Music filled the air as the bass pounded, sending ripples of vibrations through the ground surrounding the nightclub. The “Red Door” was one of the most popular night destinations for those wanting high class treatment, liquors and entertainment, one that high class men and women visited nightly. It also sat just perfectly on the border of both the Amati and Scarlet Syndicate territory lines, how perfect, a middle ground, no man’s land. The line was almost always wrapped around the building, some dying to get a chance to glance inside, but at last, invitation and rich only. Inside the decor was dark, the only main light coming from above the bars and the deep burgundy lights of the dance floor placed in the middle. Bar top tables and stools lined the walls and open areas, leather couches strewn about as well. Everything read money, from the golden fixtures to the fine marbled counters of the bars. In the back, set above the main area up some stairs were the VIP Lounges, rooms of silence and secrets that only exclusive men and women were privileged to enjoy. The night had just barely started at this fine establishment, but the business was surely booming as customers flooded the dance floor and bars.

An employee door opened, letting the rush of warm air from inside mix with the cool, crisp air of the outside world. A slender female stepped inside, the lights inside rippling off her silky brunette hair, her bright eyes looking around to fellow coworkers. Her black cocktail dress fit against her frame, her matching black heels clicking softly against the tiled floor below as she walked to the wall of lockers before her. She gave kind greetings to some coworkers as she slipped her belongings inside her locker, touching up her makeup and running her fingers through her hair before closing the door, a metallic clink sounding. She sighed softly as she made her way to the floor, she knew tonight would be a long night, hell it was a Saturday, everyone and their mother would be out ready to drink and party their wallets away.

It was not long before Natalia made her way to her location, the VIP bar. She knew her job, she knew it well and customers preferred her and her crafted drinks. She took pride in it, being able to serve people well enough they came back for more. Natalia was a people person, she craved the knowledge of everyone and everything. She learned so much from simple conversations over the marbled bar top. One person could live a simple Nine to Five life, come here to drink their impending divorce away while the man beside him could be a world renowned traveler, someone who has traveled the world, met tribes in lands never heard of. Not two people were the same in Natalia’s eyes. Every person in that room held stories, secrets, dreams, so much detail that you could never grow bored.

Now some may ask what the daughter of the Amati bloodline was doing in a place like this serving drinks, her family was easily wealthy enough to live off of their savings rather than work for money. The answer was simple for Natalia. She wanted nothing to do with a life of banking her father was already swept up in. It was a bore to her, she had no interest. She wanted to live a life of excitement, journey, freedom. She wanted to earn money herself, to keep herself occupied rather than sit alone, being hidden from the world her father saw as cruel. She wanted to meet people who actually knew how to live.

Natalia knew better than to let her mind day dream, she had to tend to her job. With that she easily fell into her routine and craft, her steps quick but strategic as she moved around behind the bar and around her fellow coworker. She made conversation with some regulars, her bright smile bringing light to those around, and even bigger tabs. Everything was going well and as usual, maybe tonight would be an easier night.

With each passing hour the bar just grew in business, the music growing louder, the air growing humid, the typical night club. Natalia was zoned into her area, keeping a steady flow to keep the customer’s waits down. That was until a manager slipped behind the counter, tapping her shoulder softly to pull her to the side. Natalia looked up quickly as she was pulled from her trance, nodding as she set the last drink down before stepping back.

“I've just received word that we will be having a few high end members joining us tonight. I would like you to tend to them in their lounge once they arrive” Marcio said to Natalia, whispering in her ear.

“Me?” Natalia questioned, her head tilting slightly to the side. “Why not Veronica, she’s been here much longer than I?”

“Because, you are the most talented, you hold yourself with a professional aura rather than Veronica who uses her looks to cover her half-ass drinks.”

Natalia sighed, glancing at Veronica before back to Marcio, giving a small nod. Marcio smiled, handing her an earpiece so she could stay in touch. She was nervous, serving someone so prestige enough that Marcio came down from his office personally tonight? Especially after only working there a few weeks now. She shook her head, placing the earpiece in before going back to her position until she was needed. It was not long until she heard Marcio’s voice in her ear, alerting her that their special guest had arrived at his lounge. She sighed, her fingers growing clammy for a moment before alerting Veronica she was needed elsewhere.

Natalia excused herself before making her way upstairs to the lounges. The building felt silent now, the only sound was her heels clicking against the concrete floor as she grew closer and closer to the black silk curtains that created a private space around the lounge. Her golden honey eyes met with those of the body guard standing outside the entrance, his tall frame intimidating as he looked down to her.

“I will be serving our guests tonight” She said, keeping her nervous emotions locked up, replacing it with her bright smile. The man glanced her over once more before stepping to the side, opening the curtain for her.

Natalia’s frame slipped through the shadows and into the light of the lounge, inside a rounded leather couch sat, chairs on both sides, a glass table in the middle. A cigar box sat as well as crystal glasses on top, the lights dim but not too dark, the club below slightly toned out. Natalia stepped forward, standing straight and tall as she came to a stop. Her golden eyes looked to the men before her, not recognizing any of them before.

“Good Evening Gentleman” She said calmly, “My name is Natalia and I will be caring for you tonight, can I start you off with any refreshments?” She asked, her thick Italian accent showing through, her bright smile gracing her red lips. She held her hands softly in front of her as she examined each man, her fox like eyes taking in each and every detail, their faces, how they sat, their attire, any detail she could grasp on to.

As the evening wind continued its melodious dance, weaving its playful tunes through the bustling crowd steadily growing outside "The Red Door", a renowned nightclub reserved for the elite. The very soul of exclusivity, this establishment boasted opulent features such as shimmering marbled floors, a plethora of specialized bars offering a diverse array of libations, and an atmosphere that exuded affluence from every corner. Yet it wasn't just the extravagant facade that drew the wealthy and glamorous to this venue, but also the eclectic mix of individuals who frequented these premises - a smorgasbord of socialites, celebrities, and power players, each adding their own unique sparkle to the kaleidoscope of personalities that inhabited these hallowed walls. And let's not forget the equally intriguing staff members who moved through the throngs with an air of effortless sophistication, their mere presence elevating the already shimmering ambiance. Truly, "The Red Door" was not just a nightclub; it was a living, breathing entity, a confluence of luxury, intrigue, and excitement that captured the essence of the elite lifestyle, making it a magnet for those seeking a taste of extravagance at its finest.

Alessi Caballero, the secondborn son of The Scarlet Syndicate, an infamous mafia organization, had been specifically chosen by his father, the influential boss Aurelio Caballero, to conduct a discreet search within the opulent confines of this upscale establishment. Tasked with identifying potential high-end Amati members that could be of strategic value to their syndicate, Alessi's mission carried a weighty significance within the intricacies of his father's realm of power.

Notably, this exclusive nightclub was a hub of uncertain alliances and covert dealings, with Alessi’s father standing as a formidable figurehead alongside his rival mafia counterpart. This very night, Alessi found himself accompanied not only by his trusted friend and fellow syndicate member, Bailey Allen, a familiar face within The Scarlet Syndicate's inner circle but also by his vigilant personal bodyguard and mentor, Marcus Lopez. In this carefully orchestrated operation, Marcus' presence was not only intended to offer tactical guidance and support in the pursuit of valuable connections but also to ensure the young men remained focused on their objective amid the distractions of the lavish setting.

At the moment, Alessi, Bailey, and Marcus were driving in a sleek black Lamborghini which was surprisingly common to see driving in this place. The two younger men were in the middle seats of the long car and were warned previously before entering it that there would be better drinks to sip on in the place they were going. Never mind that Less had taken a light shot or two to prepare himself for the night ahead. It took about fifteen minutes of chatter and shots before Marcus called back to them saying they had arrived. He had given the two young men earpieces, barely noticeable once they were placed in their ears. The driver, Bailey's bodyguard, had offered to stay in the car just in case a quick pickup was in order or in case the group found someone. The three men then exited the car, stepping onto the curb to the side of The Red Door. Less noted was how the Lamborghini was driven away to the side parking lot of the nightclub. He nodded to no one in particular before turning back to the other men to the right of him before taking in the exterior of the establishment as the outdoor lights seemed to reflect onto his well-tailored three-piece black suit.

“Alright. No funny business, you two.”

Marcus’s voice was soft yet still notably commanding as he looked ahead before straightening and walking up the few steps to the front of the nightclub where security was waiting. Alessi nodded but couldn't help but let his head turn toward the young man beside him, who was looking at him before Less was him. A slow, playful smirk crawled its way onto Bailey’s lips, and soon Alessi had to turn his gaze to the ground to remain professional. Marcus had turned out to be quite the good actor when it came to the two bodyguards in front of the entrance. His polite tone had probably gotten him pretty far, but the lie he had told was decent as well.

“Marcus Lopez. Just here with my boys as well- they should be on the list as Less and Bear Lopez.”

A couple of seconds of silence and growing tension before the guard on the left looked up from his paper, nodded to the other, and moved a couple of feet from the door.

“Enjoy your night, Mr.Lopez.”

Alessi took a few moments before following the middle-aged man, glancing up at the stocky security guard to his right- and he couldn't tell if they were staring at each other- as the officer was wearing a pair of dark visors.

A cool breeze hit Alessi’s face as he entered the establishment and he turned to look around. His eyes took in every detail; every leather couch, the pristine marble floors, the few people who were currently seated at the tables… they must be early. This was a popular spot, wasn't it? Marcus strode up the the small front desk maybe ten or so feet from when the men had entered. He explained in a hushed tone where they should be seated and the younger woman nodded, a pleasant smile on her face as she led them across the downstairs portion of the establishment to the stairs- where a sign for “VIP Member Only!” stood. The young woman explained softly that her colleague would be looking after them tonight and that she should be here fairly soon. Marcus nodded thanks to her and when the two young men behind him didn't as well, he elbowed them in the shoulder- releasing a small wincing sound from both of the boys.

“You know what? It wouldn't be so much of a pain for you boys to be respectful to the people serving us.”

Marcus’s tone was casual but his eyes read something aggravated as he took a seat on the opposite side of the table from Less and Bailey.

“Yeah well- I don't respect will matter at the end of the night anyway. If you think kidnapping is respectable I think you may have a problem up here.”

Less gestured to his head, rolling his eyes slightly before looking around the upper story. He heard an amused scoff escape Bailey’s throat and turned to face back to the men.

“Keep it dow-”

“Are we early? Didn't you say this was a popular spot among the families?”

Less cut the man off the a question. And he could tell Marcus was practically fuming and he would definitely be reporting Alessi’s behavior to his father. There were a couple of moments of silence and a small staredown before Marcus nodded, taking one of the cigarettes from the small box on the table and lighting it with a lighter he just so happened to have in his suit pocket.

“Not just the families, but the higher class also participate here often. It's actually quite uncommon for us to be here, well you specifically.”

Marcus gestured to Less with his head but then quieted down as a voice to the right of the men spoke. Alessi slowly turned, propping his left arm up on the table as he took in the young woman’s appearance before him. She had asked the men if they would need anything and Bailey, of course, was the first one to reply.

“Indeed. I’ll have your Royal Martini. And if I could get that little slice of lime on the side that’d be spectacular.”

Alessi couldn't help but roll his eyes. Next, Marcus spoke-

“If I could get your Classic Daiquiri and just a shot of your lightest liquor.”

The blonde man nodded and added,

“Thank you, ma’am.”

There was a pause before Marcus’s gaze fell on Alessi, nodding to him to order. He cleared his throat before looking up at the pretty waitress.

“And I’ll take the Old Fashioned and your Manhattan, if their available. Thank you, love.”

Less gave her a soft, charming smile- his eyes still looking her over.

Natalia listened to each of the men’s requests, taking a mental note. Internally evaluating the drink choice and how they appeared. That was one way of determining people was by their choice of drink. Vodka? Someone who is cheap but wants to get the job done. Tequila? Someone who wants a fun and carefree night. And Old Fashioned or Manhattan? Someone who has some class, sophistication on the outside, but a hidden world deep within. After all the men had made their requests, Natalia gave a small smile and a nod, her golden eyes scanning the closest man, Alessi, once more before she turned to leave. Maybe this night wouldn't be too terrible, they all seemed like well put together men. She loved talking to others, meeting new faces, but the way some men on the lower floors could be so disgusting to women just ruined the meaning.

Natalia’s figure disappeared once again, her form slipping through the black curtains to return down to the bar. Her calm collection faltered slightly, anxiety nipping at her chest. She didn't want to mess this all up. Anyone that could be privileged enough to have one of the lounges were people of high standards and cause, celebrities, millionaires, who knows. Natalia had grown up being taught not to make a fool of herself, there were always people watching. It was something that always stuck at the back of her mind, making her question her actions as she heard her father’s stern voice.

Making her way back to the bar, Natalia slipped behind the counters. As she began to mix the assortment of liquors, filling up the crystal glassware saved just for the VIP lounges, Veronica slid up beside her with a grin across her red lips. Natalia glanced over and gave her a small chuckle before looking back to the drinks in her hands.
“What are you up to?” Natalia questioned with a smile as she garnished the Manhattan she had just finished.

“You are quite the lucky one getting to serve those handsome ass men up there.” Veronica teased with a chuckle as she wiped down some liquid from the countertop.

“Veronica, they are customers.” Natalia began to explain as she finished up the final drink, setting a small plate on the tray as well with a slice of lime.

“Customers who paid a lotttt of money to be up there being served by the loneliest bartender here.”

“I am here to work, not to try and find some drunk guy to take home.” Natalia replied with a chuckle as she lifted the tray of drinks. “You can gladly have them all” she reassured her coworker with a smile as she made her way back up to the lounge.

The bodyguard held the curtain open for her as she came back from the shadows outside into the dim lighting, visible to the customers once more. Her form moved to the table before the men, carefully setting the tray upon the table as she handed out their drinks.

“Royal Martini, with a side of lime.” She began, placing the crystal glassware before Bailey.

“Classic Daiquiri, with a shot of our house Cachaça.” She continued, “And an Old Fashioned and Manhattan.”

As she set Alessi’s drinks down, her honey toned orbs met his for a moment, a small smile tugging at the corner of her deep red lips before she stood tall once more. Her cheeks gained just a hint of color, her cheekbones holding a soft pink hue. Natalia grabbed the tray and moved herself towards the back of the room where a small counter was, a spot for the servers to wait in case the customers needed anything. It was her job to just stand quietly, be pretty and grab drinks and that is what she intended to do. She settled herself to the side, waiting patiently as the men mingled, her eyes looking to anything that could keep her busy. It wasn’t her business to divulge in their conversation, so for now admiring the flowers that were intricately bundled on the side table would do.

Natalia brushed a strand of brunette hair that had fallen, her rings catching the light softly. She stood tall, keeping a proper posture, listening to the bass of the music below. She couldn't help herself from taking a few glances to the men seated just a few feet away, her eyes scanning over them once more, especially Alessi.

Alessi had caught the young woman looking him over but his head turned before she could meet his eyes. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Marcus’s subtle nod the the lady before she walked away. Less turned his head slightly, his eyes following her figure until the group of men were the only ones in the room. Well… they were sitting far enough away from any of the other beings that may be close enough to listen in on any conversation they may have. Alessi took a mental note that there weren't any completely visible cameras about either, perfect- but they would still need to keep things down. The young, black-haired man cleared his throat somewhat quietly- crossing his left leg over his right in a figure-four lock. He slowly leaned in so his right elbow rested on the wooden table, his eyes looking over his colleague and instructor.

“Is there anyone here that's caught your eye, Less? Aside from the waitress, obviously…”

Bailey's eyes met Less’s, a cocky smile lifting on the sides of his lips.

Alessi scoffed quietly and shook his head, his eyes heading toward the ceiling briefly before looking back to the young man.

“No, Bear. Nobody has been of any important notice to myself.”

A pause.

“Lopez- anyone caught your eye?”

Alessi was the one to ask this particular question. Another pause radiated across the table before Marcus replied.

“Our waitress…”

Less watched as Bailey’s face morphed into something like disgust.

“Man, that fucked up- I didn't know you liked younger wome-”

Marcus’s hand shot up and immediately stopped Bailey’s comment. He chuckled softly and shook his head,

“I don’t. I meant that she reminded me of someone… I can’t point it out. But she seems oddly familiar.”

-

The men continued to speak about who the young woman may be related to. After a while of trying to decipher the answer, and no luck figuring out anything- the men quieted down. Alessi glanced over just in time to see the brown-haired man softly gesture with his chin to where the sound of heels clicking against the marble flooring was getting closer. Less turned to see the mystery girl holding their drinks on a tray, distributing them between the three men. As she set down Alessi’s beverages, the pretty young woman’s eyes fell onto his. He held her gaze for a couple of milliseconds before she looked away, a small smile on her lips before she turned away- walking to the back of the room where she seemed to settle herself.

Alessi watched her silently for a moment before Marcus’s hushed voice brought him back to reality.

“Alright then, if you're drawn to her- you get to figure out who the hell she is.”

He gestured for Alessi to get up and the young man's eyes widened slowly as he sat lower into his seat. He took a slow sip of the Manhattan that was made actually quite well, before placing the glass down carefully and biting the inside of his cheek.

“Absolutely not. You were the one to point her out in the first plac-”

He was cut off by the blonde- one again. God, he'd need to ask his father to have a talk to Marcus about interrupting...good lord.

“Yeah, but you'd feel kind of uncomfortable if you were a young woman and an older man came up to you and started asking more personal questions, wouldn't you? I think it would be far less intimidating for someone around her age to approach her, don't you think?”

There was another long pause, Alessi’s eyes narrowed at Marcus before Less stood abruptly- sliding out of his seat, flipping the man off, and turning around with a growl-like scoff, making his way to the back of the VIP area. He forced himself to relax his shoulders and stand straight, posture is one of the greatest auras you can hold physically, as his mother would say. As Alessi neared the table in which the woman was seated he let a charming smile onto his lips, running a hand through his messy black hair as he spoke.

“So, how long has a pretty young woman like yourself been working for The Red Door? I don't think I’ve ever seen you here before- but again, I don't come here as often as I should.”

Natalia began to drift off after examining the men, her eyes looking to anything in the room that held details. The flowers, the way the light illuminated the silk strands on the curtains, even the details in the artwork around the walls. She wanted to be back downstairs where she was familiar, talking to people of all different styles, not stuck here in silence as she waited. She could hear her own thoughts in that corner as she stood alone, only looking occasionally in case the men may need another drink. They had caught her attention a bit that night, they were polite, well kept….quiet. One of her strong suits was reading people, and to her they were easy. They all kept their discussions hushed, the way they would lean just a bit to speak to one another showed they were speaking in secret. Every movement of their brow when they spoke, the twitch in their hand gestures, she took in all details.

Natalia pulled herself away before she could get caught, it wasn’t like she was trying to spy, it was just her nature. She was raised to observe everyone and everything, little did she know the reason why or how her father was so good at it. As a child when her and her family were out and about, he would test her here and there. Telling her to observe nearby people, tell him what she thought. His excuse was the world was a dangerous place and you had to be aware of everything, especially a woman. She was now the opposite of her father. She used her eyes to find the good in people while he searched for evil.

Natalia had been glancing down to her hand, softly adjusting the golden rings that sat on her slender fingers when she soon heard faint footsteps approaching. Her eyes looked up from her hand to see Alessi nearing her table. Quickly she stood, yelling at herself in the back of her mind. She had become distracted, did they try to call her over and she didn't hear? She was there to serve them and here she was daydreaming. Her bright eyes widened just a bit as she brushed the bottom of her dress down. Though Alessi neared with a charming smile, instantly her mind began to think she had messed up.

“I…” was all that could escape her lips before he began to speak, asking how long she had worked there. Not only did his words catch her off guard as well as the small compliment, those deep blue eyes of his locked on to her own. They looked like fine cut gems in this lighting, boring holes into hers as he waited for her reply.

It took her just another moment before she blinked, looking away towards the others for just a second. She wasn’t in trouble. A slight flush began to nip at her cheekbones before she looked back to Alessi, her smile returning softly.

“Only a few weeks, but my first day doing any work for the Lounge” She explained, looking back to his eyes. She scanned his face slightly, noticing the scar across his cheek and one that pulled over his lip. Of course he wouldn’t have seen her before, she was usually with those considered “Lower Class”, serving the bustling bar tops downstairs. Someone of his apparent standing would have easily glanced passed her without a second look.

“Do you need another drink?” She asked as she stood, straightening her posture. This was work, not a mingling party. “I'm sorry if I became distracted, I can run down real quick and grab some more” She apologized. She wasn’t used to true conversation, although she loved to know people, she usually kept to herself outside of casual chit chat when mixing drinks. Her mind did not cue her in on the fact that maybe, he truly wanted to speak with her.

Alessi had stopped a few feet away from the young woman, his eyes flickering down her frame. He hadn't really had enough time to completely take in the woman's appearance before. He had to admit… she was attractive. His eyes lingered a moment too long on the curves her black cocktail dress accentuated nicely. Her hair was long and silky looking- well taken care of, which was respectable- with the color of chocolate, not too light and not too dark. It was long enough to cascade down her back, reminding Less of a waterfall. He took a few moments more to study her face as she spoke. Her jawline was well-defined and she had more of a diamond face shape, her skin close to perfect aside from the couple of small moles that actually complimented the woman quite nicely. She had a sharper button nose and high cheekbones. The feature that struck him most though, was her eyes. Alessi hadn't seen anything like them, half honey brown and half icy blue… he realized he was staring and quickly blinked, his posture straightening as he rested his left elbow to prop himself up against the table next to him. He noted the slow increase of a rosy color flushed across her cheeks, causing his smirk to widen into a grin as he chuckled, shaking his head as she apologized. Why on earth was she apologizing…?

“Oh no, don't apologize. I think two drinks are enough for me tonight. My brother may be a different story, but I’m sure he is alright for now.”

His gaze remained unyielding as it locked onto her, the intensity and oddly comforting gaze of Less's eyes unwavering. In an almost imperceptible movement, they briefly flickered down to the nametag she carried with her, absorbing the information before returning to meet her gaze once again. He made a conscious decision to shift the conversation in a different direction, preferring to steer away from discussing his "family" if the opportunity arose.

“So, Natalia, is it? I apologize in advance for the horrible memory,”

He chuckled lightly before continuing,

“Whenever I do come around to this particular place, I do make an attempt to get to know the person or multiple people serving me and my accompanies. I've made a great deal of confidantes that way,”

He paused for a moment, his smile relaxing somewhat as he seemed to continue to take Natalia in- her subtle moments, how she messed with the thin golden rings on her fingers every once in a while, the eye contact that the two held…

“I would love to get to know you better,”

His mouth formed into something like a cautious expression, a somewhat uncomfortable chuckle leaving his lips as he scratched the back of his neck, feeling the fabric of his well-tailored suit on his fingertips and adjusting the lapels with a glance up at the woman in front of him.

“Even if it's just a few back-and-forth questions- I mean to make a good impression with the workers in such as high-end environment.”

He looked behind him briefly and noticed the gaze of Marcus on the two of them, he turned back to Natalia, leaning in slightly with a breathy and well-practiced embarrassed chuckle.

“My father may also be trying to set me up with someone…? So I came over here to make sure I didn't start an unpleasant conversation with him about how I shouldn't be coming up to you because it may be weird. I would be forever grateful if you'd just go along with a little chat, just so he thinks I’m doing…something I suppose.”

He repositioned himself so he was sitting in a higher chair, his ankles crossing as he folded his arms across his chest, ruffling his hair once more. Questions…what were some questions-

“You mentioned you are newer to the whole barista job- would you mind me asking why you started? You look to be doing quite well overall,”

He nodded in approval at her elegant dress and other accessories; it appeared to be of high quality and gave off an expensive vibe. Alessi didn't want to assume though…

“So possibly a family job? For fun maybe?”