Rhenna

EIGHT

  I was mildly concerned. Conn had an entire queen bed tucked away in the corner of his office.
I was glad that I wouldnt be sleeping on a couch, but still; who keeps a fucking bed in their office?

Conn must've realised what I was thinking. "It gets busy in the cold months so I installed a bed. There's also a shower in the bathroom".

Conn's office was a complete replica of Dan's. Minus the kitchen.

"You can touch everything in here except the computer, got it?" He gave me a stern look.

"Easy to remember".

"Laundry room's on the fifth floor."

"What about food?"

"I'll bring you some food." A stupefied expression crossed his face, "I guess...we're gonna be spending a lot of time together".

That's what he thought. This was my fall back plan. I wouldnt be here every night. I could stake it out at the club.

"I guess you dont have a job either".

"Nope".

Jae refused to let me work. On top of that no one would hire a minor without a work card.

Which I had no way of getting. The cards were made by the government and schooling committees.

I had made it my goal to stay away from both groups.

"You could intern".

"You want me to work for you?" Excuse the skepticism in my voice, but I dont speak bull.

"Why not?"

I wasnt good with numbers for one. My communication skills were shitty. Sitting at a desk for hours didnt seem ideal.

I quite school for that same reason.

I scratched the nape of my neck and smiled shyly. "I would suck".

"You'd get the hang of it".

"Dont care".

Okey. Despite the looks of it...I would support myself. I wasnt going to take charity.
And there was this job i had in mind.

"It could be a g-"
"I already have a job insight". I blurted.

He quickly backed off after that.

"So", I began, "What's Mr. Pros gonna think about all this?"

"I'll tell him you need space from Ventis. I'm sure he'll understand".
I felt a nostalgic wave of jealousy creep up on me. Conn's father was a good man. While on the other hand I didn't even know mine.

"Right".
I dumped my bag on the couch.
"If you wanna shower feel free too". Conn said. He took a seat behind his desk and started typing on the computer.

I left for that shower.

-------------

"You clumsy little bitch". Mom hissed. She grabbed my arm and yanked me over to the mess. I whimpered when her long nails dug into my skin.

"Three plates gone! How are you gonna fix this Li li?"

"I dont know". I whispered hoarsely. I was trying to think of a way to make it up to her.

I knew she liked it when I brought her beer. Or when I rolled her weed. Or when I injected that clear liquid into her arm.

"Why dont you get a job brat". One of mom's "drug partners" called from the living room.

I couldnt get a job. I was only six.

"Just clean this fucking mess up". Mom sighed. She slinked away to the bathroom.

I hurried over to the pantry and grabbed the broom. When I spun back around I collided with a unmovable force.

"Watch it!" Rincher snapped. He glared down at me. I shrunk beneath his stare.

Rincher was the only guy mom kept around. Probably the worst out of all of them.

He was loud, moody, and always screaming at me or mom. I hated him.

"Sorry". I whispered.

He held his beer over my head, and with a smirk, poured it out. I gasped when the sizzling liquid touched my skin.
It burned against the cut in my cheek, and the deep grazes on my spine.

-----------------

I flinched awake. The space around me was layered in shadow; distorted by the soft glow of Conn's computer.

I heard him sigh before his chair creaked.

"Still here?" My voice was strained.

"Mmmhh".

It was nearly one in the morning. I rolled over onto my back then sluggishly sat up. I winced against the light.

"What are you working on?"

"Stocks".

No more had to be said. I scooched to the end of the bed and stretched.

"Did I wake you?" He didnt sound particularly interested, or sorry about it.

"No".

I slipped off the bed and silently padded to the bathroom. I didnt bother turning on the light, well at first; but then I couldnt find the toilet. I switched the flip on. "Fuck".

"I might be a bit longer". Conn yawned. He didnt take his eyes off the screen.

I got back into bed.

"Probably gonna sleep on the couch".

"I could-"
He waved me off. "Your fine on the bed".

"Whatever you say".

I snuggled back into the blankets and did my best to fall asleep, but I was restless.

I rolled over onto my side. The comfort was short lived. I tossed and turned for a good ten minutes after that.

"I have some Xanax".

Usually when I became restless Jae rubbed circles into my spine, or he snapped at me.

"I'm good".

A little while later the computer's light turned off. I listened as Conn shuffled about then finally the room was silent.

I flopped onto my stomach.

My phone blinked on. I ignored it.

Jae, despite his position, couldnt touch me as long as I stayed with the Pros.

With that thought in mind i think i managed to fall asleep again.