The Sun's ray beamed brightly against the large glass doors of the apartment complex. Mr. Charlie, smiling just as brightly was cleaning his large reception desk when the doors pushed open. He glanced at the entrance and saw a man likely in his late 30s walking towards him with a warm smile.
"Good morning Sir"
"Good morning to you too Sir, how may I be of help?" Charlie responded. He gave him a once-over with his eye, the man seemed alright in his black pants and grey jacket, his blonde hair was slicked back with signs of tampering likely due to him scratching his head before arriving.
"Well I'm here for my niece and nephew, Madonna and Audrey Price, I wanted to confirm their apartment number, I've actually been calling Audrey but he's not picking up... could you ring them for me?" he asked politely wearing a genuine worried smile.
Although he didn't know who this man really was, he knew he was genuinely concerned for them, he knew because he feels the same way everytime.
"Ofcourse, Just a moment Sir"
Mr. Charlie took out the LAN line and dialed the room.
"Oh please say it's Uncle Alex" the man added before the line clicked and Audrey groggy voice came through the phone.
"Hello?" came Audrey's groggy voice.
"Good morning Master Price, you have a visitor here to see you, shall I send him-"
"Hold on! who is this visitor? I didn't ask anyone to come here today, if it's cute female Blondie, send her away"
"Fortunately it's not, he says he's your Uncle, Uncle Alex, do you-"
The line cut. Mr. Charlie blinked a few times but the Man, Uncle Alex just chuckled lightly.
"Thank you for the help, my nephew will be here shortly" he said with a warm smile. Mr. Charlie stared at the man in confusion, however, true to his word, the sound of fast paced footsteps echoed through the quiet hall and Audrey came bolting down the stairs and straight into Uncle Alex arms.
"Slow down Audrey, you don't want to get hurt now do you?" Uncle Alex asked and lowered himself to meet Audrey.
Audrey immediately hugged him, his face pressed against the side of Alex's face.
"Doughnut isn't getting better" he whispered to Alex and hugged him even tighter, tears starting to fall down his face. Alex held him tightly and picked him off the ground.
To Mr. Charlie, this was definitely an unusual sight, Audrey actually allowing someone carry him? where's his pride and hostility to strangers?
Alex patted Audrey's head gently and whispered something into his ears, Audrey immediately cleaned his face and begun directing Alex to their room, not bothering to be set back on the ground.
**************************
" I'll need to have you both live in my estate for a few days, she needs to be constantly monitored, but, did something happen? something aside the fight? her blood pressure and heart rate aren't exactly regular" Alex asked as he stroked Madonna's hair. Madonna laid sleeping on her bed while Audrey and Alex sat at either side of her.
"Nothing happened, it's probably the pain causing it" Audrey answered, his eyes trained on her as well.
"You're sure?"
"Positive"
"Okay then, let's keep all the ammo well hidden, Nancy will get you two new pairs of clothes and amenities during your stay so theirs nothing we need from here... ah, yes, your school uniform"
"But-"
"But nothing, she'll be under my personal supervision so there's nothing to worry about. Exams are around the corner, okay?"
"Fine"
"Good, let's get things in order"
*********************************************
Audrey's POV
~ At school the next day
I let out a calming breathe and open the door of my classroom. All eyes immediately turned to me, as well as a certain pair of blue ones that widened the more she stared... is this girl really human?
"Young man why are you-"
"Audrey!!!" my classmates yelled excitedly startling me a bit.
"Uh- hey guys?" I said sounding more like a question. Eve catapulted herself out of her seat and into my unconsciously open arms, burying her face in my school jacket.
"Awwwwwwwwww" my classmates cooed.
"Excuse me Young Man, you-"
"I thought you'd be mad at me after....last time" I said softly to her.
"It's not possible to stay mad at you"she said into my jacket earning us another round of "awwwn"s.
"Okay then, can you loosen up a little? it's getting a little harder to breathe" I told her smiling cheekily. she looked up at me for a moment then broke into a big smile.
"Audrey Price, I'm not sure I've ever seen you smile like this before"
"Good thing you have the best view then"
Her ears turned red and she buried her face into my jacket again. I laughed and the door opened again behind me. Terry walked in lazily but froze once he locked eyes on me.
"Audrey!"
"In the flesh"
He rushed over to me but stopped in front since Eve was blocking the bro hug we had in mind.
"Move it Blondie!" Terry yelled.
"No! and only Audrey can call me Blondie, piss off!" she retorted, I raised her face to meet mine with my right hand while still holding her with my left.
"I don't recall you saying things like 'Piss Off' before, don't do that, leave the color language for the boys and me okay? promise me Eve" I told her seriously.... Mr. Watson might have assassins to get rid of if she keeps this up. the one we're dealing with it bad enough as is.
"Okay, I promise I won't use color words again" she said pouting... adorable.
"Awwwwww"
"Seriously, Audrey is it, you can't just come in here and -"
"Shush Lady, Can't you see they're having a moment?" Conner said from the back seat, he gave me a thumbs up and wide grin that made me laugh.
I turned to see the teacher I've been ignoring since I walked in... I didn't recognize her. "Is she new?" I asked Terry. "Yeah, started this week, That's Miss Anna, she's our new English teacher" he explained. "Ohh, well teach, I'm Audrey Price, nice to see ya, period's over so feel free to leave" I told her nicely and turned to fist bump Terry since I know Eve wasn't planning of letting go soon.
"What? My period isn't-"
the bell rung signalling the period was over and I smirked at her. She groaned, grabbed her stuff and stormed out of the class.
**************
"Eve I'm not going to disappear yunno, wait for me at the cafeteria, I need to see Mr. Peter for a bit".
"No!" she said and tightened her grip on my arm. Eve has been attached to me through our the day, she'd even wait across the boys restroom for me. It's lunch time and I want to see Mr. Peter briefly, but she's not letting go.
"Eve don't be stubborn, I don't want to lash out on you again"
"I'll wait for you by wall while you do your business with Mr. Peter but I'm not leaving" she said with determination. I sighed.
"Fine".
we walked over to the wall nearest to the building and I left her there while I walked over to Mr. Peter's bus, he didn't seem to notice me as he scrubbed at the bus.
"I see your enjoying the foam" I said standing behind him.
He whipped his head back too fast and dropped the bucket, splashing it all over himself.
"Fuck!"
"Nice, now you both match"
Mr. Peter blinked rapidly at me until he was sure I was real... I think.
"Mr. Price!"
I nodded at him. He had a huge smile on his face much like the ones I've been getting from my friends since I came in, an usual happy feeling welled up inside me... but of course I didn't let it show.
"Boss, what happened to you? I nearly thought I'd never see you again"
"You're over exaggerating, besides, is it really that unusual for me to skip school?"
"Yes"
"Ohh"
"You're a tyrant but you're smart, that's an undisputable fact boss, so Will you be riding back with me today?"
"No, for the next two weeks, I'll be having a personal ride"
"Ohh, well that's no fun"
"Sorta"
"Right, boss, I have info you might be interested in"
I quirked a brow at him, "Shoot"
"There's a big meeting coming up, all the Executives and top dogs will be coming to the city. I mean anyone who is anyone is mandated to be in attendance. I also heard they're setting up an official branch here too... I'm not too sure of it's specific location but it's been a work in progress for a few months now. I'll report the specifics to you once I get my hands on it"
Dread.
That's the only emotion I could feel rushing through me, I tried not to let it show, but from the way Mr. Peter's expression was changing to one of concern, I don't think I'm hiding it that well.
I let out a breath and shoved my hands in my pockets to prevent him from noticing how they're trembling.
"Thank you, I need the specific date and exact venue for the meeting , and this new base too. this really was useful info" I said calmly.
"Sure Boss...uhm...if I'm not overstepping...did something happen?" he asked sounding genuinely concerned. I shrugged.
"I met my Uncle"
"Uh... congratulations?..."
"Yeah, anyways, there's a Blondie waiting for me so I need to go now...also, go change before someone else sues you for sex offense" I said and averted my eyes to the bus.
"Fuck!"
I took that as my cue to leave and walked away from him, Eve's face lit up once she saw me, she waved me over... for some reason... all the dread I felt drained and a new unusual yet pleasant feeling rushing through me... I couldn't help smiling back at her.
"Mr. Price, it's good to have you back" I heard Mr. Peter say from behind.
I smirked to myself.
I guess it is good to be back.