~Mel P.O.V~

　　I slammed my hand down on my alarm clock next to my bed, that's been going off for awhile now. I slowly opened my eyes sealed with crust, to look at the clock, to see that it said 6:01, enough time for me to get ready before going my job that starts at 7:30, at a five star Italian restaurant called Pasfsao.

　　I've been working there for about six months now as a waitress. I was very surprised that I was even qualified for the job, seeing that the restaurant was very high in status. For this job you need years of experience in this business and I knew that the only close experience  I've had was working at Burger King my junior year in high school.

　　

　　Staring  at the ceiling of my two bedroom apartment for about five minutes, I decided  to stop being lazy and start getting ready. Throwing the thick blanket off my body, I was slapped in the face with the chilly air in contrast of my warm bed. I groaned when my feet touched the cold ground. I ignored the goosebumps that traced my arms and went to do my daily routine.

　　After I was done, I ran to my closet to take out my uniform. It consisted of a pair of black pants, a red apron and a white button down dress shirt. I was very happy that they changed the uniform requirements for the lady's, because it used to be a very seductive red dress  that didn't really cover anything. The men's  on the other hand were able to wear black dress shirts and black slacks along with a red apron, that made the look very classy. But the expense to dry clean the uniforms was too much, so they changed the dress code.

　　The pay at Pasfsao was good enough to afford my apartment. I was almost done getting dressed when my phone started to ring. I rolled my eyes, knowing who it was already. I walked over to the side table, picking up my phone, seeing that it was my bestfriend, Serenity.

　　Ren and I had met during my freshman year of high school while she was a junior. But before I had officially met her in high school, I already knew her, when we fought over the last August Alsina shirt in Burlington. Classy, I know. We thought we both hated each other just for that one incident that she won, but when I spoke to her my freshman year, that's when I found out we had alot in common. I just had compliment her about her hair and somehow we exchanged numbers and that was the start of M&S, we always did everything together, no matter what it was. Sis could ask me to go rob a bank with her and I'm down. I know it's a weird way to meet your bestfriend but I personally wouldn't want it any other way.

　　"Hello?" I answered

　　"Where at you at?, Are you not coming to work?" She asked. I could hear the banging of pots and the clanking of dishes in the background letting  me know she was at work already.

　　" I mean I have no other choice"

　　"Oh hush, but I need to tell you something."

　　"Okay spill"

　　"We're going to the club later to celebrate  your birthday" she stated

　　"Uumm no we are not and that's it, I'm not arguing with you"

　　"But you turn twenty-one tomorrow and it's a Friday night. You're coming and that's final, you can't get out of this Mel."

　　"Whatever bro I'll see you at work" and with that I hung up not wanting to hear another word.

　　She's so frustrating. She always want to do something for my birthday when she knows I dont even like going anywhere, but I might  just go I dont know yet.

　　I went back to the mirror to start my hair, and I silently thanked God that the bonnet stayed on while I slept. Slipping it off, I laughed at the line that was constrasting on my dark brown skin. Rubbing my hand in the coconut oil, I carefully un-braided my four chunky braids until I had a head full of bouncy curls, hanging 4 inches away from my waist. No I am not mixed, I'm a full black Jamaican. Ya girl has just been working real hard on this shit.

　　I grabbed the name tag that says "MELINA" printed in bold letters, then did a final look over myself in my full length mirror. I walked down the hallway to the front door grabbing my keys off the key holder and went through the door. I locked both the locks on my door and went to my black Honda, buckling myself in, and finally made my way to Pasfsao.

　　...

　　Before  I could reach the restaurant,  I could see the big red lights of Pasfsao in cursive  shining, placed at the top of the three story  restaurant. Reaching the parking lot, I notice something that was never there before. I saw numerous  black SUVs parked in front of Pasfsao along with two black limousines. Their windows are heavily tinted, and it seemed they max over the legal limit.

　　Pulling into the employee parking lot in the back, I saw two muscular men standing  at the entrance dressed  in full black suits with a red rose on the left sides of their suits. Fear was slowly taking over my body as I saw their guns tucked in the waist bands of their pants. Today must be a very important day to have security stationed out front.

　　Ignoring the scare that the two mans brought  me, I stepped out the car and made my way to the employee's  entrance. Entering the break room I was shocked to see everyone in their  old uniform. Looking across the room I saw Serenity sitting on one of the couches that's  pushed back against the wall. Walking over to her she noticed me and jumped up, she too was wearing her red seductive dress, that complimented her body a little too much.

　　"Why is every one wearing their old uniforms?" I asked her looking around confirming that  I was the only one wearing pants and an apron.

　　Sighing, she looked at me."Um did you not get the message Ray sent out this morning?" Ray is the store manager and is total ass.

　　"Um no, what message are you talking about?"

　　"The one that stated that we are going back to our old uniforms  for today, because there people that are extremely  important to our business, that are coming today and he wants to make a good impression to them" she finished raising her perfectly  done eyebrows.

　　"Sorry if I was getting ready for work which I now see was pointless" I said with an attitude  not really caring.

　　"There are some dresses in the back, go pick one and put it on before Ray gives us the go ahead to start working. Hurry up because I have some news for you" she said starting to push me to the back room.

　　Going towards the back, I smelt the faint scent  of weed. We don't allow the guests to smoke any kind of substance in this restaurant, but I guess that some of them are lucky to get away with it.

　　Looking that the door which  held the uniforms, I scowled knowing that some of these men don't know how to behave when they see skin. Disgrace. I turned the silver doorknob and went inside.

　　Looking around on the racks I finally found a size six  dress that will fit me and went to the bathroom  to change. See, this is what they have us wearing to work. I was so upset to the point where I knew that today was not going to be my day.

　　....

　　"DAMN! Melina" Serenity practically screamed when I went back into the break room, causing everyone one else to look at me.

　　"God could you be any louder than you are" I glared at her. She gave me a cheeky smile and nod her head, yes.

　　"Umm yes I can be and you know that too so don't  test me"

　　"Shut up" I sigh and sat down. These black pumps are killing my feet, I hate heels. I don't  usually  have to wear a dress unless it was an important  event that I was attending  to.

　　"What did you need to tell me anyway" I asked. She sat down and sighed.

　　"Ray wants us to go in and serve them" she rolled her eyes then pouted. "Like why couldn't he have chosen someone else."

　　"What?"

　　"Yeah, but that's not even the bad part. I heard that it's a Mafia!" She silently yelled.

　　"Nope, Ray must be fucking dumb if he thinks that we're  going out there, in a room full of Mobsters. Ren they might kill us !"

　　"Mel calm down. They have no reason to shoot us if it's true" she said putting her hand on my shoulder.

　　"Why are you so calm huh? While I'm scared out my heels"

　　She laughed and said "You damn well know that I will not let any of them touch you." What is this girl saying? They have guns, we have sticks for hands.

　　"I'm going to speak to him." I stood up and try not to pass out with the news that Serenity just gave me. I hugged her and left the break room  and walked to Ray's office.