Her Forever

Rosalie

After quickly gathering myself from the intense stare-down from Mr. Storm, I walked over to the kitchen cabinet and quickly fed Macaroni. The scruffy little thing was all I had. I remember finding her when I was 10 years old in a dumpster behind an old restaurant where I washed dishes. The poor thing was meowing, half-starved, and had only looked like it was a few weeks old. Being the young girl I was, the only thing I could feed it was some macaroni. I could not go out to buy food for her because I had no money. So the calico cat’s name was then dubbed Macaroni. She kept quiet in the house and only meows when I could lock myself in my room.

Washing dishes with my then foster father was brutal. The dishwasher was always broken at the old restaurant s***h bar, so he took it upon himself to use the foster child for some manual labor. The checks from the state weren’t enough, so why not use me instead of hiring the evening/late night washer.

After feeding Macaroni some regular cat food, I pulled out the one suitcase I had and started packing the few clothes I owned. I often wore the one tech uniform I was given at the Real Estate office and on occasion wore a pencil skirt with a nice white blouse. It honestly didn’t take me long to pack; I didn’t have much. Even the furniture in the apartment was left by the previous owners. It was all trash, really, but I kept it so I didn’t have to buy anything new.

Walking to the window, I had a few fake succulent plants that gave what little life and color the apartment had some color. I placed them gently into a bag so I could carry them safely wherever we were going. I knew it wasn’t too far, but still, what little possessions I had I was going to protect.

It was nearing midnight; only a few hours ago, I was told I would move the next day to a new life. Even though he said it was ultimately up to me, I didn’t feel like it was a choice. I was getting paid 4 times the amount that I was receiving now, plus my student loans would be paid off. It all seemed too good to be true. In all honesty, it probably was. Nothing good ever lasts. It all crashes down when you think things are going to get better.

I quickly sighed and rushed through my nightly routine. I set the gorgeous dress on top of my suitcase and layed down on the squeaky bed. As I was trying to close my eyes, I heard a slight “ping” noise. Looking around, I couldn’t figure out where the noise came from. It didn’t sound familiar in my crappy apartment.

Ping

There it was again. I glanced over to my make-shift nightstand table that consisted of an overturned trash can with a book on top. There was an unfamiliar phone plugged into the only outlet. I picked it up, unplugging it and staring at it. The case was a bright pink and a heavy-duty one at that. If I dropped the thing, I’m sure the phone wouldn’t realize it.

I tapped on the home button and found that there were several messages ready to be read. Looking around the apartment, I opened the messages to the touch phone. They were from my new boss.

Jack Storm- 11:58pm

You are going to need this. Consider it part of your welcome to the job. I expect you to always keep it with you.

Jack Storm- 12:02am

You will also find several people in the contact list who are trustworthy to me, and you can call them at any time if you cannot get a hold of me. Sweet Dreams Rosalie.

I quickly looked in the contacts and there were only a few names. My friends Amanda was at the top, then there was Keith, Jeremy, and Jack. Wow, my whole life’s friend list.

I didn’t even respond to his text messages. How would I react to that? How did this phone even get in here? It was late, and I didn’t want to think anymore. His company was security; I’m sure he had the entire room scouted before he brought me up here.

Walking up to the kitchen cabinet, I grabbed a few herbal sleeping pills and downed three. Hoping that would keep the nightmares away and keep me sleeping until I had to get up in a few hours. Cuddling into the bed, Macaroni sat on my chest like she always did to help me feel safe. Her purring lulled me to sleep.

…

The following day, I woke up slightly refreshed. I didn’t have any nightmares because I never got the deep sleep that I really needed. My mind kept drifting in and out of consciousness, waiting for someone to break down the door.

After a refreshingly cold shower, which was not of my choice, I put on my uniform for my last day of work. This was going to be complicated. Andrew was my supervisor, and he was not going to be happy that I was leaving. Grabbing my laptop and my keys, I bid a farewell to Macaroni, and she gave a long yawn as I shut the door.

Once I reached the bottom of the stairs, a man in a suit and aviator sunglasses greeted me. “Miss Pierce?” his voice was thunderous and resounding. It had scared me to no end, and I could feel my body begin to shake. “Miss Pierce, I’m Mr. Storm’s bodyguard; I’m here to escort you wherever you need to go today.” I looked up at him, still shaking as I held my laptop to my chest. I didn’t move. Actually, I couldn’t move.

The sudden ringing in my bag broke the awkward silence that was standing between us. I grabbed it, not letting my eyes leave the man, afraid he would do something I didn’t like. “H-hello?” I answered, not even bothering to look at the caller ID. “Rosalie, are you alright?” I could tell from his husky voice who it was.

“I-I…” I couldn’t get the words out. The freakishly tall man gently took the phone from my hand and spoke to Jack on the phone. “Sir, it’s me. I think she is afraid of me.” The man in the suit finally took off his glasses, and I could see the concern in his eyes. Not seeing someone’s eyes could be frightening to me; like they said, eyes are the windows to the soul. Upon seeing his eyes, my tension finally started to loosen.

“Yes, sir, she’s alright now.” There was some yelling coming from the other side of the line, and the man in the suit was bowing his head. I had finally stopped shaking, and the phone was handed back to me. I held it up to my ear. “I will make sure the bodyguards take their glasses off, alright? I’m sorry they scared you, Kitten.” He almost cooed. I was still so shocked that I didn’t realize the pet name he’d just given me.

“It’s alright. I was just surprised.”

“I have to get going now; just let them know if you need anything. I’ll see you tonight, Kitten.”

There it was again. It almost made my heart flutter. Jack was my boss, and I wasn’t going to think anything of it, even if he was the only one that had made me feel safe in a long time. We said our goodbyes, and the bodyguard smiled. “I’m Tony, by the way.” I shook his hand, and he led me out the door to a black SUV.

Along the way, Tony told me that he also lives in the small community along with Jack and his family. He would also be staying in the same home as me. I was a bit comforted by that fact. He was starting to grow on me, even though we’d only known each other for the duration of the short drive to the office.

Once we arrived, he let me out of the car and walked into the building with me. He let me know that Mr. Storm demanded that Tony stays with me through my last day on the ride over. Something about being a protocol, I didn’t question it because I was honestly too scared to. Pushing the doors open to the floor where my office was, I saw Amanda sitting on my desk. “Well, look who it is! I didn’t get a text or a call after your date!”

“It was a thank-you dinner which came with a job offer, apparently.” I smiled at her as I put my bag on the desk. Tony took the liberty to stay at the entrance of the floor to give me privacy.

“Really now? Are you moving to his estate?” Her smile grew wide and mischievous. I gave her a quick smirk.

“It appears so. My loans will all be paid off, and I won’t have a leaky roof over my head.” Amanda frowned. She still didn’t know where I lived. Quickly brushing it off, I looked at the corner of my desk with a big box of photos and plants. “What is that?” I questioned Amanda.

“Oh, my things. I’m moving back home. Since you will be there, I figured you might need someone to show you around.” She grabbed a nail file from her purse and started shaping her nails.

“What? Are you serious? How did you know?”

“I told you, Jeremy knows Jack. I know Jack… we are all from the same community,” she babbled.

I sat in my chair and gave a huff. How does everyone know each other? “Small world, isn’t it, sweet cheeks.” She came up and gave me a squeeze on my cheek, and I swatted her hand away. “Yeah, too small.” I rubbed my cheek gently.

“LEE!” I jumped quickly out of my seat, holding my hand to my heart. It was Andrew and his screechy voice. I g*****d; he probably couldn’t open his email again, the dumb grump. “Yes, Mr. Andrew?”

“In my office!” he screamed through the phone intercom. I took a big sigh and looked at Amanda. Her eyes were squinting in anger as she folded her arms. She knew how badly I was treated, but I made her swear not to say anything because I needed the job. “I’ll be back at my place around 3 to finish packing. I’m sure you are probably doing the same?

“Yeah, I’ll be riding with you to the estate. Good luck, sweets.” I nodded as she left, and I walked out of my office down the hall to Mr. Andrew. I could feel the overwhelming shadow behind me, now known as Tony. I looked around, and he gave me a smile, and I could help but giggle. I’ve been doing a lot of that lately, smiling and laughing. It was a strange, new thing but I was growing to enjoy feeling happy.

“You wanted to see me, sir?” I knocked on Andrew’s open door. He was scowling, something he started doing immediately after I signed up for employment papers. Andrews was charming when he wanted to be when he wanted something. I remember being reluctant to start work in such a large office, and he reassured me it would be a good fit. It hasn’t been. He was a dictator on this floor, and the fear of quitting and not having a good reference in my field kept me here.

“Who the f**k is that?” Andrew said, pointing to Tony. By Tony’s look, he didn’t like it.

“My bodyguard?” I said in question. Why would he care?

“Get him the f**k out of the office; I need to speak with you!” he yelled. Before I could say anything, Tony stepped forward.

“Wherever she goes, I go. Orders of her new employer.” I cringed. I was going to tell him gently, but that was out the window.

“Your. What?” Andrew spaced out his words.

“I am leaving the company; I have a new job,” I said meekly.

Andrew stood up and walked around the desk. I looked at him in bewilderment. His frown turned to a sinister smile as he crossed his arms over his chest. “You can’t; you signed a contract.” I signed that I would not work any IT during the daylight hours but not a contract to stay here.

“No, no, I didn’t! It said nothing about me having to stay here!”

“Learn to read the fine print, Lee. For the next 5 years, you are all mine.” He threw his head back and laughed. “You also signed a payment freeze, so there will be no raises for you either.”

I could feel the tears well up in my eyes. This was so not fair; I knew once things got good, they would come crashing down. Another lie. Lies have surrounded me from day one. I try and trust people, only to be disappointed, now twice by this man. Sensing my defeat, Tony stepped up only a foot away from Andrews. He looked scared but tried to contain his composure.

Tony bent down to get into his face and spoke, “Jack Storm sends his regards.” There was almost a silent conversation going between the two. Neither of them said a word, but the more time passed, the more Andrews began to shake. Honestly, it felt so good to see such a douchebag shake in fear. If he peed his pants, it would make my day.

Once the staring contest was over, Andrews stood up and straightened his tie. “Thank you for your hard work, Rosalie. You may pack your things and go. I’ll be sure to mail your check. I’m sorry for how I acted; I hope we can part on good terms,” he shook.

My mouth dropped, and I looked at Tony. He gave me a smirk and nudged my arm to leave. I didn’t say another word to Andrew and went to gather my things. I was finally free.