Love and War

Part 10: Shitty Pasts Don't Make Shitty People

                 

The rest of the day was spent making appointments, greeting clients and making phone calls. I was interrupted by the soft knock and the same pair of khaki shorts as before.

            "Pedro. I'll call him." I greeted with a smile.

            "Jeanie, I'm here to say hello to you, actually. How's the first day?" He asked, his words dripping with false concern. Oh, great, here we go.

            "Just peachy." He smiled at me before looking at the door.

            "Care to share what's on your mind? You've been here all of 6 hours and you already look stressed. Let me take you to dinner, huh?" There it is. That's why he's here. I wonder if Axel told him? Damn it. This always happens.

            "I'm sorry, Pedro, but, I don't think it would be appropriate. I try to avoid dating at work. Thank you, though." I smiled.

            "Your loss, sweetheart." His thick voice cut through the air as he stood to leave, Axe walking in in his absence.

            "Let's go. I have plans downtown in an hour and you're coming to take notes." With a clenched jaw, Axe's arm extended out to the small of my back as he helped me through the doorway. He took the keys from my hand before opening my door. "I'm driving." He eyed me before closing it behind me and walking to his side. His jaw clenched as he white knuckled the steering wheel. I ignored his heavy breathing and looked forward.

            "Come with me." I didn't even hear the door click as his voice reverberated through the silence, his warm hand extended. He was still angry, but, I wasn't going to address it.

            "Your plans?" I asked politely.

            "Or something like that." He grinned, walking to the door.

            "It's a battered women's shelter. What are we doing here?" My chest began to hitch as my breathing hooked, circling shallowly in my lungs. I looked back at him; his eyes flashed a hint of compassion.

            "I come here twice a week- it's why James thought I'd sympathize with your story. I want you to know why I hired you. You see, we spent a few years here growing up. My dad was a drunk. Usually, when he was really upset, he threw my mom around like a ragdoll. My mom left our dad when I was 11 and we lived here. I bought it two years ago and try to keep it running as best as I can." His eyes peered into me.

"I'm sorry you went through that." I offered, reaching for his hand to squeeze.

"Shitty pasts don't make shitty people Jeanie. I know I'm a dick, but I'm not a shitty person and neither are you. I think this place is a good way for you to see the different aspects of my business."  He flashed me a smile before gesturing for me to walk inside. Walking through the gated door, I peaked around the corner to a playroom full of toys and children. A few steps down the hall and I saw women preparing meals in the kitchen, sharing stories. They each grinned when they noticed us walking through the door.

            "Ladies." He smiled, walking to the backdoor and pulling in boxes of groceries.

            "Axel, who is this lovely lady with you?" A gentle voice called from the pantry. An older women in a white blouse pulled me into a side hug.

            "Ladies, this is Jeanie. She's my new assistant." He smiled, waving his palm around to introduce me. I walked to the back to help him carry groceries in before heading to the pantry to unload. I could hear the women whispering and laughing, all fawning over Axel.

            "He's gonna make a fine husband, some day, girls." One of the women chuckled as she closed the fridge.

            "That, he will." I chuckled, placing the last of the crackers in the cabinets above the fridge. The ladies' glances didn't go unnoticed.

            "He almost was one, you know?" The older woman offered.

            "Really?" I asked.

            "Yeah, Ali. She left him for another man." My heart sulked at the thought. Why would he meet her for dinner after she did that? Why meet with her at all?

            "What? Ali, as in his former assistant Ali?" The women nodded before greeting Axe entering the room.

            "Well, ladies, I hate to tear her away, but we have dinner plans." Axe lifted me from the snack bar stool and walked me to the car, opening my door.

            "They really are great." I said.

            "Just down on their luck. Bad relationships don't make for bad people." He commented, looking directly at me. I knew exactly what that comment was for, and it meant everything to me.