Bring The Rain

Chapter 17

Ara's POV
   It wasn't much longer before we pulled into the crowded parking lot of a large brick building.  The outside was painted plain Navy Blue and neon green lights on top of the building read; 'The Blue Marina'. Mike parked and jumped out of the car walking directly over to my side and opened my door for me. He then got Zahir who grabbed both of our hands and practically dragged us to the entrance. Michael had said that the seafood here was to die for so I hoped the food would be more appealing then the lackluster appearance of this place. Once we stepped inside I was in awe, the decor consisted of walls made completely of aquariums that reached from floor to ceiling, the floor looked almost 3D as the tile mimicked that of the ocean waves, even the ceiling was captivating with large imitation coral reefs that hung so low you could touch them. The large aquariums sported multiple ocean life from stingrays and jellyfish to sea turtles and small sharks. "I can tell why he was so eager to get inside, this place is amazing". Mike laughed at my childish amazement; "it's a popular attraction, it's supposed to be for kids but even adults come here just to enjoy the aquariums. I worked here through undergrad and law school, the owners still love me and I always get a good table when I call ahead". While it was clear to see that Mrs. Taylor was used to being rich Mike gave me the impression that he didn't come from an affluent background, the man worked his way through law school and I had a hard time just finishing my associates. Zahir pulled away from us and ran to stand with a few other children as they watched a large sea turtle swim around almost playfully as it enjoyed all the attention it was getting.
   After a few minutes we finally made it to the head of the line to speak with the overly cheerful hostess; "Mr. Taylor we're so glad you could make it! My boss wanted me to let you know that we do have your regular private table reserved for you but we have a wedding party dining with us tonight in the larger private venue next to yours and it may get a little loud". Mike wanted to continue to his 'regular table' and she led us through the crowded restaurant to the back of the building that was sectioned off by large sliding wooden doors. She opened the second set of doors letting us into a spacious area with one table set for six. The room continued the same under the sea theme that the rest of the building had but the walls were painted with various shades of blues and greens to mimic the ocean with a mural of various sea creatures. Although there were no aquariums in the room the doors entrance had large silver planting pots on either side that contained small water fountains and beautifully colored fish that swam to the waters edge when someone walked by them. 
   Mike pulled out my chair for me and sat Zahir between the two of us. The hostess handed him a children's menu and crayons to color with while Mike and I got large menus with the biggest seafood selection I had ever seen. I looked over the numerous options unsure of what to get, most of it sounded delicious and some I had never heard of. "You look overwhelmed". Mike never bothered to look at his menu and Zahir of course was only interested in coloring the pretty pictures on his. "There's so much to choose from I have no idea what to get". Mike gently took the menu from my hands and rested it on the table, "do you like seafood, I can order for you if you'd like"? I shook my head yes, "I like all the regular things; fish, shrimp, crabs, literally any seafood that's easy to find in a grocery store". Mike turned to the waitress who stood to the side patiently awaiting our order, "we'll take a King Triton Platter for the table". She took our menus and hurried off to place our orders. "What's a King Triton Platter"? Zahir smiled and giggled, I was confused as to what was so funny. Mike looked over at him and asked "what do we do with a crab"? Zahir bawled his fists and snapped an imaginary crab leg while screaming a loud cracking noise, he burst into a fit of giggles and did it again. "It's our favorite thing to get here, it's way too much food but it's all amazing. The main dish is an Alaskan King Crab that Zahir loves. It's served with fresh steamed lobster, shrimp, and clams, along with corn and potatoes". I had noticed that dish on the menu but immediately skipped over it when I saw the price tag. "When we started coming here I would get Zahir something off the kids menu and get myself seafood; but I got tired of this kid eating his own food and taking all my crab legs. Now we just get the platter and take home the leftovers". I loved that Mike gave Zahir the best that he could offer. The child had name brand clothing, all the toys he could ask for and ate at top tier restaurants often. "You're spoiling him". I said playfully as I watched the two of them color together. "If you think I spoil him you should meet my parents! Half of his toys come from those two". Mike began to tell me all about his parents and how they flew in from Florida the moment Mike told them he would be fostering a child. They brought toys and clothes and stayed for a month just to spend time with their new grand baby. When the adoption started they practically forced Mike to bring Zahir to their retirement home so that he could experience the beach and of course get whatever he wanted from those two. I laughed at all the stories about Zahir having ice cream with his grandpa at two in the morning and his grandma letting him eat his dessert before dinner; "grandparents are supposed to spoil their grandkids, mine were the same way when I was growing up". Mike let out a sarcastic laugh, "they would let this kid get away with murder! But they truly love him, I wish they could spend more time with him, and me too, but it's been hard for me to get time off work and they're too old to travel very often". I could see the sadness wash over him as he said that. "But you're moving soon so it'll work out". Mike looked at me with a surprise expression and I realized that I wasn't supposed to know that detail of his life. I thought he would be upset however he only laughed it off saying; "Tara talks too much. I wanted to move but the promotion I've been busting my ass for is about to be given away to someone who doesn't even deserve it". We talked for over thirty minutes about the troubles he was having at work. It was clear that Mike was stressed and I think that he just needed someone to vent to. It wasn't like his wife was around and from what Tara told me they all have been so focused on their kids and careers that they haven't hung out with Mike or even seen him relax in months. "I've been talking way too much". He looked almost embarrassed as he realized how long he'd been complaining of his circumstances. "I'm always here to listen, Mike". He thanked me and gave me that charming smirk he always had when he was in a good mood. I had to admit that the man was handsome but that only made being so close to him that much harder. I couldn't remember the last time a man looked at me like that let alone acted as though they cared for my well being. I had to remind myself that he was my boss so any special attention I was getting from him was only because he appreciates the way I care for his child and nothing more.
   Thank God the large doors opened and gave us something to do other than starting into each other's eyes. A waitress appeared with multiple waiters in tow. She pushed a rolling cart that contained a platter stacked a foot high with various seafood and vegetables. Together two of the waiters lifted the large platter and sat it in front of us along with silverware, napkins, bibs and packets of hand wipes. The pretty brunette waitress came over to Mike leaning over showing way too much of her cleavage; "I'm soooo sorry it took so long! The wedding party has kept the kitchen pretty busy, but is there anything else I can get for you" she asked while flashing a fake smile. Mike dismissed her without even glancing her way which clearly irritated her and I couldn't help but laugh as she sashayed out of the room. "I think she was offering you more than what's on the menu". I eyed him waiting for a response, "I'm NOT interested". We laughed about the waitresses' forwardness as we worked together on Zahir. I took off his jacket and tied his plastic bib around his neck while Mike used the wet wipes to sanitize his hands. He grabbed a giant crab leg sitting the entire thing in front of Zahir and handed him a crab mallet that could be used to break open the hard outer shell. "Is that safe for him to have"? I didn't want to question Mike's authority but I was concerned that Zahir wasn't mature enough to handle it. "Just watch" he said as Zahir expertly cracked the animal open and pulled out the meat without assistance. For such a small child Zahir was very independent and as we ate he seemed to handle everything on his own.
   The food was delicious and we enjoyed each other's company throughout the night, with the boys constantly asking me to try a different item or sauce. After I was sure Zahir had tried one or more of everything on that platter he finally gave up. His little eyes looked so tired as he sat there rubbing his stomach and I couldn't help but laugh at how adorable he looked. "Is your tummy full"? He shook his head yes and stretched his arms out for me to pick him up. I used more of the wet toilettes to clean his face and hands before cradling him in my arms. "I'm not the only one that spoils him". I looked over at Mike who was putting the remainder of the food into to-go containers. "I can't help it, he's just too adorable"! He only laughed at my weak excuse but he was right, I spoiled him as well but who could resist him. Before Mike could say something else the doors were pushed open and a small group of men who were clearly intoxicated came stumbling in while laughing loudly. They were all dressed alike in deep purple button up shirts with white slacks and bow ties; they must have been the groomsmen from the wedding reception. "The wedding party is in the next room over" Mike directed them. They mumbled their apologies and turned to leave but the man in front stood there not moving. "Wassup Ara" I recognized his voice immediately and my head snapped up searching the group for a familiar face. The man turned closing the door behind him and my heart started to race; "can we leave"? Mike looked worried as he asked "what's wrong"? I couldn't explain everything but I wanted to get away from there as fast as possible. "Right now"! My voice was hoarse and I knew I was on the verge of tears. Mike didn't hesitate to grab our bags and after throwing a few hundred dollar bills on the table he took my hand in his and led us out of the restaurant.

Mike's POV

   Ara's sudden change in mood was both drastic and alarming. She was fine the entire night, even happy, until that man spoke to her and she clearly recognized him. I didn't ask her anything on the way home because she looked so frazzled but I had questions that I needed answers for. I needed to know if she was in some kind of trouble. I was beginning to care for Ara and I wanted her there for Zahir because she was the perfect fit for him but I couldn't allow something from her past to interfere with my son's welfare. Once we arrived home I got Zahir from the car and carried him in my arms while he slept. Ara grabbed the bags of leftovers and took them inside without making eye contact. After placing the food in the fridge she started toward the back door but I had to stop her; "Ara you know we need to talk". She stood at the doors with her back toward me not acknowledging my presence. "I'll put Zahir to bed and I'll be right back". After taking his shoes off I didn't bother trying to change him into his pajamas. I knew his sweatsuit would be comfortable enough for him to sleep through the night peacefully. I stood at the top of the steps and calmed myself before going to speak with Ara. I didn't want to upset her more than she already was but I needed her to be honest with me. Although it would break Zahir's heart I knew that I may have to let her go if she brought any upset to our already troubled family dynamic. 
   I found Ara waiting at the kitchen island. She sat with her arms wrapped tightly around herself while she held her head down. I sat beside her and waited for her to speak first, when she didn't acknowledge me I finally broke the silence. "Ara, I need you to be honest with me. Are you in some kind of trouble"? I heard her sniffling and I knew that she must have started to cry. I couldn't bring myself to look at her, if I saw her hurting and desperate I would never be able to make her leave. Her voice cracked as she finally said; "it's not what you think". "Well you need to explain it to me Ara. You can start by telling me who that man was at the restaurant". She attempted to compose herself as she explained; "I only know his first name, Desmond. I don't know much about him but he's a friend of my ex boyfriend. I know that my ex, Javier, must be looking for me and he will tell him that he saw me". I wasn't understanding what the real issue was, "Ara why are you so upset about him contacting your ex"? Her words were barely above a whisper as she spoke this time, "Javier abused me our entire relationship. I ran away from him a few days ago and I ended here working for you. I'm so afraid that he'll find me...and if he does I'm afraid that he'll kill me". Her words impacted me so much that I felt as though I couldn't breath. Here I was thinking that she may be involved in drugs or some other illegal activity and this poor girl just feared for her life. She was now sobbing and I needed to comfort her. I pulled her close to me and cradled her in my arms like a child as she cried even harder. I shouldn't have pried deeper into her pain but I felt the need to know; "Ara what did he do to you". As she spoke her words now angered me to a point that I couldn't bear to hear anymore. "Shhhh, everything will be alright". I stroked her back and continued to hold her in my arms as she released two years of pent up anger, fear, and trauma. In the few short days that I'd known her I had come to realize that Ara was one of the kindest and most gentle people in the world. She did more than I asked of her daily and cared for my son better than his birth or adoptive mothers ever have; she constantly went out of her way to make life easier for my family even while dealing with her own situation. I wouldn't allow her to constantly live her life in fear, and this man who had caused her so much pain would pay for his actions. 
    Once she finally stopped crying I continued to hold her in my arms. "Ara, I'm taking you to the district courts tomorrow. You have to get an order of protecting against this man. I don't want him anywhere near you again". She pulled away from me as more tears began to swell in her eyes, "Will I have to see him? I can't face him right now, I know how angry he'll be with me". Again the tears started to fall and it was obvious that she was truly terrified. I lifted her chin and forced her to look in my eyes, "Ara he will never hurt you again, I will do everything in my power to protect you, I just need you to trust me". After a moment to consider it she finally agreed and we made plans to be at the court as soon as they opened at 8AM tomorrow morning. We finally pulled away from each other and I walked her to the front door of the pool house; "I'm sorry you have to deal with my mess, you don't have to do this for me". I pulled her into a tight hug, "You don't have to feel like a burden anymore Ara". I kissed her forehead and told her to get some rest, I knew she was still scared but I wouldn't allow anything to happen to her. My years of working as a defense attorney gained me many acquaintances as well as enemies on the police force but I knew who I could bribe into doing what I needed. Javier was going to face the consequences of everything he had ever put Ara through, I would see to that.