Mystery Man

I stared in utter dismay at the back of my vehicle. The back end where the tire had once been, was completely and totally smashed in. The Axel had been smashed and skewed from the impact. The right tire sat popped and deflated on the concrete. It was a miracle that none of the glass broke upon impact. Instead, it left spider cracks on my window. They appeared in many directions. I swear the only thing keeping the window intact, is the rubber edging inside the window. One small blow and the whole thing looked like it would come undone. I could feel my headache slowly coming back as I shook my head in despair.

I had been building myself up for this moment, but I still couldn't get over that I smashed my favorite vehicle. I guess that will make me think twice again before not paying attention to the road. I couldn't blame the cat for my reckless driving, it was my fault to being with. If I hadn't been so absorbed with the empty feeling I felt after dinner, I wouldn't have needed to slam on my brakes to avoid the poor thing. I mean if I hadn't decided to swerve to avoid it, it would have died immediately. Someone's loving pet would have ended at the hands of my driving.

I pulled my phone out from my pocket and started taking photos of the damages. The back light was smashed to smithereens. Red glass sat just on the concrete just below my vehicle. The back window was in no better shape than the back passenger window. The muffler had come clean off and was God knows where. The trunk sat slightly popped. Not really unhinged, but enough to where you could see inside the trunk. Thankfully I didn't have anything of value in there. Normally I would bring work with me, which meant fabric and mannequins would often sit in the trunk.

"You sure did a number on it lady. I am surprised you are still walking right now." A voice said behind me. I pulled my gaze away from my damaged baby, to turn to the guy standing close behind me. He was a gruff looking oiled man. Bald head with bushy blonde eyebrows. Tattoos covered his arms and just underneath his tank top. They peaked out from every exposed part of his tank top, giving me the idea that he had full scenic tattoos. His jean pants where covered in grease and oil marks from working on vehicles. As he walked closer, he smelt of tobacco and oil. I refrained from cringing at the smell, knowing fully well he would find that offensive.

"It looks worse than it was. I hit just a tree after all." I said pulling my gaze away from him and continued taking enough pictures to fill an album. Looking through the photos to make sure that I was satisfied with them, I went to walk back towards the building. An arm barred my way, stopping me from walking any further. The bald man had a grin on his face, showing off his yellowed teeth. I took a tentative step back, red flags blaring inside my head.

"You don't look as weak as you seem. I like that in my women." He said taking another step closer. I paled at his words, fully knowing well what his intentions where. I desperately looked around, hoping that at least someone was nearby to stop this creep. I only know so much self-defense to voluntarily wind the guy. But with how small my frame was and in my current condition, the most I could achieve was maybe kicking him in his man hood before running away. Even then I doubt it would be hard enough to really throw him off.

"Listen, I don't really want to be a part of whatever you are scheming, so if you don't mind, I have some important things I need to do." I hissed through my teeth as I once again tried to walk around him. A deep and dark chuckle escaped the man's mouth. I felt the creepy shivers go up and down my spine as I tried to dodge one of his hands. But without luck, I ended up with my back pinned against him. The aching in my body screamed at me, and I grunted in response. I had to get away from this ass hole and cause as much commotion I can.

"You bastard, let go of me!" I screamed loudly. I stomped on his foot with my heel as hard as I could muster, but all it warranted was a laugh. I struggled against his crushing grasp, slowly I could feel the air escape my lungs as he held me firmly against him.

"Maybe I was wrong about you, you are pretty weak. It makes this game almost boring." The deadly tone in his voice made me push harder against him. I cursed myself for not taking any more self-defense classes. I never go anywhere but work and then home, so I never imagined I would be in a situation where I would need to defend myself. I kept stomping on his foot and screaming my protests while he laughed. Where was Aaron when I needed him?

The more I struggled, the more he laughed. Despite my best efforts, I could feel my attempts becoming more and more futile. His hold was firm, and no matter how hard I hit him, he wasn't letting go. So, I sat glaring at him in his arms. My hands where pinned to my sides under his grasp, completely useless. I needed just a single moment, and I could throw him off guard. Just a second and I could smash my head into his face. But with the greedy look in his eyes, he wouldn't give me that second. Not willingly at least.

"Wendel, what do you think you are doing to her?" His head snapped up at the new voice that emerged from the building. I turned my head to face the new man that came into view. I swore I could feel the pattering of my heart flutter. A tall slender man in a nice dark suit came casually walking out. His strides long and business like as he approached us. Medium length hair flowed freely as they dangled in front of his face. Gold piercing eyes glared upon Wendel. For just a moment, my fear had completely washed away, and in its place was awe.

Wendel must have felt it too because his arms loosened ever so slightly. Snapping back to reality, I stomped on his foot once more, and threw my head back. I felt the back of my head make contact with his nose. As I hoped he would, he let me loose completely. Unsteady from the lack of oxygen, I tipped forward. My head swam from my head injury, and I hissed as my palms made contact with the cement ground.

"Rose! Are you okay?" Loui's shout came from the direction of the building. As I pulled myself to my feet there was a bunch of cursing and wails of pain coming from behind me. With a hand on my pounding head, I cracked one of my eyes to find Loui running towards me. Before I could take a step forward a hand gently grabbed my waist, keeping me from swaying forward and falling once again. I dared risk a glance in the general direction of the arm and found myself in the arm of the man who was yelling at my assailant.

"I'm fine Loui, my head just hurts that's all. I muttered under my breath as I tried fishing for my phone. As Loui reached us, we stopped walking. He stilled my hands and pulled them straight up, palms facing up. They were scratched up, red, and bleeding. I waved him off, hoping he wasn't going to baby me.

"You aren't fine. You shouldn't even be moving around right now. That fellow last night was already pretty upset with you, do you really think he will be okay with you getting even more hurt?" There was desperation in his voice as he spoke. Clearly, he was disturbed with what had happened. I gently waved off the man holding me, not wanting another stranger babying me. He let me go gently, but still hovered close to where I was standing.

"Loui, take her inside while I deal with Wendel." The man, his voice was so deep. Alluring was definitely what I would describe it as. I couldn't help watching him turn and walk towards Wendel, who was now sitting upright, both hands covering his nose as blood poured through. Their was an air of familiarity about this man. I couldn't put a finger on it, but I felt like I had definitely met him before.

As Loui steered me towards the building, I felt nauseous at the sight and felt my world sway once more. Loui caught me in his hands, holding me gently as we walked. I think I was starting to understand why I shouldn't be roaming around. Every little thing was setting me off.

"Rose, let me take you home now." He offered as we crossed the threshold. I shook my head, not wanting him to any more hospitable. He did enough just driving me all the way out here. I would feel guilty if he did anything more for me.

"Oh, please don't do that. Aaron should be getting off work soon. Besides we have much to discuss. Oh, speaking of the devil." I said as I pulled out my ringing phone. Loui walked me over to an empty table in the corner of the waiting room. There were a few people gawking at me. I felt suddenly self-conscious, hoping that my stitches had not come open.

"Rose, how are you feeling?" Aaron asked gruffly over the phone. He sounded like he was in a bad mood, so I better not tell him what had transpired. In fact, I am going to divert the conversation completely from me, as to avoid the situation.

"I should be asking you that. Why are you so grumpy?" Loui was sitting behind the desk now, filling out some paper work and eyeing me every now and then. I felt like a high risk prisoner and he was the jail guard. I gave him a weak smile in return before giving all my attention to Aaron. He gave a deep sigh, loudly expressing his frustration.

"I really wish you hadn't picked yesterday of all days to get hurt. Do you know how hard I have to work now? I don't have the charm you do to win people over, and we might even lose the Venue. Today has just been a giant mess." He muttered. I could feel the blood drain from my face. If we lost the Venue, then we couldn't host the winter fairytale theme show. I spent most of my life wishing for this opportunity, I wasn't going to just let it slip through my grasp. Thankfully with my close connections to the Venue owner, that hopefully shouldn't happen.

"I am good friends with the owner, I will give them a call and find out what is going on. We absolutely cannot lose this Aaron. What did Bastion have to say about this?" Bastion is probably losing his head right now with worry. If there was one thing he couldn't do, was keep his head straight when he was stressed.

"What do you think? He's holed up in his office. I swear if it weren't for you, this company really would have fallen already. If you can pull this through, I swear he is going to marry you." Aaron said exasperated. I scoffed at the mere thought of being Bastion's wife. In fact, I couldn't even picture it.

"Don't be so dramatic. The company would do just fine. So don't worry, I will take care of the Venue. Putting that aside, are you done with work now, I could really use a ride home." I leaned back in the chair, and it creaked slightly under the shifted weight. The mystery man at that time decided to walk through the door, his face stoic and emotionless as he quietly leaned against the counter and whispered to Loui. Loui started casting weird looks and expressions my way while the conversed. It made me feel more uneasy and like I was the one that did something wrong.

"What? You aren't home? Where the hell are you?!" Aaron practically hollered into the phone. I pulled my cell away from my face as he went on a rant of how irresponsible it was of me to be out of the house in my current condition. I rolled my eyes and shook my head sadly while I continued to listen to him badger me. Loui looked over and cracked a small sympathetic smile while he conversed with the mystery man.

"Aaron, will you stop. I am not a child and can take care of myself. I went and got pictures of the damage of my car. I am at Loui's towing and mechanics. It's not even that far from our building. I can be there in like five minutes." I mumbled putting the phone back to my ear. I stood up from my chair and walked towards the front desk. I placed a check on the counter and waved good bye to Loui before exiting the building. The bells jingled as I listened to Aaron once again chew me out. I gave a heavy sigh as I walked towards the side walk, my temper slowly getting worse.

"I only do this because I care. Seriously if something where to happen to you, this company could not physically or emotionally handle your absence. So please be careful. I will be waiting for you downstairs." With that, I hung up, satisfied that I would be getting a ride home. And under no circumstances, would he learn about what transpired today. Between the car accident and the nasty man, he would probably lose it.

I walked in silence a short ways before I picked up another set of footsteps behind me. Panicking, I quickly turned on my heel to face the person who was approaching me. It was the mystery man once again. His face had softened since earlier, and there was even a gleam of amusement in his eyes as he caught up.

"I take it you didn't tell your boyfriend that you were in danger." Even standing straight, I still had to look up to meet his eyes. He was dangerously close. I could feel his warm breath on my cold touched cheeks. The distance between us was almost suffocatingly close. Too close for two strangers anyway.

"That's close enough stranger. I don't know what you are doing here, but if it's money you want, I can give you that. Just leave me alone." A grin spread across his face as he took another step closer. Amusement flickered in his eyes, and he stared down at me, trying to make me feel uncomfortable. But all I felt was defiance. Did he think he could really intimidate me with his size. Rolling my eyes, I decided to walk away from him. Hoping he would take the hint and stop following me.

"Wait, do you think it is really safe to be walking out here all by yourself." He asked following closely behind me.