part0007

The sunlight, found its way through the half-closed shutters, pointing directly at the young woman’s face. She opened her eyes and stretched slowly across her silk sheets. The woman woke up before the alarm, as usual, and sat up. Her family’s maids have already cleaned her room. She stretched again and sleepily headed towards the bathroom. Now, her morning routine started.

The young woman brushed her teeth and spent at least 20 minutes brushing her long black hair. Afterward, she put on a little makeup and quickly got dressed. She headed downstairs to the smell of eggs and bacon filling her nostrils; her mouth was watering. The woman entered the dining room and one of the maids was there, unfolding and laying out the tablecloths.

"Good morning, Miss Jessica. The usual?" the maid said. Jessica nodded and grabbed a seat on the far-right corner of the table.

"Yes, Maria. Thank you,” she yawned as she placed her head against the table, wanting so badly to sleep but she had work to do."Oh, and please bring me coffee,” she moaned, the sound of her voice was stifled by the table.

"Yes, Miss Jessica. Right away."

The maid came back carrying a salver with a plate with fried eggs, bacon, a glass of orange juice and cup of coffee. She set the plate down and quickly left the room after she bowed. Jessica didn't notice because her face was still on the table, half asleep. She lifted her head moments later and started eating.

Minutes later, the dining room door opened and an older woman came in. "Good morning my love! How come you’re awake so early?" the woman said grabbing a seat next to Jessica.

"I couldn't sleep well, Mama. Again!”

“Again? We should find out about those sleep problems of yours."

"I'm used to it, Mama."

"You are working too hard these days, my daughter.“

"The business isn't going to run itself, Mom."

"It's been only a few weeks since you came back. You should get some rest."

"I've rested enough back in Italy. It's time for work."

"Let your father and brother worry about that, sweetie. Too much work is not good for my little one."

"Well, I didn't get a law school degree for nothing. I have to do something with it."

"Good morning, Miss Christina.”

"Good morning, Maria! Please bring me a cup of coffee. I'll have breakfast later."

"Yes, Donna." The maid left.

"So, Degree or not, you are working too much. You're not twenty-one anymore. Enjoy some things in life."

"Mom, I swear, if this is another talk about me closing the door to motherhood, I will really flip out."

"Oh sweetie, I don't mean to meddle but it's been almost five years since…you know."

"Out of all days!? It's 8 o’clock, Mama. For Dio’s sake, let me enjoy my breakfast first."

Christina was shaken by her daughter's words. She reclined in her chair as silence overcame. That silence was broken when the maid brought back Christina’s coffee.

"There you go, Donna," the maid said.

Just two women sitting in the room and no one knew what to say next. Jessica finished up quickly and started leaving. "Tell Papa, I'm heading to the Harbor in a bit." Jessica closed the door to the dining room behind her, not waiting for her mother's reply.

Jessica got dressed and after thirty minutes, was in the driveway, waiting for the family driver to pull up. A black Cadillac Town Sedan pulled up and the driver; a man in his sixties dressed in a black suit, pulled down the windows smiling. He nodded and Jessica got upfront.

"Where to this morning, Miss Jessica?"

"To the New York Harbor, please," she said calmly looking out the window, still thinking about the conversation with her mother.

“Si, Donna Jessica,” The driver said revving up the engine.

It was an hour drive to New York Harbor and traffic was a busy for this Friday morning. Jessica was not in the mood for small-talk. She turned on the radio just to clear the air of the unbearable silence. She looked out the window as they passed by the city, seeing people heading for their normal jobs.

The driver cleared his throat. "So, how’s your morning going, Miss Jessica?"

"I heard you had a fight with your mother."

"Is there anything in our house that stays inside?”

"You'll have to blame Signora Maria for that."

"Well, it's none of your business, Paul.“

"I heard you were really hard on your mother, Miss Jessica."

"What else have you heard, Paul? Don't tell me how to behave, you’re not my father."

"I've been in this household for so long, Miss Jessica. I’ve practically fathered you as well."

"Practically. But you didn't. If you want to keep working for my family, please continue doing your job only."

Jessica turned up the radio's volume making any further conversation nearly impossible. The driver had a bitter smile.

"Don't pout, it's not good for the skin," Paul joked.

The radio’s volume was up high enough for Jessica to miss his remark.

"I'll be out in a couple of hours. Pick me up at 12 pm sharp," Jessica said slamming the door.

Jessica walked toward the main gate and the driver sped off avoiding the crowd of port workers. The smell of the harbor's sea filled her nostrils and the sun was blinding her. She covered her eyes with her hand as she pulled out sunglasses from her purse. The port was buzzing with noises and yelling.

"How can these people even work here?” Jessica muttered. She tried ignoring her intuitions and blocked out everything around her.

She walked through the tough-looking workers but were ordinary human beings working hard to make a living.

Out of nowhere, a stunning young Italian lady was now the center of attention. Jessica liked the eyes on her but to an extent. These men couldn't offer her something she didn't already have. The only reason for being here was the task at hand.

Jessica strolled to Pier 10A, where Elias, the port supervisor was stationed. The buzzing of the vehicles was giving Jessica a headache. She was already sick of this place. The smell of the sea mixed with the strong scent of petrol and fumes from the ships docking was annoying. She avoided the puddles inside the broken concrete from last night’s rain. When Jessica reached Pier 10A, she disguised her disgust and changed her mood to a smile, like a teenage girl going on a field trip. It was all part of the business.

Jessica entered, wearing sunglasses. She never met Elias. Before her, was an old man dressed in a green sweater. His tiny glasses made his nose seem so big.

“Good morning! What a wonderful day isn't it?" Jessica said.

“Yes, indeed. How can I help you, young lady?"

"How did you know, Miss?"

“Well, I’m Jessica and it's a pleasure to finally meet you, sir.“

"Are you with the Giulianis? Did they hire you as the new bookkeeper?"

"Hahaha, no, no Elias. On the contrary. I'm Jessica Lombardi."

"I'm here to discuss some family business with you. Just need a few minutes of your time,” Jessica said playfully taking off her sunglasses and putting them on Elias desk. Elias was shocked by this young woman's demeanor.

“How—may I help you?"

"You can start by telling me this. What do the Giulianis want from you?

"I don't work for the Giulianis, young woman. You've must be mistaken."

Jessica smiled, approached Elias from behind. She wrapped her arms around his skinny neck. "Come on, Elias. Are you not going to tell me?" Jessica said seductively in Elias' ear. She touched his chest feeling his heart was racing.

"What are you doing?! I’m a married man!”

Jessica returned back to her chair.

"Ok Elias, I tried the easy way, but let's cut the bullshit. I know you work for the Giulianis and they’re moving through your harbor so easily that even the homeless can't ignore. What are they paying you?"

“I told you, I'm not getting paid by anyone. I’m a hardworking man. Been here for thirty years and am about to retire.”

"Loyalty, an admirable trait for a man with such time in. Should I mention to our good policemen about this little operation of yours down here? One inspection and your entire career will disappear. You'll get buried and that sweet little pension of yours will go bye-bye.” Jessica smirked. “So, you what do they have on you? Tell me and maybe we could help."

“I—” Elias stuttered. "I knew this was a bad idea. Fuck!”

“So they are blackmailing you? Let us make it go away forever, Elias.“

"You can't. I'll lose my job—lose everything."

"What about your honor, your life, your children?”

"You wouldn't!" Elias said.

"We wouldn't if you were a little more cooperative, Mr. Elias. I'm trying to make you a deal, good for everyone.”

"Not for the Giulianis."

"Yeah, not for the Giulianis. So, what do they have on—”

Jessica couldn't finish her sentence as the door suddenly opened. A man dressed in a white suit entered wearing a white hat. His Italian suit was very expensive and his face was covered by his long hat. He raised his head, staring first at Elias, but quickly turned towards Jessica. His gazed lasted seconds which seemed like decades.

The man then looked back at Elias as if he was waiting for an explanation. Meanwhile, Jessica was ready to continue negotiating but was interrupted.

"This is Jessica, representing the Lombardi family," Elias said quickly as Jessica took her eyes from the man in the suit and looked at Elias. "

I can introduce myself, Mr. Elias, thank you." Jessica turned towards the man in the white suit. “I’m Jessica Lombardi and you are interrupting a very important meeting here."

The man's eyes widened at the family’s name as he smiled. Jessica wanted to slap that grin off of his face. There was a confidence in him that she hadn't seen except for the mafia bosses who entered her father’s home.

The man took off his hat and bowed. "How fortunate! I’m representing Mister Elias and came here to resolve an important matter. I'm Francesco Giuliani. It's a pleasure to meet you, Jessica.” The man then sat alongside Jessica. "Now, get me caught up.”