Part 3
Abbie is quiet on the way back to the apartment. Jason is the kind of person who respects another person's privacy, so he leaves her to sit in silence as he flips though some invoices he had picked up earlier.
"Jason," Abbie says finally. "Would you mind stopping so I can pick up a newspaper, I need to start looking for a place to live."
"Why?" asks Jason.
"What to you mean why?" "Because I got the job, and I need a place to live, that's why?"
"What's wrong with my apartment?"
"Well, the key word there is YOUR apartment, not mine." "It was really nice of you to help me out like you did, but I really can't impose on you any longer."
"Why?" asks Jason with a small grin on his face. He is having fun teasing the girl sitting next to him.
"Well, because you just got back into town, and you don't really know me, and I don't know you, and well just because!"
"Look Abbie, I'm hardly ever going to be there, and it's a big place with plenty of space for the 2 of us." "Why should you pay rent on an apartment when I have plenty of room for you." As far as not knowing me, there are plenty of people here in Port Charles who will vouch for me." "And," he continues, "I may not know you, but I'm a good judge of character, I have to be, and I trust you."
"Do you promise to tell me if I start to become a problem for you?"
"Yes, but somehow, you don't seem to be the problem type."
"Don't I wish," Abbie says under her breath.
"One more thing, before I say yes." "How much is the rent going to be?" "I got the job at L&B, but I don't think my salary is going to stretch to cover half the rent on a penthouse."
"Look, the apartment comes with my job, it's all paid for, so don't worry about it." "Pay for your own food if it makes you feel better."
"Well, how about if I clean the place to cover my share of the rent?"
Jason laughs, "You just don't give up, do you?" "I have someone to come in and clean and take care of stuff."
"Do you PROMISE to let me know if I get in the way?"
"Yes, I promise, does that make you feel better?"
"Much!" "Jason, thank you, you have been so great to me." "A regular knight in shining armor!" "Just one more thing, can you recommend a place to have my car towed?" "Oh, and I need to get my stuff out of my car."
"Well, your car is already being taken care of, and I had all your stuff brought back to the penthouse."
"Pretty sure of yourself, aren't you?" asks Abbie.
"I have to be."
The two laugh together as the car enters the underground garage. Exiting the car, Jason and Abbie walk to the elevator together.
"Go ahead," says Jason. "Press the button for your new home."
Home, thought Abbie to herself. That sounds so good. It's been to long since I had a place I could call home.
The elevator stops, and the two step out into the lobby just as Sonny Corinthos is leaving his apartment.
"Jason, did you get those invoices from Benny?" questions Sonny.
"I have them right here." "Sonny, this is Abbie, she's going to be staying with me for a while."
"It's a pleasure to meet you," says Sonny. "If you need anything, I'm right down the hall."
"Thank you Mr. Corinthos," says Abbie nervously, "But I should be all set."
Sonny shoots Jason a look and the two take Abbie by the arms and escort her into the penthouse.
"How did you know my last name is Corinthos?" demands Sonny. "Jason didn't use it." "And I know for damn sure he didn't mention me to you!"
"Hey!" shouts Abbie. "Back off, you are hurting me." "Let me go, or I promise I will break your arm."
Abbie shakes the two men off of her just as Johnny steps in the open doorway.
"Mr. Corinthos, Mr. Morgan, is there a problem here?"
"No, no problem Johnny," says Sonny as he puts his hand back on her arm again. "We were just having a chat with Abbie here."
"I said to let go of me!" Abbie shakes Sonny off again and head for the door. Johnny makes the mistake of putting a restraining arm out to stop her. Before they realize what is happening, Johnny is laying on the floor, with blood streaming from his nose.
"I'm leaving."
"Abbie wait, we just want to know how you know Sonny's name," says Jason.
"Then ask damnit, and don't manhandle me EVER again, or you will be sorry."
"Look, I'm not a stupid person, I do read the papers and watch the news." "When I heard about the job in Port Charles, I did some research on the town." "Like it or not Mr. Corinthos, you are a public figure, and you do show up in the papers." "It's as simple as that."
Both men assess what she is saying and Jason turns to Sonny.
"I think she's telling the truth," he says.
"Yeah, me too." "Please, allow me to extend my apologies Abbie, but I can't be to cautious.
"I can appreciate that Mr. Corinthos, but if you, or any of your people so much as lay a finger on me, I will not hesitate to bring them down like I did to your friend over there."
Sonny looks over to where Johnny is just starting to sit up.
"You know what Abbie, I believe you would." "Don't worry, I would never, in a million years hurt a woman, and neither will the people in my employ." "You are safe here, you have my word on that."
Sonny holds out a hand to her and says "Friends?"
"Friends" says Abbie as she shakes his hand.