34- She was back

“I’ll give it two weeks but if it doesn’t work I’ll go elsewhere. As to me not finding a job in the city, there are

other places outside of the city I can try.”

She got to her feet and pushed the bag on her shoulder. “Who do I have to see about the job?”

“You’re seeing him now.” I don’t usually handle the hiring, but with her I had a feeling I was going to be breaking a lot of my own rules.

“Wait here.” I went out and found the floor manager to get what I needed, and just as I thought, everyone was giving me strange looks. I ignored them all and walked back into my office without a word to anyone.

I passed her the paperwork to fill out and left the room again to give her some time alone. Something else I’ve never done, leave anyone let alone a total stranger unattended in my private office, but I did it now without a second thought.

My staff was never allowed in there except for the general manager, rarely. And on occasion the shift managers who never got any farther than the doorway. We usually met in the manager’s office on the other side if there was a need.

I headed to the bar to order her something to eat since she looked beat. She had that hungry look that I knew only too well. I struggled over what to get her since I know fuck all about female eating habits, they change so often. In the end I chose something I would eat with a few modifications.

I went back to her after making sure someone would bring it to her once it was ready, still ignoring the questioning looks and knowing glances from my staff. It was mighty crowded around the damn bar and the hallway leading to my office. Nosy fucks!

She was placing the papers and pen on the desk when I walked back in and for some reason I felt panic at the thought of her leaving. I even contemplated blocking her path to the door to keep her here, but was saved from that asinine move when she didn’t leave the chair right away.

“Aren’t you at least going to look at it?”

“Huh?” She pointed to the papers she’d just filled out and I came out of my stupor.

“Oh, yeah, sure.” The fuck I know. As far as I’m concerned she was already hired.

Get your shit together Navil before your ass ends up in trouble. No doubt she’d find my behavior strange. Even I thought I was acting like some kind of deranged lunatic. First grabbing her hand and dragging her off, and now holding her hostage in my inner sanctum.

I took an inordinate amount of time looking over the sheet of paper and was glad when I found something to hold her back for.

“Why did you put a PO Box as your address?” She swallowed hard and fiddled with the bag in her lap and looked everywhere but at me. Very suspicious indeed.

Of course my mind automatically started going in all directions. Only someone who was hiding or running from something would do such a thing right.

“I just recently moved here and I don’t have a permanent residence as yet.”

“Where are you staying?”

“Why is that important right now? I’ll let you know as soon as I find a place.”

“Are you saying you’re living on the streets?” That ugly jacket she wore did look like she was two steps away from being homeless. But she was too clean and even with the hungry look I’d noticed earlier it didn’t ring true.

“No! I’m staying with friends until I find a place of my own if that’s any of your concern.” She was back to being pissy, but I was beginning to think that was her defense mechanism.

Somehow I knew she was lying to me, but I didn’t want to push her, not yet. They’d be time enough to find out all I wanted to know. But without an address how would I find her if she decided to skip? And why did the thought of losing her make my gut hurt?“Okay we’ll leave it for now. The hours are from four until midnight, you can start training tomorrow. Once your three days of training are up we’ll work out a schedule.”

“Do I get paid for training?” At least she wasn’t shy. Most people wouldn’t ask that question outright, at least not to me anyway. What a bold little thing she is.

“Yes, you also get meals before shift starts and all the soda and juice throughout. If I catch you drinking alcohol on the job you’re fired.” She made a face, but didn’t say anything else.

Just then there was a knock on the door and one of the bar backs came in with a tray. I saw the quick look she gave the food before looking shyly away again. It was the first look of uncertainty I’d seen on her face and I didn’t like it. I didn’t like that she was hungry.

“Thanks Paul, put it there.” I pointed to the place in front of her on the desk and waited for him to leave before looking at her. Pride, it came off of her like a scent. She was hungry that much was obvious, but she made no move to pick up the fork that was there.

“What’s this?” She looked at the steak and fries with the side salad that I’d ordered with a bottle of my favorite water, before staring back at me. She

knew that I knew she was hungry, but to save her

pride I had to play this shit off right or I’d hurt her. I know a lot about female pride.

I’d watched my mother over the years and knew how hard it was for a strong woman to have to admit that she needed help from anyone.

This one looked like she was cut from the same bolt of cloth as mom was. Stiff necked, hardheaded, stubborn; but deep down the salt of the earth.