Chapter 5

Grey dust swirled in the air, as the warm breeze washed past Seattle streets. Constant chattering of the political beau, and incessant comments by quirky teenagers added to the cluttered scene. The bus stand seemed too lonely a spot for a day like this. I watched the back of the van that skimmed past me, leaving a whirlwind of unpardoning memories. I had missed the bus.

My watch was a beeping red indicator that this was going to be the end of all my hopes. My future looked like the beat down seat at the bus stand. Lonely, broken down at one end and unpleasantly soiled. At a distance an array of convenience shops bustled with customers of all kinds. It kinda drives me crazy. The fact that I won't be getting any groceries this week if I don't show up within the next ten minutes. But, who was I even kidding? I wouldn't even bet on my chances to get to JAX's anytime in ten minutes.

While my head muddled with all sorts of thoughts, I sighed and stood from where I sat on the unfitting bus stand. My ass moving down the road, to get a taxi. I reached for my phone to book one of bookmyride.com.

Scrolling past a dozen options, walking on the edge of the pavement; I had little to do with what the damned City had to do with me. I was far from being optimistic with the whole thing. Everyone at work pretty much hates me, my Abuela is sick, and the only anchor I had was Sean. Why do I not have any real friends? Probably because Maisel, who really hangs around me a bit longer than anyone else, only talks about dick jokes half the time. For Chrissake! I told her how enraged I felt. It's just everything the church had warned me about.

A step ahead, and I could hear a faint sound born in the background. All these damned cars, I swear... I muttered under my breath. Too busy to notice, when my back hit something hard. The speed was sudden, the assault was unseen but the impact had left me flat on my front, plastered to the grey pavement. My arm had flailed past the face of an elderly gentleman, and now his coffee was a brown spot on his pants and his phone was still not replaced against his ear. He muttered something about laundry, but I wasn't in a position to look like I cared.

Pain shot up my arse, and jolted down my limbs. I might have housed a scar or a scratch. I hoped for nothing visible. Who wants Abuela to ask a hundred questions about something like that? The thought was highly revolting....

My briefcase had flown closer to the streetlamp as the crowd gathered around me. I tried to shift my weight against my palms, the familiar ache in my back hit me and I stifled a cry. The world seemed to have concentrated around my ass, because literally, that's all I could think about. It ached.

"Hey you. Button for eyes..." The voice seemed familiar, cold and distant as it felt closer.

"Ouch," I moaned, and felt a hand tugging me hard on my right arm, forcing me to shift my weight to my back as I laid there; partly at the mercy of whoever this uncultured human was, while his legs formed a parallel to my frame, making my head go swirling.

"Boss?" My mouth went wide and I half expected him to snap at me. Well, I mean that's how it goes. I don't like where this was going.

"You, again..." He snarled back with disgust. Oh great.

For a change of occasion, he was donning a red velvet coat, paired with a white shirt and matching slacks. His pointed leather shoes were unspotted. Eyes grey like the clouds, his jaw was square tensed like half a dozen thoughts were finding a conclusion in whose honour, his lips had found themselves hard to move. His lapels black, and shiny with a flair of untouched royalty. Rich people. I reminded myself.

"Excuse me," I said, urging him to let go of me for the spot ached with every firm grip he had on it.

"You are not... the hell are you doing here?" He frowned, his eyes stuck at my neck. I followed his gaze to see the front of my shirt had coffee on it. Thankfully it's not hot.

"I was... catching a bus. I guess..." I fumbled for words. It almost felt like I was caught in the act. Or whatever it is.

"Do you have any idea what the time is?" His thick brows bunched together, a crease of worry and anger marking his forehead. Had he already considered what I was fearing?

"I am really sorry. I know, I have been doing this a lot, but I-" My words were cut short when he tugged me up, forcing me to get on my feet.

I tried to balance myself against him, as he held me close. He smelled the usual sandalwood, and a bit of sweat. His jaw clenched shut, leading me to the shiny black car. It was a tempting little wagon, with a sleek design. Very modern, if you'd ask my motor illiterate brain. His hand reached for the door, and next I know I was forced into the front seat.

"What-"

The door banged shut no sooner than I sat down. He walked away, and I couldn't comprehend where. He walked to the spot where my briefcase laid, reached for it and then sprinted back to the car in a hurry. His expressions still tensed as he sat at the driver's seat and buckles his seatbelt. His gaze turned to me, confused for a moment and then he scoffed.

"Seatbelt. Now." He said, and I realised I hadn't buckled mine yet.

"Oh sorry." I said, shaking my head as I reached for the belt and waited for the click.

His foot pressed on the starter, and the machine stormed with life. I couldn't bring myself to ask any questions because the only sane thought was, he was driving me to work.

"Crazy ass," He muttered under his breath, hands resting on the steering as he pulled to the road. Blaring horns to clear the crowd that had gathered around, with faces of people looking at us wondering what just happened. I wouldn't look any different.

For the thirty minutes of our drive from the bus stand to the parking lot of JAX's, I had managed to keep my quiet. My eyes stuck to where my hands held each other to calm the nerves. The occasional wheezing of passing vehicles, and the horns at traffic lights being the only sound. For some time he had tapped on his steering wheel from the slight impatience of the crowd. His head turned to glance at me that I had secretly sneaked a peek of from my side glance. I dare not ask any questions.

He removed his seat belt, then shrugged out of his coat, folding it as I assessed his actions. When he stopped, his grey eyes met mine. A shooting fury traversing all the way to mine, and then his lip parted.

"Get out," He scowled, and I flinched in my seat.

"Fine," I unbuckled my seatbelt. Stepping out of the car, and then reaching for the briefcase only for him to clench my wrist.

"Huh?" The words came out as a reflex.

"If you screw up the meeting today, not even God can stop me from firing you today. Take this." He flung the coat at my face, and I caught a hold of it almost immediately. My eyes stinged from the urge to not cry.

"I won't. I won't, sir." I mumbled, taking it.