Chapter 8: The Dinner & The Feeling

Gage went walking up to the building when something catching his eye made him smile. There she was his beautiful girlfriend holding two blended cappuccinos and muffins most likely a donut too since she could never decide. They been coming to the office by eight to spend thirty minutes snacking or having coffee together before work starts. "What's all this?" Teasing her with a wink. "I just wanted to treat my man on this fine Monday. I do have some news though maybe we should talk about." "Sure babe let's head up to my office I got to download something new and test if it works." Holding the door open for her taking the bag and coffees. The whole office was staring as he had his hand on her waist the whole way as they talked and laughed greeting other people. Some just stared.

It wasn't against company policy to date within the company. You just couldn't let it affect your work. They made sure to only see each other before and after works and during lunch. They were acting in the top of the fields. Elizabeth was still fuming over being thought of as second place to Tessenia but Tessa didn't care there would be a time where she would be put in her place as long as she's doing her job there shouldn't be any problem. Unlocking his office door and leaving it open he went to sit down. Playfully patting his lap to her, she called his bluff and sat down on him where she could see his face better. "Muffin, or donut?" She asked looking at him. Smirking to himself. 'I knew it.' "Surprise me." "Pulling out the chocolate muffin for him to take a bite from her hand as they shared the muffin.

"What's your big news angel?" Leaning back better to see her. "Dad is holding a press conference Thursday here. He is releasing the companies to me." "Wow. Like ALL of them. That is huge Tess. I'm proud of you. You worked so hard for this. That is such a huge accomplishment." Kissing her in between each sentence he was genuinely happy and excited for her. "Are you really ok with all this? I mean once we get us out there I mean it may draw some unwanted attention for a while the extra news of he ownership change. Are you ok or ready for all that?" "Well I'm already used to most of it from mainly my mother it's really no big deal. I'm proud of your success and you should be to. Although it might be a little weird knowing how great my boss is at mind blow jobs." Wiggling his eyebrows.

"Hey that is a special benefit only for you now." "Better be." Kissing her deeply again. There was a dominate side slowly starting to come out of him especially in his dirty thoughts. All the things he wanted and thought to do her and her delicious body. In time, though he told himself no rush. "Maybe we should go to dinner and celebrate."

"Well dad already beat you to the punch he is having my favorite Chinese place cater to the whole company and my new office is where we will eat. Apparently he thinks I need a huge over the top office that takes up like a quarter of the whole damn floor. However it has amazing book shelves so it's alright. I get like two couches in there for meetings. Maybe you can come for some special appointments." Running her finger slowly down his chest. "You won't be getting anything done throwing offers like that." He warned as she smashed her lips to his. "Promises, Promises." Continuing the slow kisses to him. "Welp I think I need to be on my way." "I'll walk you to the elevator." "No honey that's alright you keep at it here. Dre' is already on his way up here anyway I'm catching with him. Looking down at her phone to show him his text.

With one last kiss he let her go. Not being able to believe how lucky he is. Later in the day he was having lunch in Bryce's cubicle which he shared with his neighbor Dion. Laughter was heard throughout the floor which was fine because besides Axel, them and a working Elizabeth at her stand. Going through calls and making visitor badges no one else was there. "Stop holding out on me man answer the question it's been like a month what is really going on with you and that fine honey always in your office man." Bryce asked practically drooling over the thought of Tessa.

"First off wipe off the drool coming from you mouth and second keep your eyes and mind off my woman. We are together now so off limits to you and your perverted imagination. That goes for you too." Gage told Dion pointing to him as he was sitting on the desk. "What'd I do?" Dion asked a mouthful of a sub sandwich hey got from the café. "You going to tell me you didn't ask Axel if he could snag her number from me?" "Fine I'm sorry. I didn't know you up and put claim to it. Won't happen again." Dion promised and he knew they meant it they were good guys. "Wow. You seriously are with that new thing stalking around your office like a lost puppy." Elizabeth laughed out like it was the best story she ever heard.

"Did anyone else invite that cackling witch in our conversation? No, so she just a regular nosey trick than?" Axel asked the guys loudly looking around as people were slowly making their back to the office. "I'm just saying Gage can do so much better. No offense she doesn't seem your type or fit or genre however you want to call it. That woman is out to use you. She will wreck you Gage just you wait and I'll be right here to tell you I told you so. There is another way to get out of her clutches. You could always tell her you changed your mind and come out with me this weekend. I don't know if you heard but some people think she's stalking you in a creepy obsessive way. The way she lingers about and clings on to you all the time. It's stirring up talk. You don't want that kind of partner with a reputation like that what would your mother say?" Elizabeth asked in a faking concerned sweet voice.

"The only one who talks shit like that around the office is you Elizabeth and trust when we heard worse stories about what people say about you." Dion told her in disgust. "I think she's perfect Gage. I think she's perfect anyway. I think your jealous because you're not the company's number one beauty anymore hell you don't even crack he top ten for most of us here." Bryce told her laughing. "I think the only creepy thing is how much you watch her. Let me ask you something while you're so busy watching whatever she and I are doing or not doing together or apart who's doing your job?" Gage asked her flatly. "I don't know if your jealous, or if you actually like gage or Tessa. Didn't know you swing both ways Liz, but hey you do you beau." Axel said with his hands up in the air. "Elizabeth Axel and I both run this floor in different ways now if you can't be showing more respect for your fellow workers than maybe you need to find another place to work." Gage told her flatly walking away from everyone.

The work day was almost done now he was just checking things over killing time until his phone rang. He was hoping to avoid this but better to get out ahead of it, besides this was something he was proud he should be able to share it with those he cares about." 'Hey mom.' 'There's my beautiful boy. How are you baby?' 'I'm good mom I'm actually getting ready to leave.' 'That's wonderful timing than isn't it.' 'What's new with you mama? What are you doing?' 'Your father and I are going out to dinner. Work has been crazy wonderful with all the new fall lines. I can't wait for the show in November. You need to come see it. That reminds me son I met the most adorable woman for you. She's tall and.' 'Mom I don't want to hear about random woman you met and talked me up to. I told you I don't like it. Besides I've been seeing someone for a month and we are now together as of this past weekend.' Holding his breathe and moving his phone away from his ear just waiting for it.

'YOU MEAN TO TELL ME YOU"VE BEEN SEEING SOMEONE FOR A MONTH AND YOU DIDN"T STOP TO THINK TO TELL YOUR MOTHER?! Where did I go wrong raising you. Why would you hurt me like this? Who is she does she come from a goof family? Does she work? She isn't one of these loose gold digging damn bunnies is she? You better tell her you aint her ATM.' 'MOM! Chill or a minute. Breath. Her names is Tessenia and she works makes her own money we do everything fifty-fifty otherwise she gets mad. She likes being independent. She's smart. Funny, and gorgeous mom I know you will love her.' 'Mmhmm, I'm sure I will. If this girl is so wonderful why did you wait this long to tell me about her. What would your father say when.' Cutting her off again.

'Dad already knows ma.' Holding the phone even further from his ear. 'WHAT?!! YOU TOLD THAT MAN BEFORE YOU TOLD ME?! What the hell Gage? All this time I call you and you just side step the fact that your seeing someone and you don't tell me about her until your already together? I didn't even get to meet this woman.' 'Calm down mom there's plenty of time to meet her.' 'You're damn right, you bring her to dinner Wednesday evening at our place six o'clock. You are in so much trouble boy. I'm so disappointed in you. Why didn't you tell me something this important? I thought we had a special bond son. Is it because you don't trust me, or you don't trust her?'

'Mom I rust both you just fine. I was just enjoying my time to get to know her before I brought her home. Besides mom you know how you can get sometimes when it comes to meeting woman you get a little judgmental.' 'Don't you start with me again about my constructive criticism.' 'Mom you know damn well that is not how it is. You do this every time you meet someone you look down at them the whole time doing everything you can to find a flaw in them instead of just trying to learn who they are. Like the second you think they don't earn six figures. If they dress down to your judgement you look down at them passing them off and over. Mom sometimes I just wish you could be more accepting about how people just being themselves. Sometimes it's ok if they live on the other side of Bell Brook, I's ok if they are not into fashion or cosmetics.'

'Ok I see the problem now your embarrassed by my for being a snob is that it?' His mother asked in a snappy voice but he could hear the hurt too. 'No mom I'm not. I would never be embarrassed by you. I also really like this woman and I don't want you being rude o her making her feel like she needs to doubt her self-worth.' 'I don't do that.' 'Mom you go through maids like t-shirts because you make them feel bad about themselves o the point where they need therapy they can't afford to get any self-respect back mom. They all leave in tears do you think you can be normal for at least one meal with no judgement when I bring her Wednesday?' 'I can't help it that some people are overly sensitive. Look son I promise I will try to be nice, I'm sure she's a lovely woman to be able to get the privilege to be your first girlfriend. BUT you will be there at you WILL bring her.' 'I promise mom. Go enjoy your date with date.' Hanging up the phone.

Rubbing his face letting out a deep breath. How he loved his mother, but how crazy stuck up she could be. Many waiters and waitresses dread serving her. For being one of the most influential woman and powerful she could be such a handful. He wasn't sure how so many people inspired o be just like her. His father being the saint he is, is the only who can put her in check. Thank God he'll be there. How do I explain her to Tess. Walking out the building he found her waiting by his truck. "I was looking for you." Leaning down to kiss her. "I was tied up with Jaxon in the meetings across town. I do however have a lovely meal waiting for us at my place if your hungry I made the mashes potatoes this morning though as well as the dinner rolls. Can I interest you in a very succulent, savory pot roast?" She asked running her hands on his chest.

"Damn girl you play dirty you know I love your food. Let's go. I need to talk about some things anyway." "Am I in trouble already?" She joked to him confused. "No babe nothing like that." The drive was long as she spent most the time on her phone. "Who texting you so much?" He laughed to her. "OH sorry honey it's just work, someone not doing their share you know. I swear one phone call when we get to my place and I'll be all yours." "Sounds great. I don't want to get in he way of work though baby take your time." "You are the only thing worth my time, especially outside office hours." Kissing the back of his hand making him blush.

After they got in she went to her office and shut the door as soon as she got the potatoes heating up. 'What do you want Keith?' 'The shipments were sent, and the others were receives. We only have one problem though When we received payment for one order it was only half of what was promised. The same buyer ordered again but we with held the order until he can pay in full for I and pay back the other half of he first shipment.' 'What was he ordering?' 'Guns. He also called and complained because he did not receive everything he asked for. He continued to yell a me when I told him I did not receive the payment agreed upon. He's throwing a big fit. He's getting a little aggressive boss. I just need to know how you would like me to proceed. He thinks he's untouchable." 'Really? He getting aggressive with my men, and he owes me money?" Tessa asked as her beast was itching to get out.

Nobody fucks with her or her crew. No one dares to think they are above her especially some new up and coming low life gangs. Three have been giving her trouble. "I want you to have Derek set up a dinner for the new three gangs. You know what were they Blood Claw, Shadows, and Grey Hawks. I've had enough of their shit. You invite them to dads place for dinner. Let them know they are my special guest. After that I want you to get Riley, and whoever else you need to get ahold of that fucking Leon and take him down to the warehouse. I have special plans for him. Only call in emergency and you text. I have my man here tonight. I will get there later tonight be there no later than midnight the latest. Hanging up the phone calming herself down, before returning to her handsome sexy mountain of a man to finish making his plate.

"Sorry the sides aren't as fresh." "Tess, this all tastes, looks, and smell great. You work so such hard hours and a demanding job and still manage to have a home cooked meal done on your own. I'm the luckiest nerd ever." "Your not a nerd. You deserve the best and I want to my best to give it to you." "I will too. Look there's something I need to ask of you about Wednesday night. My mom wants to have dinner at six. She wants to meet you." "Well that sounds fun. I can make that." Smiling brightly to him. "Do you think they will like me?" The first time feeling nervous on her own about another persons opinion.

"My dad will love you. My mother well. She doesn't like anyone too much really. I love my mother heart and soul but Tessa she's not like you. She's judgmental, posh, snobby, rude to anyone she deems underneath her. She looks for the bad in anyone not you know from money or dressed down, stupid shit like that. She's from the highest of circles in the class system, one of the few who keep it alive at it's best." He mocked. "So what you're telling me is she'll love me for my job but hate where or how I live, dress, and act?" "Yeah probably. Once she figures out what you actually do I don't know how she'll respond to you that. All I know is no ones ever been good enough for me for her. So I'm apologizing now and it's ok when you hit your limit we can get up and just leave." "Gage! I'm sure it will be fine. I will promise I will be on my best behavior and I apologize in advance for any comments I may make in certain moments."

Gage choked out in laughter knowing she was not one to let anyone talk shit or get away with being a dick. No matter who they were. Axel was right she was someone who's aura was powerful and demanded respect it never felt scary to him. He trusted her and just knew that's who she was. She was taught to be strong, and she needed to be in the world they lived in today. Especially when the mafia ran the world, he was proud and happy she knew how to handle herself. Gage worried about her a lot. Tessa knew how much he worried, man if he only what a conversation that will be. After joking around she yawned about nine p.m. "I'm so sorry Tess, didn't know how late it was getting We both get up early in the morning. I'm going to head out." "Well maybe next time you can stay over and we can carpool. Think about the gas and pollution we would save." Wiggling her eyebrows.

"As great as that sounds are you really comfortable with that?" "Are you asking if I'm comfortable with sleeping next to my wonderful boyfriend after dating for seven weeks. Yes I am. Look Gage I'm not going to force anything on you. I'm not going to cross the line again. You can tell me whenever your ready to do anything your ready for. I don't see nothing wrong cuddling up with you on the bed sleeping next to each other would be that bad. I'm not going to rush you though. Friday would be eight weeks that's two months of this. If your down for it you can bring a bag of clothes to leave here and you can stay here. If you just bring yourself I understand you just aren't ready for that step yet and I won't mention a thing about until your ready. I'm going by your pace Gage I want you to be comfortable with this." "That means a lot to me Tessenia. I apologize for anything stupid down this road. Like ask stupid questions when a dropped dead gorgeous woman invites me into her bed." Kissing her deeply making them both smirk. Waiting for him to hear her lock the door he drove home.

Once she got the text that he was home safely she changed and left quickly. "Boss." "Donna." "Beast." "Dark Angel." She heard all the greetings as she passed by them nodding to most of them in respect. Only the most trusted and loyal get to work in this warehouse everyone knew it. Leon was sitting with a bag over his head as all the men looked to the center of the room and the man laying on a table tied down and the table being moveable was locked in place for him to be standing straight up. Normally this would take place in the basement. However she wanted the men to see and know who takes care of them. This was a sign of respect and as hard as it gets to watch it was a high honor to receive form your Don or Donna. Nodding to Riley to remove the bag.

Looking around to find himself in the center of a three leveled high warehouse. Bigger than a shopping mall. Out in the middle of no where on private property no one can stumble on in the dark forest. "Leon. I can honestly it is not a pleasure to be meeting with you like this." "B-beast it's been a while. H-how are you?" "Yes I haven't seen you since the meeting where I granted you and your little friends permission to form in the east part of town. Now I'm aggravated to have to come deal with some little boy throwing ga tantrum. Tell me Leon do I or anyone else here look stupid to you?"

"N-no my Donna you do not." "Do your men not know how to count then or is it you failing basic arithmetic?" "I don't understand the question." "OK I will I ask you plainly then where is my money Leon? You received only half of the agreed upon shipment because I was half short of the payment promised. You made a deal I want the money. You don't get to order new things or demand things from me or my men without payment surely you know basic capitalism, supply and demand. Tic for tack." "I-I. I will send it tonight." The poor man was starting to shake in the chair.

"No see I trusted you once with a written agreement here, you see and you already failed me. Now I can over look basic problems such as this normally with you all being so wet behind the ears. Normally I would send one of these men from this very building to come and lets say train you in the art of what your supposed to be doing under my rule here. However you all crossed a very important line that I refuse to overlook." Jaxon, Dre' and Hunter standing all behind her as they all got up and walked together to him making him shake more. "I don't understand. What could I have done to offend you my Donna?"

"You and your three leaders seem to think you are untouchable now. Crossing boundaries that were not given to you. Stealing supplies that aren't yours and pocketing the money you sold it for. Skipping out on basic payments. Pointlessly killing a few innocent people for no real reason other than they annoyed you or refused to give you things for free. The real kicker for me is the disrespect you give to my men here. You call them up throwing a tantrum like you own this town and you are owed everything. You spoke to my men like they are below you. You disrespect my men is like you slapping me directly across the face. I take it as a threat when you threaten any one of these men here in this room. It will be taken as an action against me. I don't handle or respond to well to being rude to my men to begin with but you little boys have truly pushed above and beyond the limits you are given. The response given when asked to you and your friends about the missing things and the shortage of payments promised. You all responded with 'you can just eat it', and shut your damn chew hole before I put a bullet in your head.' That's what you boys have responded with. Well I believe I will take your words to heart." Tessa told him eyes black as anyone has ever seen.

Her men standing with pride Their queen standing up for their family business, and their men family. She truly deserved this position Angelo giving here as she is more lethal, loyal, merciless than Angelo ever was. "Jared please give me the special knife. Jaxon help me by holding him down." Tessa slowly cut every single limb off of his body every finger, toe, tongue she took every single piece of him off and up. Continuing her task she was up half the night. The meeting was set up. She told Gage she had meetings in other buildings all day and to call her later in the evening as she had a working dinner. Gage and the guys were having a bro date and going for steaks. After setting everything up she welcomed them to her fathers home who was not in country until tomorrow but was proud of his daughters plan.

Having her men dressed as waiters who were serving the three best friends plus all nine of the higher ups of the gangs. As they were all dressed up to the nicest attire. "Gentle men I am so please you have graced me with your presence I have much to discuss with you this evening. In order to make you feel truly welcomed I did manage to slave away on a home-made meal for you. I've always felt a happiness in cooking." "Truly you use it as an art this is great our angel." The tallest one said. "Thank you Billy. Jay, Trevor how do you find it?" "It is the best stew I've ever had." "Perfect." The other men all agreed. They were not lying the flavors were specially seasoned and it's been a long time since any of them had home cooked anything.

Addressing her concerns she announced to Leon in a more calm manner. As if they were children getting their behavior checked like a teacher to a student. "We are sorry for the behavior of the men. We swear it won't occur again." Trevor told her putting on such a great show for her. "Trust me sweetie I know you won't. My men however deserve much more than a simple apology for how you treated them in such a horrendous way. As dessert was brought out she had special pictures places underneath it. "I have something special I would like you all to see under you slice of cake. Please take your time enjoy it." She waved to them as they tried to peak under to early.

As the waiters gathered behind every chair quietly and un-noticed the nine men looked down. The leaders their second and third in command face paled in true horror as they were seeing pictures of Leons body being chopped deboned and being cooked as the meat in the stew and cake they just ate not a single piece of dear Leon was wasted. "See gentlemen it's like I told dear Leon I don't take to well to disrespect and being lied to. Then to find out how little you treated my men, now I can't allow that. Yor men have all joined my armies as your gangs have been dismantled. How disappointed you have made me. You let me down Billy, Jay, and Trevor. You six are no better allowing such things to happen and continue to happen like this knowing better. You must be punished. See when you see something wrong it's your responsibility to bring it to the attention of others in charge to correct the error of the ways before it escalades into something more severe. By sitting back and letting bad things such as theirs happen it's like you were doing the crimes yourself. You had he opportunity to fix it and you failed. You will be examples of what the second and third in commands job should be and what happens if you fail."

Nodding to each man they all pulled out the small sharp knives and very swiftly slit each ones throat they all had a bet except for Tessa on who would bleed out first. The video was sent to every gang either high or low under mafias rule which was all of them to remind them of who was still in charge. After commanding the house to be cleaned by the men not the maids who didn't need to see such things. Tessa made her way home to shower as she got out and sat on the bed. It was eight thirty when her phone rang smiling to herself answering it quickly using the happiest sweetest voice she never knew she had. 'I was just thinking of you handsome.' 'Great minds think a like I guess.' 'Oh really so you were thinking of you too?' 'No, I meant that I was thinking of you too. You always so damn mean girl.' As they both laughed and he blushed. Talking for a few hours about her being nervous and the plans to meet his parents tomorrow she found herself feeling just fine about the take over on Thursday the big meeting, party, the forever change of owning thousands of companies being the soul trillionaire legitimately anyway not including all the dirty money from her true job. Tess realized she was more nervous of trying to master the take over and befriending Gages parents. Ready or not time will tell, only thing she knew for sure she would do anything for Gage and how scary it was how quickly she grew attached to him. Grabbing the pillow and breathing through her panic attack she came to the truth she never thought she would face. 'I'm falling for him.'

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