks of speaking. "I don't think so, but I'm sure you're glad you get to leave the house more often now."

"I am." I pop my mouth and take a look at him, now noticing the simple white half-sleeve polo he wore with wide-leg sweatpants and a pam. "That's pretty quick and casual," I say, now thinking of the short amount of time it took him to get here.

"I live here in my penthouse."

"You shouldn't trust me with where you live," I say, my eyes moving to his slick hair.

"You're harmless to me."

"Can't believe you still think that. You're too confident for a man who can't harm a lady."

"You underestimate me too much."

"Yeah you've told me that bef..." I jump in shock at the sound of a gunshot. I widen my eyes and look behind me at the broken part of the tiled wall.

"Is that enough evidence?" He raised a brow and I looked at the gun he tapped on his leg.

I can't believe he brought a gun to meet me. "Not close. You shot a wall. Can you even shoot at me?" I raise a brow too at him, daring his guts.

"Bianca you should leave." He says but I didn't take it as a warning.

"Exactly. That's what cowa..." I gasp as his gun comes in contact with the sleeve of my polo shirt. It doesn't touch my skin but it cuts my sleeve.

I glower at him as he keeps his gun back in his belly holster. I say nothing and walk to the door.

"You were late today Bianca. It shouldn't repeat itself."

"Watch me tomorrow, boss," I say and bang the door shut.

"That didn't go well," Marco says the moment I walk out. I ignore him and make my way back to the club.

"It is where you left it," Edith says with a smug on her face. First day at work and I'm already hating the people here.

The problem is either them or me, but I'd rather kiss Salvatore's feet than accept I'm the problem.

I take my time to change into the uniform. There was a full-body mirror behind the door so I looked at myself and how ridiculous the uniform looked. I comb my hair with my hand and adjust it on my shoulders before walking out to meet Edith.

"You'll work as a barback waitress." She informs me handing a waist apron to me. "Your tag will be available in two days." I walk behind her to a tall-skinned man. Who glances at us and then back at the lady he is attending to. "Max." She calls to him.

"Yes, Edith." He answers but doesn't look our way and keeps attending to customers.

"She'll be working to assist you here as a barback waitress." She looks at me and gives me a weird look then looks back at Max. "She's new so put her through."

"Sure I will."

She turns to walk away, not after giving me a smile I knew was fake. She doesn't like me. It's no longer a secret that our feelings for each other are mutual.

"Sooo." I move closer to him. "What does a barback waitress do?" I stretch my lips to the side and stare at him with raised eyebrows.

"I'll tell you." He hands me a rag to clean the liquor that spilled on the quartz countertop.

I roll my eyes and take the rag. "Thanks." I sent him a tight smile and cleaned.

"You'll love it here." I gave him the look that showed it's impossible to love it here, with Edith as my head, Nico as my boss and how can I forget Marco the guy who's obsessed with my movements? "I mean the drama."

"Oh, I love a good drama." I smiled genuinely at him and watched him serve, helping him with whatever he needed. My phone beeped in my pocket making me look at Max.

"Phones aren't allowed during work hours. Don't let Edith see you."

I nod. "I'll be quick." I quickly took a step back to take my phone out of my skirt pocket. I expected it to be Bianca that's why I wanted to see the message but it wasn't. I decide to ignore the message as I see it's an unknown number but don't when I see the text.

Unknown number: I see you're learning fast.

I furrow my brows and look around the room till my eyes move up to see Nico standing on the mezzanine looking down at me with his phone in his hands.

Me: How did you get my number? I don't remember submitting my resume.

Nico: Save it as 'My boss'

Me: Oh, about that, I plan on deleting your number after texting or maybe while on it.

Nico: Do as you wish but don't cause trouble.

Me: Oh, I would.

I leave his chat. My phone beeps for a new message from him but I ignore it and turn off my phone. I don't look up at him but I feel his piercing gaze on me as I walk back to assist Max.

I think I'm starting to love it here.