“Yeah... I’m okay, and I if ...” Her voice wavers unsteadily. “If the job is still available, I accept.”
“Yes, of course. But why?”
“I’ve... I’ve quit.” Her voices stutters as she breathes through ragged gasps. “Without notice. But I really need a job.” The sharp clicking of her heels on a hard surface echoes down the line, as does the sound of the street, and I know she is outside.
“Have you left already?” I ask.
She sniffles. “Yeah. I’m on my way home.”
The elevator dings and the doors slide open and with a quick pivot on my heels, I turn and exit through the double doors and onto the street.
“Are you closer to the coffee shop or the pizza place?” Cars honk in the road as my eyes dart up and down the sidewalk, working out the direction she’ll come.
“Either. Why?”
“Meet me at the coffee shop. I’m coming to get you.” I don’t want her wandering the city alone, especially not upset like this.
My home is the only logical solution to take her.And keep her forever.I’ve looked into where she lives, and it’s not the safest area for taking trains home at night.
“You are?” She exhales a shuddering breath.“Thank you.”
“I am. And I’m just a few minutes away.” I pick up my pace, breaking into a jog as I hold the phone tightly against my ear.
My breath comes in short bursts, and sweat beads on my forehead as I try to keep Gabby on the other end of the line, and agree to meet me and not go home.
“Thank you,” she cries. “I… I… I don’t know…”
“Shush. Calm down and go to the coffee shop, and I’ll meet you there. I’m minutes away.”
Her sobbing gasps shattered me, and I need to get to her.
It sounds like she’s having a panic attack, and she needs me to hold her tightly to calm her down.
I feel it in my bones that something bad has happened to her. There’s fear in her voice, or is it anger? Regardless, my protective instincts are heightened, and fury grows in my chest.
“Okay“ Her voice breaks, and my heart does a little too. I hate hearing her in pain. “If you’re sure.”
“I am, I’ll be a few minutes,” I say as I start to sprint to where she is.
When I spot her up ahead, her arms wrapped tightly around herself against the chill, something inside me clenches.
Sadness coats her watery eyes, and but her face crumples with relief upon seeing me.
“Tell me what happened.” My voice comes out lower, more controlled than I feel inside. Then I remember the suited man who was lingering on the corner at the end of her lunch break, putting the pieces together. “Was it him? That guy eyeing you before?”
She nods, swiping at the tears streaking her cheeks. “M-My boss. He ... he ...” A fresh wave of sobs hitches her words. Fury simmers in my veins at seeing her so distraught.
“Tell me what happened,” I demand.
I shrug out of my jacket and drape it over her trembling shoulders, pulling her into my side.
“My boss.” She nods. “He … he…” Her breathing becomes ragged as she sobs harder, trying to get out her words. I’m fucking fuming as wrap my arm around her and lead her away.
He upset my girl, and nobody upsets her.
“Can I have the job?” she asks again, her voice a whisper. I glance down and see her teeth gnawing over her lip as she waits for an answer. “I can’t afford my rent if I don’t have a job.”
“Hey, it’s okay.” I tuck her closer, leading us away from the coffee shop and toward my apartment. “You’ve got the job. We’ll talk more at home, alright?”