The Supervisor
Warning: bad language, violence, sex, alcohol, talk of abuse (trigger warning)
Chapter one
12 Curragh view , Kildare was the address that Regina had scribbled onto a piece of paper. The address where her new job and life began. Leaving Boston was a big leap for her, she had never done anything so spontaneous before but she needed a fresh start and leaving America was the way to go.
Leaving all of her ghosts behind.
Regina stepped in front of her full length mirror one last time before she exited her apartment for good. She wore a sensible pant suit with a white shirt, she wanted to make a good professional first impression! Her dark shoulder length hair sat perfectly in place and her make-up was applied twice before she settled on it being good enough. She tried to suppress her nerves but she had never left the states before. She has never done anything like this before.
The driver beeped the cars horn to announce his presence and Regina jumped out of her own thoughts and realized the time had come. She grabbed her luggage and said goodbye to her apartment.
The flight was 8 hours long but not totally uncomfortable she managed to grab a couple hours of sleep before landing. Eyes tracing the words on the paper she held so very tightly she re read ''12 Curragh view, kildare'' over and over again, making sure she wouldn't get it wrong.
Ireland was colder than she had anticipated but she was glad of the attire she wore, grateful she didn't choose her blue dress. It was 6pm so the evening was growing dark, it wasn't quite raining yet there was a slight mist in the air.
The Taxi driver that pulled up to greet her was a man in his late 40's, he smelled of cigarettes and had a crooked smile that showed yellowed stained teeth.
''Ahright miss, where ya headin' ?'' the driver spoke with a thick Dublin accent, he stumbled towards her to grab her bags and fired them into the boot of his car without much care for any valuables. Rolling her eyes at his carry on Regina replied to his back ''eh Curragh view.. 12 Curragh view! I believe its in Kildare?'' She spoke with uncertainty even though she had rehearsed this several times.
''Ah yea that's less than an hours drive, be grand, hop in there miss'' he smiled crookedly and jumped into the front seat ''Names Joe by the way and yourself?'' Regina couldn't help but feel strange getting into the right side of the car, ''I'm Regina, Regina Mills.''
''Ah Regina nice to meet ya, first time in Ireland?'' Regina's smoldering brown eyes searched the landscape that surrounded them as they drove, it seemed so quiet out here. '' Yes, its my first time here, I'm from Boston'' She replied without taking her eyes off of the sights before her. The mans appearance unsettled her oddly enough so she didnt enjoy making eye contact with him.
''Boston ay? Went to New York last year with a few mates, the craic was unreal!'' Joe let out a throaty laugh as he reminisced the fond memories but Regina grimaced at his comment ''Eh crack?'' Her eyes widened as she searched the mans face for his reply, was he on drugs now?
''Yea love craic, as in fun, Irish slang hun you'll get the hang of it. Ha ha i don't do drugs'' He chuckled as he could see her release the breath she had been holding awaiting his response, ''at least not when i'm working that is'' he added with a wink and turned to face the road.
Regina was very visibly un-amused by this man.
after a forty minute drive with unpleasant small talk they reached there destination.
''Alright this is it, 12 Curragh view. That'll be 30 euro love'' Joe pulled in besides a large black gate with pillars on either side, she could only make out a silhouette of the house down a large driveway on the inside of the gates.
''ok, 30 euro, thank you for your service'' Regina handed the man his money and stepped out of the car, Joe quickly jumped for the boot the help her with her luggage.
''Pleasure hun, have fun'' He waved his hand as he got back into his car and skidded away from the site leaving Regina alone, in the dark, beside some very large gates.
All right, this is fine.. just breathe, you're more than able for this position! You deserve to be here, you deserve your fresh start. Just make a good impression!
Regina searched the pillar and found the keypad, she didn't know the code so she pressed what she hoped was the buzzer.
''hello?'' a male voice answered
''Hello, It's Regina Mills, the new supervisor'' She tried to sound as confident in her status as she could.
''come on in ms. Mills''
with a buzz, the large blacks gates creaked open and Regina walked through onto a tarmac driveway leading to a very large house. Her new home. She was thankful she traveled light, the rest of her luggage had been shipped earlier to save her the heavy lifting.
There were 10 cars parked outside the house, which seemed to just grow in size the further she got to it. It was red bricked with a big arched doorway with steps leading up to it. As she climbed the last step the front door swung open startling her to the point where she almost tripped.
Dammit Regina, first impression! Composure!
Clearing her throat Regina held out her hand to greet the man at the door, who had a large grin spread from ear to ear. He had fair hair cut short and neat with kind blue eyes, he was handsome but not a total head turner. He wore loose denim jeans and a light blue polo shirt.
''Ms Mills, it is a pleasure to finally meet you! Im John the head man around here'' his accent was softer than the taxi drivers', easier to understand, which she was grateful for.
''John, the pleasure is all mine! happy to finally be here'' Regina returned the smile ''Please leave your bags here, i'll get one of the lads to carry it up to your room. The rest of your luggage got here safely as well and is waiting for you upstairs'' He turned and gestured for her to follow ''the grand tour''. The hall led to a kitchen/dining area ''through here the jockeys have there meals and if you walk straight through the dining area you'll find the living area''
As Regina walked down past the large dining table they stepped through another archway into the living room which had two L-shaped sofas and a huge flat screen tv in the corner of the room. A long the walls were pictures of race horses and famous jockeys.
''This is lovely John'' She beamed as her eyes searched the pictures. Regina always loved horses, ever since she was a child. She always knew she wanted to work in the industry and being in a position of control was a must. That day when she came across the advert on facebook she couldn't resist to inquire.
~ Supervisor wanted for horse racing yard~
-Job entails being in charge of the jockeys in the housing facility
-must be confident around race horses
-must have first aid cert
-must have leader type personality to be able to guide and control the up and coming jockeys
-must be willing to live on site
It was a bold move but she had to take a chance, when she got the phone call telling her she got the job she was ecstatic. Her fresh start was finally in her reach.
''Take a seat and i'll just go through the basics with you all right?'' John sat on one side of the sofa and patted the space next to him for Regina to sit in.
''Now there are four male jockeys here but you won't be in charge of them, I have Henry taking care of those guys. They can be a bit boisterous and id rather have a woman supervise a female jockey just to avoid any complications you know yourself'' He trailed off almost awkwardly at the last part. ''Currently there is only one but if the need for more jocks arises you could have more to supervise''
''Oh well i think i can handle the one without a problem anyway'' Regina smiled as she thought of how easy her job was going to be, i mean one jockey, how bad could that be?
''Eh well..'' John looked away shyly ''Chloe, well she's not exactly the easiest person to deal with'' he looked at her sharply ''She is an incredibly talented rider and a very hard worker but she is also..'' He looked like he was struggling for the right words to say ''Look i'm very fond of her but she has.. issues ya know, like shes got a bit of a temper and she's stubborn. Shes a very closed off kind of person so she won't get personal with you. She acts like she has no emotions, comes across like a hard ass but.. '' his eyes fixed deeply on Regina's as she seen a flicker of sadness cross his face ''shes not a bad person. I'm hoping you can do what no one else has been able to do for her.''
''And what would that be?'' Regina asked gently, his response made her feel a lump in her throat
''just don't give up on her, give her a chance'' Johns eyes searched hers and Regina answered with a nod
''Alright sure its getting late, i'll show you your room!'' Leaping off the couch and shaking off that sudden bout of emotion John walked on out into the kitchen and Regina quickly followed. Up a flight of stairs brought them to a landing with a large hall with many, many doors on either side.
''Eh John, where are the jockeys?'' Suddenly realizing shes been here for almost an hour and John was the only person she had met ''Isn't it a bit early for them to be in bed?''
he laughed as he continued to stride down the hall ''Its Friday night love there down the pub for a quiet one'' Regina couldn't help but think that wasn't exactly the behavior she thought would have been acceptable in such a strict discipline like racing ''are they allowed to drink?'' she questioned ''like what about work in the morning?''
''Relax its only a quiet one, they have a curfew of 10pm on weekdays so even if they manage to get hammered in a couple hours they have plenty of time to sleep it off and i can work it out of them tomorrow'' he winked at Regina and pointed towards the room on the left side of the corridor, it was the last door on that side. ''This is your room, here's your key'' He opened the room and switched on the light revealing a large spacious room with a queen sized bed with silk bed sheets that were silver/grey. there was a large bay window on the far side of the room with an arm chair and desk. A large wardrobe and two dressers for her clothes and to top it all off, an en suite. ''Wow, John this is.. this amazing'' Regina was in awe, she couldn't believe her luck! this was all too good to be true. Seriously what was the catch?! Sliding into her new room mesmerized by its luxury she looked back towards John who was leaning against the door frame smiling at her delight ''Glad you like it ms Mills'' ''I'll let you get your things together and settle in, if you want to meet Chloe tonight i can introduce you when she gets in at 10?'' he questioned, when she hesitated he quickly spoke up ''its alright, you must be exhausted after all of that travelling, we can leave the introductions until morning!'' Regina gave him a grateful smile ''I-uh yes please, i'm sorry its just i'm fit to pass out right now, if you wouldn't mind id like to meet Chloe when i'm rested and well at least able to stand up straight'' She laughed relieved that she didn't have to meet anyone else tonight. ''That's grand no worries, sure go on get a good night sleep! breakfast is at 6am, we leave here at 6:30 to head for the stables, see you in the morning'' with a wave of his hand John left the door way and strode back down the hallway. Regina let out a massive yawn as she closed her bedroom door. she was exhausted and that bed was calling her!
As promised all of her luggage seemed to have arrived safely and sat neatly beside her wardrobe. The bags she had brought with her and left at the doorway of the house had also made there way to the room. She wondered who brought them up, she had only met John.
After getting changed into her pjs and washing up in the rest room she could finally jump into the lavish bed. Regina moaned as she sunk into the mattress, it was heaven!
After an hour of drifting in and out if consciousness Regina awoke to a sudden wave of chat and banter going on in the hallways, they must be back from the pub. She could hear male voices but she couldn't hear Chloe. They were hushed but still annoying. Regina gave it five minutes before she took on her new role and sent them all to bed.
after the time was up and they still hadn't moved away from the halls, Regina threw the sheets from her body and stepped out from the bed and she huffed in irritation. Before she could open the door she heard a loud bang that stopped her in her tracks
''Get the fuck to bed you mongrels'' A loud enraged voice boomed down the hallway and another bang sounded. was it a stick?
''I swear to god, if any one sleeps in tomorrow morning I'll beat this waven pipe of ye's so hard you'll be in a hospital bed and not a fucking pub!'' The lads scurried away and Regina could hear doors from either side of the halls closing shut. Who was that shouting? it certainly wasn't John.. she thought.. she really didn't know who she was dealing with here. Was that Henry?
When everything went silent she decided to go down to the kitchen and have a cup of tea, she was a little too startled to sleep at the moment.
Regina put on her slippers and robe and exited her room, locking it before she left. As she made her way down stairs she could pick up on faint smell of cigarette smoke coming from the kitchen. She hesitated on going further, she really wasn't in the mood to meet the man with the waven pipe.
Regina thought to herself, fuck it I'm not turning back; people were afraid of me! i fear nothing.
Fixing her robe in place she descended the stairs as composed as she could pull off when a sound stopped her in her place just outside the door way.
''I go out just so I.. can re..forget, I go, I go out'' very soft singing came from the kitchen and it wasn't from a man. Her voice was beautiful, from what Regina could hear anyway, it was very faint.
Stepping into the kitchen Regina could see the younger woman sitting beside the open patio doors, cigarette in hand and she had ear phones in. Clearly enjoying the song she was listening to she swayed gently and hummed along. Regina was going to approach her but she found herself unable to break herself away from staring at the younger woman looking so peaceful. She had straight dark brown hair that fell down past her shoulders, every now and then the woman would run her free hand through her side fringe and flick it back. She wore dark denim jeans, brown timberland boots and a blue superdry hoodie that hugged her nicely. She looked fit, her cheekbones were defined and her jaw line was sharp, every now and then she would clench it and Regina's breath would hitch.
Wait what why am I staring?! Regina shook herself from her trance like state, she wasn't into women, she definitely was not into women..
Carefully Regina stepped forward entering the kitchen fully. Sensing another body in the room the young woman startled in her direction. She gasped inwardly at Regina and eyed her up and down. Removing the ear phones she finally spoke after what seemed like an eternity
''You must be Ms. Mills'' she spoke somberly
''Yes hello, you must be Chloe, Im sorry if I startled you I just came down for tea'' Regina walked towards her and reached out a hand
''pleasure'' Chloe spoke as though she was bored but Regina couldn't help but notice her eyes glance down her figure once more and lick her bottom lip. Chloe took her hand and gave it a firm shake she then returned her gaze outside and took a drag from her cigarette
''You know they are bad for you'' Regina teased, with a smirk Chloe replied still looking outside ''I find doing things that are bad for you to be far more enjoyable''
Regina smiled but wished the younger woman would look at her, her blue eyes were mesmerizing.
''How long are you planning on sticking around?'' Chloe questioned with an amused look on her face. ''Excuse me?'' unsure of what she meant
''Have you not heard ms Mills, I've gone through four supervisors in the past six months'' Chloe turned her gaze to search Regina's questioning brown eyes ''you think you can last?'' with a final drag she flicked her cigarette out the door and shut it. she walked closer to Regina until she was barely inches away.
Regina refrained from allowing her eyes to fall down the woman's figure and held her composure
''I'm always up for a challenge, you have no idea what i'm capable of'' Regina's voice was low and husky
Chloe let out a chuckle and walked away from her, heading towards the door to exit the kitchen she stopped. Without turning to face Regina ''we'll see'' and with that she swaggered on towards the staircase. She walked with a confidence that was admirable, like she could take on the world. Regina smiled inwardly. This was going to be very interesting.
The next morning Regina had awoken at 5:30 in anticipation for her first day on the job. 6am was breakfast so she made sure to have washed and dressed on time. She chose a pair of dark skinny jeans, long sleeved shirt, black ankle boots and a warm bomber jacket to protect her from the icy breeze that Ireland was currently throwing at them. She threw her hair into a pony tail and grabbed a grey beanie hat before leaving her room.
Upon descent she could hear the faint chatter that was coming from the kitchen, cutlery clinking and the switch of a kettle. The lads didn't sleep in anyway, mr. Waven pipe would be pleased.
As she entered the kitchen all heads turned to face her.
''Good morning, I am Regina Mills, the new supervisor.'' Regina spoke matter-of-factly, she wanted to appear confident and leader material.
The heads of the jockeys turned back to their meals before them at the table, with a few mumbled morning responses. John however smiled pleasantly in her direction and gestured for her to sit with him. As she made her way over to him she noticed the man sitting on his left hand side. He was tall with dark hair and dark features. His brown eyes fixated on his coffee he barely sneaked a glance at Regina's presence. ''Henry'' he mumbled low and heavy.
''Nice to meet you Henry, John good morning'' Regina sat on John's right. ''Ms Mills, i hope you slept well'' he asked why digging a spoon through his weetabix ''grab whatever you'd like, there are cereals in the cupboards, tea and coffee, whatever is there ''
''Oh thank you and yes I slept well'' her eyes wandered the kitchen trying to decide on what to get when she finally chose on just having a cup of coffee. She noticed there were only 3 of the jockeys sitting at the table and wondered where Chloe and the fourth male might have been.
Soon enough Chloe strode on through the kitchen, wiping the sleep from her eyes and yawning, she looked exhausted. She wore black breeches, blue football socks, black long sleeved under armor and carried a black waterproof jacket. Her long hair was pulled back into a neat ponytail. She slung the jacket over the back of a chair and walked towards the counter were she began making two cups of coffee.
''Chloe, come and meet ms Mills, she will be your new supervisor'' John shouted over to the sleepy younger woman who just barely turned to look at them before continuing to make her coffee. ''All ready met''
Regina pouted at her lack of enthusiasm but they hardly new each other and John did warn her about Chloe's... difficult behavior.
''Aye short arse, you look tired, bad dreams'' One of the jockeys who had departed from the table made his way over to the counter behind Chloe. He was lanky with scruffy red hair and a small round head. ''Did somebody have nightmares again'' he spoke with a childish and mocking tone. Without turning around Chloe continued to pour her coffee ''2 seconds Mike, I suggest you back the fuck away'' She spoke almost as if she was amused.
''You gonna make me sweetheart'' He stepped closer behind her and with that Chloe swung around to face him ''ooohhh feisty I like it'' he spoke low and laughed in her face.
Chloe's right hand came round meeting him square in the jaw and Mikes body fell backwards into the door of the fridge. She stepped towards his slumped figure and grabbed him by the throat. With menace she spoke ''You'd want to learn to shut your mouth Mike before I break it and they wire it shut''
''All right jeez calm your tits, fuck!'' Mike picked himself off of the fridge and stumbled out of the kitchen dazed and a little embarrassed. Chloe just returned to her coffee.
Regina sat dumbfounded at what she had just witnessed. Should she have intervened? Was that normal around here? Why was no one reacting? Seriously the lads didn't even stop eating.
''We only intervene if a fight gets out of control'' John answered her unspoken questions ''That was nothing, almost a daily ritual between them two'' John returned to his breakfast with amused eyes.
Regina just nodded and stared in Chloe's direction. What the hell.
After a couple of minutes she noticed another jockey walking into the kitchen. He walked towards Chloe and without an exchange of words Chloe handed him the second cup of coffee she was making. Side by side they walked out towards the patio doors and lit up their cigarettes.
He was very attractive, brown hair, ice blue eyes. His under armor was short sleeved so you could fully appreciate his muscles. Strong but he wasn't bulky, he was a jockey after all, they have to be light. He appeared to be in his early 20's but his eyes were tired, like the eyes of a man who had been working his whole life without a day off.
The two stood together drinking their coffee and smoking away, every now and she noticed a few words being exchanged but they clearly were not morning people.
Regina finished off her coffee and turned to John who was scraping the last of his cereal from the bowl ''are they together?'' she asked while glancing over at the two outside.
''Who Chloe and Christian?'' his eyes danced from Regina over to the pair of jocks ''haha god no, they're like best friends besides Chloe is gay'' Regina tried to hide her delight at the new found information.
Chloe is gay... no wait why am I pleased about that.. I am her supervisor... I am not into women! I mean Daniel? remember him!
''Christian and Chloe are like each others wing men, they are the pro's of one night stands'' John snorted at that last comment ''Every weekend they bring different women home and discard them just as quick.. they never stay the night!''
Regina pondered over that for a moment before asking further ''never?'' ''why?''
''If you think Chloe is heartless now wait until you see her with women, ha ha, its quite entertaining to watch actually. If one of them is struggling to get their booty call out of the place they call on each other to do the whole crazy boyfriend/girlfriend caught cheating act'' John laughed while Regina just smirked picturing Chloe running into Christians room while screaming at him for cheating and then laughing as they succeeded to rid themselves of their one night stands. ''Evil genius'' Regina muttered to herself.
Chloe and Christian slid back in from outside the patio doors and motioned towards the table. Regina looked up from her coffee and reached Chloe's gaze.
''You're with me today'' Chloe smirked ''Don't worry I'm a great driver'' she winked at Regina who was trying hard not to blush. Her plump red lips pouted towards the younger woman and she replied with snark ''just try to not to get me killed on my first day''
Chloe snorted at that comment and elbowed Christian in the ribs as he giggled at the two women before him.
Regina rose from the table and put the beanie on as Chloe put on her jacket, as they headed towards the door Chloe held it open for her, ''after you princess'''
Regina tried to concealed a gasp upon hearing that remark but she couldn't stop her cheeks from turning pink. ''I'm not a princess'' She turned to face the younger woman ''if anything i'd be a queen!'' turning on her heel, she walked outside making sure to sway her hips with purpose
''My car is the golf'' Chloe pointed her keys and clicked the button to unlock the golf parked up out front. It was black on black wheels, tinted windows, sun visor, gti body kit. Regina pondered over how much money the girl had spent on it.
''It's my baby, try not to dirty it'' Chloe commented as she watched Regina inspect the car. ''Please, I'm not the one who has to shovel shit for the morning'' she teased back playfully and she couldn't help notice the girls reaction. She looked taken aback by the older woman's snark and quick comebacks, she was clearly impressed.
''You might just survive this shithole'' Chloe laughed out loud and Regina's heart melted at the sound, she was enjoying this side of her.
The two women got into the golf which was immaculate inside, with a roar of then engine Chloe smirked before putting in her aux chord.
''You know, they say you can tell a lot about a person by their playlist'' Regina spoke while staring at the woman's amused expression. ''Ha ha well if that's true then you're in for a treat'' with steel eyes she stared into Regina's while pressing play.
hey girl its your son, let's see that badonkadonk
i'm a try do the things that you don't
baby it's your party, i just wanna play
what's that sound? what's that thang that's got me like wow
i'm tryna beat beat it up 12 rounds
girl, look at that body, i just gotta say
Regina's expression was priceless as her mouth dropped slightly open and her brows furrowed in Chloe's direction. The younger woman laughed and began to sing the lyrics without a care in the world
when you back back back back back it up and you drop it down low
and you pick pick pick pick pick it up, girl i'm ready to blow,
i'm a stack stack stack stack stack it up and i'm spending it all
when i throw throw throw throw throw it up
start twerkin' like Miley
When the song came to an end Regina chanced her arm ''So where are you from?''
''Around'' was the short reply. ''Why horses?'' She chanced again
''Why not.'' This wasn't going as planned ''You don't give much away do you'' Regina glanced over at the woman who's face was less than impressed by the sudden interrogation. Chloe indicated and pulled in on the side of the road and turned off the radio.
''I'm going to say this once so I hope that you listen'' Chloe spoke with a stern and unsettling tone ''My name is Chloe, I am 22 years old, I work for race horse trainer Tom Jones at furnstown stables. I live in 12 Curragh view and you Ms Mills, are my supervisor '' She tightened her jaw ''Everything else is need to know, and you princess do not need to know'' With that she turned her steel gaze to the road and tightened her grip on the steering wheel. Regina shifted in her seat uncomfortably wishing to go back to the playful banter from earlier.
Back on the road Regina finally spoke ''Well I'm from Boston and I_'' Chloe cut her off before she could finish whatever useless information she was about to provide ''You are Regina Mills, you are 30 years old, you are my supervisor'' ''That is all I need to know, that is all I wish to know''
Regina cleared her throat and rolled her eyes ''rude.'' That made Chloe snort ''I'm known for it princess''
''So I've heard and quit calling me that, may I remind you that I am in charge of you!'' Asserting her dominance
''Ah my reputation precedes me!'' Chloe beamed ''And no, it suits you. You'll find out soon enough who is in charge around here'' The younger woman winked at her which baffled Regina. Seriously was she bi polar?
They reached the stables after five minutes in the car listening to 'Nana by Trey Songz', Regina couldn't help but think that Chloe was fucking with her or just had a one tracked mind..
As they pulled up to the front gates Chloe entered the code to grant them access to the yard. As Chloe pulled up the Golf, Regina couldn't help but feel anxious about meeting her new boss Tom Jones.. He was an old fashioned man who never visited the house. His business was strictly on the yard which is why he employed a head man to run the housing and carry out the disciplining of the young jockeys.