I Unintentionally Became Her Kitten

Alisha still hadn't responded when Lili pulled the car up in front of the office. I unbuckled and kicked my door open without waiting for her.

I was sure Alisha wouldn't hurt Alex for no reason. Surely not. But there was such a thing as misunderstandings.

“Kit,’ Lili protested as I hurried into the building and past the security checkpoint. No one stopped me. They knew my face and Alisha had probably given them a look or a lecture that said ‘dont bother her under any circumstances’.

The elevator took forever. I pointedly tried not to look too frazzled as a man waited slightly behind me for the same elevator.

I got up to the top floor after much too long and hurried from the elevator lobby into that large main office.

I let out a rush of relieved breath as Alex was sitting in Lili's usual spot. They were ghastly pale, clearly terrified.

“Did she say why?” I rushed as I got to them.

They shook their head.

I caught my breath another moment, trying to even my emotions before turning to Alishas door.

It was shut, as always.

I debated knocking. That was the polite thing to do but I didn't want to be told no.

For once, I just went in and Alisha snapped her gaze up from her computer.

Tye was already discussing something with her, bent over paperwork.

“What is going on?” I asked.

“What do you mean?” Alisha asked, way too calm to be planning someone's execution.

“Why is Alex here?” I asked.

“Oh, they're here already?” she asked and started to organize her things.

“Whats wrong?” Tye asked, observing my posture.

I glanced behind me at where Alex was staring from their spot on the couch. Then I shut the door with a soft click, cutting away the rest of the office.

“I got a text from Alex asking if they were about to die,” I explained.

Alisha stopped, mid pulling papers out of folders and looked up.

“They should not have been rough handled,” she stated.

“They said they were picked up from work by men driving a black SUV and given no explanation,” I continued.

Alisha turned her gaze to The who inhaled slowly, “I'll take care of it,” he said already.

“I delegated that to you since you know Alex,” Alisha said in her boss voice.

Tye grimaced. “And I delegated it to Matteo who must've delegated it down again.”

Alisha rubbed between her eyebrows, then finished organizing her papers and stood.

“Come, Kitten,” Alisha said and walked past me.and opened the door back into the open office space.

It was too quiet out there. I didn't know why until I realized, even though everyone was looking at a computer or a document, there was no typing or writing happening. Everyone was listening.

Alisha approached the couches, files in hand. Lili finally appeared from the elevator and leaned against the wall, winded but apparently relieved to have me back in her sight.

“Alex,” Alisha addressed.

I saw Alex swallow fearfully.

“Come with me,” Alisha directed them and turned back to her office.

I wanted to throw something at her … like crumpled up paper or one of those foam balls they used in schools now because they were the only thing that wouldn't hurt no matter how hard you threw them.

But instead I gave Alex a reassuring nod and walked close to them as we reentered the office.

Tye was on his phone, texting furiously and stood to clear the chairs in front of Alisha’s desk as we came in.

He slipped away.

“Take a seat,” Alisha directed again.

Alex sat, still saying nothing.

Alisha didn't say anything more until she had sat down and set the file in front of Alex.

“I apologize,” she said finally. “For how you were brought here. There was a miscommunication. And that is not acceptable.”

I could see Alex's uncertainty still.

“You're not in trouble and I would never try to intimidate you like that,” Alisha continued.

“I'm not about to die?” Alex managed to get out.

“No. You are not going to be harmed,” Alisha clarified.

Alex deflated, visibly more than a little relieved.

“Thank you for coming to see me all the same,” Alisha continued.

Alex nodded, a little emotional.

I got up and went to the coffee pod machine and started to make them a hot chocolate. Even if they hadn't actually been in danger, the terror was very real. So chocolate might help.

“I wanted to discuss a job opportunity with you,” Alisha explained.

I looked back as the machine whined.

“I-I appreciate it Ms Takeno, but I’m not–”

Alisha held her hand up to stop them. “Not like that. This isn't a front. It's not a laundering operation, I need a normal cafe.”

Alex stared at her, even more confused.

“I don't understand.”

Alisha glanced over at me, then back to Alex. “Kit needs a safe place to work,” she explained. “And after asking around it seems standard food service venues are…. unkind to anyone who needs safety. “

Alex nodded.

“But with the way Rico statutes work if the cafe had any illicit business– any at all– everyone working there would be subject to federal charges. So I cannot allow anything underhanded to occur there. Does that make sense?”

Alex nodded again but slower.

“What do you mean by Rico statutes?” I asked in their place.

Alisha explained. “When an organized crime group is investigated they usually do so by going after the businesses that launder the money and cover up the operations. Otherwise, they arrest one member, and the organization adapts. Like cutting off a hydra’s head and two more take its place. When they go through the business, everyone is subpoenaed or arrested simultaneously. Everyone gets charged via the Rico statutes. So if this cafe so much has a penny laundered through it you all would be subject to criminal charges. That's not what I want.”

I nodded and put a lid on the little hot cup for Alex and brought it over for them.

“But you don't need to open a cafe on my behalf,” I protested.

“It is necessary,” she stated.

I opened my mouth to protest again.

“It's necessary,” she repeated. “For you and for people like Alex.”

I accepted that answer.

Alex wrapped their hands around the hot chocolate but didn't drink it.

“I'm still confused,” they said. “Why me?”

“Because I need a manager with experience. I can hire as many things as I want but they won't be able to understand food service that way you do.”

“I don't have… managerial experience.”

“I can get you training for that part,” Alisha reassured. She pushed the little folder closer to them and flipped it open. Inside were neatly typed papers.

Alex leaned forward to look it over.

“You're serious about this?”

“It was not a whim,” Alisha said with a notable glance at me. “But I don't need thugs running the place, I need normal civilians. You know who I am, you'll be able to understand if Kitten is suddenly not available or why she carries a firearm or, at the very least, you'll treat her well rather than the Charlotte situation.”

“I see.” Alex still stared at the paper work in front of them. Then frowned. “Is this accurate?” they asked.

“Yes,” Alisha stated.

“Ms Takeno, this feels like a trap.”

“Why?”

I looked over and saw the numbers. $110k.

A six figure salary.

“Alisha, that is not a normal cafe working wage,” I explained.

“Alex isn't a cafe worker,” Alisha pointed out. “They’d be a manager. And I would expect excellence. Though I recognize human limitations.”

I swallowed. “Yes but to Alex this might feel like… you're paying them off,” I explained. Because Alex would not be able to say it out loud.

Alisha's brow furrowed again. “What is the average salary of a cafe manager?”

“Half of that,” I explained. “Probably.”

“Oh,” Alisha agreed. “The offer still stands. I am not the kind of boss that maximizes profits over all else. I figured to afford a home, a car, be able to save enough for retirement, and have all of your other necessities taken care of, it would need to be at least forty thousand. Or about twenty dollars an hour. So to make it a comfortable, well paying job, I'd double it.”

Alex was still staring at the numbers.

“I can lower it,” Alisha said and picked up a pen.

“No that's okay,” Alex finally said. “I'll take the offer. Assuming I'll get normal, managerial training.”

“Of course. And you'll get benefits. Health insurance options, dental and optical, retirement accounts. The normal necessities,” Alisha said and put the pen in front of Alex. “Take your time to read through. You may sign now if you want but the renovation downstairs will take about four weeks. I can schedule your training in the meantime.”

I saw Alex do one final, anxious swallow, and then pick up the packet of paper to start reading through.

Alisha stood, looked at me and stated, “I'm going to have a conversation with Tye but I'll be back shortly.”

And then she slid out of her office.

Alex relaxed finally, really and let their head thud onto Alisha's desk, right on top of the paperwork.

“I'm so sorry,” I told them. “I'm sure this isnt how she wanted you brought here.”

They breathed in and o

ut several times, slowly and purposefully. “Your girlfriend is terrifying,” they finally said.