From Rags to Riches

Finding the runaway

Jordan:

It's been two days since I found her in that coffee shop. The most beautiful woman I have ever come across, and her daughter was the cutest little thing. Ever since I walked out I have regretted it, why did I walk away? I could tell they were struggling to get through the day, and I just left them for my company. Yet again I let work get in the way of me living my life. I have never done the girlfriend thing, mainly because I don't have the time and also because I just don't do the 'hearts and flowers' all girls want. But this girl was different. The innocence in her gorgeous blue eyes sent shivers down my spine and I haven't been able to get her face out of my mind.

After running eight kilometres and freshening myself up, I set off for work at seven thirty for a breakfast meeting at eight o'clock. I have back to back meetings all morning followed by mountains of paperwork and a late meeting via video chat at seven thirty. This is why I don't have a personal life; I don't have time to worry about anyone. I built my company from the ground up and it's my hard work that has gotten me here. Some people say I don't have a heart, and I have to agree with them; because I'm a person not made for love and affection, but a person made for power and success.

I sit at my desk picking at my lunch trying to work my way through the stack of paperwork when my mind once again drifts to her face. So much sadness and pain, yet I saw a glimpse of hope in her eyes; suggesting the person she once was is still there, looking for a way to escape the lifestyle she has had to adapt to. Urgh why did I leave, or at least not get her name? If I'm correct in my theory that she is struggling financially, she can't move far away. I may have to tell my security about her, and if they see her they can bring her to me. I'm praying that she's at least staying in a hostel or somewhere with a roof and not on the streets, that would kill me. Her little girl probably doesn't know another way to live, but if I cross paths with her again I'll be sure to change that. Knowing a child being so helpless reminds me of the life I had as a child, and I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

I was adopted at four years old, and my short life before that was horrific. My father abandoned my mother before I was born, so that was one love I lost before I even had the chance to gain it. My mother, if you can call her that, turned to drugs and selling herself to get money for her next fix. I have no good memories of her, only having to endure the physical abuse I received from her pimps who would make her feel "alive" as she would put it. I was used as a punching bag, an ashtray, pretty much anything the pimps needed at the time. I have the scars to prove it, and the phobia of being touched as a result of the torture. At the age of four my mother overdosed, and I was left with her body for four days, living on frozen peas before the paramedics came and took me to the hospital, where I met my adoptive mother. I thought she was an angel, someone sent to save me from my hideous life. She took me under her wing and for the first time I felt hope, but never loved. I never felt like I was worthy of someone's love, no matter how much they expressed it.

"So have we finally come to a conclusion?" I ask irritated while pinching the bridge of my nose. I have been yelling at my computer screen for the past hour trying to seal this deal. International businessmen are hard to bargain with. Although they know their company is going to fall through, they refuse to admit it.
"Yes we have a deal" I hear through my speakers and I finally see the light.
"I'm glad you've finally realised what's right. I will have one of my colleagues send you the paperwork for you to sign. I will be in touch" I say and end the call before hanging my head over the back of my chair and letting out a sigh of frustration and relief.

I don't leave my office until ten o'clock at night. I pack up my things and walk out of my office where my security and personal driver Alex Mason is waiting.
"Mr. Matthews" he greets me with a nod and I respond with the same gesture while passing him my bag.
"Mason" I don't like to form relationships with my employees. Although I trust Mason with my life and will be forever grateful for what he has done for me, the line between friends and employer/employee will never be crossed. We descend in the lift and make our way out of the building when I hear a group of rowdy young men surrounding something at the corner of the street. I look over and so does Mason and after sharing an agreeing look, we make our way over.
"What seems to be the problem here lads?" Mason interrupts the men while I follow behind and am suddenly washed over with rage. They weren't surrounding something, but rather someone. It was her and her little mini-me being hounded by these ridiculously drunk, barely twenty-one men. I storm forward and push two of them out of the way before bending down in front of her. I could hear them hurling abuse at me but I block it out, Mason can deal with them. My focus is on the blue eyed beauty in front of me.
"Are you hurt?" I ask her as she holds onto her daughter for dear life. They're in the same clothes as the ones I met them in and they've surrounded themselves in cardboard and scrap pieces of material. My worst fear for them has come true; they're homeless. She shakes her head and clings onto her little one tighter. I could see the little girl's eyes fixed on the commotion happening behind me, while her mother's gaze is fixed on me. I stand up and hold my hand out to her.
"Let me help you. Let me get you out of here" I offer and she stares at me with wide eyes without moving.
"Come on, do you want your daughter to continue listening to these men?" I question, knowing I will get through to her by using her daughter. She quickly looks down at the shivering figure in her arms before standing her up. I pick her up before grabbing onto the woman's hand and making a break for the car. I quickly get them in the car and follow suit, with Mason getting in the drivers side and speeding off while the men continued making gestures at the window. I look over at the brunette and she's shaking with tears streaming down her face. I reach over and wipe a tear from her cheek.

"What's your name?" I ask her, realising we still aren't on first name basis.
"Rebecca" she answers through a sob and kisses her daughter's head.
"This is Sienna" she continues and I look down at Sienna. I smile at her and she buries her head in Rebecca's chest, but I see a slight smile tug at the corner of her lips.
"I'm Jordan" I introduce myself and hold my hand out. Rebecca lets out a small giggle and shakes my hand. Her touch sends an electric current through my entire body and I hear a slight gasp escape her lips. She must have felt it too.
"Where are we going?" She asks as she looks out the window.
"Back to my apartment, I hope you don't mind" I say and see her stiffen.
"I promise, you will no longer have to deal with what you had back there. I won't let that happen"
"But- but we just met, you don't know me, I can't accept that, I can't-" I saw the tears build up again and I felt a pang of hurt and anger.
"I won't take no for an answer. Please, I know what it feels like to be dependant on someone when you don't know how. But let me help you. Let me at least let you clean up and get a good nights sleep" I see the look of confusion in her face when I admit I know what she's feeling. She sighs in defeat and nods her head.
"Ok. Thankyou"
"And I don't want to hear another thankyou" I say with a smirk, and I manage to get her to smile a real smile. Her whole face lights up in that split second and she becomes even more beautiful if that were even possible. I do know for one thing, I'm not letting her just clean up, I will do everything in my power to make sure I look after these girls; whatever the cost.