Chapter Text
Nat was good at staying invisible. No one really gave a burnout from the Bronx much thought anyway, unless she was in a store or anywhere with valuable things. It wasn’t like she was gonna steal something unless she had too. It really shouldn’t bother her when people assume she’s a criminal, which she is, but she wants someone to think she’s better than that just once.
It was especially easy to go unnoticed in one of Mr. Matthews’ huge parties thrown in his equally huge apartment.
Working at the door and checking people wearing outfits that cost more than her rent off lists as they filed in proved tedious work. All she had to do was convince Travis to take her spot, which was easy given all the longing looks he had flashed her that night. She had snuck away to the bar and flagged down the bartender for a drink, she didn’t need an ID, which was one of the good things about the parties.
She had finished her beer and set it down on the counter. When she turned around her eye immediately caught on a girl walking down the marble stair case. She was pretty far away but the first thing Nat noticed was how tall she was. Her long legs were covered by a silk white dress, her dark hair was slightly curled and flowing down her back.
Nat realized she was staring like a creep and quickly averted her gaze back to Travis as he let in an elderly couple. She turned back to the crowd and somehow spotted the tall girl again. It was pretty easy too anyway, someone as pretty as that stood out.
She was faking smiles and chatting it up with a man in a fancy tux. He was talking with as much enthusiasm as she hadn’t been. While he droned on Lotties eyes wandered across the room, then they landed on Nat. The other guy must have said something funny because she looked off guard, then started laughing, or at least it looked like it.
They had made eye contact for a few seconds before Nat turned around to call bartender back. She requested another beer to bring to Travis, he earned it after covering her ass for the hundredth time. Nat grabbed the beer and got ready to head back when out of the corner of her eye she spotted the taller girl strutting towards her.
Fuck. Nat really didn’t have anywhere to run now. So much for making herself invisible. She tried to make herself look busy as she pretended not to notice the other girl walking up towards her and eventually stopping by her side. Nat twisted her head around only to realize in horror that the girl wasn’t just some girl. She was Lottie fucking Matthews, the daughter of Malcolm Matthews. Her fucking boss and the head of the Matthew family.
Lottie leaned over the counter and set her glass of champagne down. The she turned offered her a small but genuine smile, and Nat nodded in response. She suddenly felt so insignificant next to her. Lottie wore an expensive white silk dress and Nat had on a thrifted black one. Lottie worse expense jewelry and Nat only had a beat up cross necklace she stole from her mom.
She realized how wrong this was. Lottie was rich, well mannered, and popular. Nat was just some hood who could barely afford to pay rent so she had to join the fucking mob, of all things. Like seriously, how damn hard was it to get a job at a grocery store?
It was Lottie who spoke first.
“I recognize you from school but I haven’t seen you around here. Are you a new associate?” Lottie had straightened her back and nervously sipped from her glass. She had seemed confident when she walked up to Nat, now she just looked awkward next to her. Nat was the one who should be nervous, and honestly this whole situation was putting her on edge.
“Uhm, not really. I was recruited a year ago but I was never really asked to work the parties.” Nat said as she looked up at the other girl. Holy shit . Her heels had made her even taller than Nat thought. She was at least towering half a foot above her.
“Oh cool,” Lottie blushed and flashed Nat a smile, and she immediately felt the need to return it, “Are you involved with the numbers game?”
“Yeah. I’m a bagman. Sometimes I’ll deliver the cash, sometimes I collect.” Nat responded with a smile. She couldn’t say she hated her job. Some parts were good, like when she gets a percent of some of the money she’s delivering, or when she runs around the Bronx with Travis and collects from the guys who were unlucky enough to loose.
“So I’m assuming you know who I am.” Lottie began, and obviously immediately regretted how incredibly stuck up that sounded. Her eyes got all wide and her face got red. She cleared her throat and spluttered, “I was just saying because of my dad- not that you should know who I am, it’s just that-“ she sighed and bit her lip, looking down at Nat in defeat.
Nat knew she would look like an asshole, but she couldn’t help herself. The giggles slipped out and turned into laughter. She wasn’t really laughing at Lottie, she was laughing at how insane the situation was. She really never thought she would ever interact with a girl like her.
“Sorry,” Nat managed, “I don’t wanna seem like an asshole.”
“It’s fine. I know I definitely look like one too after what I just said.” Lottie pointed out as she placed her empty champagne glass on the counter.
Nat laughed, “You do, but I knew what you meant.”
“Shit. I’m sorry about that.” Lottie answered, apologetically. Nat’s eyes wandered down to the taller girls hands, which was twisting a gold ring around her finger.
“Don’t sweat it princess.”
Lottie smiled at Nat and she returned it. Lottie opened her mouth like she was about to say something when she was flanked by a short balding man. Nat recognized him as one of the capos. He was probably Lottie’s uncle or something.
“Hey Charlotte, your fathers about to give his speech.” He announced, then glanced at Nat, giving her a once over. He glared disapprovingly at her then turned his attention back to Lottie, gently tugging on her arm in the direction of a large table.
Lottie offered one last smile before she allowed herself to be led away. “Bye-“ Lottie caught herself, “Wait! I don’t even know your name.” She exclaimed breathlessly.
The way Lottie had just sauntered up to Nat so determined and proceeded to act awkward throughout their conversation obviously caught her off guard. Of course Nat wouldn’t think to give Lottie her name, not that she needed it or anything.
“Natalie- Nat Scatorccio,” She answered, already grabbing Travis’ beer from the counter.
“See you around Scatorccio” Lottie replied, then disappeared into the crowd with the short guy.
Nat started to head back to Travis, but she couldn’t get the thought of Lottie out of her head. She seemed like one of those rich girls who relied on daddy’s money, in reality she was more than just a two dimensional bitch. She was actually pretty interesting, there was so much to figure out, to discover. Nat told herself that was one of the reasons she kept finding herself staring at Lottie. Excuses made her feel better about reality, if she faced stuff head on it would only complicate things. It was easier to be a coward.
Nat learned that the hard way. Ever since her dad died her mom was never really the same. She told herself it wasn’t her fault, but deep down she knew it was. She was a terrible person and everyone around her was suffering because of it, including herself. Nat had to find some way to make money, so she started committing some small crimes.
Sal, a guy who lived in the apartment next to her eventually noticed and started connecting her with some of the members. She started out helping for extra and they eventually let her join the crew.
Nat tried to stay longer but she couldn’t stand the crowd. After Mr. Matthews big speech, and most of the guests had been checked off Nat decided to go.
She headed back to her apartment, smoked some cigarettes and fell asleep. It was peaceful for the most part until she awoke with a jolt as the phone rang. It was only 7:30 so the call must’ve been important. Nat jumped out of bed and headed to the kitchen.
“Nat here. Who’s calling?”
“Yo Nat! It’s Vinny. The boss wants you to come down here quick. Said something about a little assignment for you.”
“Fuck. This early? Alright I’m headed there now. See ya.”
“Bye.”
Nat hung up and groaned. The boss? What the fuck would Mr. Matthews want with her? She knew by now it was better not to ask question though. She dressed quickly and pulled on her leather jacket, then she bounded down to the stairs to catch the subway. She was about an hour away from Mr. Matthews huge apartment, so she had to hurry.
Nat crossed the street and walked up to the big glass doors of his building. She pulled them open and stepped inside. Her dirty boots staining the velvet carpet.
“Natalie?” A scratchy voice drawled from chair. Nat turned and saw Mr. Matthews. He wore a black suit and a silver watch, his light brown hair slicked back.
“Hello sir. I heard you had an assignment for me?” Nat began hesitantly. She always made sure to tread lightly around him, she couldn’t afford to slip up especially around him.
“Yes I do Natalie. Unfortunately my driver has fallen ill. I heard of your interaction with my daughter Charlotte last night, and I thought you could prove yourself to me by driving her to an event this morning.”
This had to be a joke. Some sick unfunny joke. But Nat knew guys like this didn’t joke around. She thought meeting Lottie would be a one and done deal. She didn’t think Lottie would become a part of her life like this. Nat had somehow avoided her for a year. She avoided her in the school halls, she avoided her when she met with the other mafioso, so why was Lottie started to creep her way into Nats life now?