Chapter 2

Rome "Do I have to live with you?"

I was already starting to regret my decision. She was so annoying. The last person who annoyed me had his nose broken, but obviously I couldn't break her small one. I might not get along with people, especially women, but I would never abuse one.

Unfortunately, she was going to the same grocery store, and she managed to convince me to take her along. It was a scary, yet amusing sight when she threw herself on the windshield and held on to it, saying it was all my fault she crashed into me, and she wouldn't let go until I drove her to her destination.

"No, I'll give you a schedule with the address stating the date and time when you should come by."

I would make it so that we wouldn’t run into each other. The last thing I wanted to do was see her every day.

"Then I'll have to say no."

I glanced at her to see her frowning while looking out the window.

"What do you mean no? This is for your own good, girl. Either you work for me, and I forget about what you did, or I sue you. And believe me, you will lose."

"It's Julia," she says with a bit of attitude, "and the only way I'll do what you want is if you allow me to stay with you until I'm back on my feet."

"Hell no."

"Please," she begs, "Please."

I ignored her.

"I can do this the entire day," she sings.

"Then it's a good thing we’ve arrived," I say, pulling into the parking lot.

"Please, please, please," she says, getting out of the car and following me.

Again, I ignored her and pushed the glass door open, before entering the store and leaving her behind.

"I see chivalry is indeed dead," I heard her say. She's lucky I gave her a ride and didn’t let her walk all the way here. Now she wanted me to hold the door open for her as if her damn hands didn't work.

"Julia, sweetheart, is that you?" The old woman who owned the store says, running past me. Normally, she would stop to throw useless threats and run me out of the store, instead she pulled the annoying woman into a hug.

"I haven't seen you in years, honey. You're still as beautiful as I remembered. How are you?"

Julia smiled at the woman while holding her at arm’s length. “I’m great, Mrs. Chancellor, and you don't look a day older."

The old woman laughed. It was clear that she liked Julia.

“Oh, child you're too sweet."

"Not as sweet as you, Mrs. C. I'm just here to pick up a few items," she told her while picking up a red shopping basket, "I'll catch up with you later."

"Alright love."

Julia I narrowed my eyes at Rome who was watching us before walking towards the liquor section. I don't like him. He's an asshole, but not as much as the woman who birthed me into this wicked world. I thought a man like him would have already had a maid. Even though this was not the job I was looking for, I saw it as an opportunity to get away from mother beast.

I don't know what business he has here, but I need to hurry before he changes his mind about giving me the job and leaves. Although he was adamant about calling his lawyer, so I don't think he would just leave like that. He is a strange man though, so who knows.

Grabbing a few beers from the shelf, I placed them in the basket, along with a few toiletries, cranberry juice, water, pasta, pasta sauce, rice, peas, a veggie bowl, chicken, and of course, my good old seasonings. I hoped this would be enough to last me until I got back on my feet. Knowing Gina's wicked ways, I would have to hide some of it in my room.

I walked towards the cash register where Mrs. C was arguing with Rome.

“For the last time, I'm not selling my store."

I raised a brow in curiosity, before placing the basket on the counter and unpacking the groceries for the young girl at the cash register to scan the items.

"Can I get two boxes of cigarettes?" I asked, pointing to the white and red box on the shelf behind her.

"You don't look like you smoke," she says before scanning them.

"I don't. They’re not for me," I told her while listening on what was happening not too far from me, “What’s going on?"

"Oh, Mr. Livingston just wants to purchase the store so that he can knock it down to build his hotel here. He already brought the four other stores next to this one."

Building a hotel here didn't seem like a bad idea if he provided the young locals with jobs instead of those who had more privilege.

"But CeeCee's is the only grocery store in Greengrove. Would we have to go all the way to Livingston to shop?"

Livingston was owned by the very man who was standing a few feet away from Julia, and it was also the closest one to Greengrove. According to history, his ancestors were the ones who bought the land for a small amount of money and built houses and small businesses. Of course, Rome came along and turned it into the prestigious gated neighborhood that it is today.

"That would be too expensive," the girl says, scanning the last of my items.

I had to agree with her.

"I own this entire community. Everyone has sold me their property. The building a few blocks away will be yours at no cost, and I will still pay you for this store."

"You mean that large new building we passed by a couple minutes ago?" I asked in surprise.

Mrs. C was going to get that building plus money for this one, yet she refused to sell. There was no reason not to sell. If she did, she would make way more than she lost.

Rome's dark eyes glared at me for interrupting him. I walked over to him and grabbed his arm, ignoring how tense he got the moment I touched him.

"Excuse us for a bit," I told the two women, before pulling Rome to the back of the store. As soon as we stopped, he pulled his arm away.

"What the hell are you doing, you idiot?" he says smoothing out his grey three-piece suit.

I resisted the urge to slap him on his head for insulting me.

“How will the people here benefit from whatever you are planning to do?"

His dark eyes met mine.

“That’s not your business."

"Nope," I said taking a step closer. He seemed freaked out when I did this, but I ignored him. "You will never get Mrs. C to sign any paperwork you have, so wrong answer. Try again."

He stared at me as if he was trying to figure something out, then he took a step away from me and instead focused on the different candies on the shelf.

"More jobs, better opportunities, and a brighter future. Not just for the children, but the grown folks who are willing to work to change their lives."

I smile and pat his back.

“Now that wasn't so hard, was it?"

"Keep your hands to yourself, little girl," he says, glaring.

"Whatever, Mister. Just know that this little girl is going to change Mrs. C’s mind, and when I do, you will have to do something for me."

"And what will that be?" Rome says, arms folded, eyes narrowed.

I smirk. "You will have to allow me to stay with you."

I watched as he ran his hand over his short black hair. He seemed to be deep in thought.

"Fine, but I doubt you will be able to do so. The woman is as stubborn as a mule."

I cross my arms and smile up at him. “That is where you are wrong, Mister, but you will soon learn never to underestimate Julia Roderick."

With my final words, I left him to finish paying for my groceries and talk to Mrs. C. This would be one easy task.