Healing Hands
Chapter 4
Essence groaned at the sound of her house phone, burying her face into her pillow–that seemed to move up and down on its own. Not caring who it was on the other line, the young woman snuggled deeper into her sheets and her pillow. She's never felt so rested before and didn't dare to get up because someone was trying to reach her. Essence then snapped her eyes open when she felt her leg wrapped around itself around someone else's leg. She looked down to see she was laying on top of two legs clad in dark jeans, followed by a black button down shirt tucked into the pants. She was going to slowly move away when a snore startled her. She whipped her head up to see Atley leaning back against her metal headboard with a pillow on his back. His mouth was slightly open, giving a snore once more.
The young woman pursed her lips together to keep from laughing, not wanting to wake the man that–despite looking uncomfortable in that position–looked so peaceful. Lying back down to try and sleep some more–as well as wonder the emotions she was feeling from just being close to this strange man–Essence knew that she had another couple of hours before the garage opened. However the phone started ringing again letting Essence know it was time for her to get up and deal with the day.
She's gone through this already–not as far as the first time, but still, far enough. What happened last night brought on too many bad memories from her past but she was able to get through it then, she can do so this time. Essence was grateful that Atley and Sphinx had returned to the garage for whatever reason and had saved her–she certainly was indebted to them whether they liked it or not. Now she just needed to be strong and remember who else was in her life to be strong for.
Sitting up slightly she held the sheets to her nude form, wondering how the towel had fallen to the floor. Turning her body away from the still sleeping Atley–it seemed he didn't mind the noisy telephone–Essence reached over to grab the towel and quickly wrapped it tightly around her before throwing the warm sheets back. She quickly reached over and picked up the cordless phone from its charger as it started ringing once again. She walked towards the bathroom to let the older man sleep some more while she spoke to the person calling.
"Hello?"
She almost had to roll her eyes at the person on the other line. She liked the guy, he really was a sweetheart, and took great cares to make her comfortable–not just at the garage, but also with the people. Yet he seemed almost heartbroken and just plain guilty to what happened the night before when it wasn't even his damn fault! It wasn't like he told the guy to attack her!
"Essence, its Otto, how are you doing?"
Essence sighed, dropping the damp towel into the hamper and put on her robe she always kept on the hook behind the door. She looked longingly to her white claw foot bathtub in front of the French double doors. Apparently the previous owner's wife had a similar bathroom style at their house on the hills of Hollywood...and the Hamptons...and some island that Essence never even heard of before but sounded expensive. Whatever reason they had to buying a suburban house was beyond her–let alone selling it for cheap–but she was grateful that she had snatched it up when she was able to a few months back.
"I'm doing as well as I can be, Otto, really."
The older man sighed with relief, the young woman picturing him pacing back and forth in the office. She might not have known the man very long, but the grandfather figure he portrayed was very familiar and predictable that sometimes it was funny…and comforting. It made missing her brother just a bit less painful.
"I'm truly sorry kiddo, Sphinx told me what had happened last night and I wanted you to know that that asshole was fired." he sighed, some rustling sounds in the background could be heard. "I wanted to call last night but I figured that you needed the rest and the shock to pass over from what Sphinx had told me."
Essence smiled, walking out of her bathroom, tapping her thigh quietly for Angel before leaving the bedroom to let Atley sleep in peace. Though she couldn't help but glower at the thought of the silent giant telling Otto how she was acting. It only made him worry even more than he should be and made her turn out like a total girl in distress. Okay, she was a girl in distress, but she hated to show her weakness to anyone.
"I'm just sorry that you're one less mechanic at your garage, Otto."
Otto snorted at that, the rustling noise finally stopping. Essence knew that he, and everyone else, thought that she was too nice, if sometimes a bit naive. But she couldn't help it, it was who she was. She would only be annoyed or angry with a person when they pushed her buttons one too far...or when her precious treasure was being threaten or in danger.
"Nonsense, my employee's well being is far more important than any good mechanic." he told her as though it was nothing, but she still heard the trace of anger behind his words.
Essence let Angel out to the backyard before going into her kitchen to make some coffee. She desperately needed some caffeine to wake up just a bit, and make some for Atley whom she knew drank the stuff whenever possible.
"Nevertheless I'm sorry that your other workers now have to work twice as hard and fast as you're a man down, Otto." she bit her lower lip, looking out the window over the sink to watch Angel sniffing around, marking his territory, and doing it again. "If you like I can try to find someone to replace him?"
Otto chuckled softly, Essence knowing he was smiling just from the tone of voice. "Always thinking about others rather than yourself, kiddo. No, you don't need to find anyone to replace, I can do that on my own. Now, can you do me the favor and let me speak with Atley?"
Essence bit her lower lip once more, looking back at the staircase, wondering if she should go up and wake him. Or let the poor man who had taken care of her sleep until whatever time he woke? Then again, he did just sleep through the house phone, letting her know that Atley can sleep through all kinds of noise. She decided to test her theory with Otto, seeing as he knew the man more than she did.
"He's actually asleep right now. I didn't have the heart to wake him–though I doubt I could as he was able to sleep through the phone ringing."
Otto laughed loud and hard, Essence smiling in return as she went back to bring down some cups for the coffee. Her smile widen at Otto's next words, glad that her instincts weren't as off as she had first thought. Although she really didn't know Atley all that well, what Otto said was all too true as she witnessed it firsthand not too long ago. Despite that she tried to keep quiet.
"I swear that boy can sleep through anything, even an earthquake!–and he probably has!"
Essence chuckled at that, "I don't doubt it, Otto."
As she turned to bring Angel back inside Essence saw her reflection in the sun-mirror design dangling on the bare wall in the kitchen. She grimaced at the sight of the black eye, along with the bruise on her cheek, and the hand print upon her neck. Two memories combining came back to her, making her almost panic with fear because it was so real. Willing the tears to go away, Essence turned from the mirror and quickly walked over to the glass door, whistling for Angel to return. She had to clear her throat a couple of times, knowing that if any sort of emotion came out in her voice Otto will immediately know that she wasn't fine. And she needed the distraction or else she would be reliving the incidents over and over.
"All right girly, you go on and relax today–and call the hospital, there's no way in hell you're working third shift tonight." he told her as what sounded like tapping on paper over the other noise in the background.
She sighed in annoyance. Essence knew that she needed the day off as she doubted any amount of make-up would cover up the bruises and marks left behind. Not to mention she needed to get her head together if memories from both incidents were haunting her. But she wanted distractions and her house was all done–she was unpacked and moved in. There was no way she was going to go out in the world with these bruises. Yet the young woman knew that Otto was only looking out for her, and she was grateful. She knew that there was going to be no argument she would provide to pursue him to let her go into work anyways, so why even try?
"Thanks Otto, I'll send Atley over to you as soon as he wakes up. Bye."
At his goodbye, Essence hung up and placed the phone on the small counter before going back to making her coffee. She wished she had something stronger rather the wine she loves to drink once in a blue moon. With a soft sigh she sat on the counter overlooking the windows–something that the owner's wife had done–Angel sleeping nearby and keeping her company. She relished on the silence for once, knowing that she wasn't by herself, that there was someone else–human–within the house. That gave her enough comfort to go into her own magical world surrounded by trees and magic in the air…and no ounce of evil in the world.
Atley came downstairs, yawning, trying to will the sore stiffness from his left leg–actually from his whole body. He woke up in an awkward position on an unknown bed in an unknown room that took him almost half a minute to realize what had happened the night before. He had listened to the house carefully to figure out where Essence had gone before getting out of bed to see if he can get some coffee then ask someone to pick his ass up so he can go home to shower and change.
Man, did he really need a cigarette right now!
He walked into the kitchen, scratching his head, only to stop and stare at the picture before him, blinking rapidly to see if he was dreaming or not. Because it was very cloudy today–which was very unusual for sunny southern California–there was still enough light peeking through. The light hit a few parts of the kitchen and the young woman sitting at the island, making the scene almost surreal as though Essence wasn't really there–a ghost image of a dream of a dream.
He almost snorted, not wanting to disturb the content woman. He didn't know what the hell was wrong with him to make him think like some sort of dumb teenaged sap who didn't know the first thing to do with a woman he was crushing on. Shaking his head to rid those thoughts, he cleared his throat to give away his presences, walking further into the kitchen with a smile at the startled woman.
"Morning, how are you feeling–have you put on some ice on that eye?" Atley suddenly cried out in surprise when he saw the bruises.
However the surprise became anger as he reached out to trace her eye before his own hazel looked down and locked to the hand print upon her neck. Essence quickly reached up and closed the neck of her robe so the man before her wouldn't see the bruises even further. Scowling, Atley turned and opened the freezer, bringing out two bags of frozen vegetables. He then took the two cloths hanging on the oven handle and wrapped them up before handing one to Essence and placing the other upon her eye and cheek.
"Place the other on your neck, don't want the bruises to stay as long as it normally would if you don't place any ice on it." he told her softly, holding the back of her head gently.
Atley had never felt like killing a man since he started to get along with the younger crew for over a year now...well, actually, he still wants to kill Tumbler and Mirror most of the time when they were bugging him–or when they got together with Chaosia and Sphinx and do a prank on him. Mentally shaking his head he brought his mind back at the task at hand. Atley thought that maybe he should track down the mechanic and just beat the crap out of him like the way he did Essence.
Of course he would have to do it in secret so that none of the others would say anything to him about taking it too far. If they were in his shoes they would have done the same thing–they all got along with Essence now that they knew she wasn't a cop! But they all still have that damn idea that he had a crush on the woman–she's at least half his age, damn it! Without really knowing he had started to stroke his thumb on her uninjured cheek, watching as the woman start to blush and lean into his hands, looking up at him through half-closed lids.
Damn, what she did to his insides with just that one look. He was certainly in trouble and needed to put some space between them. He noted how her lips curved just the slightest, wanting to smile, but not doing so.
Yes, he needed to put some space between them soon!
Essence did as she was told and placed the bag of frozen vegetables on her neck, loving the close proximity and the gentleness of the man standing next to her. "Otto called, he wanted to speak with you I think but he didn't tell me to tell you to call him back or anything."
"That's fine, I'll call him later." Atley told her softly, "How'd you sleep?"
"Better than you, I think." Essence said, her cheeks turning a tinge of red at the memory of her sleeping on top of him.
Atley chuckled, shaking his head. "Yeah, that's what I get for having fallen asleep. I was going to wait until you had fallen asleep for a half hour before going to sleep on your couch. I guess I was more tired than I thought."
Essence smiled, "I just wanted to thank you. I know I was out of it yesterday, but you were patient and very kind with me and…so…thank you."
Atley shook his head, dropping the frozen vegetables on the counter and taking hold of her face. Oh, how she wish this was happening under different circumstances. She can see the brightness of his hazel eyes before they went dark at some of the anger he held for the man who was about to rape her. Essence wanted her vision to drop down to his lips to compare just how soft they looked or if they were like his hands, calloused but very gentle.
She mentally shook her head. She really needed to stop reading so many damn romance novels!
"You have no reason to thank me; I would have gladly beaten the crap out of that idiot and bring you home like I did…though Sphinx got the part of beating the crap out of him, but the truth is I would have gladly done the same thing over again."
Essence flushed, opening her mouth to reply when the phone rang. She turned brighter yet, quickly dropping the vegetable bag and turning to grab the phone. Atley frowned in both curious and confused before entering the kitchen to make himself a cup of hot coffee. Essence mentally shook her head. What the hell was going on with her?
"Hello?"
"There's a problem," Troy's voice filled her ear.
Essence immediately slid off the stool and walked quickly into the living room from her brother's strained voice as his words twisted something inside her. Her only thoughts were that something happened to her treasure–the only other reason of living in this world. She could feel her heart hammering against her chest with dread and anxiousness. Perhaps it wasn't such a good idea to start over in another state? Maybe she should have just stayed in Chicago to be with her brother.
"What? What's happened? Please, tell me nothing's happened to–?" she started in panic, willingly the tears to go away.
"No, she's fine, Essence, but that's not the problem. The idiot doesn't want to let Ava go out to visit you."
Essence sighed with relief, briefly closing her eyes. But as her brother's words snuck in she scowled in anger as she stared out the window. Why does this asshole always tried to make her life miserable? He already made it worse when he didn't let her be in the life of the one person she loved.
"But I have rights! Does he think me so shallow as to not let her return back to him and his whore?"
Troy sighed. He knew what his sister was going through, and it wasn't fair. But that's why he was her lawyer–and a damn good job at it, he was. He just wished that he had the right evidence to put the asshole that was making his baby sister's miserable life.
"I'll contact the judge and see what I can do, but yes, I believe that's what he thinks."
Essence exhaled angrily through her nose, pinching the bridge to try and relax. But the anger she was feeling was just eating her away–as was the anxiousness of not seeing the person after such a long time. To think that she had actually liked her ex at one point in her life!
"It's been well over a month because I tried to settle things here, I want to see her!"
Troy sighed sadly, "I know Elixir. Look, I'll try everything on my end to bring her out there; and if I have to I will personally come with her."
Essence laughed through the tears she didn't know she had shed. She swiped at them angrily, hating the weakness her ex was putting her through. And he wasn't even here! She promised that she would never again shed a tear for this man, and here she was doing what she once promised! Maybe she was getting her period, it would explain her emotion rollercoaster…or maybe it had to do with what she was feeling for the older man who was in her kitchen at the moment. She mentally shook her head; it could be she might be wired from the night before.
"The other reason you'll come is so that you can make sure I'm actually doing well on my own here."
"That too," Troy agreed before laughing. "Don't worry, your big brother is here and I'll do everything in my power for you to see her."
"Thanks Troy, love you."
"Love you too, take care."
Essence sighed, hanging up. She was beyond pissed off and scared–oh, how much she hated her ex-boyfriend. Only he would find ways to make her suffer, and no doubt his new girlfriend was probably helping him in finding new ways too. Essence doesn't understand why his new girlfriend hated her? It's not her fault her ex always spoke about her–all bad, knowing how he was. As long as she didn't touch her treasure, that was all she cared.
Then a calmed voice made her jump out of her skin. With the knowledge that her brother might be coming into town she had forgotten all about her houseguest. Despite the calmness Essence did detect the slight anger behind the words. Man, what was wrong with her today? Maybe there wasn't any anger behind the words, it could all just be her imagination…but then, why would she imagine the words to have anger in them? She had enough drama for the day, so why was she trying to make up some more? Maybe she just needed more rest after all that's happened.
"I thought you didn't have a boyfriend?"
Essence turned around to see a neutral-looking Atley; however his eyes were ice cold. Okay, now that couldn't be her imagination. But, then again, no one's eyes could turn that ice cold, right? It's only described in books because the reader can't really see it like in the movies, yet in the movies an actor's eyes don't turn into ice…right?
Atley mentally kicked himself for trusting the woman. She had seemed to have lied about having a boyfriend, so what else could she be lying about? It could be that she isn't as innocent as he thought–as they all thought. This woman has been playing them all like fools, and he was the biggest sucker of them all!
"I don't have a boyfriend. That was my brother; he's a lawyer and is doing something for me."
The words slowly snuck in through his angry and betrayed mind. Immediately Atley looked at her guilty, flushing himself. What an idiot! Didn't she always talk about her lawyer brother when talking to one of the young bloods or Otto? Hell, she even told him little about him at one point or another, how could he have forgotten? Damn, now he felt like an old fool who was a teenager again making his first mistake with a girl he was crushing on!
"Sorry, I've been lied to before by women and I was just hoping you weren't going to turn out like them–and I'm glad you're not."
His insides twisted as she smiled at him softly. Her mouth might look small but they sure widen whenever she smiled. Atley scolded himself, now he really sounds like a sick love teenager and it needs to stop!
"No problem, have you called Otto back?"
"Yeah, he just wanted to make sure that you were truly okay and that to make sure you call the hospital to let them know that you weren't coming in tonight."
Essence sighed dramatically, looking up. Atley couldn't help but chuckle at her, smiling. He knew that Otto meant well–he took a great protectiveness over her–but sometimes when the woman promised to do something she would usually break it to make the other person happy.
"I already gave him my word that I was to relax today, does he not trust me?"
"As hard as you work, I don't think he does."
He laughed even harder when Essence stuck her tongue out at him, holding up his hands slightly in surrender. Sometimes he forgets just how young the woman really was compared to his old ass, but it felt good that she makes him forget his age as well.
"Hey, I'm just the messenger here."
Essence shook her head and dialed her manager at the hospital, knowing that she would have to tell him why, exactly, she wasn't coming in. Knowing just how over protective he is–just like her brother and, recently, Otto–Alan would probably want to file charges himself once he finds out that she has not done so yet.
Atley had to leave and had made sure that Essence had locked the door behind him as soon as Donnie came to pick him up. He wasn't comfortable leaving the woman by herself, but at least she would be well guarded with Angel there. Despite the dog being a big softy around his mistress, he was a vicious dog that didn't like strangers–hell, he saw that last night with Sphinx, didn't he? He was just grateful that the big silent man was just as intimidating to dogs as he was to other humans!
Except his girlfriend, that is. But she was just as crazy as he was!
Overall he couldn't just babysit a grown woman all day; he had things to do to make sure the group has a successful boosts in couple of days! Furthermore Essence seemed to have gotten over the drama pretty well; she was more content in cleaning up her already clean home rather than work. He shook his head, he wondered if all women were crazy like that? If the house was already cleaned, what else is there to clean up!
Of course Atley couldn't help but continued to think of her, wondering if she was truly all right or not. The night before Essence seemed strange and hollow, almost as though she were reliving a distant memory. Was it possible that she had gotten rape before? Or close to it? Was that what Essence was thinking about when she was going in and out of her daze when he and Sphinx drove to her home?
"Is that alright with you, Atley?"
Memphis questioned suddenly. Atley looked up at his best friend and leader of the boosts, blinking his eyes. He quickly scanned around the others in the paint docks, watching him carefully and with confusion. He had somehow taken his mind back to the woman rather being there in the present like he needs to be. This life style wasn't as glamorous as some people might think, it was still dangerous and needed your full attention or your or someone was going to get either killed or put in jail.
Especially with a newer detective in the GRAB division that seemed to be on their ass and more to the point of getting them off the damn street! Of course, despite what he had missed during the planning Memphis was doing, he still asked the stupid question as his mind tried to catch up with the rest of him. Seriously, what was wrong with him?
"What?"
Memphis shook his head, smiling as he looked to the others. He was amused with his friend. This is the first time that a woman had made him go crazy like this–not even the woman that Atley dated for half a year before his mom had made him leave town for good.
"Alright, we'll plan some more tomorrow."
As the others walked away, Sphinx came to stand next to his good friend as Donnie, Sway, Memphis and Otto walked over to him. Atley frowned, wondering what was going on and what exactly did he miss while he was thinking about the wellbeing of the woman that didn't seem to want to leave his head just yet. Maybe he just needs to give her a damn call and get over being worried about her.
"How is Essence really doing, Atley?" Otto asked, frowning with concern.
Atley leaned down slight to rub his right leg. Suddenly it started to throb; he wondered how long it's being doing that since it felt like damn pin needles all over knee.
"She's doing pretty well before I left her, but I get the feeling that she's been through this before."
The group frowned, concern growing ever more for the young woman that became a good presence within the garage. So Atley told them his suspicion, the four men and woman frowning even further. Despite what they've heard, the older boost knew that if this wasn't her first attack. Essence should have been even more traumatized rather than being calm and collected like she was the day after. Then a soft voice of reason spoke up behind them, her words confusing the group even more.
"She's trying to be strong for someone,"
The group turned to see Sphinx's lover and girlfriend, Chaosia Ripley Guadimus. She smiled to Sphinx, who immediately wrapped his arm around her to bring her close and kiss her deeply. The other men rolled their eyes at the display–though they were used to it already as they've been going out for almost a year; and not to mention gone through so much crap. Sway smiled mischievously, wishing she hadn't left her phone in the car or her camera at home. She should have known better since the couple would show a small type of affection whenever they were around in public in the beginning.
With a content sigh, the young woman looked to the group, leaning even further into Sphinx (if that was even possible). No matter how different–in every sense of height, personality, and just about everything else–they looked, and are, good with each other. Hell, it does help that the things they do have in common completes each other.
"It does sound like she's been through this once before, but this girl seems like she's trying to be strong for someone."
"Like who? She lives alone and her brother lives in Chicago," Otto said in confusion.
Chaosia shrugged, "I don't know, could be someone that we might not even know."
Atley shook his head, sighing tiredly. All this round-around about the woman being strong for an invisible person was making his head hurt and just making him even more confused.
"No, it has to be something else. Why would a person try to stay strong for a person that's not even here to see her break down?"
Chaosia raised an eyebrow, grinning that grin of hers. Sometimes Atley needed to just shut his mouth and leave things alone because Chaosia loves to speak in riddles with him! She probably knows it annoys him and does it for her damn amusement.
"And who said that that person wasn't here?"
The group looked at her before she leaned up and kissed Sphinx's cheek and walked away to leave the group–and more importantly, Atley–to think over her words. It was very obvious that the woman Atley had a crush on wanted to be strong for Atley because she, too, has a crush on the older man. Chaosia shook her head, smiling. Even her lover knew that and his good friend was just plain an idiot and didn't see what was in front of him. Hopefully he would see and wouldn't let it get away; it would do him some good that was for sure.
A/N: Sorry for the late update, drama at work and now we're one manager down and my store manager just went on bed rest and won't be at work until her maternity leave ends in August, AND I'm training to be a first assistant. So you guys are going to have to be patient with me! The writer's block doesn't help either. Please review and, again, please be patient. Oh, and I dedicate this chapter to LauRa-ReaDinG-XoX for reminding I still have other stories out there! :)