A blaring alarm clock woke Olivia from her first restful night of sleep in months. Rolling over to hit snooze she questioned why in the world she scheduled an 8am flight. Quickly getting up she knew a shower would do the trick in getting her motivated and ready before the car would be here to drive her to the airport. Going over her checklist (again) she was sure everything was handled. Her landlord had graciously accepted her notice ensuring her it would not be hard to find a new tenant, especially considering she was leaving all the furniture and decorative items. It was the least she could do considering she had 8 months left on her current lease, besides everything in her loft except her clothing, shoes and accessories was decided and purchased by John. Her loft almost mirrored his condo and she had always hated it. Hearing the doorbell, she smiled.
"Ms. Parker, my name is Travis and I'll be your driver to O'hare this morning. I'm a few minutes early but wanted to make sure we didn't get caught in traffic."
"Good morning Travis. I appreciate you being early. I'm anxious to get to the airport. I actually hate flying so having an extra few minutes before boarding usually helps calm my nerves." Olivia stated suddenly wandering if she should have taken the train.
"I'm sure you'll do just fine. I can go ahead and take your bags to the car if you're ready."
"That would be great. I only have two bags. The airfreight company picked up the rest of my belongings yesterday so that everything would be in Charming when I land. Give me just a few minutes to make sure I'm not leaving anything and I'll be right down. " Olivia stated over her shoulder already looking around the loft for any items she may have forgotten.
Walking through the loft one last time, Olivia grabbed her purse, left her keys on the bar, turned off the lights and smiled. She was starting a new life and at that thought she walked out the door.
Yet again Happy found himself kicking another over-eager sweetbutt from his dorm room. Bitch gave okay head but he his left hand could have given him the same release. He had a firm unrelenting set of rules when it came to women: Always, always wrap up tight, no kissing, face-down only, foreplay was a joke and bitch had to role once he got off and if possible no repeats. Hell, he was selfish too. He'd take head anytime from some sweetbutt or crow eater, but they shouldn't expect to have the favor returned. Too personal and knowing how these bitches were passed around here, he couldn't even go there. Tig would feast on any female that would spread her legs for him but Happy only cared about getting his own needs scratched. Yeah he knew he was a bastard to women, but if they didn't like it they could go elsewhere. There would be no talking before, during or after and they knew better than to think they could stay for any type of cuddling shit. No he wasn't that man.
Finally closing his eyes he'd get a few hours of sleep before he made the three hour trip up north to visit his mom. He had missed his weekly visit last week having been on a job for the Tacoma chapter. He refused to miss this visit. His loyalty to the club and his brothers was unwavering but the dedication and devotion to his mother topped even SAMCRO. His mom had done her best to give Happy the best childhood she could after his father abandoned them. Bastard just up and left severing all ties to him and his mother. He couldn't blame growing up without a father figure with how he turned out. He knew the trouble he got into as a teen was his doing. How he managed to graduate high school shocked even him. Happy "enjoyed" his role in the club and never regretted pledging his life and loyalty to SAMCRO. He respected his brothers, might not always agree with all of them, but had a deep understanding of how the club worked. He was their "go to "man when something or someone needed to end or vanish. He was cold and emotionless on a normal day, but let him be on a "job" for the club and he'd make Charles Manson piss in his pants. Only one thing scared Happy…..his mom's cancer. Not knowing if she'd survive it made his black heart ache. Since she had been diagnosed he was paying for all her medical care and with his club connections, he was able to get her medication that was often unavailable at times. He vowed he'd give her the best care considering what she had given up to raise and provide for him.
After a quick shower he grabbed his cut off the back of the chair and walked out of his dorm room down the hall to the kitchen for some much needed fuel. Bobby, always the first one to rise at the clubhouse, would have fresh coffee made. Acknowledging his brother, Hap downed a cup and headed out to his bike. Not much of a talker anyway, everyone knew that trying to get Happy to engage in conversation this early in the morning was a lost cause. Looking up to the sun-filled sky, Happy climbed on his bike and headed out of the T-M lot.
"Thank you Jesus" breathed Olivia. She was finally on the ground, having just safely landed. For the entire flight she had sat in her isle seat, eyes closed, hands firmly gripping the arm rest while silently praying to the Lord above that the plane not crash. All she had to do now was go get her bags and pick up her rental car to make the two hour trip to her new home….Charming. Sending a quick text to Tara letting her know she was on her way, she tipped the car rental clerk for helping load her bags, started her Jeep Cherokee loaner and started on her journey.
Realizing she was having a silent conversation with herself in her head, she had to admit that California was gorgeous…at least what she had seen so far.
"I cannot believe that me, Olivia Parker, have just picked up and moved half-way across the country."
Olivia Parker was not a "fly by the seat of her pants" kind of woman. No, this 33 year old green-eyed, brunette was careful when making life-altering decisions. Her so-called snotty girlfriends back in Chicago were probably plotting to "rescue" her from leaving Chicago for small town life in Charming. Yes, she would admit that it was unlike her to make such a huge life-altering change so quickly but she took this job offer as a way to get herself and her life back. Her entire relationship with John had been about him, which for some reason she couldn't explain, she let happen. John was selfish and self-absorbed. If it could benefit him, he was all for it. His way of apologizing or attempting to show affection was to buy Olivia yet another piece of jewelry. She had spent four years with a man who never really knew her. Didn't know her taste in anything, probably couldn't even tell her what her favorite color (green) or ice cream was (Haagan Dazs Dulce de Letche)….yes, she could admit now that she was an idiot to stay with him after the first time he cheated. But she was no longer with John, no longer in a city she didn't really like or living a life she felt out of place in and as she made her way closer to her new home, she vowed no man would ever have any control over her life ever again. Thinking about how much work would be involved in starting a new community, Olivia had prepared herself that there would be no time for men, and considering Tara's less than enthusiastic comments about the available bachelors in Charming, she'd just put any thoughts of romance out of her mind. Charming was a fresh start for her and she was ready to jump in head first. Elliott had sent her at least 10 texts since her road trip started just to check in on her. During their first meeting years ago, Elliott and Olivia had both made positive impressions on each other. Elliott reminded Olivia so much of her father. He had a daughter Tristan who she could tell by the way he spoke of her, that she was the light of his life. Elliott saw in Olivia the strong willed, independent woman that he hoped Tristan would grow up to be. He had never forgotten what a remarkable woman Olivia was and knew he would do what he could to bring her in on his real estate ventures.
After reading his last text she decided to make a quick stop for some much needed caffeine. Yes, caffeine was exactly what she needed right now. Pulling into the gas station, she walked into the store to use the restroom and treat herself to a Mountain Dew. She did her best to avoid caffeine but she doubted the store had decent sweet tea so her favorite soft drink would have to do. Walking up to pay she noticed the clerk staring directly at her chest.
"Just the drink?" said the twenty-something cashier, again staring at her chest.
"Yes, just the drink." Olivia said handing the man a five.
The cashier took the opportunity while reaching for the money to stroke her wrist and winking at her.
"You new in town? I haven't seen you in here before, gorgeous. I'm Chad by the way." Responded the cashier now attempting to give Olivia his best "let me take you to bed" look.
"No, just passing through." said Olivia while respectfully taking her hand away from the too eager Chad not noticing the man who just walked into the store.
"I get off in an hour. How about I treat you to breakfast? I know a quiet place we can go and get to know each other." Chad proposed.
"Thanks for the offer, but I'm not interested." Olivia kindly remarked hoping he'd get a clue.
"I know I can change your mind. You have no idea of what you're missing, gorgeous." Chad said as he handed Olivia her change attempting to touch her again.
Olivia was by now laughing her ass off in her head. Was this guy serious? She had to get out of this store now before her mouth took over and she told this guy how utterly stupid he sounded. She didn't know any woman that would fall for his game. Deciding to remember her manners she started to tell him she appreciated his offer but no thanks, when she noticed his facial expression…He looked terrified….but why?
She noticed that his eyes were fixated up and to her right and all the color had faded from his face. Wondering what could have made this guy appear to have seen a ghost she followed his line of sight and began to understand his sudden change. Looking over her right shoulder stood a man that looked like….fear. At least six feet tall, shaved head, eyes hidden behind dark sunglasses, tanned skin and covered in tattoos, this man looked like he could have terrified the devil. He didn't say a word…just stood there. She looked back at the cashier who had slowly backed up away from the register and simply told her to "Have a good day". Olivia looked back to the "silent" man to her right and nodded her head. She wasn't sure why she did that but she did. Turning she picked up her drink, pulled her sunglasses back down and went to her car.
"Okay that was odd" she thought as she applied some chap stick and started the Jeep. Putting on her seat belt, she noticed him walk out of the store, looking at her as he walked to his bike. As she backed out, and turned to leave the parking lot she noticed he gave her the same nod she had given him in the store.
She then headed south while "Mr. Silent" headed north.