Outsmarting The Mafia

The meet up

Henna arrived at the restaurant in a dark leather blouse and long dark pants, trying all she could to blend in with what the mafia basically dressed like. Giving herself a second look at the restaurant's reflective door, she'd seen herself dress more like an emo girl than a mafia. Wouldn't that give her guest the vibe if she was just a regular lady? Perhaps an emo fan. Her dark shade of lipstick and fake long eyelashes only made things worse. Do not remind her of the amount of hours she'd spent trying to figure out where the restaurant was.

Walking into the restaurant at the proposed time given, she'd sat on one of the empty seats and chose to wait patiently for this Simon guy. For minutes, she'd sat patiently watching every other person eat until she'd gotten impatient and made her way up.

"Please, I am supposed to meet Simon" Henna informed one of the waitresses, who had her eyes widened as if she'd known who she was referring to.

"Simon Gray?" She mentioned the full name, causing Henna to nod promptly.

"I am supposed to meet him today. He is taking too long… "

The waitress gave her a disappointed look.

" You should have informed me that you were coming to see him. I would have guided you to the club area where he is. He arrived an hour ago just for this meeting and asked me to direct anyone looking for him to the club. I had no clue he would be meeting up with a lady though. Come with me, let me take you to him."

She'd dropped a glass cup she held on the reception counter and led her through another door. Behind the white metallic door was hidden a club, which had a couple of visitors dancing their butts off on the dance floor. The walls must be soundproofed due to how well they prevent the loud music from penetrating past the wall to the main restaurant. Just imagine the number of customers they would lose.

"Do you know what he looks like?" The waiter yelled underneath the loud music, trying to ensure Henna heard what she'd said.

"No" Henna confessed, gazing at all the unfamiliar faces and imagining Simon to be one of them.

"He is the guy seated at the bar counter." The waiter had her finger pointed to the bar counter.

Henna's eyes motioned to the direction of the bar counter and he nodded, realizing there was only one guest who'd refused to dance. Had she been silly? Of course, he'd worn a suit and fidgeted with his hot drink, just as classy men do. He had to be the one.

She thanked the waitress. Ensuring she was calm and ready to take the risk she had planned out for, she'd made her way to him with a smile on her lips. She'd sat before him with her legs crossed as she'd waved to the waiter for a drink.

If she wished to get help, she had to blend in. Simon offered her a glimpse and gazed away.

"I do not need a hooker" he said bluntly, having a sip of his drink. Her face squeezed in anger.

"I am not a hooker. I am the guest you're waiting for". She introduced herself as confidently as she could. He gave her a thorough check and sighed.

"I am sorry but… "

"You must be Simon Gray"

He said nothing to her.

"I know you expected a male. I understand because that male was supposed to be my father. But you need to know that I work with my father as well. I know his business and everything he does. I know the movements of the Mafia and their secrets. All I need right now is your help. I've got a plan which can favour us both"

Simon's nonchalant look changed into delight on hearing what she'd said. He promptly lost interest in his drink and turned his focus on her.

"I see. Do the mafias dress like emos?" He mocked, offering her a sarcastic look. She smacked her lips.

"Forget about the way I dress..."

"You're addressed by the way you dress"

"Look, my dad is in trouble right now, and I need you to snitch on your boss for me."

"Sounds very easy..." He didn't look encouraged at all.

"The AGRE Mafia took my father last night. It all happened too fast. I never even realized what was going on until Hoggins… I guess that was his name, informed me of my dad's secret. I never realized my dad was a Mafia. I didn't even realize that was how he fended for me all these years"

"Xoho is a crazy city. It's futuristic but dangerous. It's no surprise everyone fears the Mafia right now. They're taking over the economy, unfortunately. They are so powerful to the extent the security have no clue how to bring them down."

"I didn't realize that," Henna confessed. Simon grabbed his drink.

"I see you're just a daughter of a Mafia member, but not part of the Mafia. Your mission to rescue your dad is a risky one. You could be killed while you try."

" It's either I die or my daddy dies"

"Or you both end up dead."

Henna groaned.

"I can't just sit at home and do nothing. I have to help in everyway I can"

"That's the problem. I never told you not to help. All I am trying to warn you about is the risk. When you join this battle, you will be under their radar. Both the Golden Mafia and AGRE will hunt down your head. You won't be safe from any of them"

"I still need to do something"

" They are very dangerous people."

" You work with them. You should know how to help me out."

Realizing how stubborn she was, Simon nodded and gestured that she should move closer to him. At first she was confused about why, but she'd obeyed anyway.

"I know you're surprised at why I asked you to come closer. This ought to be a secret discussion. Unfortunately, there could be a spy anywhere" he'd informed her, trying hard to keep his voice low. She nodded.

"Here's the thing… " He continued. "I am ready to help you find your father, but first you need to inform me everything and how he had a deal with the AGRE. The conversations, disputes… I want to know everything.

"I have some information with me now, if that can help."

She'd pulled out the note and she scribbled down terms from the letter.

"Golden dung I see" He nodded as he read through it. " I think I understand what is going on here."

Henna felt rays of hope hearing this.

"Tell me what's going on. How can I save my father?"

" We cannot discuss it here. The walls have ears, remember? Come over to my apartment tomorrow. I will discuss this with you deeply and introduce you to the main Mafia team."

A smile formed on Henna's lips at the sound of this.

" Will you really do that for me? "

"Yes. I will. But I hope the gang will like you though."

" I do not know how to thank you enough for this… "

"It's fine. You do not need to sound that old thank you stuff. I get disgusted by it. I am doing this for your father and for the Mafia. Remember though that this carries a lot of risk. You could end dead before you try up."

His statement frightened Henna a bit, but she hadn't thought of giving up that easily. She'd collected his home address and slipped it in her pocket.

"And please, do not dress like an Emo tomorrow. Wear something more casual. You aren't a Mafia Lord, are you?