THE ESCAPE

MARCO ANDREA RICCI. owner & head chef at ricci's. forty-one. ventura.

[marcoriccix]

thomasxastor​:

“It’s an option that I want to explore, but we’ll see.” The rent option started to sound more and more appealing to his ears, it was easier and perhaps cheaper than a hotel. A long and good contract with an Airbnb wasn’t something he was going to discard either, but the question was why was he looking for the short committing version of staying when the reason for his coming was one for the long run? Putting together the new office alone was going to take months, up to a year, in his best predictions. “If you are able to arrange that, I’ll you owe you one and maybe not speak about wanting you to move all the all to New York to have Ricci’s special.”

Raising his hand once again to get the waiters attentions, Thomas calls for a refill but asking for them to leave the bottle close by instead. “I will not take it personally that you don’t want it to be New York City.” He says in a playful tone. “I respect the work you are doing to build it up the reputation over here before make any moves, but expansion, pulling some investors is never a bad call either.”

*

“It’s definitely an option.” Marco wasn’t an expert, of course, but he could understanding wanting somewhere more permanent. When he’d first moved back to the island his place had been less than impressive, a condo out in Lafayette Square that he’d been renting. The house he’d purchased for himself not long after Ricci’s had opened, had been a little more impressive and was where he continued to live in all its too large for just him glory. His mother was the one who repeatedly made remarks about that, how it would be the perfect house to raise a family in. Problem was, he actually needed a family to be able to do that first. “Oh yeah? That’s the deal, huh?” A laugh escaped him and he took a sip of his drink.

Was this a subject that would never die, he wondered? More than likely not. He appreciated it, though, and the fact that Thomas was so interested in expanding his career. At the other man’s words, he nodded, his gaze shifting downward for a moment. “There are other more personal reasons,” he added, something that he rarely ever got into with Thomas. They didn’t talk about personal matters much.

[marcoriccix]

amelialandon​:

Amelia couldn’t help but chuckle when the man next to her was pretty sure about the fact that it was the truth. It sounded so clumsy that it was just unbelievable that it could be true. At least it was to her, maybe she would learn quickly enough that this son of the mayor had the reputation of being this clumsy. Her eyes widened slightly when the man next to her mentioned that they were both at the party of Georgina. “Really? I’m so sorry, I’m just bad at names and the fact that I met like a million people that night did not help at all.” Okay, a million was definitely overreacting. She narrowed her eyes slightly, trying to remember the name of the man in front of her but there was no name popping up. “Let me introduce myself properly at least, I’m Amelia and I was indeed at Geo’s party. How can I call you for future references?”

The truth of it was, Marco had heard much stranger stories over the years and they’d turned out to be true, so why on earth wouldn’t this be? Plus he had read around it in the local newspaper and he hadn’t been able to get away from customers talking about it since. The pot washers in the kitchen never shut up about it either, especially the one who had been a witness to the crime. At her reaction to what he was saying, though, he found himself shaking his head and chuckling softly. “You and me both,” he answered honestly. “There were more there than I was expecting, I have to admit. The way it’d been sold to me I’d figured it was a fairly intimate affair… but apparently not.” He hadn’t minded, of course, the more people there the less chance there was of him making an idiot of himself —- something that was becoming ever more probable. “Nice to meet you officially,” he responded, reaching a hand out for a casual shake. “I’m Marco.”

[marcoriccix]

ardinhirsch​:

Ardin snorts at the mention of quitting again, so casually, such a passing thing. Like Ardin could just toss the pack and never go back. Just like that. “Not now,” He repeats though, when Marco takes one for himself, and he hands over the lighter. Ardin knows he’ll probably quit when the walk up the stairs will make him winded. And when asked further about it, Ardin shakes his head, flicking away some of the ask. “Well I told my sister about—,” Jerry tells him he needs to get comfortable with saying the words out loud, “Being diagnosed with ASD.” He pushes it out, then huffs, “Which was… an experience. Then I just, kind of needed it from then on.”

A nod and Marco smiled, reaching out to take the lighter a moment later. Once the cigarette was lit, he inhaled deeply, the sensation slightly foreign but nothing he wasn’t used to. It was nothing but a bad habit when he’d been having an awful day, although he supposed that Ardin had fallen back on the same habit for quite similar reasons. Not an awful day, but an awful week or month. He could relate to that on some level, even if their circumstances were quite different. “Okay,” he responded, his words slow and calculated, thinking about every one of them as he spoke, “And what did she say? Did it not go well?” He wasn’t entirely sure how it couldn’t, but you never really knew with those kinds of things, especially in the case of family you weren’t too close to. He couldn’t help but be thankful that things were quite different from his own and often felt for his friend when it came to family matters.

[marcoriccix]

The love letter of someone who forgot how.

A year ago, Marco wouldn’t have considered sending a Valentine’s Day balloon for a second, the tradition had always been lost on him, even if he knew he could have sent letter upon letter to friends and family. In fact, he was fairly sure he hadn’t sent one since his high school days, some silly crush he hadn’t been able to get over. He’d been on the island for six months and hadn’t been able to resist her. Loves young pathetic dream.

This year was different. He’d found himself lying awake, words swirling around his mind until he’d been throwing off the covers and putting pen to paper. Briefly he’d considered crumpling the letter up into a ball and tossing it into the garbage, his fingers stretching out over the crisp white paper ready to just that, then he’d stopped himself. He’d folded it up tightly, slipped it into an envelope, and then walked to the spot on Valentine’s night.

Dear Holly,

I suspect the only reason that I’m writing this at all is with the knowledge that you will never read it. Makes me a bit of a coward, I know that, but at least I can admit it to myself, even if I can’t admit it to anyone else. At the very least, I’m hoping this takes me a step closer to being able to say all of this to you in person one day, as scary as that might be to someone as ‘emotionally constipated’ as I am.

Not a day goes by where I don’t think about you.

A decade, that’s how long it’s been. It may have been longer, but I’m not usually one for counting the days. It is true, though, even if it took a couple of years for you to worm your way on in there. Once you were there, you were never leaving and I kidded myself into thinking that several years without you would make me forget. It seems Charles M. Schulz was right, absence does make the heart grow fonder, as much as there is a part of me screaming to deny it.

I’ve never considered myself a jealous man. Jealous, though, I was in the end. I was jealous that I could never have you entirely to myself. Now there’s a chance I could and yet here we are, reunited yet further apart than ever. It hurts. Never thought I’d say it, but it really hurts. It’s a strange sensation to want someone as much as I want you, I didn’t think I’d ever feel that way about anyone again, although it seems deep down I’ve been feeling this way for a long time.

I feel like I’m rambling so I’m going to cut this short. I might regret all of this in the morning, I feel, but at least you won’t be able to see it or hear it. Not yet, at least.

Marco.

@hollidaycarlson​

[marcoriccix]

madelynsok​:

A part of her wasn’t expecting him to actually accept her offer. On the three occasions she had been at the restaurant Marco had heads down doing what any committed business owner would: concentrating on running their business. Colour her surprised. She leans forward extending her own hand with a grin. “Madelyn. But Maddie works. After what both of us have been through I think there’s been enough of a bond there for things to be less formal.” 

Releasing his hand, she motions to the seat across from her and leans back into her seat. “I’m not going to lie, Marco. Any time I come in here you look mildly stressed out. Unless that’s what they call being put together and calm these days.” It was all in jest of course. Maddie had friends (although friends was a loose term sometimes) in various industries but anyone in the culinary business by far won for being the most stressed out. She could see why. Case in point, people like her who had the misfortune of having something go wrong any time she stepped foot in here. “How long have you been at this?” She motions to the well oiled machine around them. 

*

As Marco took a seat, he nodded his head, taking in what she was saying. “Maddie it is,” came his response, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “I think you’re probably right.” Less formal would certainly be nice and she made a good point, even if he hadn’t been involved exactly in her previous issues. He rarely had time to drop the formalities when he was working, but at the same time, he made his own rules, so he could if he wanted to. At the end of the day, his sous chef and restaurant manager could run the place with their eyes closed, so having a little down time wasn’t a big deal. 

Leaning back in the seat a little as he got comfortable, he had to laugh at what she said to say —- and there really was a small part of him who felt slightly ashamed if that was the impression he gave to visitors to the restaurant. “Of course it is, what else do you expect put together and calm to look like?” he questioned with the most casual of shrugs. It was a little ridiculous when complete strangers (almost) could tell how stressed you were getting. He only hoped that she hadn’t ever been in the restaurant on an evening he’d completely lost it with the kitchen staff. “This place opened seven years ago, but.. thirteen years on and off.” He knew it often surprised people, they expected him to say he’d been doing it since he even could.

[marcoriccix]

harperxnorwood​:

“Well that’s good, because I have enough you can fault me for without my love of cocktails being one of them” she joked. The brunette was never one to take herself too seriously. “And its nice to know you enjoy low-priced cocktails as much as I do.” Harper knew that Ricci’s was considered more upscale than Norwood’s, and while that didn’t bother her, she got a small sense of satisfaction in knowing that Marco was just as willing to overlook the tackiness of Luau Larry’s as she was. As the bartender approached, Harper ordered another drink. Then she turned back to Marco. “Will you let me buy you your next drink?” she asked. She was enjoying Marco’s company and figured her offer was a good way to keep their conversation going.

“That’s not true,” Marco said with a shake of his head and a smile. “Don’t usually go picking fault with anyone anyway, so I’m not about to start digging deeper.” What would be the point in that anyway? As their next round of drinks arrived, he paid them, immediately reaching for his own and taking a long drink. Probably best not to swig down cocktails, but today he just didn’t seem to care all that much, he was there to drink and drink he would. “What’s not to love about this? Come on.” His smile was bright now and he chuckled a little as he placed his glass back down again. When she mentioned buying the next round, he nodded his head and responded with a simple, “Wouldn’t dare say no.” He paused for a moment, and then added, “So how’s life treating you Miss Norwood, away from the restaurant?”

[marcoriccix]

ardinhirsch​:

Ardin hums and nods his head, taking in a deep inhale of the cigarette, and letting out the long string of smoke. “Just feels wrong considering I quit ten years ago.”  Well, has it really been that long, though? “No, it’s been more like six years, who am I kidding.” The divorce certainly brought back a time of regular smoking. But he looks over to his friend, and then down at his pack. He holds it out, his small little gesture. “You care to join me in this terrible habit then?” If he was going to do it, why not do it in company where he felt less awful. Maybe then he’d actually enjoy the nicotine.

Marco did nothing but shrug in response. It seemed that Ardin was the only one worrying about it right now and sometimes the moment really did call for a bad habit or two to take hold. He imagined one day that his friend would move on from everything and probably make the effort to quit again. “So quit again...” his words are said casually as he immediately reached out to take a cigarette from the pack. “But tomorrow, not now.” He chuckled then. “Anything in particular bought it on? Not that I don’t get it, ‘cause I really, really do.” He definitely had a few situations that didn’t just involve the kitchen making him reach for the pack he had stashed away in his office. 

[marcoriccix]

hollidaycarlson​:

Holly smirks, though she keeps her eyes averted, almost as if she is embarrassed to find enjoyment in the one thing she’d told herself she hated to do. Of course, Marco helping her certainly sweetened the deal, but she’d never tell him that to his face. No, she’s perfectly content keeping that tidbit to herself, flipping through the mostly-empty notebook with a watchful eye. 

“Ooh — you’ve piqued my interest.” She moves to reach for the notebook, almost child-like in her insistence to see the little book in his hand. “I’m curious to see what you write to figure out the recipes all of your amazing dishes.” Holly tilts her head, looking around at the remaining ingredients. “Ready when you are,” she replies, nodding. If dinner was simple, she couldn’t imagine dessert would be much harder. 

*

When Holly said Marco had piqued her interest, he couldn’t help but smile, keeping hold of the notebook for a moment, lifting it high out of her reach. But then he handed it over without much hesitation as he turned back to check they had everything for making dessert. Honestly, he had no qualms in giving it to her, it wasn’t as though she would be using it against him or stealing his recipes. It meant a lot to him, but he found he didn’t mind sharing it with her.

“Okay, well, we’re going seriously simple here. Chocolate mousse.” It wouldn’t take much doing at all and the last thing he wanted to do was overcomplicate things when he was trying to keep it light and fun to a certain extent. Truth was he could quite easily overcomplicate things with his feelings, so there was no need to add the cooking into that. “First things first we need to melt the chocolate and get that ready.” He cast her a glance, a smile crossing his features as he reached for a pan and a glass bowl, passing the bowl to her. “Break it into there.” He intended to just oversee while giving her a few instructions.

It wouldn’t really take long, and then maybe they could break out the wine, ‘cause he felt a little like he needed it. He wasn’t used to spending a long time in her presence, just the two of them. He wasn’t great at dealing with it.

[marcoriccix]

madelynsok​:

“Listen if you knew me, I’m always bringing some kind of trouble wherever I go,” Madelyn laughs although it’s a statement that has more weight than she lets on. Her sisters had once likened her to a hurricane or a storm, coming in and raining on their parades. There was a part of her that enjoyed ruining things for people that seemed to dislike her whether warranted or not…but those people were usually her sisters. So maybe their comparisons did hold some truth to it. 

Speaking directly to the situation at hand though, she supposes that almost dying is probably causation for her to take the situation a little more seriously than she was. “If you want me to be mad I could cause a scene.” She casts a glance back towards the bottle that he’s placed on the table before, “Or we could crack open that bottle and join me.” Maddie gives the man a sympathetic look. “You look like you need it more than me.” 

*

Her comment was proof really that Marco didn’t know her at all, only that she was a customer that his staff had managed to screw over several times, which didn’t tell him much in the grand scheme of things. “Well, I am sorry it followed you here as well,” was his final comment, knowing now that he wasn’t about to win in this debate. She’d accepted the mistake with grace and he really did appreciate that as there were so many that wouldn’t have.

When she continued, he shook his head, gentle laugh escaping. “No... I think we can get through this without if you’re happy,” he answered her, accepting what she was saying, a smile crossing his features now. What he didn’t expect, though, was for her to offer for him to join her at the table and to crack open the bottle of champagne. He rarely got a chance to do that. “When the customers start telling me that, I know it’s time to worry,” he said then, shaking his head. “But, sure, I don’t think I can say no to that offer.” Before he took a seat, however, he offered his hand for a formal introduction. “Marco,” he informed her.

[marcoriccix]

amelialandon​:

Where: Catalina Marina Dock When: February 1st, morning @catalinastarter​

Amelia had a free morning that day so she had taken a walk along the coastline, ending at the Catalina Marina Dock for a short break before she would return home again. Her sight was on the large water in front of her, knowing that on the other side of it the rest of the state of California could be found. The ferry caught her attention, shaking her head for a moment as she remembered the article in the Catalina Times, knowing that all the ferry drivers had to take a course to update themselves. It made Amelia chuckle to herself. “Do you think that the rumour of the mayor’s son spilling hot sauce all over the panelling is true or not?” She asked the person standing close to her out of nowhere. She smiled at the person. “Sorry, that one is out of the blue. Were you on the ferry when it happened?”

Marco had taken an early run out into the city to source supplies. Most of the ingredients for the restaurant came from the island, if they could do, but there were a few things he needed to pick up from suppliers out in the city. Today had been one of those days. After departing the ferry and making his way along the path that led back onto the island and towards Ventura, he was taken by surprise slightly by the voice, but a smile came to him. “Pretty sure it is,” he responded simply, and then as she continued, chuckled. “I think we were at the same party actually... at least, I think I saw you.”

[marcoriccix]

ardinhirsch​:

@marcoriccix​

Location: Ardin’s Driveway Time: 7:22pm

Ardin’s secret stash of cigarettes has been replaced twice since the beginning of the year. He doesn’t want to publicly admit he started smoking again, but the stress just keeps hitting him. When Marco came over, and Ardin grabbed the bottle of wine, he said a passing message of wanting to sit outside. Which meant dragging out the lawn chairs from his garage and sitting out. Yes, he had a patio out back, but that didn’t feel the same. Here, it felt different. A little more homey, just watching the street like this. As they both sat there, with glasses of wine, Ardin lit a cigarette, only to keep his eyes down. “Whatever you’re going to say, I’ve already thought it.”

It was funny really, when Ardin spoke, that he’d think for even a moment that Marco would judge. No, not him, this wasn’t something that he could possibly judge. Instead he merely leant a little further forward in his seat, glass of wine dangling from his left hand as he stared out into the street. There wasn’t really anyone around, but every now and again someone might pass, taking their dog for an evening walk before they settled in for the night. After a moment, he turned his head to his friend, a slight smile dancing across his features. “What? You think I don’t ever spoke? It pretty much comes hand in hand with the job. Stressful day and it’s the best way to escape from the place for a couple of minutes,” he said with a shrug. All those days he’d hang out in the alley with a cigarette he’d bummed off one of the line cooks.

[marcoriccix]

thomasxastor​:

“Honestly, at this pace, I’m almost considering buying a piece of land and build it from scratch.” and he did ponder the idea, but it vanished his mind almost as quickly as it comes, sometimes ten times a day. “I have a condo in LA for when I need to crash over there and it’s more because of work but — .”  There was a point why I changed my entire life and come here, but those words were left unspoken, and instead, the man just raised his glass but did not drink. “Let me know, if there’s a way I can check it out before becomes available.”

Putting the glass back down, a brow raises towards the other, a bit amused and curious. “Perhaps, growing tired of the same spots and same food? wanting to expanding your horizons and wanting to talk business with someone else?” A smile paints in his features, it’s a playful one, coming from a conversation over drinks when Thomas points to himself before taking a gulp from his drink. “Do you know the Waldorf Astoria in New York? Well, it will now have residences for sale at The Towers of the Waldorf Astoria, huge enterprise, but even huger inceptive because I know they are soon-to-be without a signature restaurant.” And he should know, now that not only was Thomas of one of the buyers, but the Astor Group was also finally putting their hands back into the timeless and opulent hotel that once belonged to their ancestors. A dying wishing, as Howard Astor, his grandfather, so dramatically liked to say and did say when they so public signed those papers two years ago. “It’s a great opportunity you may want to check it out, a piece of tradition in the greatest city in the world and I may know a guy.”

*

“You could do that.” Marco had to chuckle a little at the thought. If he hadn’t been quite so lazy himself, he probably would have done the same. But no, for the most part that’s what he’d done with the restaurant, so he wasn’t about to do it with his place of residence, too. As Thomas explained his condo in LA, he gave a nod in understanding. That was all well and good, but if he was going to be on the island a lot, it really wasn’t ideal to keep travelling back and forth all the time. A place there made a lot more sense. “I’ll see if I can have a word with them some time, try and get you in there before it’s officially on the market.” If Thomas could get in there before the for sale sign went up, it was the way to do.

When the other man began to talk about the Waldorf hotel and the restaurant there and the possibility of taking over, Marco was soon laughing. They’d had this conversation so many times before, in many different contexts. “If I did, it definitely wouldn’t involve moving to New York,” he answered with a casual shrug. “At least right now.” His father’s death was still too fresh for the whole family, some days he’d still find himself looking out for his mother for hours out of concern, he couldn’t help himself. “At the moment I’m actually working towards my second star... where I am. Any sudden moves and I’ll have to start all over again.” A pause. “Maybe if something comes up in a year.” Maybe if he gave the other man something he might stop talking about it every time they met.

[marcoriccix]

hollidaycarlson​:

Like she’d told Marco, Holly had never learned to cook — and frankly, she’d never cared to learn how, if only as petty rebellion to the beaten sentiment of how a woman belongs in the kitchen. 

But surprisingly, Marco makes the process more fun that she’d expected. There’s an art to the process that she’s beginning to appreciate, even if sitting on her phone and opening up the UberEats app is far easier. “Aside from the prep time, this wasn’t too bad,” Holly says, shutting the oven and setting a timer for twenty minutes. Of course, now there was a pile of dishes to clean up after, which always seemed to be the worst part. “Oh, totally.” She picks up the notebook where she’d carefully transcribed the ingredients and directions. “As long as I don’t lose this, I think I’m good.” 

*

“Believe it or not, cooking’s actually fun...” Marco’s face was lit up with a smile as he spoke. When he was younger he could never have even imagined he’d speak about cooking that way, seeing as he’d been so against it for o many years, so determined to battle against his father and his wishes. Looking back down, he couldn’t help but he a little ashamed, he should have accepted things earlier. Now it really was his passion and maybe things would have been a lot different had he come to terms with that in his late teens. 

When she went on to mention the notebook she’d jotted things down in, he had to smile. He had one much the same himself, usually full of recipe ideas, things he’d observed when out eating somewhere else. It was a little book of possible inspiration for future menus. “Better keep it on you at all times,” he answered with a nod, and then with a shake of his head, pulled his own little jotter out of his pocket, holding it up. “They do come in handy sometimes.” A pause, and then glancing around the kitchen, he frowned very slightly. “Ready to work on dessert?” 

[marcoriccix]

harperxnorwood:

“I never say no to a good cocktail if I can help it” Harper admitted with a light chuckle. “Especially a well-priced one” she added. “I’m glad you’re enjoying a night off.” Harper suspected Marco worked even more than she did. Harper was of the mindset that if she worked hard, she deserved to party hard on her days off (although not quite as hard as she had when she was younger). “Hey, I’m not one to knock a tacky restaurant concept if its done well” she joked. She went to take another sip of her cocktail and realized it was empty. Not ready to give up and go home yet, she looked around for the bartender, planning to order a third drink. “I mean, this place isn’t going to win any Michelin stars, but you can’t beat the prices.”

At Harper’s words, a wide smile spread across Marco’s features and he nodded his head. “Can’t fault you there,” he responded very simply, “There’s a reason I’m here, too, after all.” Sure he could go somewhere more expensive for his cocktail fix, but what would be the point in it? Everywhere in town pretty much made them the same, it wasn’t as though you could mess up a standard recipe. “You won’t hear me arguing.” A shrug accompanied his words and his smile softened. He’d always appreciated a place for their own merits, there wasn’t any point comparing places when they were completely different. 

[marcoriccix]

thomasxastor​:

It was becoming a usual occurrence for his day to end with him sitting alone at the bar of the hotel, drinking alone, or talking over the phone while staring at papers that required his signature. It wasn’t ideal, but it was better than going back to stay at his mother’s house and feel like a teenager or to have the hovering feeling to be interrupting in someone else’s life. Since he left, all those years ago, his obligation was for him to take care of things and not the other way around. 

Too focused on his on things, he almost did not noticed the man who has just come in before he points to the waiter cleaning the glasses in front of them as if he and Thomas were long time friends — and maybe they were, at this rating he was spending more time here than his suite — asking for a refill to his drink. “Not at all, please — ” He was going to gesture to the seat and to buy a drink but it was too late, it was time to put the phone down and call for the day. “I was looking over a few houses this agent has been sending me but so far, nothing that calls my eyes. Seems like I need to make the suite upstairs another monthly reservation.” A joke, the bill was open since the day of his arrival, and without a prediction of a check-out, but Thomas was growing tired of the decoration of the place, that was for sure. “What are you doing over here? Checking out the competition?”

*

It wasn’t really surprising for Marco to hear that Thomas would be spending another month in the hotel. Sometimes finding the perfect place was difficult and you really did need to make sure before you made that step. It had certainly taken him a while once he’d decided to move back to the island, hunting high and low around Ventura for somewhere he deemed perfect. The rest of his family lived in Avalon and they loved it there, but he’d decided to spend a little more in the end —- even if the house was way too big for him. 

“The place you’re after will turn up,” he responded. “I know someone a couple of doors down from me was talking about moving recently, so that place might go on the market soon.” A shrug and he reached for his drink, taking a sip from the glass. “Never had much of a complaint about my neighbourhood and I’ve been there the best part of a decade now.” At the other man’s question, he shrugged his shoulders very casually. “In a way,” he responded with a laugh. “I meet with some of the other restauranteurs around town sometimes to talk business.” And by business he meant eating someone else’s food and complaining about it usually. 

[marcoriccix]

for: @hollidaycarlson​ location: holly’s place

Marco really did enjoy teaching people to cook, it was simply a case of he never really got a chance to do it. Despite his aversion when he’d been younger, he’d still imagined passing down family recipes to his children. It was what the Ricci’s did, from generation to generation, spreading joy and compassion through their cooking. At least, for now anyway, he could share a few things with those who asked, with those he cared about. Which was what had led him to Holly’s today and sharing the secrets of a few of his favourites. They were only fairly simple, but they had the Ricci’s flare, exactly what his father had taught him in his late twenties.

“Okay, so, twenty minutes in the oven and that should be perfect...” he commented lightly after Holly closed the oven door. There were still a couple of things he wanted to go over with her, but at least they were one meal down and on its way to ready. “You think you’re going to be able to do that without my help another day?” he teased as he asked the question, eyebrows raised playfully.

[marcoriccix]

corrinlui​:

She was back. Dressed in her most glamorous ensemble of chunky glitter and red lips. Working the nights, and no, not like some five dollar hoe, was a lot of work. Though, being a hoe was no easy walk. There was the appeal, and the gypping. ANYWAY, She had to be in the moment all the time to make sure the club vibe was right. Corrin didn’t complain, the fact she was able to keep such a successful business running this long just kept her wanting to do more. But, Corrin had a bad habit of getting bored, so to switch it up she would come to Ricci’s, which, was now just called Marco’s in her head. Most of the food tonight had a lot to do with Corrin, her table already showcasing an array of fine cuisine when she heard a very familiar man. She didn’t dare to look up yet, Carbonara stuffed in the pockets of her cheeks. “Mm!” She chewed her food, finding his appearance no surprise. “…Please do. Now that you’re here I don’t have to look like a pig.” She slid a few dishes closer to him, nodding her head for him to eat. Meaning, he was stuck there now. “When they said you were off today I almost laughed.” She adds, patting at her mouth lightly not to fade her lipstick. “What’s the excuse today?” She ask, gently tugging at his pant leg with the point of her heel. “I’m gonna have to snatch you up and give you a proper break.”

Corrin’s full mouth did nothing but make him chuckle and he settled in his seat as he waited for her to finish what she was eating. No matter who it was, it always nice to know people were enjoying the food. “Almost seems like you planned it, even though you didn’t know I was coming...” he commented lightly in response to her words, catching one of the wait staff a moment later to grab him some spare cutlery. Leaning back in his chair, he turned his full attention to her and offered a smile, laughing very gently. “Sounds like you’re suggesting I don’t know how to leave this place,” he said with a shake of his head. “You sound as bad as the staff.” He paused to thank the waiter for the cutlery he’d brought over, and then pulled one of the dishes towards himself. “Picking up paperwork, which I know is an awful excuse.”