Boss Lady

Flash Fiction

“Honey, you got another bouquet of flowers today." Sophie, Devon's wife, said to him as he walked into the kitchen to give her a hug.

 

Another set of flowers?  Devon sighed. Why couldn't these people just leave him alone?

 

"Hi sweetheart,” he said as he kissed her. "How was your day?" He tried to distract her from asking any questions about the flowers.

 

She grinned. "It was great actually. Quite fun." She pointed to the flowers. "So what's that about? You have a secret admirer or something?" She poked him playfully.

 

I wish, Devon said to himself. I really wish it was that simple. "Just grateful clients showing their appreciation for what I do for them."

 

"Hmm...every week? And on the same day of the week? Is that supposed to…symbolize something?"

 

He shrugged. "I don't know sweetheart, but I wouldn't worry about it okay?" He raised her chin and pecked her lips. "So what's for dinner, Chef Sophie?"

 

 

----

 

"I told you, I am not interested in your offer," Devon said firmly on his cell phone, standing outside his back yard after dinner that night. "What's it going to take to get you to understand that??"

 

"Just listen to what I have to say,” Mohim Ansa said on the other line. “You don't have to give an answer right away. Just listen, that's all I'm asking."

 

Devon sighed. "I was done with this years ago, Mohim. I have a family now, a wife and two kids. I'm done and I have no intention of getting back into that business, ever!"

 

"We know that. Believe me, I told my new boss about this. Told her everything about you. Well, except your new name. I’m keeping my promise to you on that."

 

Devon paused. "You have a new boss?"

 

"Yeah. Ol' Marty was getting pretty old so, he's retired now. Angie is in charge now."

 

Angie. That was no name for someone who was supposed to be in charge of...this sort of business. "So she's been the one sending me those flowers?"

 

Mohim laughed. "No, that was my idea. I wanted something that'd get your attention. Listen Scopio, I just need a few minutes from you to tell you our proposition. Like I said, there's absolutely no pressure."

 

Devon sighed and rubbed his temple.

 

He really didn't want to listen to any of this. He was done with this business and had been for the last six years. He had a clean slate, had started afresh. He was moving forward, away from his sordid, gory past. He was done with torturing people for a living. That was history and he intended for it to remain that way.

 

He sighed again. He had a beautiful wife...had two beautiful children. He’d been given a rare chance to start over, live life like a normal man. No way was he going to ruin it by taking a backward step, back to his past. He couldn't understand why this new boss Angie wanted his service now.

 

"I haven't been called Scopio in years, Mohim. My name is Devon now." His tone was quiet but firm.

 

Mohim snorted. “Only a few of us know your new name, and no one here even knew you by your old name Oliver…we’ve only ever known you as Scopio. So anyway, just come by the site tomorrow. Hear us out. It’s nothing like what you used to do, trust me. This is something different. Like I said, all you've got to do is listen. Simply listen."

 

 

 

---

 

Devon stepped out of his car and walked towards the 'Site', chiding himself for agreeing to meet Mohim against his will. He was hit with old memories of his times here as he slowly walked towards the building, and he cringed as nostalgia ran up and down his spine.

 

Good ol' days, as people would say when they’re hit with memorable events in their past. No, he shook his head. There were no good ol’ days for him. There was nothing good about those days.

 

There had been nothing good about torturing the people he had tortured for owing his boss money. Money that had been made from selling drugs.

 

Torturing them to death sometimes.

 

He shivered and shook his head. He needed to get this meeting over with and return home to spend the evening with his wife and kids.

 

He stepped inside the building and Mohim met him in front of the elevator.

 

"I'm so glad you came, man! Angie cannot wait to meet Scopio the legend, the one that was feared by all living and dead," he laughed at his own speech. Devon simply stared at him, not finding anything he said the least bit amusing."Let's get this over with so I can leave on time to go pick up my kids from school. My wife has an appointment and won’t be able to, so don't make me screw this up by going late, Mohim. You got it?”

 

"Sure boss." He smiled crookedly. "I see you still haven't changed. We've missed you around here Scopio, nothing's been the same since you left."

 

Devon grunted. "Let's just get this over with."

 

"Sure yeah. But before we go in I should warn you. Don't take Angie's soft looks to mean she’s soft inside. She is quite ruthless; I could even say even more so than Marty. So don't play mind games with her. She's eager to meet you, but don't step on her toes, dude. OK?”

 

Devon grunted again. "Whatever. Can we just get this over with for goodness sakes? Don’t make me regret coming here!" He already was. He gritted his teeth.

 

“OK OK. Let’s go.”

 

Devon followed him up the elevator and into a dark hallway. Mohim walked up to a door and knocked lightly.

 

"Come in," a firm voice answered. Mohim gestured to Devon to follow him in, and he closed the door behind him.

 

Devon saw a slight figure facing the window. He wondered how such a petite figure could control such a huge and dirty industry as this?

 

She turned from the window and walked towards them. He still couldn't see her clearly.

 

"Hello Scopio." That voice. That voice was familiar. Too familiar.

 

"Why aren't the lights on?" He asked impatiently. "I'd like them on please."

 

There was a small gasp from Angie, then a short pause.

 

"Turn the lights on, Mohim," she commanded.

 

Mohim turned on the lights.

 

Devon stared at the figure in front of him and frowned. Then his eyes widened. His mouth followed suit. He couldn't speak.

 

They stared at each other, speechless.

 

"....Devon??" Angie had turned white.

 

Mohim looked at both of them in confusion. "You two...know each other from before?"

 

Devon turned zombie-like eyes to him. "That's my wife."