The Man I Call Strong

Chapter 12: Too Close For Comfort

My mind is still spinning in attempt to catch up with reality.

Three hours, that's all it took. Three short, terrifying hours before all my belongings were packed and shipped off to wherever my diluted boss lives.

In fact, who knows where Mr. Strong is at the moment because he's disappeared out of sight. Again.

I watch as the last of my stuff is packed away into Mr. Strong's personal movers van. Until I hear Mr. Strong's voice.

"I have good news, Miss. LaRue."

I turn around to see Mr. Strong looking down to his phone, most likely just ending a call. He walks up to me. He's so close I can feel his warmth radiating through his dark blue suit. "I've managed to sell your apartment to a new renter, and I've talked to your landlady. She was... well.... more than happy to do the favor of breaking your lease once I mentioned who I was." I shuffle my foot in circles in a desperate attempt to distract myself. I sigh and dare to look up to him. "Thank you..... so much. I-- I can't believe you'd help a complete stranger with her living arrangements." I look up and instantly get lost in his eyes. "Well.... If you wanted be technical, these living arrangements are a danger to you and as you know; that is against the contract." I laugh softly as he walks past me and out of my view.

"Miss. LaRue?" I hear an unfamiliar voice. I look up and see Rocco holding the limo's door open. I clear my throat and push a sliver of hair out of my face before walking hesitantly towards the limo.

I slip one foot in and then sit down against the leather seats. The scent of leather hits me and I knew the seats were real leather. My body froze in fear that I would ruin the perfect car. I look over to see Mr. Strong on his phone. I see a call from Tina flash up on his screen. He swings his head back and groans. He throws his phone on the portable bar's countertop that runs along the wall of the limo, forgetting about her.

I simply stay silent. This is going to be a long car drive.

* * *

We drive on a familiar rode and my imagination, once again, gets the best of me. We drive past one of the richest communities in New York.

My heart wishes with all its strength that I could live in a place like that. I imagine myself watching TV without a father after my neck. Food in the refrigerator and most of all; someone to share it with. Someone besides Melody.

My dream is put to rest when we drive past the community, my heart still wishing to live in a place like that.

Until we get to the richest place I've ever known.

The Hampton.

Before I can start day dreaming about all the possibilities, the long, sleek limo turns in to the pearly gates.

My voice fails me as I look to Mr. Strong. "Tell Rick I need those blueprints now!" He goes silent as he listens to the poor man's response from across the line. "No, Nicki! I haven't even signed off on it yet, how could it possibly be...." He groans after being interrupted from Nicki. I can't help but feel anxious with an angry man sitting right next to me, just an arms length away from striking me across the face, just as my father had done years ago.

My mind goes back to the beautiful, majestic buildings fly by my view. "He lives in the Hampton." I gasp out breathlessly. Then I hear a chuckle from the front seat. "No, ma'am. This is Mr. Strong's playground when he wants to get away from life. It's sort of like his safe haven."

"Playground?" I blurt out in disbelief. "Yes, ma'am. I know, unfair. I'd kill to live in a place like this." I sigh and keep looking around.

White, yellow, gold, auburn. The different mansions blip by in a fuzz, only giving me a second to dream
about living in a place like that.

Then we come to an obviously purposely secluded spot. The driveway to the house alone was at least ten yards long. When I caught sight of the house, my mouth went dry. My heart stopped beating. "It looks like the Parthenon." I glutted out. The chuckle returns. "Yes, ma'am. It sure does." I can tell that Rocco is chewing gum as he speaks.

I've never had gum before. That's the first thing I'm going to do with the extra money from my paycheck.

The columns to the building tower to the peak of the house roof. The roof steeples upward and flattens out till it's straight and then ends abruptly at the end length of the building. "It's..... Perfect." I whisper. A deep hum comes from behind me. I turn and once again, I feel his minty breath on my lips. I yearn to keep the soft touch of his breath on my lips, but I know better. He may not know it yet, but Tina is the better one for him.

She's strong, hard working, and beautiful. She's just like him; perfect.

I spin back around and look down at my lap. "I--I--I'm sorry." I look back to Mr. Strong just in time to see him swallow hard, still leaned over to me, his eyes fastened to mine. His phone buzzes against his leg, where he put it last.

He seems to be brought back to reality as he picks up the call. "Strong."

"Sweety! Pumpkin! Where are you, I'm at your office. Are you okay? You didn't get in an accident did you? Oh sweety I got the most adorable looking shoes."

I see Mr. Strong sigh with frustration as he closes his eyes. 'He's probably counting to ten, the poor guy.' Wait a minute. Are you feeling sorry for Mr. Strong? Sebastian Strong? 'What! No! No way.'

Even my sassy diva is intrigued by this man. But I know the bases to every man; anger and impatience. And that's what leads to beaten girlfriends and wives and worse..... Daughters.

* * *

Rocco waited patiently with the door in hand as I fumbled out of the limo. Quite the opposite of Mr. Strong as his body gracefully slipped out of the car. I stood up straight, trying to prove to Mr. Strong that I'm at least half as good as he says I am.

I hear Mr. Strong speak Russian to Rocco and Asher. He then turned to Rex and Bruce and spoke to them in English. "Secure the area. Make sure there's no one around. Any strange activity gets reported to me immediately."

"Yes, sir." They both answered and turned around to depart to do their duties. Leaving me and Mr. Strong alone.

I desperately watch as the movers are already unpacking my dozen number of boxes from the truck. One of the hard working movers walks up to me and hands me a white tuft of fur. "I do believe this little sweetheart is yours, ma'am." I giggle lightly and take the little white kitten from the man's hands.

"Thank you. I thought I put her in my purse. I guess not. Thank you." I start giggling again as I see Melody wiggling in my embrace, trying so hard to get to the ground. My giggling continues, and the sound seems to capture Mr. Strong's attention instantly.

"You have a wonderful laugh, Miss. LaRue." I look over to Mr. Strong just in time for him to see my blush.

"Well, shall we?" Mr. Strong guestures to the massive house in front of me. I smile shyly and walk ahead of him. This is it.