Billie sighed and melted into the chair closest to Noto's door. Why did everyone seem so goddamned touchy lately? She was tired and annoyed. Everyone else seemed to run around like the city was their fucking playground, and yet she was somehow expected to walk on eggshells? It was exhausting and infuriating. She moped about it for a few minutes, chewing on her frustration; more than enough time for Vito to be long gone. But soon enough her own, rare temper flared, and she chucked her scotch glass at the door to the lobby full force. The glass shattered on impact, sending a splash of liquor in all directions. This fucking shit....

Linda ran to the waiting room door at the sound of impact.

"Its ok Linda, glass slipped... please call maintenance to clean this." Linda nods as I focus on Billie.

"People get stresses, just need to take a breath Billie." I cup my hand under her chin, causing us to make eye contact. I tuck a curl behind her ear.

"there are those beautiful green eyes I love, and the stubborn curls." I chuckle about the remark on the curls. "Just relax ok?, your an amazing entertainer and people love you. No one said this life would always be easy."

Billie sort of... growled... at Noto, rolling her eyes about her curls. "I don't want to be an amazing entertainer. I mean I am, and I love entertaining, but that's not it. That's just a useful cover. You know me," she looked up at him pleadingly, "I am a Paragon. Sono Mafiosa," she said revealing her Famiglia Gato roots, "And that is exactly what I want to be. But..." she sighed deeply, trailing off a bit. This sounded so stupid. "When Kate walks by people take notice. They straighten up and they get all unnerved. When I walk by people smile and wave. And that's fine... as long as it's useful but I don't feel useful. It's like a run a great front but nothing's going on behind the scenes because... I don't know. I don't do it right or good enough or I'm too soft or something..." She looked at him for any hint of understanding, "You know??"

"Trust me I understand what you mean. But Billie remember its not all bad when someone smiles and waves when you walk by, people do the same to me. I would rather that then people trembling when I approach them. You are a valuable member, and everyone knows who you are... and what your capable of...I seen it first hand. Trust me people respect you, and believe me you would rather be respected and loved... then feared and marked!"

I started into Billie's eyes, hoping the words would mean something to her.

"You should be proud of who you are... don't worry about what others think, if they cross you... show them who you are!"

Billie wiped her face and nodded. She bit her bottom lip. She wouldn't mention it, but that statement felt loaded with the echo of his father's ghost. "Yeah... Sure. I guess."  She stood, smoothing down the front of her dress and exhaling in that 'get your shit together' kind of way. "Sorry... for the mess... I'll buy you a new decanter and glass set tomorrow. Promise." She smiled as she moved toward the door, "You should finish your paperwork. I'll see you upstairs when you're done?"

Noto nodded, kissing her again and smiling. 

"Okay. Of course. I'll... uh... I'll just be waiting." she smiled and headed for the elevator. 

"Sweetie you don't h-"

After smiling Billie walked to the elevator, waiting for me to join her upstairs. I walked into my office and was about to pour a drink... but then a little anger came over me. While clutching the glass in my hand I say aloud "buy me a decanter and glass set?."

I throw the glass off the wall.

"I don't give a fuck about the glasses!"

As I sit down the maintenance guy checks on the sound. "This glass didn't slip! fuck these glasses!"

I look down at my desk as the guy begins to clean the new mess I had just made.

Thomas slipped into Noto's office, a nice crunch of glass beneath his foot. He paused, blinking. He could smell the aroma of liquor. Without looking down, he cracked a smile, "Like a fockin' toddler, hi? Throwin' a fockin' tantrum?" He smirked at Noto, completely just fucking with the man. "Might I suggest nae breakin' yer pretty glasses? They nae be cheap." He took a seat across from Noto.

Dropping the comical act, he starred at Noto, "Everythin' okay?" He crossed his legs, giving Noto that 'sit your ass down and talk to me about it' look.

"Yea I'm fine Tommy, its just... its hard to have an affectionate side in this business. And that's the second time someone commented on the fucking glasses!...fuck em all!"

The maintenance guy glances at me in a worried look.

"Don't worry I'm not going to throw any more." 

***Penthouse, 12th Floor***

Mercedes stuffs her hands in her pockets and stares out at the now-familiar view. It wasn't Paris, but it was better, somehow. Even with all the tragedy of late, and despite the chill in the air from the late arrival of autumn, she felt more at ease here than anywhere else. Stepping to a small side bar, she picks up a lovely, cut crystal decanter and admires it a moment. She'd not noticed it before. Gently lifting the stopper, she sniffs the contents...and immediately recognizes her own whiskey. Smiling, she turns to Kate.

"It made it into your personal stash...I'm touched." she says, her smile showing a bit of pride.

***Noto's Office, 1st Floor***

Thomas chuckled at Noto, "It be hard ta be affectionate, tá. Shite can get yeh killed in more ways t'an one. Why don'ae yeh go ahead an' meet Billie up in 'er room an' just fock tha rest o' tha night off, hi? I can handle t'is place wit'out yeh. Go, go on, sleep wit' yeh fockin' self."

Thomas stood and shooed Noto from the office, following him out. He looked over to the front desk where a weary eyed Linda still stood and made his way over, "Linda, yer shift was o'er an hour ago, lass... Whar's Sarah?"

Linda looked up, "She called about thirty minutes before my shift was over and said she would be late. I assumed I needed to stay and cover for her."

Thomas shook his head, "Nil, lass, yeh call me. I need ta be knowin' if she nae be showin' up on time. Yeh go on home an' get some rest. Make sure yer at least an' hour late tamarrow ta relieve Sarah."

Linda shook her head, "Oh no, Mr. O... I won't be late." She smiled and curtsied before gathering her things and waving. Out the door she went, and the cool night air rushed through to smack Thomas in the face. He stepped up and began going over the books, waiting for either Sarah or a guest to enter.

Looking up and spying Noto, he waved his hands to hurry him along. "Go on, yeh have someone waitin' fer yeh. Get outta me lobby, yer gonna frighten tha guests." He smirked and winked at Noto.