Lots happened, sorry chapter is a little short. Updates on stories can be found on profile if your curious. Mostly filler and a little silly, hopefully next chapter is longer and more action packed. Rush editing some mistakes. I changed the summary as a little more info was reviled.
I don't own Takers only my own characters.
Wednesday 19:00 hrs
Rose ached all over, her heartbeat erratic and sweat covered her body. All in all Rose was quite pleased with herself.
A very productive work out session, it felt like weeks since she had gone to the gym. The last time Rose focused so intently she received and ear full from Joe. Mari had been kind enough to refuse any payment on her part stating "that's what there for; better the bags get a beating rather than some poor soul."
Stress had been ruining high all week. Three new high profile clients would be arriving tomorrow. Rose found it suspicious that these new clients were all coming the same day, not to mention that they all needed similar features. Checking & saving, deposit box, bonds, trust fund and a variety of other amenities.
But all Rose could think of was her date on Friday. As stress full as the new clientele would be the upcoming date was even more nerve-racking. As much as Linda joked about Rose getting out and meeting someone, Rose would never admit to actually taking her advice.
Rose had ventured on her own on a few occasions, tried to mingle and failed miserably. Linda was right of course Rose had an uncanny ability to repulse men. Rose had tried to work on her overly active "allergies" by visiting clubs, book stores, music hubs but with every outing all Rose was able to do was make men feel uncomfortable. It always started out well but as the conversation turned more personal Rose immediately shoot any prospect of a second encounter out the window.
Maybe that was why AJ was such a refreshing change. Within the time they spent together not once had AJ asked what she did for a living or some nonsense question about her dreams for the future. AJ kept things light and non personal, all most on purpose, never had Rose been able to relax so quickly.
And that was the biggest problem, it was all happening too quickly. Rose knew nothing about AJ, not that she had taken the time to gather any information, and it didn't seem to matter. Rose enjoyed the air of what other women called mystery. However mystery was dangerous in business and in life it was far better to know what you were dealing with.
Playback Sunday 09:00 hrs
Rose was sleeping in, if only one day out of the week, she was exhausted. She turned burying her face in her pillow, smooth soft and definitely not her pillow. It smelled too good, barely having the energy to open one eye. She naturally assumed she was at Linda's apartment, it happened on rare occasions but it did happen. Trying to adjust to the non existing lighting, thick blinds for the days were sunshine was the enemy.
Tilting her head to the side she tried to make sense of what she was seeing. Cream last time Rose slept over the pillows were orange, perhaps she redecorated. Then the pillow moved, that was defiantly new, Rose moved back trying to figure out exactly what was going on. Blinking a few times Rose came to the realization that this was not Linda's apartment and that AJ is in fact not a pillow.
Rose had to lie back down, she was too dizzy and the possibility of throwing up was all too present. Turning so that she was not facing him, Rose had to think back. What happened last night? She remembered coming back to the hotel after their car drive. They spotted Linda and Lilly giving them weird looks. AJ had offered her a drink and there was something about a poker game, money and rival club owners.
Rose couldn't help the groan that come out, "buckets right next to you." AJ voice was such a surprise Rose almost fell out of the bed. True to his word a bright yellow bucket was right next to the bed. Rose couldn't help feeling somewhat suspicious, "Linda said you might throw up once you woke up".
Linda, of course she knew Rose was here. Rose waited for the queasiness in her stomach to settle and to her great relief it did. Rose knew that she should save the small amount of dignity she had left and leave but this bed was just too damn comfortable and with those curtains, she really should invest in some, she couldn't move.
When AJ noticed that Rose hadn't run away or thrown up, he took it as an opportunity. Wrapping one arm around her waist to pull her closer. Rose stiffened instantly, if she wasn't awake before she certainly was now. Before Rose could protest AJ nested his face in her hair, "You going to break my thumbs?"
Rose couldn't help the confused expression, she was almost grateful that AJ couldn't see her.
"Linda mentioned it."
"Is there anything Linda didn't tell you?'
"Only enough so that I wouldn't need a doctor in the morning, I think I'm on my own now."
Rose couldn't help the laugh that escaped her lips, against her better judgment Rose leaned into AJ and soon after sleep once again took control.
Rose woke later on to discover AJ missing, if it wasn't for the noise coming from what she believed to be the kitchen, Rose would of left right there and then. However as she entered the kitchen she found AJ with what looked like a kiss the cook apron making breakfast or lunch depending on how you looked at things. Rose was slightly shocked, she never expected AJ to know how to cook and the kiss the cook apron was boarding on material for ridicule.
Rose approached with caution, god only knew what concoction AJ was cooking up and whether or not it would be eatable by humans. Rose remembered when she allowed Linda to cook for her once, once being the key phrase there was no repeat performance. What Linda lacked in culinary skills she made up for with tactile manipulation.
From what Rose could see waffles were AJ's choose for the day, perhaps a small reminder of their first encounter. Rose couldn't tell whether it was made in good humor or not.
"Figured I owed you."
Again Rose wasn't sure what to make of this. She accepted the food with suspicions on high alert. Oddly enough her queasiness from early had subsided leaving her to stare at her food in case it attacked.
"They're not going to grab your ass if you're curious."
Rose lifted her gaze to stare at AJ, questioningly.
"Well maybe, carbs."
The slight turn in his smile allowed Rose to roll her eyes at his humor. It had been a long time, well except for Linda, since anyone teased her with such familiarity. Rose didn't comment the tug on her lips was enough of an indication, they ate in silence. When they finished Rose helped with the dishes cleaning up the mess AJ left behind. They were delicious but the hassle it took to make not to mention the clean up afterwards was enough for Rose to know that this was a rare occurrence.
Rose didn't ask about what happened the night before she could tell that it hadn't gone as well as others might have hoped but by the look on AJ's face it was enough.
Thursday 12:00 hrs
One of the worst parts about working for a highly prestigious depository, or what Linda referred to as a bank, was the exclusivity of the clientele. For the most part it was very day procedure to transfer funds physically but now a day's electronics were a safer choice by most. However today was anything but every day, all three clients just happened to arrive all at the same time. Each requiring her undivided attention yet there was only so much she could do.
Rose assigned two men to each of the clients for protection and supervision. As she worked her way around to all three clients this nagging feeling in the pit of her stomach had followed her throughout the entire day. Everything had gone as expected and nothing was a miss yet Rose still held her suspicions.
After the days events Rose couldn't wait to go home and relax. Linda had other plans, five o'clock came around and Linda was waiting by Rose's door. Rose didn't even have to ask why she was there, it would be pointless to argue and even more so to resist. Filing away the day's work Rose gathered her belongings, performed a mandatory security sweep and was ready to leave.
Entering her car Rose couldn't wait to hear Linda's newest exploit.
"Where to?"
"501 Soto"
Now that was enough to put a smile on Rose's face, easing the day's tension. Driving with determination Rose couldn't wait to arrive. As Linda opened the door Rose could already smell the delicious aroma from the kitchen.
"Mamá"
They made their way towards the back of the small house to find, Linda's mom next to stove making homemade tortillas.
"Holla mija, sit sit you must be exhausted."
Rosario's house always made Rose feel at home. She had spent most of her childhood in the kitchen with her and Linda, there was no other place that made her feel safer. Rosario smothered them with affection and enough food to make them easy targets.
"Como estas mija? Hace mucho que no nos vemos."
"Como esta, esta asiéndose las difícil."
Rose couldn't help the exasperated sigh that left her lips, if there was anyone that could make her talk besides Linda it was her mother. It must me genetics.
Linda was kind enough to explain Rose's latest predicament, all Rose could do was continue eating as if they weren't discussing her life right in front of her.
"So what do you think mamá?"
"I think you should let Rose make her own decision."
Linda and Rose were equally shocked by the response; Rosario was every bit of a busy body as her daughter.
"Pero a bit of fun never hurt anybody. Rosie mija remember not everyone you meet is going to hurt you."
They left it at that for the night, talking of other less personal scandals. Rose had to admit that spending the evening with Linda's family was always a great way to put a smile on her face. It always provided entertainment, life advice and mouth watering food.
Rose was actually looking forward to the weekend and perhaps if only to herself she could admit that a little mystery was a good thing.
