Enduring the Storm

Chapter 2 Unexpected Visitor

Brooke's POV

The loud booming sounds of the city around my car, which seems not as soundproof as I would like my car to be, makes it hard to get any sleep, let alone stay asleep. I lay there on my back until I give up, opening my eyes as I stare out the back window while seeing some first daylight coming through. I huff out before getting up, grabbing my gym bag as I get out of my car and walking down the long street alone. Watching every corner I pass, along with every person that walks by, as if every single person out there is my enemy. In a way they are, and I have been preparing myself for the inevitability of that thought since my mother passed.

I keep walking for a couple more minutes until I enter the 24-hour gym I always go to. I know it seems silly that I don't even have my own place, but I have a gym membership.. But I do this because I have been getting self-defense training here for years to make sure that I have the tools I need to take care of myself in this harsh world. It seems that the dark demons of this world love to prey on the beings who are on their own, expecting them to not be able to defend themselves.. and the only reason I have survived this long is because I never let them get the best of me by defending myself as best as I could.

I get in the familiar building as I wave at the front desk clerk, she sees me every day around this same time and knows I'm going to be here early in the morning with her, because there aren't many others out around this time. But since she has figured out that this is the only time I ever seem to have available, she was able to get a private teacher to give me lessons. which was amazing and life changing for me. When I am not doing lessons, I come in just to workout or sit back and relax as much as I can. It's a simple routine, but it works for me.

I take my bag to the locker room to change and get ready. I pick a locker that is available as I have a seat, changing into my workout clothing. I wrap my hands and feet up knowing exactly what all of this will entail for my time here. A big yawn escapes my lips as I feel the exhaustion hitting me, since I didn't get much for sleep. Once I am as ready as I can be, I head straight to the coffee table that is close to the front desk, to grab a cup in hopes to help wake me up before my mind is tested in my training session. because if I don't, then I think I will fail.

"I don't know if coffee, right before a workout, is the best thing." Thomas, my self defense instructor's voice softly greets me with what I am doing wrong, like usual, but I have always expected that from him. "Yeah I know, I just had a long night and didn't get much sleep, so my mind is in a daze.. so I was hoping to wake up a little bit before I had to face you." I explain as he chuckles while I watch his head nod as I turn around to face him.

"Ok.. understandable.. I was hoping you would be here early so we could have a talk." he says to me as I nod while sipping on the luke warm brew that must have been sitting there for a while because it is not even remotely fresh. He extends his arm, pointing it over to the bench seat that is across the room, making this weird. I don't think we have ever sat down and just talked like this, so I know it has to be serious.

I have a seat, letting out a deep breath as I continue to sip on my coffee, hoping it's enough for me to comprehend what he is going to be saying, since it is obviously serious enough for this type of build up. I let out a deep breath as he does the same before he starts. "This has been a fun 4 years of training and, as I have said many times, I don't know what else I could show you.. You have finished my course many times over. I have appreciated the money, time and dedication but.. Annie is pregnant." he says to me as I slap the side of his arm. "That is great for you two!"

He nods at me as he lets out another deep breath. "It is amazing.. we are so excited.. you know we have been trying for a while now.. but because she is pregnant.. she wants to move closer to home to be with the in-laws.. we figure with this being the first baby and all, that we will need all the help we can get.. we also figured that since this is the first grandbaby that they will want to be around the baby as much as possible.. so we sold the house.. and we are moving.. next week." he explains as the shock starts to hit me just slightly. I am used to change, so don't get me wrong, I have just always craved for stability and he was the only stability besides my job that I had.

That sucks on my end of things, but I completely understand why he is doing it for himself and his wife.. and believe me they deserve this.. He only missed a couple of meet-ups between us and it was just for the infertility meetings they needed to attend. That's when he talked to me about how they were trying to get pregnant for years now.. and it's nice to know they were successful and how excited they are to have that. But the thought of losing my trainer so he can start a family almost makes me jealous. I don't like him or anything, so it's not romantic type of jealousy. I'm just jealous of how this baby hasn't even come out and has a better home life than I ever have. It's hard not to think about it. But still happy for them.

"That's great and I'm happy for you." I say as he stares at me for a moment. "I'm sorry B." he states as I shrug. "There is nothing to be sorry for, you should just be focusing on your family like a good father would." I declare as he stares at me for a moment. "Yeah but I feel bad because you have slowly become my friend B and I don't want to just ditch you after all these years." he says to me as I wave off his comment. "You're not ditching me, you're evolving in your life an that is ok. I don't blame you." I say with so much enthusiasm that he gets almost as excited as I am about this for him.

"Thanks B.. it's been great, but you don't need me anymore.. no matter how much you might think you do.. but I'm sorry I can't do the training for today because we still have a ton of packing to do before we leave." I smile at him before nodding. "I understand.. thank you for everything Tom.. I wish you and Annie the best life away from this awful place." I state playfully, causing him to smile before he leans in to give me a hug. "Thanks.. good luck Brooke."

I stand up and wave as he leaves the place before I toss my now empty cup into the trash can. I walk away back in the empty workout area, going straight to the punching bag, to get my frustrations out. I swing my leg around to kick, then shove, hit and punch, finishing it off with another kick. This exhausting exercise is what I continue to do for hours until my legs start to shake, showing me that I was a little more frustrated about that change than I had originally thought. But I will never let him know that. I will be fine without him and I could always try to find another trainer or just do this on my own. I know a roundabout of what to do now, since I had our sessions practically memorized. So I don't think it matters too much as of right now.

I peel the tape off, along with my sweaty clothing, changing into my bathing suit before sitting in the hot tub. Hopefully, to help me relax and try to feel better before my long double shift going on today. It doesn't seem like I have been sitting long but as I pull my hand out of the water, I can see my skin already pruning so I know it's been long enough and probably about time to get out. I slowly pull myself from the hot water as I watch my skin steam as if it has been cooking. I walk towards the showers as I pull every last wet layer off just to jump into it when the water is nice and hot for me. I wash my hair and body, scrubbing and taking as long as I need to make sure I don't smell awful before getting out.

I slip on my booty shorts and tiny ripped crop top that shows just enough to get good tips and keep me cool after all my running around, taking orders and giving great service all night long. I put on my black military style boots to match my black shirt and shorts. I slip on a big hoodie that covers me up so there is not too much judgment or harassment thrown my way as I walk back. I brush my hair but let it drape down over my back as it starts to creep up with every little wave and curl that bounces while it dries.

I apply a little bit of make-up so I hopefully look a little brighter and bushy-tailed as they say. No one wants to deal with a zombie as their waitress, but they do want to talk with a woman that has a big fake smile and bright features. That's what makes me money. So I will keep that illusion going for as long as I can. I grab a bottle of water while leaving the building, starting my walk back to my vehicle to drop my things off before I have to head into my work. I take one drink after the next, trying to casually keep my eyes on my surroundings because I am not stupid and I know the area I am in. It's not the safest at any time and I will treat everything here as such.

I throw my bag into my car as I lock it then stretch. "Mrs. Brooke Miles?" I hear from behind me as I quickly flip around to see a tall and skinny man approaching me. "Who's asking?" I snap at him as I look down at his extended hand. I don't want to shake it until I know what this is about. He notices me rejecting his greeting before slowly pulling his hand back to himself as he explains. "I am a private investigator.. I was hired to find you."

The confusion hits my features harder than anything else this morning. "Who would be looking for me?" I ask him as he plainly states. "Your father." I shake my head as I say. "I have never met my father and I don't even think he knows that I exist." I declare as he says, "He has always known about you.. and has been looking for you for a long time.. But you have been incredibly hard to find.. even for me, but obviously not impossible to find like they thought you would be."

I groan out, as I shove my keys into my pocket. "They?" I snap, as he quickly states. "Him and his lawyer.. he told me he didn't know if you wanted anyone to know about you since he ditched you and your mother on your own, because of not wanting to be a father. but he kept trying to find you anyways." My eyes roll as I feel the anger and annoyance building, knowing that he is probably right about my father but hating the idea that he knew about me but wanted nothing to do with me.

"So?" he states this with just as much attitude in his tone as I have in mine. "If he didn't want to have a family then why are you here?" his arms cross as he snaps right back, "If you will just come with me, everything will be explained when we get there." I shake my head, putting my foot out as I pop my hip, planting my hand on the top of it. "Tell me.. now." I demand from him as he groans out.

"Your father is dead, and you're in his will.. They have been postponing the sharing of the will until I found you.. now are you going to come and claim what he left for you or not? Because I have been trying to find you for days now. I'm exhausted and annoyed.. Plus I would prefer to get paid after all that hard work.. and I won't get paid until after I deliver you." He spats with as much annoyance in his tone as I feel in this moment. "Fine, just let me tell my work so I don't get fired." I snap at him as he follows me into my work to tell my boss, so I guess he doesn't lose me since he just found me.. who knows.