Chapter 7: Fake it

“Work for you?” Meredith Gomez spat the words like it was the funniest phrase she had heard in her life. “Gustav, right?”

The man nodded.

“Look at me. Do I strike you like I’d be someone working for a gang?” she laughed at the preposition given to her because she knew she wasn’t the right person for the job. “Sir, I don’t want to burst your bubble and break the news to you---but you see, everyone in East Harlem knows me. They won’t buy anything from me even if I hit the item smack in their noses thinking it’s finely ground salt.”

Once again, Gustav remained unbothered by her reasons. Meredith, who found the idea hilarious couldn’t help but to shake her head. While she may have agreed to do anything for Dixon, she ought to have extremes and as early as now, while their deal wasn’t verbally official just yet, she might as well clear some things to the man who holds the upper hand this time.

After what seemed like an eternity of fidgeting her fingers and Gustav staring at her from head to foot, which made her uncomfortable, she heard him pucker his lips. The mob boss have finally reached a verdict, one that Meredith hopes does not involve anything with drugs and guns or prostitution.

*Oh, God. Please, don’t make him think that I look good in his clubs. I am not entirely sure if he owns one, but men like him who sells drugs will probably dip his fingers on other pies…like bars and women and..Meredith prayed again. Because that is all that she could do right now.*

“That is not what I have in mind.”

“Talk to me, tell me what you have in mind and let’s get this on, whatever it is.” She was clearly trying her best to stay calm, composed and firm all at the same time, but Gustav knew what she was doing. He had seen so many people play this act before and the next minute---Gustav managed to break into the strong facade they were trying to portray.

He wanted to see how long this petite woman could handle his mind games. “Meredith, you have a lovely name. You are young and, if properly dressed and trained, you could compete with all the women who walks New York with class and finesse. Are you aware of that?”

“Is this some sick joke?”

“Why?” Gustav said flatly, containing his amusement.

“You took my brother and you said you wanted me to work for you and now you criticize my clothes and the way I look. What is this, fucking America’s next top model?”

A smile curved on his Cuban cigar-burned lips. She’s got humor and she’s feisty. She’s perfect for the role he had in store for her. The truth was, the entire plan unfolded to him like a daydream. He had spent weeks on end on finding the perfect plan to get what he wanted.

Gustav asked his men to profile all the person working for him and all the immediate family members and three women had popped up to his standards but the other lack the luster of intelligence which Meredith has. The woman is street smart and seeing how much she values her younger brother was the perfect driving tool to make her bend.

This made it more interesting for Gustav. In his many, many years in the business, he had never looked at women equally. To him, they were nothing but toys to fulfill his carnal desires but he was never in a serious commitment with any of them. Back in the days, women can be either an asset or your worst nightmare or maybe both. If he was younger, he’d take Meredith because she is a feisty little thing to reckon with.

“Um, no.”

She leaned forward, “tell me what you want.”

“Meredith, I commend your boldness, but let me tell you one very important detail, once we begin, there is no turning back.”

“No turning back,” she repeated, not leaving his eyes, “I got that part already, what is this job?”

“I won’t tell you want exactly.”

“What?” She blurted out.

“...but,” he interjected, “what I can tell you is that I am willing to compromise.”

“Stop mincing words with me. I am not a child.” Meredith spat.

“You can take your brother home tonight---”

“Are you serious?!” She stood up and almost was in the process off hugging the man who was behind their kidnapping. Meredith stopped midway and sunk back to her seat.”Is this for real? Thank you! Thank you! Do you accept Venmo as payment?”

Gustav snorted, she’s pathetically funny. It only assured him that this woman sitting in front of him had no prior dealings with the mob or any organization. She’s like an alien in his world and that makes her more valuable. Meredith Gomez is a clean slate and that is on his favor.

“Yes, but there’s a catch.”

“I’ll be damned if there wasn’t any,” she sounded disappointed but she was smiling when he told her that she’s going to see her brother after their meeting tonight.

He was a man of many resources and connection, but he was not settling for less. If there was anyone who was more capable of running the drug trade in New York, it was him and not the man he despises a lot.

A manila envelope lay on the glass center table that separates Gustav and Meredith. He shoved the envelope on her side of the table. Her eyes moved from him to the envelope. “Open it.”

Inside was a half body shot of a very good looking man who could be perfect in Meredith’s opinion if he would only smile. It’s a professional photo and she swears she had seen his handsome face somewhere.

Meredith inserted the photo again and laid it gently back on the table. “Who is he?”

“Conrad Knight. He’s your job.”

“My what??”