Stay Strong

Chapter 2 The Move

Liam's POV

God I hate our meetings. I'm a manager of a chain of restaurants and we are going to have another pointless meeting. Mostly indicating what we need to improve on in sales and if there is anything new going on within the company.

I walk into the room as the door shuts behind me and I observe there are already a couple of people here.

We wait for the rest to arrive as the meeting soon commences. I daze off just not really paying attention to all the numbers.. I just hear blah blah blah. These are mostly book people.. which means they run the books and nothing else, so they don't know what it takes to get them the money they have.. So most of their ideas are kind of stupid and you can tell they haven't worked in a restaurant ever or for a long time.

So I just let them say what they want to say then I just do my job right so they keep promoting me within the company.. I'm not trying to brag by any means I'm just good at this job and they know it, that's why they keep me around.

"Ok Liam we have a special request for you."They say gaining all my attention, I nod and wait for what they have to ask.

"So since you're top with sales at your store, we have a store that needs help in that area.. we also did have an issue at that same store. It needs a new Assistant General Manager and we wanted to know if you wanted the promotion into that new position? They need help with their sales and a good leader after the problem they just went through.. and it's only a couple hours away so not a hard move." They state this as my mind reels, so I curiously ask."What was the problem that store just went through?"

They look back and forth between each other with some hesitation as they say, "We are technically not suppose to talk about it because it's still an on going investigation but I feel you need to know since you will be replacing that person if you accept... Um, we had to fire their AGM because the other manager walked in on him sexually harassing one of our cocktail waitresses.. before the other manager could help out, the girl punched the AGM in the face and kicked him in the groin sending him to the ground instantly. She is filing charges against him but she didn't want to lose her job so we obviously had to fire him after everything." I nod at them in understanding as I reply. "Ok that's fine, it wouldn't hurt to have a new change of scenery.. alright I'll take the job.. when do I start?"

They smile back and forth between each other as the regional manager replies, "Just ASAP.. You could leave today and meet them tomorrow if you wanted... and since it's such a last minute promotion we would pay for your moving van and the help to pack plus get everything there in time and in one peice if you want. We have also set you up with an apartment paying for the first 3 months for helping us and them in this time of need."

I'm shocked at this as I smile and nod at them accepting there help and unexpected generosity.. it would make things way easier on my part and I won't ever turn down. paid rent.. who would.

"Ok I'll head home and start packing, you can send the truck whenever and I'll say hi to my new store tomorrow when I feel like getting over there." I say standing up as they all do the same shaking my hand as I pass by leaving the building, grabbing my items and jumping into my car to head home.

Well this is going to be a long day of packing and moving but let's get it done and get over to my new place.

After hours and hours of endless packing the moving truck arrives as the men start to take all my big furniture out and packing that first. Then I bring them box after box out, for them to pack and soon enough we get the truck packed to the brim along with my car.

I turn in my keys for the places I won't be staying in anymore, as I watch the truck leave since they already have the address to head to.

I leave the building, jumping into my car and starting my couple hour drive to my new home for who knows how long..

It's starting to get later in the day so it will be dinner time when we get there.. but at least I'm getting this move just done and over with now, because to me the move is the hardest part but I like the unpacking part. To say I'm excited is an understatement, I was wanting something new and different. I was getting way to bored here.. who doesn't like a change of scenery every now and then anyways.

Speaking of, the scenery is beautiful I have always loved the mountains but it amazing to me how many different colors they are just depending on where your at in them. But my favorite is the different shades of blue covering the mountains along with the snow dusted tops. Since we are going a little higher in elevation I start to see more and more snow as the temperatures lower.. Which isn't bad, I love the snow, I can already tell this going to be a good move just by the area I'm in...

I drive for a while, just enjoying the view, until it's too dark to see any of the scenery around us anymore, just the city lights. We finally get to my new building and it doesn't look bad, it's pretty basic with bland coloring.. but I don't actually care about the outside of the building. I walk in introducing myself to the woman behind the desk at the leasing office.

"Hello sorry for the late hour but my name is Liam, my work set me up with a place here to help with my sudden move." I explain as she smiles and nods, then replying, "Oh yes you're who I was waiting for, before I went home for the night. Yes.. I have your keys here and some paperwork you will need to sign. You're set up on the bottom floor and corner unit by request." She says to me as I nod then signing the papers as she hands me my keys.

"Thank you for waiting for me, have a wonderful night." I say to her as I wave and walk back to the moving truck. I get their attention and take them into my place showing them which one it is. It's not bad at all, not too huge by any means but I don't need a whole lot of room being by myself and all.

The men get started moving the big items into my place and I direct them, helping put everything away.. or at least trying to organize which room it goes in. After a couple more hours we finally get it all out of the truck and my car.

I order us all some pizza so we chow down.. taking a little break as we sit on my now put together couch making jokes and small talk back and forth. The guys start to yawn as they take my tip for their help and leave to head back because they still have that couple hours drive. I take a quick shower then plop down in my bed that's not even made as I pass out instantly from my complete exhaustion.

After a much deserved long night of sleep I wake up on my own, stretching and slowly making my way around the apartment grabbing anything I would need to try to get ready for the day. I get dressed into a pair of dark blue jeans and a green thermal that makes my eyes pop out more.

I get a pair of shoes on, throwing gel in my hair and putting my jacket on as I grab my wallet and keys leaving the apartment. I get back down to the leasing desk as I see the same woman from last night. "Good Morning Liam, I'm so glad you decided to stop by again, because I forgot to give you your mail key!" She gets up handing me my key and replies, "The mail boxes are right over there.. if you could do me a favor and stop there first just to make sure your key works for me.. please and thank you."

I smile and nod, walking to the mailbox area trying my key and of course it works so I give a thumbs up to her from across the way.

I go to pull my key out when I hear a soothing song bird sounding voice, "Caleb? Emily?" I look over to see this stunningly beautiful girl prancing down the stairs gracefully.

"Caleb hun you forgot your hat. You have no hair with your new haircut so you need it.. and Emily you forgot your gloves Buttercup." She says so sweetly to these two kids.. I wonder if they are hers? You can tell she cares for them by the way she talks to them, it's sweet.. I wish I could just listen to her talk all day, she has an angelic sounding voice it's almost as beautiful as she is.

She has curves in all the right places and her clothes accent that for sure. I love her long hair it looks so silky smooth, and those eyes.. wow. Her dark long eyelashes make those sapphire blue orbs pop out even more.

"Why do I have to wear gloves? Why can't I be like you and not wear them." The little girl whines as I hear the stunning woman answer, "you know why Buttercup."

"Only superheros, like you, can choose not wear their winter clothes if they don't want." She nods at the little girls statement making me smile as I watch her helping the girl with her gloves.

"Sissy? Hey sissy?" The girl yells answering my silent question about if she is their mother, from before.

"What's up Buttercup?" She leans in close to her ear, whispering something to her. I watch curiously as the beautiful woman gets this look of confusion on her face. The little girl points to me as she looks right at me locking her stunning gaze with mine.

She smirks at me making me smile back in a nervous shock as she stands up yelling at her siblings to follow her. She opens the door as she looks back at me once more smiling again as she leaves.

That's not what I was expecting to find out. Who knew she would be my new neighbor.. That makes things interesting.. very interesting.

I need to head to my new work today.. but before I do, I need to get some food into my system I'm starving. Then onto work.

Melanie's POV

I walk into my first job of the day. It's this hole in the wall diner that has amazing food.. or at least in my opinion, amazing food. I love the owner, I have adored Grams (she tells everyone to call her that) since I was a little kid. She has always been nice to me but it turned more motherly after my mother passed.

"Melanie! Early as usual, thank goodness because I can't get this darn high tech coffee machine going and I'm about ready to chuck it across the room!" Grams yells from the other side of the room at me as I giggle and nod before responding, "I know you hate that machine Grams that's why I come early every single day." She nods and smiles at me saying, "I don't know what I would do without you Melanie. Thank you."

I go up to the coffee machine moving this part and pushing that button.. putting the water in then stepping back as I hear the pot of coffee starting to brew. I turn walking away from the machine taking off my jacket putting it behind the counter.

Grams grabs hold of my arm. The sleeve got bunched up, exposing the newest bruise from my step father. "I thought this stopped Mel. You have to tell someone." She says as I quickly pull my arm out of her grip and pulling my sleeve back down covering it.

"Don't start Grams please.. I don't know what you're talking about so there is nothing to tell." I say to her as she crosses her arms across her chest saying, "I'm going to find out one of these days.. just know Mel, I'm here if you need me... now please take a cup of coffee to table 9 he has been waiting for a little bit since I couldn't get it to work." I nod at her saying a soft, "Thanks Grams."

Taking the pot of coffee in one hand and a mug into the other, I turn around walking to table 9. I freeze right besides it seeing it's the handsome man who was getting his mail this morning. He is reading the newspaper which seems almost unheard of these days.. so surprising.

I stare for a moment until I notice I'm probably acting creepy. So I pour the coffee into the mug as I say. "I was told a cup of coffee over here?"

He is still looking at the newspaper as he replies, "Yes thank you..." I see his handsome green eyes pan up to mine as he glances away then does a double take, looking at me again. This alone gets my heart racing for God knows what reason.. He puts the paper down as he says, "Yes, thank you.. Hi.. You're the woman from before in my new apartment building right?" He asks in a soothing medium deep husky voice.

I smile and nod saying, "Yea that's me, my name is Melanie but most people call me Mel Welcome to the neighborhood." I say extending my hand to him as he takes my hand shaking it replying, "My name is Liam. It's a pleasure to meet you." I smile and nod as I ask, "Has Grams grabbed your order yet Liam?" He shakes his head so I continue, "Then what may I get for you Liam?"

"The number 2 please with bacon, a side of sausage, and a side of pancakes as well." My eyebrows go up as I reply, "Well you must be starving huh?"

He chuckles as he answers, "Yes I just moved everything here yesterday so I need some food nourishment so I can be on my AGame for introducing myself at my new job later."

I nod in understanding as I respond, "I'm sure you will leave them with a great first impression don't stress too much."

He flashes a gorgeous smile at me as he says, "Thanks Mel." I have to say I love the sound of my name on his lips. I smile nervously, turning around going to the cooks to give them the order.

"Mel! There's my girl! I'm so excited to see you, I knew I could smell you!" Mike the cook yells out the lamp window at me. "Excuse me?" I ask with offense and shock on my face as Mike's eyes widen in just as much shock at his own statement.

"No I'm sorry I didn't mean to make it sound like you smelt bad. You actually smell amazing I love your perfume, I just knew I smelt you before I saw you." He says as I smile and nod giving him the order for Liam.

"Ok well thanks I guess."I say as I walk away to help set up and take care of the tables in the restaurant.

It's been hours and a great shift as the hours just fly by and It's almost time to get going so I can get the kids and get to my second job.

"Ok Grams I got to get going to get the kids before my second job. I'll see you tomorrow bright and early." I say to her as she smiles and nods saying, "Grab all your tips over there before you leave and that handsome man from table 9 earlier asked me to give you this at the end of your shift." She says handing me a 50$ bill. My mouth drops as I can only reply, "What? He left a 50$ dollar tip? You helped with the table too Grams take 25 at least."

She shakes her head and says, "Nope the 50$ is yours because he gave me 50$ tip too." She says to me as I hesitantly take the 50$ bill out of her hand placing it in my pocket along with my other tips. That was too nice of him.

I put in an order of dinner for the kids, grabbing it to take to the house since I won't be there to cook for them. The food is ready in no time at all.. I hug Grams so tight as she pats my back sending me on my way.

I run to the school to get the kids. Caleb meets us at the elementary school as Emily walks out with a cute little boy in tow.

Emily shyly looks up at me as she asks, "Sissy can Billy walk with us back to the apartments? he lives right by us." I smirk at her as I nod and reply, "Of course he can."

I walk with the kids making small talk about their day. We come to the building beside ours to let Billy walk into his place and we continue on to ours. We walk in, quickly making it up to our apartment.

"What are you doing home? I thought I was going to have an amazing night not seeing you." My step father spats as I groan and reply.

"It's none of your business what I'm doing tonight but if you have to know, I am going to work, I just had to make sure to get the kids dinner since I know you won't cook for your kids or anything.. it's not like your a responsible, caring father or anything." He glares at me as I send the kids to their room with a hug and a kiss and their food. I whisper to them. "I will call you for your bed time make sure your ready please." They both nod and run to their rooms.

Once I see the door shut and I hear the door lock. I glare back at my step father flipping him off as he starts to yell something but I don't care what he has to say.. so I slam the door in his face hearing the muffled yells on the other side of the door. I smirk to myself in victory as I make my way to my other job.