Meeting Tubby (31)

Marcus went by everyday to check on Ariel to be told nothing. He was heartbroken but had to give her space. He paid a large sum of the bill so it would not be a burden on her. This was all his fault.

"Harper can you stay on and watch over her?" Marcus asked when he called to check on them.

"Richie this is my pleasure. Besides that scumbag said he would kill her one way or another. She will need protection. That is what I live for."

"She will insist on paying you. Give her a fair price and I'll make up the difference."

"Ok, talk at you later." He hung up.

"Miss Thomas ready to leave?" Doctor Hinderaker said.

"Yes, I am." she smiled.

"Harper and I want to talk to you can I bring him in?"

"Sure, but no Marcus."

Hiny walked out and had Harper come in.

"Miss, Bob King has set a bounty out on you. I want to stay by your side to protect you for a while till he gives up."

"I am not sure I can afford that." She said.

"I only charge $100 a week plus room and board." He said.

"That is really cheap. I thought you work for famous people."

"Normally I do and the work is so boring I need a break. Besides I like you, you remind me of my big sister. She passed away when I was 10. A gang raped and killed her. That's why I got into this business. Please say yes."

"I plan on going back to the capital is that ok?" She asked.

"That's even better, I have a house there I can rent you a room. $100 a month you pay for half of the utilities and buy the food."

"That's 500$ a month plus half of the utilities?" She wanted to make sure.

"Yes, do we have a deal?" he asked.

She smiled. "Deal. Can you get Marcus to send my things to your place then?" She asked then continued, "I'll book two plane tickets."

"Can do." I'll call him right now.

He walked out of the room and dialed Richie.

"She agreed. I am charging her 400$ a month that means you need to pay me with a friends discount $4,600 a month. I normally get $10 thousand."

"I'll pay it. Tell her I'll move out and she can have the apartment."

"She wants to go back to the Capitol. We will stay at my house there. Send her things there." Harper said.

"When are you leaving?" Marcus asked.

"Today, I'll keep you up dated. I promise, just give her a little time before trying again with her."

"Ok, take care of my girl."

"I will buddy, I will."

Harper gathered both of their things and they headed to the airport. He called ahead for his truck to brought to the airport by their buddy Tubby. This was a funny name because he was lean. When he was younger he was a bean pole. Now he was a body builder to the stars.

Tubby was waiting for them when they walked out.

"Whose the babe?" he asked.

"This is a friend of Richie's and my new client. Hands off. Ariel this rude guy here is Tubby." Harper said.

"Call me Robert, Robert Little, only the crew calls me Tubby." He held his hand out to Ariel and she shook it.

"Nice to meet you Robert. Why does he call you tubby were you fat once." she asked.

"The opposite I was a bean pole. What do you call this guy?"

"Harper why?" she was puzzled.

"His name is Harry Windman. Hindy's real name is Doctor George Hinderaker. Jason Jones is JJ. And last but not least is Richie, your friend Marcus." Robert said.

"Why the nick names?" She asked.

"It's a bro code thing. So Ariel are you a Mermaid or something with a name like that." He asked.

"Hey Tubby stop with the questions." Harper said.

"It's alright. I use to be a Mermaid till I got poisoned and killed. I will never be able to be in the water very long again. The drug destroyed my lungs. I have to carry oxygen now and sleep with an air mask on."

"Sorry, I did not know all that. Thanks Harper for letting me go on like that."

"I tried to stop you." Harper said.

They drove to a housing district outside of town and Harper dropped off Tubby at a house then drove next door and parked.

"Welcome home." He said.

"You live next door to him?" she asked.

"Yah, he takes care of the place when I'm gone. I just finished a weekend trip with a big shot overseas. So have not been gone long. I'll call for deliver tonight. We can go shopping tomorrow. Can you cook?"

"Yes, I love to cook. I only know a few simple dishes but Marcus said they are good."

"Great, we can switch off cooking. I am a great cook by the way. Is Chinese alright?"

"Sweet and sour chicken with fried rice. Also an order of dumplings." She said.

He called in their order and he showed her to her room. It was not real big but not small. She had her own bathroom.

"Do you have shampoo and soap I can borrow till we shop tomorrow?" She asked.

He went to the closet and pulled out a new bottle of shampoo and conditioner and a bottle of body wash. "These were bought for my girlfriend before she spilt, they have never been used."

"Thanks. I'm going to get cleaned up and get this hospital smell off my skin." She went back to her room. She opened her suitcase and was glad Marcus had sent her cloths over before they left.

She was just getting dressed when she heard her phone ring. It had gone to voice mail before she could get it but when she looked it was Lily that had called.