What if I was nothing (Tommy Conlon fanfiction)

Part 10

"Gary? What - why are we here?" I looked around a little bit scared.
"Shani!" Tommy's voice came from behind my back.
"Tommy," I ran into his arms, "how did you get here?"
"Mike told me to come for you,
so that your father couldn't see us together," he whispered to my hair. He looked like a big angry giant few minutes ago, now he is a gentle, caring guy, whispering to my ear in a comforting voice.
"I know you might see me as your boss, but I listen, I know more about your lifes, than you think and I do care about my employees," Gary watched us with a smile. "Have a day or two off and try to figure out what you're going to do, alright?"
"Thank you, Gary, I appreciate it. Really," I hugged him shortly and he chuckled.
Mary brought me my clothes and I quickly changed in a storage and we left the diner through the back entrance.
"Alright," Tommy took my hand and sighed deeply, "I have hoped to avoid doing this for a long time, but it seems, that some higher power is giving me no choice. So, let's go, I'll take you to my place."
I just nodded and without a word I followed him.
We have entered a part of the city and I must admit, I have never ever been here. It is the area, which is known as not very safe, if I describe it in a polite way. I have been avoiding it, because my mother always told me, there is nothing but danger, violence, drugs, alcohol and rapists. And I'll be honest, I didn't know Tommy comes from this quarter.
"You know, my mother did a very good job, when she scared me, to make me avoid this part of the city," I confessed. "I have never been here before."
"Well, it is quite safe here, the most dangerous area is in the heart of tge city, believe me. People are much more agressive there, than here in this community. Here are just poor people, not criminals," Tommy comforted me. "It is not so nice here, I know. But believe me, the worst part awaits at my home."
"What do you mean?"
"My dad. He is, welll, special. I was abroad for many years, so I didn't look for my own flat. So, when I am in town, I stay at my dad."
"Wow, this is a big day, isn't it? You have met my father, I am going to meet yours," I joked and Tommy grinned.
"I am glad, that what happened in there didn't break you."
"I will not let him to destroy my dreams," I smiled sadly.

We entered to the small housing unit.
"Alright," Tommy exhaled deeply, he was nervous so much it really surprised me.
We got in and  well... I won't lie I was a little bit shocked. One word, that could describe that flat was chaos. Seriously, chaotic order of things, living room with a small TV, surrounded by a beer cans, boxes from next to the sofa, kitchen counter, just a small, but big enough to cook there. If you could find a spot, where to lay down a pan.
And in the middle of it a man reading a book, glasses on a top of his nose.
I would say, that this place felt disgusting, it was just chaotic.
"Hey, dad?" Tommy said and man raised his eyes.
"Tommy! I was worried, you should take your stuff and hurry to take the bus!" his father stood up and went to us. I moved a little bit and he already noticed me.
"Wow!" his eyes got open widely. "I didn't expect you to bring a company! Is that Shani?"
"You told your dad about me?" I looked at Tommy with a happy smile.
"Yeah, I am Shani. It's nice to meet you," we shook hands.
"Paddy, call me Paddy," he smiled.
"Dad, listen. Shani is in trouble, I wanted to ask you, if she could stay here for some time," Tommy asked and he didn't even have a chnace to finish and Paddy almost exclaimed: "Like you have to ask! Of course she can stay how long she needs!"
"Thank you," I sighed.
"I have to make a call. I'll cancel my participation on that tournament," Tommy said quietly and we both looked at him disbelievingly.
"Why? You don't wanna do that because of me, right?" I asked him.
"Yeah, sure. I can't let you leave here alone."
"I won't be alone, your dad is here. I'll be fine, you go there and win it as you have planned whole time, okay?"
"Come with me," Tommy took my hand and led me to the small room. Just a bed, small closet, it was clean and tidy and it felt like we have entered a whole different flat. "I don't want to leave you alone, my dad is a weirdo and what if your father finds you here?"
"He won't, this is the last place, where he'd look for me. And your dad is not a weirdo, he seems nice. You did the best you could for me, thank you. And now, take your bag and go kick some asses," I giggled.
"Are you sure?" he took my face into his hands.
"Yes, I'm sure."
He kissed me and put hair behind my ear. "Okay," he whispered, "so you can sleep here in my room. If something went wrong, call me immediately, alright?"
I just nodded and he kissed my forehead.
"Well, so I better be going. Are you sure...."
"Go!" I chuckled.
He left the flat, I saw he was really upset. He wanted to stay and go at the same time. I'll be honest, I wanted him to stay, but he has been so thrilled about that tournament, that I would feel sorry if he missed it.
"So," I turned to Paddy and put my hands to the pockets nervously.
"How about a pizza?" he gave me a smile and my totally empty stomach grunted something, that sounded like "yes, please."