Making my way down to the now empty garage, I open my door and rip the blazer off, jumping into some loose-fitting leggings. It’s the weekend. I’ll have two whole days of trying to fill the time. Just as I get comfortable, Tom walks up the ramp, a container in his hand. Tom opens my door and passes the container to me. “Hey, I forgot to give this to you. I heated it up on my way down. Mary made lasagna last night.”
“Thanks Tom,” I say, grabbing the hot container from his hand. The cheese, spices and meat scent fills my car, my mouth waters.
Tom leans against my car. “Eat, I have something to tell you.”
Opening the container, I dig in. Tom even provides a fork and butter knife, my empty stomach welcomes the lasagna. Mary is a great cook. I can see why Tom is always so excited to get home to see what she made. Tom waits for me to have my mouth full before he speaks. Probably to stop me from cutting him off, forcing me to listen to him.
“Theo and Tobias know you’re staying in the garage." I nearly choke on my food. My eyes widen. How? I'd been so careful! “I swear I didn’t say anything,” he says, holding his hands up in surrender. I don’t know what to say. I have to move on but how? Where?
“How then if you didn’t tell them?” I question, biting my lip. The hot food is too good for me to stop eating but my brain swims.
“I’m not sure. Tobias came and saw me today. I’m not sure how they found out, but he asked security to check the lower-level cameras, then came to see me when he realized every day I walk up to the top level and come back with you.”
“What did you tell him?” I ask, horrified. They will fire me, I know it. I never should have stayed here, and now Tom is probably going to get into trouble because of me. I'll survive somehow, but I can't handle it if they fire Tom just for helping me.
“I told them the truth. You shouldn’t have to struggle like this, Imogen.” I nod my head in understanding. Tobias has done his homework and really got up in my business.
Is that why he changed the Medical Insurance Policies?
“I'll move on, I suppose I won’t have a job on Monday. I really hope you didn’t get in too much trouble, Tom. I never should have put you in that position,” I apologize.
Tom holds up his hand, stopping me from continuing. “They aren’t firing you. I think he wanted to help. He sounded genuinely concerned, which is odd, I know. That man is definitely terrifying, but he seems to have a soft spot for you.”
I raise an eyebrow at the last part, Tobias possesses a soft spot? I find that impossible. I think back to all the times he has scolded or yelled at me. The way he ignores my presence half the time. Something has changed the last couple of weeks though, he has become more intense and watches me when he thinks I won’t notice. Then I think about what happened today in his office. Soft isn’t the way I'd describe that. I think back to the meeting when he dressed me like a child.
My face burns up at the memory, making me feel self-conscious and embarrassed. “I don’t need their help. I manage just fine on my own," I mutter.
Tom shakes his head. “Please, Imogen, if they want to help let them.”
“They have helped plenty. My job is enough help, that is if they don’t fire me. I’ll move on somewhere else, so he doesn’t harass you, and you don’t get in any further trouble, Tom. Really, I’m fine. It is only temporary.” I force a bright smile at him. I want him to relax, let me deal with this news on my own.
“Always the same excuse. You are too stubborn for your own good. You know that?” Tom shakes his head at me, concern still shining in his kind eyes.
I just nod and eat the lasagna. Tom waits for me to finish and takes the container for me. I decide to wait for him to head back inside before I pack the car up. Turning the car on, I check the fuel. The fuel light is on. My next best option is the storage locker. The compound is pretty large, and I might just ask the locker company if I can store my car there. I know it will cost an extra forty dollars a week, but what choice do I have? That will leave me twenty-seven dollars a week to live off. It will be tight, but I can survive on that.
I remind myself this is only temporary, that I can do this for the next couple years. Pulling out of the garage, I drive the couple blocks to the storage locker parking just inside the compound behind the gates. Getting out, I make my way to my locker.
Maneuvering and restacking half the storage locker, I make enough room that I can use my blankets to make a makeshift sleeping quarters. At least this won’t be as cramped as the car. My only concern is being crushed to death by falling boxes and furniture. Grabbing my washing bucket, I make my way out to my car, grabbing my dirty laundry. I fill the bucket and go to a nearby tap and fill the bucket with cold water. I found my shampoo at least. I’m out of laundry powder, but it’s easier to wash clothes in the shampoo anyway. At least I don’t have to scrub so hard to make the crystals dissolve.
I go back to my storage locker, pull the door down behind me, and hand scrub my clothes before hanging them on coat hangers along the wall where the fire sprinklers hang in case there’s fire, using it as a makeshift clothesline. Unfortunately, there’s no saving the camisole. The bloody garment won’t return to white no matter how hard I scrub, the blood has set.
I take the bucket back out and empty it on the grass. Sensing eyes on me, I glance up and come eye to eye with the stray. I can't help the gasp and the involuntary jump back. Rolling my eyes at my foolish reaction, I call him over. “How did you find me?” I ask. Of course, he doesn’t answer. I pet his head before standing up. “Come on then,” I say, patting my leg trying to get him to follow. He tilts his head to the side and his ears perk up before he follows after.
The weekend passes by in a blur. I remain for the most part inside my storage locker, only leaving occasionally to stretch my legs. The stray came and went but would always come back at night, which I was always happy to see. Although he took up most of my makeshift bed, he acted like a hot water bottle. His temperature was always hot like he had a fever. I just put it down to the fact he’s an oversized dog and all the fur makes him warmer than usual.
When Monday morning comes I get dressed and lift the roller door. The stray runs off. I assume he needs to pee, only he doesn’t return before I have to leave. Walking through the woods that back the park, I make my way to the entrance of Kane and Madden Industries. Tom waits outside for me this time, instead of in the garage. I smile when I see him waiting patiently. “Hey Tom.” I wave while walking up to him. “How was your weekend?” I ask.
“Great. I went and played golf, probably one of the few things I’m actually good at.” He beams. “And yours?” he asks.
“Fine, I have a new friend. Well not the human kind. More the four-legged furry kind that likes to growl and whine. He just keeps coming back.” Tom looks a little confused. “It’s a dog, Tom, what did you think I meant?”
Tom shakes his head. “Oh, nothing dear, I was just a little shocked. I thought you meant a person not a pet.”
“I don’t know if you could really call him a pet. He comes and goes as he pleases and takes up my bed, but he keeps me warm.” I laugh.
Tom seems lost in thought for a moment, before nodding. “That’s great, shall we head inside?” I nod and follow Tom in. When I reach the elevator, just as the door is about to close, a hand stops it. Theo steps in. I look out expecting Tobias to be behind him but can’t see him. This never happens, they always come up together.
“You are early today. Where is Tobias?” I ask.
Theo watches me for a few seconds. He looks nice and very casual today, wearing jeans and a buttoned up shirt. Vanilla and sandalwood drifts from his body. I resist the urge to close my eyes and sway towards him. It’s an amazing smell, and also how Tobias always smells. I move farther away, my heart hammers in my chest, and my stomach tightens. I have never had this reaction to him before. He moves as far away from me as the tight space allows, but I can tell from the darkening of his eyes whatever this tension is between us, he feels it too. What might have happened if Tom weren’t there? I shiver at the thought.