Sitting in her office she called in Hunter. "Well my, my aren't you glowing. What do you need boss?" Hunter asked her smiling at his best friends. "This event is happening in two weekends from now and I want tickets. I need two I want the whole access." "Well fuck girl me too. You know what I'm getting the whole gang in this awesome. I assume you have a date already lined up?" Giving her a pointed look. "I might." Smiling back to him. "Hey, wait a second check your email beast you may have the invite for this part right here." Pointing to the bottom of the screen. Opening it up she go the biggest smile and filled out the online form ad push submit. "This is gonna be soo sweet!!" Hunter shouted down the hall leaving her office.
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"Are we really not going to discuss the fact that you had one of the sexiest woman walking this Earth kissing you. YOU! In this very office?" A work neighbor asked him. "I don't think what happens in this office is any of your business." Gage responded looking at him getting angry. "Come on don't hold out on us now. So are you guys like together?" Another asked. "Please I bet she's only snooping around him because she found out who his parents are." One of the office sluts snapped off offended the new girl was getting so much attention. "Well he didn't want your nasty ass when you found out so that can't be it." The first work friend snapped back to her. "Shut up Bryce. Look Gage I hate to be the one to tell you this but a girl like, showing interest in you. She's obviously using you." Elizabeth told him.
"Now how the fuck would she be using him Elizabeth you stupid as fuck. This is why your only a receptionist. Tessa works on the fiftieth floor probably triples what he makes. How the hell is she using him?" Axel asked the basic slut in front of them as Bryce, Dion, Axel and Gage cross their arms looking at her. "Yeah Liz, what exactly is she going to use me for?" Gage was curious because now that it was all the facts were out in the open he was starting to wonder himself. "I know she wants to use you for your sexy mountain like body." Dion told them as they all laughed hard. "That what she wants to use him for or you man?" Axel asked making everyone laugh again.
Elizabeth storming off she used to hit Gage because of his income and his family fame, however she hated everything he liked including the fact he would blow her off. He never even looked at her. She got plenty of attention elsewhere there from her other sugar daddies. She was known as the office beauty, still the slut, but he prettiest one in the building until Tessenia popped up everything is all about her. All she had to do was just wait for the new toy attention to die down and then all her admirers would be back on their knees for her affection. Besides a girl like that wont last long, she always made sure of it.
At the end of the day as he was packing up his things he looked down to see she was already down waiting for him. Walking into the lobby she hugged him tightly. "There you are." Lifting her head up still in his arms looking around she got nervous. "Gage why are people starring?" "They're jealous I got you up on me and they don't." He whispered in her ear that made her want to squeeze her thighs together. A growl like noise that scared everyone around them brought them back to reality and stop their rude stares. "Are you ready to eat?'" "YES! I'm starved I lost track off time and worked straight threw lunch." "You shouldn't be doing that. How about we have lunch tomorrow? I got my car here did you want to go in mine or did you drive here?" "I actually got a ride today that would be nice to go with you." Reaching down for her hand to hold in his big one he loved how small everything about her was.
Helping her into his truck and making sure she was buckled from the parking garage. "I think you're going to like this place. My dad used to sneak me off whenever my mom would be out of town." Gage told her laughing wanting to feel more connected to her he figured he would give her the actual details about his family today. Only because the lack of knowledge on hers and how she was avoiding it like he was made him a little suspicious in a way. "Why was it bad for your health or something. "Well no see my mother is a posh like person you can say and it wasn't up to her usual code of standards. You know she came from a very like high class back ground. My father on the other hand he loved the low class or middle class places." "That's a little odd mash up there." Laughing to him. Pulling into the diner looking at her face lighting up.
"It smells wonderful." Grabbing a hold of her waist helping her down just in time for her stomach to sound like it was talking in whale. Chuckling to her. "Not a moment o soon eh?" Teasing her with a wink. "Two?" Asked the tired waitress as hey smiled to her nodding. "Do you know what you would like to drink?" "Strawberry lemonade please." "Make that two please." Gage smiled to the nice woman who returned it. "You kids know what you want or would you like a minute. "You know this place how about you order for me?" Tess asked him. "You sure?" "Yeah you know what I like by now anyways." Waving him off. "Alright, can we please get two burgers one with the works, one with no Tomato, onion or mayo. Could you add avocado on both. With fries on both as sides. Also two shakes when we leave strawberry for both. Thank you." Gage said giving the nice lady back her menus. "Be right out y'all my names Joy holler if you need me." She smiled one last time to both of them. It was such a homey environment.
"Not going to lie that was hot." "You only say that because we talking about food." Laughing it off. "Well yeah food is life, and not in the we need to actually live just that it's my bae." Making them both laugh even harder. "I could see why your dad brought you here." After taking a bite of the food. "Mmmhmm. I miss this. It has been indeed too long. Take a selfie with me so I can rub it in dads face I got here before he did. It's kinda like our thing." "The diner or rubbing it in?" "Both." "Well that sounds awesome lets do this. Smiling big at the camera with their cups in the picture to get the name of the place in it. He took four just in case and the last one she kissed his cheek." "These are great." "Yeah send me them. Can I ask you something like personal." "Sure." Taking another bite of his burger as they were half way done.
"You're parents are so opposites how'd they come about? Did they meet like in school or something?" "In a way they meet in college. Well actually they meet like the summer before college. By accident walking down the street. Mama got one look at him and was sold. Dad was willing to do anything to be with her took a hell of a time to prove himself to my grandparent whose snooty ass thought she could do better." Gage said shaking his head. "My mom was born with a silver spoon in her mouth. My dad and his brother grew up in the orphanage. Their dad died in the army in the war, heir mama got sick when they were little and didn't make it. They worked their asses off and got scholarships and are now the top lawyers sought out for in the country. Mom went a different route then her parents who in medicine she owns and runs a fashion company everything from clothes and cosmetics. My Uncle Axels dad died many years back so it's just him now on his side. Mom was always an only child." Gage told her simply.
"Oh my God I get it now. Your mom and dad. They're Maddison and Sean Brooks. Wow you must get drug into the lime light quiet a bit." "Yeah every now and then I do my best to keep out of it. Thankfully I'm so boring it works. That doesn't stop people from trying to use me though. I mean Dr. grandparents, a high class attorney and all the new fashions every woman is looking for before it is out on the racks. It gets pretty pathetic to get used in those ways." "I know the feeling." She mumbled just low enough for him to hear. "How about you? How are your folks?" Smiling to her as he was finishing up his fries waving over for the bill and their shakes. After they got settled and he helped her back in the truck she knew he was still waiting for an answer. It was a basic dating question everyone should ask.
Taking a deep breath looking out the window. "I'm an orphan. Or at least I was. I ugh I was adopted by my father when I was about nine or so. He's been my rock ever since. I never had a mother but I had some awesome aunts and uncles. My three best friends parents. I also had mama Ellie." The name made both of them laugh hard. "My real parents." Stopping for a moment. "I found out earlier my father walked out on my mother when she wouldn't stay clean. Even pregnant with me. I was told he was happy when he found out I was on the way, but the way my mother pounded and put away the drugs he didn't think either me or her would live through it. He was middle class and she used him for money even though he loved her and was trying to get her to get help. She refused. He left. He got in an work type accident in a welding shop and died. Something burned right through his chest. My mother was overdosing they got me out of her I was seven months early they managed to save her. She left me at the orphanage three days after I was born. The best salt to the wound is she didn't even name me. I went nine years with no name I was known as the little bastard." Finally gaining the courage to look him in the eye.
His heart broke for her. So much in common in with his dad. "My father named me and I took his mothers maiden name as to also stay our of certain lime lights." "You are the strongest woman I think I have ever met." Gage told her lost in awe in her. "You have no idea." Laughing hard at her own inside joke. Springing her up. "OH MY GOD!! I can't believe I just old you that. I mean I never tell anyone except my close personal family." She was starting to hyperventilate. Getting out of the truck and running over to her side he turned ot him to make her look him in the eye.
"Tess. Hey. Tessa look at me take a breath slow in. Then let it out. Slow in. Longer slow breath out. Breath out longer then you breath in with me just like this ok. There alright that's better right?" Nodding to him. "Can I help you in the house for a second?" Nodding again giving him her keys. After getting her situated on the couch. "Look Tessa I understand how much trust and courage that took you to tell me about your past like that. I never tell anyone about my parents or family because after that I look like the worlds best meal ticket. I am so happy you trust me this much. As much I trust you at this point. It makes my heart happy to see us on the same page here, because I really like you Tessa. I want to know everything good and bad about you. I like this." Using his hands to gesture in between them too. I mean hell if you add up all the hours we talk to each other, it would seem like we've been talking for like a month already." Making both of them laugh. "I really like this too. I like you Gage. Just please promise you'll keep this between us. I don't like my business out like that." She tried telling him before he cut her off.
"Hey it aint my story to tell, I don't tell it. If you trust me enough to tell me things Tessa it's a you and me thing. No one else needs to be in on it. Not stuff like that. I I'll text you at lunch meet you at the café doors?" "Yeah." Walking him to the door. Hugging him closely. Pulling their head backs looking at each other deeply. They pressed their lips together.. Somehow he could have sworn it reached down connecting to his soul. Feeling closer together was doing nothing for their nerves. Pulling away after leaving one last peck to her lips he walked out waiting for her to lock the doors. He was uncomfortable with her living out here like this alone with all the crime rate around maybe he could install a camera or something for her. Sitting behind her bed as she sunk down to the floor in shock Picking up the phone and pressing call.
'It's me.' She said the minute the call was answered taking a deep breath. 'I had one.' 'It's been a long time my little flower. What brought this on?' Angelo asked her. 'I went on another date with that guy I've been seeing. He told me about his family they are a very high class family name he always does his best to stay out of the spot light because he's like a nerd like me daddy. I don't know what got into me. I told him the truth about my biological egg donor and sperm donor. The only thing I told him about you is that you named me when yod opted me and your pretty much my rock. I couldn't believe how naturally it came out I couldn't stop myself dad. It's like his a witch.' 'Warlock baby girl warlock.' Angelo laughed out. 'Pa this is not funny how can you laugh at me when I got so weak for a man. I told him a piece of me I don't tell anyone I was so surprised by what I did I had a panic attack.'
'What did this Wrench do in that moment.' "Gage dad.' 'Yeah yeah I knew it was some car tool part thing.' 'He came around the truck and got me to breath the right way too. Gage told me he really liked me and I am the strongest women he ever met. He likes me dad and things are going pretty well so far. I just I got scared right now I can't believe I slipped up like that.' 'Tessa. That wasn't slipping up. That was having an honest moment. It actually makes me feel better knowing you can get scared even for aa minute reminds us that we are still human after all my sweet angel. This is a big deal but not for the way you think. You always been great reading of people. I think maybe your not catching up to your heart fast enough baby girl. Clearly you already trust this man more then you think. Just make sure you are taking your time. There is no rush for anything. Get to know each other on your own pace. I am assuming I will be meeting this boy faster then I hope to if this keeps up, no?'
'Hate to admit it pops but I think he's already mine. Just going to take time to get there though.' "He is right in one thing my baby. You are the strongest woman even I have ever met. Remember that strength love bug. Always know you can call me when you get tired of being strong.' 'Thanks dad. Love you.' 'Love you more my flower.' Hanging up she always felt better talking to her rock. Her other best friend. Maybe dad's right this being more. Maybe I am in this more than I thought I was. Maybe this a good thing, the sign I've been looking for getting ready for bed she found herself being the most content she's ever been.
Picking up the phone he called the number. 'Give me everything you can about Gage Brooks. Tell no one and send it to me the second you gain it. I want everything down to how long his fucking finger nail is do you understand me. IF you tell anyone I will end your whole blood line.' 'Yes sir.' Hanging up the phone looking at the pictures that covered his walls of his beautiful little flower. So many memories running through his head. So many hopes he had following them. I need a drink he thought to himself as he waited all night on a file and reading it through on the strange man who is slowly making his daughter a human again.
He was putting down the dumb bells after finishing the last set. "You going to tell me why you working out here at home with your ol' man or keep mentally squatting over what you squatting on. "I'm not squatting on anything. I missed you pop." "I believe that last part but you still lying boy." "I met someone." "Really?" "Yeah we met at a club actually she picked me up took me to dinner, took me home. We've been on two other dates so far and have coffee together." "Well that is something new. What does she do for a living?" Sean asked as they both got on leg machines. His dad took half the three-car garage into a gym they work out in just to get some bonding time. "That's the thing she works for same company I do except she works on the top floor. We're having lunch together tomorrow. We talk all the time so far. Dad I really like her. She's so different than anyone else I ever met. I even told her who I really am." "Seriously? That's a big step for you son. How'd that go?"
"Well great actually. I told her the truth about the family tree. I was curious about her back roots I didn't think she was going to tell me until she spaced out the window and laid it all out I can't tell you but it's a lot harder to hear then I thought it would be." "This woman surly seems to have left an impression on you boy." Sean told him laughing. "Tessenia. Tessa. When she told me she went through a panic attack. I was actually scared for her and acted on instinct. Hell dad I'm different around her." "Different how?" Resting in between sets. "Like outgoing. I'm funnier because I'm more relaxed. I even feel it. More adventurous in a way. I feel like me. A better me. A more freer me. I like it dad." Looking up to him. "Those are good things Gage." "Yeah, so why do I feel so vulnerable." Looking down.
"Hey, look at me. There is nothing wrong for a grown man to feel vulnerable every now and then. It means that we just have something special to fight for. This woman must be something special for you to have this much trust in her. When you finally open yourself up to someone it leaves you open to possibly being hurt as well. Don't ever let that fear hold you back son, because you'll be sorry you did. You will wake up thankful each day you took that chance on someone so amazing that make you a whole person. You'll know it before you realize you know it too. This is a good sign of that. Be smart, but son just for the hell of it, turn your big incredible brain off and just be in the moment of life. Pretty soon they will all pass you by and you don't want to think of how much you missed by than. If this Tessa of yours is making you go through it where you already got it this bad, then maybe this is something you need to see through. Trust yourself like I trust in you. You never know when you have your last first kiss." Winking to his son.
"Thanks dad I think this helps." "So do you see this being something official?" "Yeah so far I do. I mean I need a few more dates before I get the balls to ask her though I don't want to ruin a good thing so soon." "Well you got nothing but time no need to rush through anything. Just remember not to lose yourself while she brings about all these changes to you." "You mean like how you hold it down on mama?" He teased. "Damn straight. I'm a smart man boy I've been around long enough to pick my battles. I'll be damned if she wasn't worth everything I have though I do it all again in a heartbeat." His dad lost in thought smiling to himself.
"The only thing I want for you in this life is to be happy son honest to God pure happy. Dancing with her in the kitchen as you cook dinner together happy. Locked up from the room because you can't bring yourself out of the bed happy. Losing your breath when you look in her eyes or see her real beauty no matter how long you been with her happy. Willing to lay down your life to see her smile happy. It's all I want for you son. When you get that, you will finally know what it is to have everything to truly be the richest man in the world." Hugging his son closely as they finished their set. Lost in thought could have all that with someone. All his fathers words of wisdom about true happiness. What if I already found it. How can I keep it? How could an amazing woman like her stay with such a simple plain man like me and be that type of happy? Maybe it's exactly what she needs dip nut he said arguing with himself. Maybe he may be ready to go steady sooner than he thought he would, time will soon tell.