Ch1: Job Offer

Six months Later

"The weather's going to be pretty humid out there today with a slight chance of showers." Said the reporter on the news.

It was a sunny Thursday morning as I finished putting together my baby's crib. Since I got the news of the pregnancy, I had been doing all I can to take care of myself and my unborn child. I ended up staying at the local woman's shelter for a few months before they were able to get me an apartment. It wasn't very big, but there was a room for the baby, a bathroom, a kitchen, and a big living room. The couch had a bed inside of it that I could just pull out for myself which was nice until my belly began to grow. Since then, I've been leaving the bed out and just making it look nice before I left to go to work in the mornings.

As of right now, I worked down at this little hair salon as a hair stylist. Since I already had my license it was easy to get a job there. I was a pretty good stylist, but I had lost a lot of my clientele since this newer shop opened up down the street. I was certain that I was going to get laid off until this particular day…

After placing the baby's crib in the bedroom I picked out a long sleeved pink shirt with a low v-neckline. I also slipped into some black form fitting pants and black tennis shoes. Sure it wasn't that great of an outfit but that's what happens when you're stuff is supplied by the women's shelter. I brushed my hair up into a bun, brushed my teeth, and then headed out of my apartment. It was pretty warm outside that day so a lot of children were running up and down the streets laughing and giggling. I smiled at them as I thought about my child that was going to be here in October. I couldn't wait to raise him, and watch him play happily with the other kids. I wished I didn't have to go through what I went through just to get him, but it's fine. Just having this baby was the first step to my revenge.

"Hey Leah, how are you?" this girl named Liz asked when I walked into the shop. She was not only one of my good friends, but my manager as well. She was a little taller than me, with brown eyes, and jet black hair that swayed past her shoulders. Her skin was fare but she kept it looking presentable with the make-up.

"I'm good, just taking my time nowadays." I said.

She smiled and walked up to me, "Well that's good. How's the baby?"

"Oh he's good…just getting bigger by the week I suppose." I said.

"Well, I hope you're planning on taking your maternity leave soon. You can't keep working these long hours like this Leah." She said as she hooked my arm with her own and walked me towards the back.

I sighed, "Come on Liz, you know I can't do that. I'm taking care of my baby all by myself so I need to save up as much money as possible for him."

She looked at me with worry in her eyes as I grabbed my black apron and put it on. "I know you do Leah, but I told you I could help you out with that. I'm not married or anything so all the money I've made can help you out."

I smiled, "Thanks, but I got myself into this mess, so I've got to help myself out."

She smiled, "Always the trooper of the bunch."

"You know it." I said as we headed back out onto the floor.

"Where are all the other girls?" I asked.

She shook her head, "Well Joanne called off and I fired Nicole. That girl is always late of doesn't show up for work at all!"

I giggled knowing it was true. "Do I have any clients booked for today?"

"Uh…just one. Some guy called in yesterday and said he needed a drastic change. Since you love haircuts, I figured you should take it."

"Oh that's cool. What time is he coming in?" I asked as I got my shears out and placed them on my station. We both jumped when the bell from the door opened up and this tall man walked in. He made me absolutely nervous standing there with all his tattoos covering his arms and that long flow of black hair trailing down his back. He was wearing some black sweat pants, a long sleeved black sweat shirt and had black tennis shoes on. He had to be a body builder or something because this guy made me look like a midget.

"Uh hi, are you Mark?" Liz asked as she finally walked up to greet him.

He smirked a little, "Yes ma'am."

"Oh good, I was just telling Leah how you wanted a drastic change." She said as she looked back at me and winked.

I smiled and walked up to meet him, still feeling like I was going to piss myself. When I was close enough, I extended my hand, "Hello sir, I'm Leah."

"Leah? That's a beautiful name." he said with a smile. I was surprised at how gentle his hand was as he gently closed around mine. His skin was pretty soft as well, changing my whole perspective of him.

"Thank you," I said. "Uh, so what are you getting done exactly?"

He shrugged, "You tell me Leah. All I know is that I need a change, big time."

I smiled, "Well follow me; I can help you with that."

He nodded and followed me back to my station. I grabbed a smock and placed it around his neck once he sat down at the shampoo bowl. I quickly got started, washing his hair. I was shocked when the black washed right out and showed a beautiful red color. Wow…this man was something else. After washing his hair I took him over to my station.

I knew this would be a challenge since the man was still tall sitting in my chair. Liz ended up bringing me a step stool just in case. I ran my fingers through his hair, shocked to find it so soft. Why would anyone want such beautiful hair cut off? I figured I should keep it to myself and just do my job.

"Do you mind if I cut your hair Mark?" I asked.

"Go right ahead," he said.

I grabbed my spray bottle from my station as he reached up and pulled off his sunglasses. I was caught off guard at the sight of those gorgeous green eyes that twinkled in the sunlight.

"You alright?" he asked?

I nodded, "Oh yea…you have pretty eyes sorry."

He smirked, "Thanks, no one's ever complemented my eyes before."

"Really? I don't see why not." I said as I sprayed his hair down. "So does it matter how short I cut this?"

"You do whatever you want darlin', I'm not worried about it trust me." He said.

I smiled as I looked at him in the mirror, "Ok then…here it goes."

I cut his hair up beneath his shoulders, seeing a design in my head. He didn't flinch at all once he saw how short it was. Instead, he simply smirked.

"What made you want to do such a drastic change if you don't mind me asking?" I said, trying to make conversation.

He sighed at first and then relaxed, "I just went through a tough divorce."

I frowned, feeling real sorry for even asking. "Oh, I'm sorry to hear that."

"Don't sweat it. I didn't need that woman anyways." He said.

I nodded, "How long were you married?"

"Three years. I treated her like a queen you know?" he asked.

"I know what you mean…my ex left me high and dry with absolutely no money or a place to stay for me or this baby." I said.

He raised his eyebrows at me, "What?"

I quickly realized that I let a complete stranger into my personal business and felt like an ass. "Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry, you didn't need to know that."

"Don't be sorry toots…you seem like you need to get it off your chest." He said. "Trust me, talking about it is the best way to go."

I smiled, loving how he had an open mind. "Oh ok."

"So how long were you with that prick?" he asked.

"A year and a half…" I said. "He seemed so sweet at first but then…he just did a 360 on me."

He nodded, "I know what you mean, my ex-wife seemed to worship the ground I walk on until I caught her screwing my boss's son. I couldn't fucking believe it."

"I'm sorry to hear that." I said as I began adjusting his hair cut. It was coming together perfectly…and he seemed to love it. Once I blow dried his hair I went to work on his facial hair, trimming his goatee, and giving him a small facial. I also shaved the hair growing under his chin giving him a cleaner look. When I was finally done, he looked more than shocked to see it.

"Damn girl, now that's what I call a drastic change." He said.

"Do you like it?" I asked.

He nodded with a huge smile, "I really love it. Thanks Leah."

"Anytime." I said.

He ran his fingers through his short hair, enjoying the difference. He then took a blue bandana from his pocket and placed it around his head.

"Now I look like the badass I've always wanted to look like…you're real good at your job." He said as he followed me up to the register.

"Thanks." I said. "That'll be $65.95 sir."

He smiled and handed me $100. "Keep the change."

My eyes widened, "W-what?"

"Keep it…I really like this style." He said. "As a matter of fact, can I offer you something?"

I looked back at Liz who gave me the thumbs up. I looked into those green eyes with wonder. "Ok."

"How about I hire you as my personal hairdresser." He said.

I blinked several times, "W-what? Really?"

"Of course. I'll move you into my place, you'll travel with me for my shows, and I'll let you cut my hair, shave my facial hair, color my hair and I'll pay you $1,000."

"How often do we travel?" I asked.

He smirked, "Normally every weekend, but I won't make you travel that much with me while you're pregnant."

I smiled, "Uh, you're not a crazy guy are you?"

He started laughing, "Of course not. Besides if I wanted to hurt you I would have done it already."

Liz came up to the register, "She wants the job."

"Lizzy!" I said.

"What? Girl you need a job like this if you're going to support your bun in the oven. Besides taking this job will allow you to see the world and take care of your baby."

I sighed softly knowing she was right. "How soon do I start?"

He smirked, "I'm heading back to my house in Texas tomorrow afternoon. Don't worry about bringing anything; I'll buy you new stuff in Texas."

I smiled, "Ok sounds like a plan."

"Great, what's your address so I can pick you up tomorrow?"

Liz reached around me and handed him a little business card with my name and address on it. "There you go sir."

I glanced at her with a smile. "You're a mess."

"This is true." She said.

"Ok Leah, see you tomorrow and thanks again for the makeover." He said.

I nodded and waved him good-bye, still feeling shocked by all of it.

"Leah, you must be so excited." Liz said.

I sighed, "I guess…but it all seemed to happen so fast."

"Well that's what being a great hair dresser gets ya. Now all you have to do is spoil him with your charms."

"Liz! I'm not trying to get into another relationship right now. Besides he just went through a divorce."

"True, well make sure you keep in touch with me. I want to know everything that happens with you while you're gone." She said.

"No problem," I told her.

I couldn't believe that this had happened to me. Truthfully though, I was more nervous than anything. Most of my clients weren't that generous, but he was…I slowly began to wonder what else there was about Mark that I didn't know about.