The Internship

Chapter Four

I was nervous to go to work.

Kirstie's office was at the end of the hallway. I always stopped in to say good morning. Today wasn't any different.

But you can imagine how much more nervous I became when I walked into Kirstie's office to find her pacing.

She looked up when she heard me come in.

"Have you seen him?!" She asked. "Oh please tell me you've seen him!"

"Who?" I asked, even though the knots in my stomach confirmed my doubts.

"Mitch you dumbass! It doesn't matter how rough they are with him or how late he's out, he's never late to work. I'm freaking out Scott do you think something happened to him?"

"No Kirstie calm down. I'm sure he's just stuck in traffic."

"He's not Scott."

"It'll be okay," I said, neither of us believing me.

"I just can't have him upset today. Not with--" She trailed off, tears threatening to spill from her eyes.

"Not with what?"

"His father, h-he's coming today. Since he owns the company he comes to check on things every now and then." She laughed bitterly. "Except his version of checking on things is screaming at Mitch and beating the shit out of him, he's--"

"He's abusive?!" I yelled, cutting her off.

"Scott please. Mitch doesn't want anyone to know. He can't let anyone know, please." She looked panicked, like she knew that wasn't information to share.

I nodded, my mind running a mile a minute trying to process this information. Suddenly we both heard footseps. We spun around, our breaths hitching when we caught the sight before us. Mitch looked terrible. Still as beautiful as ever, but terrible. His eyes were bloodshot without their usual spark, he was still wearing his clothes from yesterday, and there were hickies all over his neck.

"Oh Mitch," Kirstie said, her eyes filling up with tears.

"Don't say anything," he said before going into his office and slamming the door.

"I- I can't tell him about his father," Kirstie said, looking up at me weakly.

"I guess I will." I gave her a quick hug and kissed her forehead before walking out.

I opened the door to Mitch's office. He stood in front of the mirror that hung on the wall. He was shirtless with his hands on either side of the table in front of him. His body shook violently as he sobbed. There were bruises all over his back and torso.

Without thinking or saying anything I walked up to him. I turned him around so he was facing me. I pulled his small, shaking body into mine. He tensed at first but finally relaxed. I wrapped my arms around his waist.

He eventually stopped crying and my hands began to trace circles lightly on his back. We found ourselves slowly swaying back and forth. It was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop. That was my favorite thing about Mitch and I, we didn't have to say anything.

He pulled away and my first instinct was to pull him back, so I did.

"Easy there tiger," he said while laughing lightly. He pulled away again and the overwhelming sadness in his eyes made me want to hurt the bastard that did this to him. "You look mad, don't be mad. He was too rough but it doesn't hurt, I promise." He gave me a weak smile. It faded quickly though. "He's coming today isn't he?" He asked.

I stayed silent, hoping I didn't have to say anything. He just nodded. He went to his cabinet and pulled out black skinny jeans and a black button up shirt. Did I mention the acceptable casual dresscode here?!