Norah was actually doing pretty well for her first day on the job. The customers seemed to like her too. She really could be quite charming when she wanted to be. She could give Gabriele a run for his money if there ever was a charming contest. She had only mixed up one order so far, but the customers just laughed it off. She was helping Gilbert in her free moments, fetching him things like ice, clean glasses, slicing lemons and limes for garnishes.

As she stopped at the bar, placing her tray on the counter, she gave Gilbert a bright smile and he returned it before placing drinks on the tray.

"How are you getting along?"

"Pretty alright, actually. It's nice. Homey." Her smile brightened.

"Has its own special charm." Norah nodded, agreeing. "Well, if you need any help, you know where to find me."

She thanked him and quickly left with her tray of drinks, taking them to the correct table this time. She was standing by one table of five young men. They all couldn't be older than thirty and they were all reasonably attractive. They kept ordering rounds of drinks and were in quite deep despite the fact it was only four in the afternoon. She rolled her eyes at this, brought the drinks slower and slower, busying herself with other things. Gilbert hadn't cut them off yet so she kept bringing the drinks. She tried suggesting some food to help temper the alcohol but they refused.

As she looked up from her table, she saw Gabriele practically run out of his office, scowling and looking like he had a dark cloud following him. She quirked one eyebrow, curious as to what he was so upset about and where he was going. She turned her back on the table to watch him leave, and as she was distracted by him, one of the young men slapped her ass. Norah's eyes shot wide and she spun her heel to face the offender.

He grinned at her drunkenly, "'Ey there," he hiccuped, "sweet cheeks." His words were slurred and his buddies laughed.

"Whaz it gunna take for me to get a piece of that fiiiiine ass tonight?" Another asked, and another round of laughter. Her face was hot with anger.

"Can we take turns?" Another chimed in, earning more laughs from his friends.

They were all staring at her like they were ravenous dogs and she was a fine cut of meat. She felt her cheeks burn and her heart beat rapidly in her chest. Her first instinct was to punch those fuckers in the mouth and hop on the nearest bus out of town. However, she knew this gig was too good to give up just yet. Her whole body went stiff as she took a few steps away from the table, out of their reach.

"This fine ass is so far out of your league it's not even funny. So you can take your drunken pervy-ness elsewhere. You're welcome to leave now." She said icily, her eyes glinting with threats of violence and dark hatred.

The boys immediately quieted, put off by this terrifying woman before them. Gilbert had come from behind the bar and his presence added to the tension as he loomed over the five men, his arms crossed against his chest.

"I advise you take the ladies advice, pay your bill and get out of here." He said, his voice stern and scary.

The boys nodded and they all stood, wobbly on their feet as they cleared their throats.

"We'll... we'll just get outta here." One spoke, his words slurred.

"Make it home safe~" Norah sang in a sarcastic tone, waving them off. Then she turned to Gilbert, sighing as she pinched the bridge of her nose.

"Thanks for at least getting them out of here."

"You had it covered it pretty well on your own, all I did was make sure they paid the bill." He shrugged. She laughed.

Lydia was snickering by the counter, her tray held up to cover her mouth and as Norah glared her, she ducked behind it.

"Sorry! Sorry. I can't help it. You were so... fierce!!! Damn girl!" Lydia was giddy, her voice high pitched.

Norah rolled her eyes, the smile gracing her lips as she leaned against the counter, her hand reaching over to lower the tray. Maybe she liked Lydia. A little.

"It was nothing." She shrugged

"It was everything! I would have never been brave enough to do that!! I would know, those boys have harassed me before on multiple occasions."

Norah rolled her eyes again. "Well, maybe now they'll think twice, huh?" She smirked.

"Oh, hey. Do you know what Gabriele was in such a rush for? He practically ran out." Her curiosity got the better of her and she couldn't help it.

Lydia furrowed her eyebrows together, looking towards the pub door as she thought for a moment, then shrugged. "Gabe does that from time to time. The pub isn't his only business, you know."

Norah's interest was piqued more. "What else does he do?"

"Oh, he helps with his family's business, he's like some sort of co-owner or... something. I think he mostly runs it right now though while his brother gets a handle over the place." Lydia tapped her finger against her chin for a moment, lost in her thought before speaking again with a bit of a shrug, "you know, for as long as I've known that man, I'm not quite sure what he gets up to. I've never really asked." A small frown crossed her lips.

So there was more than one Castano man. She bit her lip, curious if all they looked alike. She wouldn't mind seeing more than one of him... Lydia waved a hand in front of Norah's face, clearly lost in thought and she snapped out of it as she stood up straight.

"Earth to Norah!" Lydia teased, giggling, "one of your tables is waving for you." Norah nodded and cleared her throat, quickly leaving.

"Sorry about that." She said apologetically as she smiled brightly at the older couple.

"Oh, it's quite alright deary. Are you new?" Norah nodded, clasping her hands in front of her.

"Yes, I am. Just started today."

"That's great! Gabriele's a wonderful man, you'll love it here." The older woman smiled warmly. Norah felt her chest flutter at the mention of his name. She pulled a smile to her lips.

"Thank you, I hope so. This is a wonderful community so far."

"What made you come to Little Italia?" The older woman was being awfully friendly and chatty, not that Norah minded. Or at least she thought she didn't mind.

She rubbed the back of her neck nervously, laughing a bit, "I guess I just kind of showed up here." She shrugged.

The woman let out a laugh of her own, "ah yes, I can't tell you how many people have wandered through only to end up staying. The charm pulls you in." Norah could tell the woman loved this place dearly and it warmed her heart.

"Yes, of course." She looked up then to notice that someone else was trying to catch her attention. "I am terribly sorry, we'll have to talk later." She said, bowing her head before wandering away to tend to other things.

***

The rather tired Gabriele made his way back to the pub, which by now would be packed to the brim with hungry nighttime workers and the returning drunks. He looked at his watch, the time nearing 6 PM. He let out an audible sigh and ran a hand over his face tiredly. Maybe he was asking for too much work, and maybe he was overworking himself, but it wasn't like he had anything else to occupy his time. No wife, no children, he lived above the bar for the sake of everything. He had nothing but his work.

Gabriele walked through the doors of his pub and was greeted quite loudly by the bar. He smiled widely as he was hugged and pulled around playfully by drunk patrons and he let out a hearty laugh.

"Have a few drinks with us, Gabe! We never see you anymore!" Yelled one of the many drunks and Gabriele ran a hand through his hair and down his neck.

"Yeah, come on! You never join us anymore. Always working." Another one said, less drunk than the other as he nudged Gabriele in the arm.

He put his hands up in surrender and out a tired sigh. "Alright, alright. I yield." He said with a laugh as he was dragged over to the bar.

Norah was still going strong when she finally saw Gabriele walk back through the door. She set the drinks down for the table she was at and walked away with a smile. She laughed a bit when everyone in the bar roared and clapped at his entrance.

He really is well loved here. That must be a nice feeling...

She adjusted her apron and sashayed up to him. She settled herself next to him at the bar, leaning an elbow on the counter and putting her face in her hand.

"So. What was so important you had to leave us here alone? The ladies here missed you." She teased.

She didn't really care what he was doing but she was just curious, especially considering how agitated he was.

Gabriele smirked his trademarked smirk as he leaned against the counter. "Did they now? Does that include you?"

"Maaaaaybe~" She purred, a grin gracing her lips.

He chuckled, shaking his head as he lifted the glass of whiskey to his lips, taking a long sip. Norah looked at Gilbert.

"One little shot of Henny, Gilbert. I need a little pep in my step to go till 2 AM." She gave him a playful wink.

Gilbert chuckled a bit and gave her really just a tiny sip. She swigged it down quickly and wished there was way more but she didn't want to be a sloppy drunk in front of her boss on the first day. Gabriele smirked, bringing his glass to his lips once more and taking another sip of the brown liquid.

"So, how was your first day?" He asked, sliding onto one of the bar stools, leaning against his side as he looked at Norah, his hand idly swirling his glass, the ice clinking against the sides.

"It was great, to be honest." She had a bright smile on her face. "Everyone here is so nice, genuine."

"Yeah, it sure does feel like home, huh?" He asked, looking out across the crowd, everyone being friendly to one another.

"Yeah... I never had any of this before." Her voice got quiet as she looked down at her hands.

"You could stay."

She had a sad smile on her face as she looked at Gabriele.

"If only things were that simple, Gabe."

A frown crossed his lips and he had a feeling she was telling the truth. She patted him on the shoulder and turned to make her leave, going to check on the other patrons. He sighed, hanging his head as he rubbed the back of his neck.

"She's a tough one, Gabe," Gilbert spoke, his voice quiet.

"Yeah, she is." He lifted his head, looking at the older man, "I don't know what to make of her."

"She's obviously troubled, more so than anything you've experienced."

"Tell me about it... I know she won't talk about it but I can tell she's running from something, or rather someone." He bit his lip.

"Everyone has their past. You have skeletons hiding in your closet too, Gabe."

He crinkled his nose, knowing the man was right. He sighed, hanging his head again.

"I'm not going to stop her from leaving, it's not my place. I don't know her."

"Did I tell you to stop her?" Gilbert shrugged, "I don't even know if any of us can help her."

Gabriele sighed again then turned in his seat, his back pressed against the counter as he watched the lively, bustling pub, sipping on his whiskey. His eyes kept finding Norah in the crowd though and his heart fluttered at her smile, her laughter ringing out through the place. It was intoxicating, contagious. The corners of his lips twitched in a smile.

Norah was keeping herself busy and occupied, trying to keep her thoughts off what always found its way into her. It was a plague and a disease, that man haunted her no matter where she went and no matter what she did. She tried to keep herself bright and optimistic though for the day, wanting to make a good impression on Gabriele and the patrons.

The night dragged on and Gabriele had been with the loud crowd that ushered him in, rounds of drinks being ordered. He wasn't one to turn down a drink, but he took it easy and laid off the booze, enjoying himself simply with the company of the folk. He laughed and played, losing track of time. It was something he hadn't quite done much of in a long time and he relished in the feeling of being free, of being himself and only himself.

However, something, or rather someone caught his attention as he stood to make his leave for the restroom. He could feel a presence following him as he made his way down the narrow hallway and as he turned the corner, he stopped, hiding against the wall and waiting for a moment for the feeling to fade. Soon though, a shadow crept across the wall and Gabriele gritted his teeth. A patron wouldn't follow him knowing the bathroom was a single person use, and so once close enough, he closed the distance between the two, pressing the following presence up against the wall.

A chuckle broke out, a grin crossing the man's lips as his back met the harsh brick. "Testy as always, Gabe?" Spoke a smooth voice despite the broad, strong arm pressing against his shoulders and throat.

It took a moment for the slightly intoxicated Gabriele to realize who this stranger was and once he had, he broke away from him, a puzzled look plastered across his face. "What are you doing here?" He hissed, his voice hushed but not quite.

The stranger held up a letter in between two his fingers, a wicked grin spreading across his face, sending chills down Gabriele's spine, though he refused to show this man had any effect on him.

Norah had watched Gabriele all night, a smile on her face as she saw how happy the man was and how loved he seemed to be. It was something she longed for, something she so desperately wished she had. It brought a warmth to her as she thought about finally settling down. However, a frown also crossed her lips as she remembered she was hiding and probably wouldn't still be here in a month. A dull ache found its way into her chest and she rubbed the spot absentmindedly.

She had been gathering dishes, taking a tub full back to the kitchen when she passed the hall leading to the bathrooms, though the shadows paused in the corridor caught her curiosity and she stopped for a moment, the tub perched on her hip. She kept out of sight as she heard voices, and one sounded very familiar.

"I don't want whatever you're offering." Gabriele shook his head, tsking as he turned to leave, rounding the corner for a moment.