Page 1 of Pregnant By the Mafia Boss

Chapter One - Fiona

Ugh.If I could go back to sleep and call in sick.I would. Alexandra is giving me more than grief. Our exchange earlier was death by editorial.

“This story has no meat on its bones, and you failed to pick up the crucial edits. I need you to do an article rewrite. Oh, and I need it on my desk before five, today. If it’s not up to par, then I’m putting you back on bullet point how-to guides.”

“But… but.”

“No buts, Fiona. It’s either that or you’re out the door. You’re a junior editor with senior editor privileges; I expected better from you.”

Double ugh.My shoulders slump in heaviness as I drag my feet, pushing the door open to Urban Grind Coffee Bar in Chicago, feeling like all parts of the abject failure my boss, Alexandra, pegged me to be. I wish she would give me a fucking break.

I’m a junior editor at a lifestyle magazine. And the thing is, I can’t always salvage every article. I must have reread that article so many times, I thought my eyes would pop out. It wasn’t as bad as she made it out to be, but Alexandra likes target practice, and now, I’m her target of choice. But now, it’s going to be even worse given how it turned out.

My friends wave from their seats, and for a moment, I feel as if my world has a sense of normality to it. Sophia and Rachael are my saving graces.

Without them I would be tearing my hair out on the daily. Tossing my long, brown hair over my shoulder, I do my best to shake off the disappointing day and sail past the other patrons.

Rachael jumps up from her seat enthusiastically waving her hands. “Hey, over here!”

Smiling, I drop my purse on the empty seat and let out a woeful sigh. “My God.What a horrible day,” I moan.

“Tell me about it,” Sophia mutters sourly, her ginger mane making her a standout. She’s currently enduring practical work experience at Howard and Peterson Associates as a second year law student. Howard and Peterson is one of the most prestigious law firms in the country, so it’s bound to be tough.

“Oh, you too? What is it? Boys club at the law firm again?” I ask before gulping down the water in front of me.

“Yep, you guessed right. Preparation for the bullshit I’m going to put up with, but someone has to come in and balance the scales with these little cocky law boys. I don’t mind screwing them right back,” Sophia vents with a diabolical smirk, handing me the menu. I take a deep breath still trying to recover from my own dropped ball.

“What’s going on with you?” Rachael asks with a concerned look on her face, her short blonde bob tucked behind her ears.

“It’s totally bad. I’m hoping I don’t get fired. I’ve got a meeting in the morning with Alex the dragon,” I whine, crinkling up my nose.

“Oh no,thatcan’t be good. Do we all need wine for this?” Sophia asks.

I smirk at her with a hitched eyebrow. “We always need wine if we’re going to discuss work matters. Give me the nitty-gritty details. I’ve had a shit day, but let’s concentrate on yours, it will make me feel better,” Sophia says, smiling, her freckleshighlighted by the last of the sun’s light streaming in through the window.

“Gee thanks,” I remark dryly as Rachael throws me a sympathetic smile.

“Hey, trust me, I’m giving you a breather from all my shit-house stories in the office, be thankful,” she offers chirpily.

“You’re right, I should be,” I quip. “They sound brutal at the law office, but knowing you, I’m sure you can hold your own.”

“She does for sure, becauseweare the epitome of girl power,” Rachael proclaims sassily. “Look at us in our twenties, absolutely slaying.” Rachael snaps her fingers a few times, prompting giggles from Sophia and me.

Sophia might be super serious when it comes to being a law student, but once she’s among close friends, she changes completely. She’s the life of the party, and it’s me who’s the uptight one. Ah well, we all balance one another out.

“Youmight be slaying, Rachael, having your art show in the next two months. I’m not slaying, though,” I remind her, taking a quick glimpse around our favorite haunt.

“You are too! Alex doesn’t recognize talent when she sees it. She’s going to loosen up over time. Take it as a compliment if she’s riding you hard; then you might end up being her superstar senior editor in due time,” Racheal says in a bubbly tone.

Shaking my head, I shudder, recalling my blank computer screen freezing in front of me and closing down. “No, I can assure you, I’m number one on her hit list.”

“Alex really has it out for you. There must be something going on with her behind the scenes,” Sophia speculates.

“Trust me, there’s more to the story,” I say quickly as the server appears at our table, taking our wine and food orders.

“And?” Sophia gestures with her hands impatiently.

“My boss, Alex, didn’t like the article I already rewrote for the lifestyle interview with Angeles Masters.”

---