“Welcome to The Lady’s Den. The specials today are Broccoli Cheddar Soup and Grilled Salmon sandwich. What can I start you with to drink today?” I am trying to keep my cool and not break protocol. Rater is watching me hard today.
“Hey, baby. Looks dead in here. Why don’t you sit down and join us?” he asks patting the seat next to him.
“I can’t. I am the only one on duty and my boss….”
“Is a gross asshole,” Esther says before I can stop her. “He has been trying to threaten her into sleeping with him. He ran up on her today when she came in and touched her.”
“Esther!” I say her name trying to get her to shut up. The last thing I need is trouble.
“He did what! He touched you? Where the fuck is he?” Baron asks getting up out of the seat. “He thinks he has the right to touch what belongs to me? I’ll kill him.” His eyes begin to glow and turn colors as his face enlarges and his body widens. It would be hot if I wasn't so shocked and scared of him making me lose my job.
“I don’t belong to anyone but myself and I don't need you to fight my battles. Also, I don’t need you hiring people to follow me around. I am not your girlfriend. You don’t own me.” I say to him in my calmest voice, so I don’t draw attention to the table.
“I know it makes it easier to tell yourself that flower. But we both know it’s not true. I own you, just as much as you own me. Stop fighting it.” His words touch a part of me that I’m trying to fight, but it’s all too much.
“Please... sit down. You can’t come in here and cause a scene that will make me lose my job. I need this job. God! Would you please leave?” Without waiting for an answer, I turn and run towards the back needing a place to breathe.
It is too much. I can’t do this. Men like him need women they can control. One he can mold and turn into someone he can parade around his rich friends and family. I am never going to be that kind of a girl. For a second, I forgot all the reasons this won’t work. I allowed myself to think I could be enough for him. Feeling the wetness on my cheeks, I reach for a napkin to wipe it off when something catches my attention.
The sound of movement to my left next to the dumpster has me pausing. I’m not sure why I don’t stop myself from walking over to see who or what it is. What I do find however, has me stopping in my tracks. Hidden from view of anyone walking by is a young girl. She can’t be any more than eighteen, like myself, if that. She’s covered in dirt and shaking uncontrollably either because it is a chilly night or if something terrible has happened for her to end up here. I do know there is no way I can leave her here and not try to help.
“Hi,” I say hunching down beside her. “My name is Francesca. But all my friends call me Frannie. What’s your name?” I move to push her hair back, but she jumps, and I decide to move my hand back without touching her. I don't want her to run.
“Would you like to come inside with me? You could get warm. And maybe I could get you some food?” She still doesn’t answer or look at me.
Shit. I don’t want to leave her out here by herself. If I do, she might decide to run. Remembering my phone is in my pocket, I shoot Esther a text telling her I found a girl. I also inform her that she needs to come to the back of the restaurant and help me deal with the situation. When I turn all three of them are standing there looking at me. I give her a look with a lot of meaning behind it for bringing the two men with her. She sees and understands my meaning, before leaning in to whisper in my ear.
“Sorry. He wouldn't let me come to you without tagging along too.”
Whatever. “I’m not sure what to do, but I do know that I don’t want to leave her here by herself. She won’t talk, and I can’t carry her by myself into the restaurant.”
“Do you know her?” I am a bit startled to hear Marquise’s deep voice.
I shake my head as I take in the difference in height between the two men. He leans forward and closer to her level to ask her name. It’s not as if I haven’t tried to get her to tell me her name. See, this I am about to tell him she doesn’t respond to questioning, when he suddenly picks her up. I expect her to fret, scream, or something. I would. He is huge. But she doesn’t. In fact, she looks at him with big wide eyes, and it’s not like I blame her. I notice as a deep breath leaves her body before she lays her head on his shoulder. Well, ok.