Her Soul

Chapter 9 Gregg

She was crazy, that is what it was. She had to be living in a place like this, or she wouldn’t care about herself. He had seen some rough neighborhoods in his lifetime, but this was beyond rough. If she was living here, no wonder she couldn’t afford a car, or clothing that fit her properly. Gregg stood outside her door trying not to knock, just to make sure she didn’t need anything that he could get her right then. Dinner maybe, or hell a better lock for her door. Maybe offer to advance her a couple of pay checks to get her into a different place, or hell, even offer her an apartment at one of his multiple buildings. Looking around, he was going to reach out to each of his property managers and have them take pictures of the buildings just to make sure none of his needed attention.

Gregg walked down the stairs and past the apartment with the screaming couple behind the door. She was a w***e, and he was a son of a b***h evidently. How could Misty sleep with that going on?

When he got back to his car, he unlocked the door and slid in. He unlocked his phone and sent Misty a text message.

G: ‘I have an early meeting tomorrow morning. I need you there. I will be here at 7 to pick you up. Don’t keep me waiting.’

Ms. E: ‘I don’t recall you having an early meeting tomorrow morning sir. It wasn’t on your calendar.’

G: ‘It wouldn’t be, it is for a personal business matter, but I still need you there.’

Gregg text one of his apartment managers and told her he was bringing a friend in to look at the building as a potential new tenant. He wasn’t surprised that he got a confirmation back within a few minutes.

Ms. E.: ‘Yes, sir. I can meet you at the office if that would be more convenient for you.’

G: ‘Be ready at 7 Ms. Edwards. Good night.’

Gregg put the car in gear, and drove home. All he could think about was how the building looked. He told himself that she was no different than any other employee, he thought about the time Denice was worried about her daughter’s braces, and he helped her with that, then reviewed the insurance plans for his employees and made some adjustments for everyone that covered dental care for everyone and made the health insurance premiums go down for everyone. He also helped the door man at one of his private apartment buildings when his mother was sick so he didn’t have to miss work as often. He tried to take care of his employees and this was no different.

Gregg woke up and got dressed the next morning. He slipped into the driver's seat of his SUV this time, and got to Misty’s apartment building with 10 minutes to spare. He waited a few minutes then walked up the stairs as she was locking her front door.

“Mr. Hale, I am sorry, did I keep you?” She had a look of concern on her face.

Gregg gave her an easy smile, “Not at all Ms. Edwards, I was just coming up to walk you down.”

He grabbed her by the elbow and ushered her down the stairs and to his SUV. He unlocked then opened the door, and didn’t leave that side of the car till she was safely inside. There was something about this place that made him want to hover. He didn’t know if it was the guy sleeping on the sidewalk across the street, or the group of men hanging out on the corner that made him cautious, but he didn’t like the fact that she was there. He got the feeling that he would be picking her up and dropping her off more often than not until he got her into a new apartment. It was all in the name of taking care of his employee, not the fact that he could see how the men at the end of the corner eyed her as she walked down the front steps of her building. The pants suit she had chosen today was still loose on her, but the shirt didn’t leave anything to the imagination when it came to her breast.

Gregg got into the SUV and started it. He pulled smoothly away from the curb, and glanced over at Misty. She was texting someone, and Gregg caught the name at the top of the message. Katie, that was the name of Arthur’s daughter. He had met her once when she was at a club golfing event. She had been a senior in high school and a sweet kid.

“So, how exactly do you know Arthur?”

Misty glanced up, “Oh, his daughter Katie is my best friend. She was my roommate in college. My family is still in Alabama, and they kind of adopted me. I usually spend holidays with them.”

“I don’t hear much of an Alabama accent, what happened there?”

Misty blushed, “I must have lost it in school. I have been up here for almost five years, and it comes and goes.”

“What made you not want to go home after school?”

“I wanted to be here and closer to my friend. Katie is at a design firm about six blocks from your building. We try to have dinner at least once a month since we both got here.”

“I guess I am surprised that you two are not still roommates then.” Gregg glanced at Misty. Her eyes were staring at her hands in her lap.

“Oh, well, I do love her, but she has her own life, and I didn’t want to intrude, especially now that she is working the way she does.”

“I see,” Gregg decided to change the subject, it was clearly making Misty uncomfortable. “I hope you don’t mind, there is a small bakery next to the building we are going to look at that I always stop by when I am in the area. They have the best bagels in town.” He didn’t want to mention that he also owned that building, and the bakery owner would be personally offended if he didn’t stop in to see her.

“Oh, that would be wonderful.” Misty fiddled with her phone again, and let out a small sigh.

Gregg moved smoothly through the morning traffic and pulled up to the small bakery that was tucked between two tall buildings. He jumped out of the front seat, and walked over to Misty’s side. She had already opened the car door, “Ms. Edwards, please allow me.” he finished opening the door and allowed Misty to step out of the car.

They walked inside, and before he could get to the front counter, a very large white-haired woman ran out of the back. “Gregg”

Gregg smiled, “Mrs. Clark, how have you been?” She scurried over to him and raised up on her tip toes to give him a warm kiss.

“Oh Gregg, it has been so long. You are looking thin, let me get you something. I know you didn’t eat breakfast, did you?”

“No ma’am, I know not to, when I come to visit.” Gregg smiled after the older lady as she scurried back to the kitchen only to bring out two very large bagels stuffed with cream cheese and meat.

“And who is this lovely young lady?” Mrs. Clark smiled at Misty with a warm and approving gleam in her eye.

“Mrs. Clark, this is Misty, my new assistant. Ms. Edwards, this is Mrs. Clark, one of my favorite tenants and bakers in the city.”

“Your new assistant? Well, it is nice to meet you Ms. Edwards.” Ms. Clark gave Misty another warm smile.

Gregg handed Misty a bagel, “These really are the best in the city,” turning to Mrs. Clark, Gregg leaned over and gave her a small peck on the cheek, “I am very sorry, we need to go see Cindy next door. How much do I owe you?” He was reaching into his pocket.

“Oh Gregg, you know you don’t get charged here.”

“I know,” Gregg pulled a fifty out of his wallet and placed it in the tip jar on the counter beside them, “I appreciate it.”

He put his wallet away and touched Misty’s elbow and began guiding her out the door.

“Tell your brother he needs to come by soon.” Mrs. Clark had been friends with Gregg's parents before their passing.

“Yes, ma’am.”