SIXTEEN
Eric Ascot sat in a booth with Maruichi and his sons. They were sipping champagne and laughing up a storm. Maruichi was in his stylish couture dapper and played with a huge diamond on his right pinky. Eric mentioned the idea of a beautiful vacation and Maruichi unveiled his lethal charm.
“Don’t think I don’t understand your dilemma Eric, fugheddabout it. A woman wants to be pleased and I think taking her to San Tropez will be great for the both of you. Here’s to great living,” Maruichi said and raised his glass. The others at the table did likewise.
“May I suggest also that the south of Italy very romantic and there are some great resorts there…” Maruichi said kissing his own fingers.
Eric handed over a roll of twenty thousand dollars. Maruichi’s sons counted it.
“Shame on you guys.” Maruichi said with a slap to his son’s hand. “I’m sorry Eric but I’m afraid my boys are raised by myself. I have always taught them not to trust anyone. This a mere formality but it’s all worthwhile. Ah… my security boys that went with your niece reported there was a minor problem. Apparently, on Sunday evening a fight broke out in this Harlem apartment complex where a friend of your niece resides.”
“A fight? My niece was involved in a fight in Harlem. That’s crazy. What happened?”
“Well not much but a friend of your niece was fighting. We were able to squash it. But you know, that kind of protection we offer to rap groups because of gunplay, there are usually extra charges. This one we handled for you. Eric you understand don’t you? If this type of scenario happens again it gets added as business charges. I can’t control that, only you can.”
“You sure it was Sunday huh? Friends of my niece were fighting, huh?” Eric asked in disbelief. “And Dee was there? She didn’t…” Eric started and let his voice trailed off
“You met my girl? Of course you have,” Maruichi said Eric nodded.
“Maybe, I might have…”
“Anyway she’s got these ah… plans to become another MTV superstar…”
“And you want me to…?”
“If you could, please it would be a tremendous favor. Maybe we could talk about excusing tributes in exchange for a record deal. If you get a chance, think about it. Let me know, in a day or so,” Maruichi said and sipped.
“Hey dad, did you mention yet how them fucking cops trying to get that no good bastard out?”
“Yeah, Johnny here made some news. He found out that our man wants to sing for the government in order to be sprung from the can. The fucking bastard got some nerves, uh? Fugeddaboutit. We got our people to handle that thing with kids’ gloves. You follow me, Eric? That should be of no concern of yours, you got me?” Maruichi leaned over and patted Eric’s shoulder.
“Excuse me a second,” he said and walked away from the booth. Eric walked to the bar and dialed from his cell phone. He listened to the ring then after the outgoing message played, he spoke. “Soph, give me a call please.” He closed the phone and walked back to the booth where Maruichi was holding court.
“Oh Eric I was just telling the boys here, how important it is to have right people around you and that applies to marriage, even…”
“Absolutely,” Eric nodded approvingly. He saw another bottle of expensive champagne on the table. Knowing it was already on his tab, Eric poured another glass of the bubbly.
“Me, I believe in the law of omerti,” Maruichi said while sipping.
“What exactly is that?” Eric asked.
“It’s a code of silence established way back in da early times in Sicily,” Maruichi answered drinking the last of bubbly in the glass. “Here stateside, I’m afraid not too many people honor the code. Everybody from your wife, the mistress, friends, they all wanna belong to a choir. No honor…”
Eric wandered out the bar and into a waiting limo.
“Where to boss?” The chauffer asked.
“Drop me at the studio B. I’ve got some work to do.” Eric calmly said.
It was late and her eyes burned from the strain of a tense day, Sophia checked the message and decided to return Eric’s call right away. She did not want him to know that she had been dodging him. All he does is stay in the studio, she thought as she dialed his number.
“I’m returning your call,” she said desperately holding down the thrill she felt after hearing his voice. “Eric, what is it? What’s wrong? I’ve been working all day, but I’m all ears… I’m here,” she said after awhile. I can’t give you a complete answer right now. Maybe I’ll have to work or you know… I’ve got couple trials that I’ve got to prep for and… Not that it’ll cost me my job. It’s, it’s just that… I’ll call and let you know, all right Eric. I must get some rest, so goodnight, Eric. I’ll call and confirm, all right.”
Eyes closed, yet wide awake while resting on her back, Sophia kept on asking herself repeatedly: ‘Why did I answer his call?’ The answer never materialized and the question nagged and kept her up most of the night. She analyzed her situation and made the call at about three in the morning. By then there was no one else in the studio but Eric. Sophia knew that he relished working on his music alone. The phone rang once then twice.
“Eric, Eric,” she said hurriedly afraid to be stopped. “I’ll meet with you over the weekend,” she hung up without waiting for an answer.
