The Mafia Boss's Pretend Wife

Chapter two

Prologue

Chapter two

Vivienne Hart POV

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I hate the winters, the snow, the cold, everything attached to it. Even though I'm wearing two layered sweaters, it feels like it's not enough. It's never enough when the weather feels crushing, and you feel trapped in your clothes. The coldness makes me feel numb, and I hate feeling that. The way my body just feels like a walking mannequin who barely speaks and has difficulty moving around.

Like I have lost my power to actually feel anything. I stop for a second to see the street name, so I don't get lost on the wrong track, and when I confirm that I'm on the right track, I continue walking. It's afternoon, but it's already cloudy in the sun. People are moving around in a rush and looking at them, I don't understand why I feel so stuck in my life that I feel like I'm dragging myself through the days.

I recently had to move to New York City. Mainly seeking employment and wanting to start my life over. But no part of me was ready for this change. I feel different from others, I feel different myself like I don't know who I am, to be honest.

When I was six, I lost my mother to cancer. She was battling her final days on the hospital bed worrying about me and I never knew my father. Never knew what his name was or anything about him, and no one came looking for me, claiming to be my father. My childhood days were mainly spent at the hospital. My mother was sick, and I used to lay next to her and color my books like a good girl who didn't seek to cause any trouble. That's how I picked my passion to paint, to sketch, it helped me communicate better as I always had difficulty speaking and expressing my feelings through words. It's nothing to do with my desire to speak, but I always go quiet thinking no one wants to hear me. That fear always shuts me off even before I can open my lips.

Once my mother was gone, I was sent to my grandparents house, who were my only living relatives. Even though they provided me with shelter and school with other necessities, I couldn't help but feel anything for them. They cared for me, but I always felt out of my skin around them. I barely spoke to them, I used to bury my head staring at my little hands when they would treat me nice. But they used to always ask me how school was, and I had started to open up to them. Through the years I stayed with them, I had accepted them as my family and had started to grow towards them.

They made me feel safe. That was until one night when I woke to their loud cries. When I rushed out of my room, I saw my grandmother being beaten while my grandfather was laying dead..

I was only twelve years old.

The case was closed saying it was a suicide, but I know it wasn't. I tried to tell it to people, to the officers who had asked me a few questions, but all of them looked at me thinking I was crazy, like I had gone mad after the accident. I told the same to my warden, who asked me to just keep quiet because there wasn't any proof to go with my words. Eventually, the truth felt like one of my hunting nightmares. I couldn't differentiate between reality and a nightmare anymore.

That night still haunts me, a part of me got shut that night. Now I barely speak, many people thought I was mute back at my orphanage, except my best friend Linda.

Linda and I shared everything. Well, she did, but I always listened to her and imagined how it would be to live like her. She always paid attention to me, dragged me along with her outside the room, asking to just chill. But I always admired her social skills. And wondered why I couldn't be something like that to live life in a better way.

To Live a life where you could express your mind, laugh at stupidness, smile at everything. However, I can never be like that. I always called Linda a blooming flower, that brightens the day. While I was just a dark flower which is about to die because it doesn't feel alive.

My thoughts are broken as I almost bump into the moving van, my whole body goes still

“Where the f**k do you think you are going, b***h?

Can't you see?” The driver puts his head out as he barks at me, and I fist my palms nervously. The loud voice of the stranger sends a fear in me as I look around to see a few of the passengers looking at me like they have seen this enough times.

And I just go blank..

Like my whole body shuts down, the driver continues his verbal curses.

“Leave the girl alone. She's new here”

I feel a hand on top of my shoulder and when I look to see who it is…

“Then keep her inside and ask her not to walk in front of moving vehicles. Not unless she wants to die.

She just ruined my f*****g day, that crazy b***h” the driver yells again before he drives away and I look at my club owner, Mr. Marshall who just rescued me.

“Are you alright, Vivienne?” He asks, and I notice a sense of concern in his voice.

And I step back, knowing his hand is still resting on my shoulder.

“I am. Thank you” I struggled to finish my sentence. My words are broken and I can barely speak. It has to do something with my anxiety, that just makes my voice shiver, and it sounds awful to even my ears.

“It's okay, don't take any trouble. Come on, I'll have Mindy mentor you since it's your first day at work.

And just know that you will have three months as your probation period. Meaning, if your work is not satisfactory we will have to let you go with a notice. But I'm sure you will do well”

He mentions as he motions me to walk towards the club

And I do

This was the only job I could get, considering I only finished school. I had no plans for collegein fact, I never thought about college at all. I focused on my school, but I was more interested in painting. I guess I thought I could stay forever at the orphan home. That was until the warden called me to tell me that since I was turning eighteen, I should find my way out of the orphanage and go out into the world. And create my destiny.

Destiny, the word itself feels illusional, like a concept I never understand just like life.

But she did encourage me to go back if things failed. I was ready to move out, but I didn't know where. That's when Linda told me that she will be moving to New York since her boyfriend is here, and he has got a job for her. That they will be living together.

When I looked at her, my heart almost dropped at the thought of being alone in the world, I never knew.

But she was kind enough to ask me to go along with her, and that's what I did.

I followed Linda to New York, now I'm sharing a room with her. Well, I only use the couch and the bathroom, since Linda and her boyfriend get the room. But I can't be dependent on them, that's why I am trying for a job. Or I was considering having this now.

And Mr. Marshall said I can work here, considering they were looking out for someone to fill the vacancy. Since a girl who was working before got pregnant and couldn't keep her job Anymore. He wanted someone who can start off immediately, and I was that, so he offered me this job.

Now I have three months to prove to him, I can do this and seal my place at the work.

“Windy, this is the new girl I was telling you about. She has a problem, she can't speak well. Go easy on her and let her watch first. Ask the other girls to be nice to her, don't scare her off okay?”

Mr. Marshall speaks to the red haired girl, named Windy, before he leaves me with her.

“You can't speak?” She arches a brow, chewing on her bubble gum. I notice the suspicious stare at me.

“I ca-n…

It's just i FI…nnd it... Difficult” I utter my words, swallowing the lump in my throat as she eyes me up and down.

“I'm not sure why Larry Marshall would hire someone like you. But maybe he found your ass cute. He always has a thing for young girls.

By the way, how old are you?” She asks and before I can answer her, she starts to walk towards the bar.

“Follow me” she mentions and I comply

The place is empty for now, but it will get crowded in the evenings. Linda always tells me about these clubs, the parties, the buzz of enjoyment.

"You will be working in the kitchen for the first few weeks. But soon you will be behind the bar, serving drinks.

Always remember to be polite to the customers, regardless of their behavior.

And the clothes you are wearing?

Will not go with the place.

Find a better bra that will make your boobs stand out and also, clean up well.

Short skirts and crop tops are what we wear. Along with high heels that will just make you look tall. And sexy. Get your nails done, also pick a nice pair of stockings. If you need anything, you can ask me or anyone around. But they aren't as nice as me” she mentions, in a breath

And I look at her, surprised. Half of her words just go over my head.

I knew I would be working behind the bar because when I applied, I knew they required a waitress but..

“Do you have a problem with the dress code?” She asks, noticing me.

But I quickly shake my head.

I can't afford to lose my job. Mainly because I would rather not live with Linda and her boyfriend Jim anymore. I don't like the way he sees me…

I feel uncomfortable when he's around, nervousness around him. However I will never tell Linda about that. She might just call me crazy. That I am making things up.

“Good. Now, go learn how to make drinks” Windy pats my shoulder as she leaves.