The Mafia's Lover Is A Detective

Liliana rose from her bed as soon as the alarm screamed 5:00 am, she yawned loudly as she stretched her hands wide. "Good morning world," She said as she arranged her bed, after the arrangements, she went into the bathroom to brush her teeth. She smiled in satisfaction as she rinsed her teeth with water. "Another busy day," She murmured as she went through her wardrobe, searching for which cloth to wear. After a while, she picked a blue shirt and a black pants. She went to her dressing table to redo her hair, she packed it into a ponytail. She applied a light makeup on her face, then smiled.

She stood up from the dressing table, heading towards the kitchen. She opened the fridge when she got to the kitchen, expecting to find something to eat that morning. But she was disappointed at what she saw. "Not again," She cried without tears, there was nothing in the fridge, not even a single fruit. She closed the fridge and went out of the kitchen, feeling frustrated. "Who knows when next I'm going to fill you," She murmured as she carried her bag and went out of the house. She locked the door before leaving. She had no car, which meant that she was going to take a taxi to the office. She flagged down a taxi and got into it. "Good morning, ma'am," the taxi driver greeted. "Good morning Sir," She replied and beamed a smile at him. "Where to?" He asked, and she told him her destination, the driver then took off to her office. - - - - - "Loretta's here!" Ada screamed in joy when she saw Liliana, she ran quickly and hugged Lily. "Good morning, Loretta ," Sam greeted as he opened his hand for a hug. Loretta smiled and hugged him. "Good morning, Sam," She replied and broke the hug. "We all miss you," Ada said and hugged Loretta again. "And I missed you all too," Loretta replied. She was assigned to a job which took most of her time, she was given a leave for a week just to investigate the case of a murder. Now, she was back with the results. She smirked proudly as she thought of her adventure while investigating the murderer secretly. She went through a lot, but got the information she needed. She went to her table with Sam and Ada following behind her. She shook her head as she laughed at how childish her friends were acting around her. She knew they missed her, but they were overdoing it, but she didn't blame them as who wouldn't miss someone like her. She finally sat down to eat the food that was already nearly arranged for her to eat from. "How has work been?" Sam asked, starting up a conversation. She looked deeply into his eyes, and she couldn't get what the intense stare was for, but she shrugged it off. "Trust me, it has been better and stressful." She replied gently, taking a sip of drink, but didn't touch any food. "Why aren't you eating." Ada asked, outing her lips: She did spend a lot of time making these for her, and she thought that she probably didn't like it. "Nothing, I'm not just hungry, but it doesn't mean your food is not good." She replied with a smile, but still didn't touch a single piece of the food. Her whole mind has been on her latest mission; she couldn't wait to report to her boss and tell her what she had gotten. She worked so hard and she was certain that she just bagged a promotion. "Can't you tell us more about your work?" Ada asked with a full smile plastered on her face. "That will be later guys since I have so much to say," She replied. Just then, Clara, Loretta'sbest friend, came in. She was sweating profusely, she walked over to Loretta's desk. "What's wrong?" Loretta asked, looking alerted, Clara was panting heavily as she held her chest. "Nothing much," Clara replied. "I was running because I was late for work," She added. "Loretta, the boss requests for you to be in his office now," One of her colleagues said, Loretta hissed in annoyance while Clara chuckled at her friend. "Get lost!" Loretta snapped and stood up from her seat, she wasn't sure what the boss wanted again. She got to his office and knocked, she was ushered to come in. "Good morning, Sir," She said. "Take a look at this," The boss threw a file on his desk to her, Loretta took the file and read through it carefully. Her brows creased as she read through the file. She dropped the file back on the table when she was done reading it. "Why am I being shown this, Sir?" She asked, hoping he won't assign her to the task. It was a boring task, to investigate a house robbery. Isa tsk! She had always preferred a dangerous and adventurous tasks, not some house robbery. "You know what to do, detective Moretti," The boss replied. "I don't know, Sir," Loretta replied, feigning ignorance. The boss exhaled loudly as he stared at it with interest. "You don't know, or you don't want to investigate the house robbery?" He asked. "I'll pass, Sir," She said. "I've just resumed work after a week task that I was assigned to, don't you think I need to rest sir?" She asked. The boss smiled a little and brought out another file, he threw it on his desk. "You've always wanted this," He said and smirked, Loretta frowned and picked up the file. She grinned widely as she read it. Finally, the task she has always wanted has been assigned to her. "Is there any other thing I need to know about him?" She asked with a smirk. "Read through the file, that's the only thing we could gather for now." He replied. "Ethan," she murmured as she fumbled with the file. "I'm coming for you..."

"Hey babe, let's go to the bar tonight." Clara said when she got to Loretta's desk. Loretta raised her head when she heard her friend's voice. " It's not the weekend." She replied. Clara rolled her eyes," Don't be a sour puss, one can go to the bar any day. It doesn't have on Friday." She replied. Loretta was an old soul in a young body. "You have to go without me. I have a lot to do." she whined. " So, do I, I just need to hit the club tonight. Please go with me." Clara pleaded with a puppy dog face.

When she saw that Loretta wasn't going to budge, she." What case are you even working on?" " I have a..." Loretta trailed off. It was a secret investigation, moreover she wanted to prove that she could do it. " What?" She attempted to peep over the counter. " Nothing." Loretta shut the file on her desk. " Award winner of the year. It won't kill you. Just with me. You don't have to drink, I promise." Clara said with a pout. Loretta groaned," Don't you have other friends?" " No, you are the only one that I have. My friend since forever." Loretta laughed," Is this supposed to convince me? You look ridiculous" She said. Clara gasped, "No way! I know I look good. Have you seen this?" She twirled around, sticking her ass out. " I only see someone who is full of herself." Loretta replied to knock her friend's ego down a notch. She was beautiful by all standards. " I know a hater when I see one." Clara waved her off, "Is that a yes?" " I'll think about it." " Meet me at 'Desires' at 7pm." " I have not agreed to this." Loretta protested. " I love you too, muah." Clara called as she returned to her office. Loretta shook her head, Clara was a handful. There was a lot that they could do, and this wasn't one of them. She returned her focus on the file in front of her. The Murder of Mr. Shawn. She went through the statement, and a name caught her attention. The Desires Bar. It was highlighted. Desires Bar? The same one that Clara told them to go to tonight. She was so down about it. " I'll meet you after work." She texted Clara. Her reply came almost immediately, and she could almost imagine her grinning. Luckily, she didn't ask why she changed her mind... " I am the most persuasive person. It's no wonder how I manage to get information." She replied. Loretta rolled her eyes, if it wasn't for her agenda, she would be in her house sleeping and sipping a drink. That was what she planned to do when she got home. At seven p.m, Loretta arrived at the bar. A bouncer opened the door for her as expected since it was a private bar. She scanned the area. It was not too crowded. Music blared from the speakers. It had a posh feel. People were sipping on their drinks. Clara waved when she noticed her presence. She walked toward her direction. She was in a secluded area with two of her friends. Trust Clara to bring the world out when she is going to have drinks. Didn't she say it was going to be only the both of them? " Hey, girls." Loretta greeted with a cheerful tone when she reached the table. She exchanged a kiss on the cheek with each of the girls. Amy and Ava smiled in return. " Hey, darer. I think you missed me." Clara replied with a slurred tone. Loretta trained her gaze on her, "You are drunk. When did you get here?" She asked as they made space for her to sit on the sofa. Clara shook her head, trying to remember the time she got here. " An hour ago or so. I'm fine, just a little tipsy. I can still walk perfectly in heels." " Right." She replied, and the other two girls laughed. " She dragged our asses out here." " So, what are we celebrating?" Loretta inquired. " Life, love, happiness." Clara replied with a haziness. " Gosh, you are such a mess. You need to go home." Loretta suggested. " No way, I called for the meeting, my only mistake was drinking before you girl an arrived." Clara refused. " Okay, I'll leave you alone." Loretta said and turned to the other girls, they chatted about everything that had been going on. " You abandoned us." Amy said, after the conversation. " Of course not, I would never. I've just been busy with -" " Work, we know. We are the jobless bunch." Ava replied with a teasing smile. " You should know that it's absolutely not what you think. You know that, right?" She asked. " Yeah, we are just kidding. Aren't you going to drink anything?" Ava asked in curiosity. " No, one of us has to be sober to take - her home" She nodded at Clara whose eyes were closing. " True." They chorused. By the time, she turned, Clara had collapsed, and Loretta retreated. ******* " Oh my world! I feel so drained." Clara complained the next morning when Loretta went to see her in her office. " You didn't complain when you were chugging down that bottle of beer last night." " Well, I enjoyed every it of the night, didn't you?" Clara asked. " No, I am well, sane and not having a hangover." Loretta replied as she handed over a sachet of Tylenol to Clara. "You are lucky the boss is not in. What excuse do you have for this tardiness?" She asked. The unopened files showed that she had not done anything. " Stop yelling at me." " Are you kidding me right now? You better pick up before the boss arrives." " Why are you here?" Clara inquired. Loretta rarely left her workstation for another, except it was an official assignment. In fact, she worked immediately she arrived at the office. " I am a good friend, obviously. I came to check up on a friend who refused to know her alcohol limit, and made a fool of herself last night." Loretta laughed. " You don't mean that." " I do, and I would like to say I told you so." She said, smirking evilly. " Rub it in my face, why don't you?" Clara said, bowing her head dejectedly. Loretta smiled," I got it on camera." Clara's head shot up faster than a bolt of lightning. " No, way." She gasped when Loretta showed her the video of herself dancing with a bottle and muttering gibberish."What's wrong?" Clara asked as Loretta walked back into the lounge with an angry expression, Loretta slumped on the sofa and dropped her book and pen on the table.

" How did I get home last night?"

" That reminds me, you owe me for playing the role of a chauffeur."

" You will be my maid of honor."

Loretta rolled her eyes," That is not even in ten years time." She joked.

Clara's mouth fell open, "I will get married sooner than you think."

" We can only hope so." She replied.

" Why are you here?" Clara inquired again. She noticed the worried look on Loretta's face. Beneath their banter, something bothered her.

Loretta looked sideways to check if anyone was listening.

" What do you know about Desires?"

" The Bar?" Clara scrunched up her forehead.

Loretta stared at her. " Of course, the bar." She replied. The effect of yesterday's hangout was showing in her friend's inability to think fast.

" It's a private bar, and for the elite and semi-elite."

" Is that all?" She asked.

" Yes, is there any problem?"

" Do you know the owner?" Loretta inquired.

" No, what is going on?" Clara asked, her interest was piqued.

" I heard it is a cover-up for the mafia business."

" How did you get to know that?"

" I have my sources." Loretta replied, Clara certainly would not expect her to reveal her sources. Anyone could be bought.

" I am visiting the bar tomorrow. I have some digging tomorrow."

" Don't go. They'll notice you sniffing around." Clara tried to talk her out of her decision.

" What is it to you? Do you have any intel on the bar?" She asked.

Clara shook her head, this was the mafia they were referring to. They were well-connected, and would squash Loretta if granted the opportunity.

" What if you get caught? You will be asking questions at the bar, yes?"

"Yeah, he is affiliated with a case. I will get them, and put them behind bars." She vowed.

" Let another person handle this case." Clara advised.

" That's an insult, I will get them, I promise." She said.

Clara sighed, she couldn't talk much today because she was exhausted," Okay. Since that is what you want to do. How can I be of help?"

" We will go to the bar together tonight. No drinking, just watching my back. We will be asking harmless questions. Dress prettily." She replied.

" When do I ever not look lovely?" She asked.

" Today." Loretta replied and they burst into laughter.

Loretta couldn't wait until seven p.m. that evening. She heard that the men came to do their business on Tuesdays and Fridays.

" I can't see anyone yet. These are normal people." Clara commented after an hour. She drank a lot of soda water.

" They'll come, we just have to wait." She replied.

" Maybe the source was lying." Clara tried again, and Loretta groaned.

" Do you want to go home?" She asked.

Clara nodded sheepishly. " Yeah, but..."

" It's fine." She replied, and watched her friend exit the bar. She was alone. Furthermore, she was waiting for people to be drunk before she started asking questions.

After being able to gather some info about how this bar came into existence, its license, when she attempted to ask about the underground business. A lot of people moved away. She was running in circles.

With a frustrated sigh, she marched to the bar with her pen and notepad in hand. She pulled out a high bar stool and climbed on it. The height difference was obvious because of the heels she wore.

The bartender turned and gave her a professional smile. " Good evening, ma'am. What may I get you?" He asked.

" Give her a glass of your most expensive champagne." A very deep male voice spoke behind her.

Loretta turned to see who it was, a very tall stranger with broad shoulders.

" Coming right up, sir."

"I will pass, please." Loretta attempted to leave when he grabbed her hand. His palm was warm, and the hotness was transferred to Loretta. What the hell? She thought, and her eyes fell on their hands. He had nice fingers, though. He could also be one of those people who drugged unsuspecting girls.

She looked at him subtly, watching as the drink went down his throat. Never did she think that the Adam apple could be sexy. He was wearing a blue suit, which accentuated his six-pack figure. She saw his lips lift up in a smirk when he caught her staring.

" What?" She asked.

" It's not poisoned if that's what you are afraid of." He spoke. He had not removed his shades. Who wears shades in a semi-dark environment? Something told her that he was hiding. What was he hiding from.

" What is your name?" She asked.

The stranger smiled, she looked like a new patron, and had the face of an innocent cat.

" Champagne, right here, sir." The bartender said.

The stranger sipped his drink like that, and passed the glass cup toward Loretta.

She waited for some minutes before looking up. Then Loretta did what she never thought she would do, what she did. She took the cup and downed it all in a gulp. In a minute.

" Impressive." The stranger said, smiling a bit.

" Remove your shades." Loretta instructed, and scanned the bar for the people she was waiting for.

" Follow me home." He invited, and Loretta's head shot up.

"Why should I?"She asked and sized him from head to toe.

"Because I asked," He replied, Loretta sneered at him.

" I don't follow strangers home." She replies, she created that rule since she was in college. No one would say she ever followed them home.

" Don't or won't?" He asked.

" Both. Thanks for your generosity." Loretta replied and stood up from the stool, making her way back to the lounge. The stranger grabbed her wrist, rubbing the back of her palm with his thumb.

"I'm not a bad-" Loretta didn't let him finish his statement, she yanked her wrist free from his grip and walked away, feeling disgusted.