Noah

After I got out of the bathroom, I picked up my clothes and went to the kitchen. As soon as I get there, I can see Alyssa eating a big sandwich. My stomach groans with hunger.

“I want one of those.”

“Sit down, I’ll make you one,” she points to a stool.

“Lady and Gentleman, let me take care of that ...” one of the maids comes in.

“No,” Alyssa points to her, “It’s time for you to get some rest. We got this.”

“The last time, I got in trouble, Alyssa. I don’t want to take any chances,” the woman smiles at my sister with affection. She speaks in a low voice, I can barely hear it, “I can’t afford to lose this job.”

“Why did you get in trouble?” I curiously wonder. The woman clearly gets pale and looks at Alyssa in search of help.

“Your girlfriend has terrified the employees, threatening to fire them if they don’t act like they’re working at the Royal Palace. She wants to be served as if she’s Royalty.”

“Really? To this day I don’t understand why we have so many employees, I’m barely home.”

“Yeah...” Alyssa focuses on the task of spreading mustard on the bread, and the woman looks at me with apprehension.

“What’s your name?” I ask the woman.

“Rosa, señor.”

“Rosa, beautiful name. Well, I’m still the owner of this house, and Alyssa is my sister, making her my proxy. So, go to bed and get some rest,” I tell her, smiling.

“Gracias, sir,” she turns around and walks away.

“When did we turn into rich pricks?” I ask to my sister.

“I’m not sure,” she laughs, “Remember Chris’ house? They were always loaded, but his mom always made them treat everyone, even the staff, with respect. I think that’s what got him into politics.”

“It could be... I met him today at the club. He didn’t look too good,” I said.

“Wanna a soda?” I nod, and she asks, “And another sandwich?”

“Yes, I do. I didn’t even know I was so hungry.”

“I heard Chris is struggling to accept the fact that being a politician, and working the way he wants to, comes with sacrifices,” she says, focused on making the sandwich.

“What sacrifices?”

“Marrying Audrey, for instance,” she hands me the sandwich, “The engagement was scheduled to three months from now and the wedding will be on the eve of the elections.

“Are you kidding?” I choke on my food. She shakes her head, “I wish. I thought he loved her, they make such a cute couple, and she’s a sweetheart.”

“He does love her, it’s just not enough for a marriage. They met in high school, flirted for a while and they only went public after a long time,” I explain.

“Will you be too busy tomorrow?”

“Nothing too important, I can afford take an afternoon break,” I look at her, “What’s on your mind?”

“I want to go to that small restaurant just outside the city.”

“Be at my Office at eleven. Thanks for the sandwiches. I miss being with you, little one.” I get up and kiss her.

“Me too,” she smiles and fixes the pink glasses she’s wearing.

On the way to bed, I take a detour and fall asleep in the guest bedroom. I wake up with Carly’s screams coming from somewhere that doesn’t peak my interest. I go up to my room, take a shower, put on a black suit and a black shirt, to match my mood. I like my hair messy when I’m at home, I don’t even comb it. But to go work, I have to fill it with gel and comb it to the back.

I go down to the kitchen for some coffee. People working there are staring me. Martha comes to me and asks, “What are you doing here anyway? Coffee is being served at the dining room, as per Miss Porter’s request.”

“Good morning, everyone,” I unbutton my jacket and sit on one of the stools. “Good morning,” I hear them say together. “So, as of today, I’ll take my morning coffee here, every fay. Nothing fancy, I want a normal breakfast, toast, scrambled eggs with cheese and bacon, strong coffee and a fruit...”

“I’m freaking out because I can’t find you and you’re here with the Help...” I’m interrupted by Carly, “Please, Noah, when have you ever seen the boss having breakfast with the Help? You have to stop with this poor-people thinking.”

“So early in the morning, come on,” I rub my temples, close my eyes and breathe deeply a few times. I open my eyes and I turn my attention to Carly. “Who do you think you are to talk to me like this in my own house? I do what I want. And, if I want to, I’ll eat in the garage, and there’s nothing you can do about it. And another thing, I know you’ve been forcing these ridiculous ideas of servants to my employees here at house and I’m going to give you some advice, don’t do it. I asked you to move in with me because I thought it would be a good idea to have you around to help manage this Museum of a house, but, today, I’m sure I was wrong. So, Carly, don’t make me regret being with you and stop with all the yelling, it’s annoying,” I turn to Martha, “You are my housekeeper, you decide about everything when it comes to the management of this place. Any question or decision is up to me and, in my absence, Alyssa.”

“WHAT?” Carly fills up again and screams, “Are you disowning me in front of them? Are you MAD?!”

“You better think about the scene you’re making, because I can’t stand it, and the staff has no need to listen to all your drama,” I get up and walk towards the garage.

“I’m sorry. Next time...”

I stop her.

“There won’t be a next time, Carly. Have a nice day.”

“Noah!” I hear someone calling for me before I get in the car. Martha comes running with my briefcase and a small bag, “Your briefcase. You haven’t eaten anything, my son. I made you a little something.”

“Thank You, Martha. Was I clear enough back there?”

“Crystal clear,” she nods.

“From now on, she is nothing but a guest with privileges, and bossing around is not one of them. Have a nice day, Martha.”

 

*     *     *

 

A few days later and, for a change, Carly has one of her meltdowns in the morning. God knows how hard I’ve tried to make this relationship work, but she’s not helping, and my patience is growing thin. But I’m not the type to give up easily, and I believe she’s going through something. Whatever it is, it has to end soon!

I turn on the radio, hoping that the loud music can change my mood, and out of the speakers I can hear Welcome to The Jungle by Guns N’ Roses. Yes, Welcome to the jungle, my friend! The perfect soundtrack to face New York’s traffic. Every time I get stuck in traffic I wonder... Why the hell did I move into that house?

On my way to my Office downtown, I come upon a curious scene: two Police Officers questioning a woman with her hands up, while a man, much bigger than her, is lying on the ground. I don’t usually get involved, but something makes me stop. I pull over the car and, as I approach them, I recognize the redhead from the club.

“What’s going on here, Officer?” I ask, looking at her.

“Good morning, Your Honor. This woman was assaulting that man,” says one of the Cops.

I look at the guy, flat out on the ground, and I do my best to contain a laugh. He was bigger than me and he got beat up by that crazy redhead. I face her and nod.

“Why did you hit him?”

How come I never noticed this woman before? I’m mesmerized by her body, dressed in tight jeans, high-heel boots and a blouse that shows the exact dimension of her big breasts.

“Could you look into my eyes, your Majesty?” she says, with petulance. “And the correct word is Honor,” I tell her in a serious tone.

“Can I at least put my arms down, mister Honor? They’re getting sore.” I nod.

“Now, answer my question,” I say, approaching the guy on the ground.

“He was stalking me,” she rolls her eyes, making me even more angry, and she tells me her side of the story, “And he decided to attack me this morning.”

“Did any of you see the guy attacking her?” I ask the Cops.

“No, Sir,” they answer at the same time and the weird Cop goes on, “All we saw was her, stepping on his neck.”

“Oh, for God’s sake,” she says, louder than she should, “Do you really think I’m running around town beating people up for no reason?”

“Apparently, yes,” I answer.

“I forgot I was talking to New York’s Voice of Truth, the Almighty Judge Lancaster,” she says, putting her hands on her waist.

“I can have you arrested for contempt, young lady,” I say, as I get close to her.

“You wouldn’t. You know I wouldn’t just hit the guy for no reason,” she points to the guy on the ground.

“No, I don’t know that, I don’t know you,” this game is getting me horny and her sharp tongue is pissing me off.

“You’re so arrogant,” she’s outraged.

“Miss, you’re under arrest,” I look at the two Officers, “Arrest this woman, book her and bring her to my Court this afternoon so I can rule on her sentence and set her bail.”

“Really? I’ll get booked and get a record for punching a stalker?”

“Yes, you will.”

I pull one of the Cop away while his partner takes her to the car, “I don’t think she assaulted him without a good reason, but I don’t want her walking around thinking she can take things into her own hands. Don’t book her, instead, take her to my Chambers so I can rule on her behalf.”

“I agree, Your Honor,” the Cop smiles discretely, “I believe her story, but she was very aggressive. We had to ask her to put her hands up. Otherwise she could have attacked us.”

“I understand. Well, have a nice day, Officer,” I nod in understanding.

I get in the car and go on my way, laughing, that woman is insane. She managed to knock out a 250-pound man, he was passed out on the ground. While driving, I make use of the car’s voice command system to place a call, as soon as I stop at a red light.

“Good morning, Ben.”

“Good morning, Noah,” he answers, with a sleepy voice.

“I just saw that bartender woman out here on the street. She managed to beat up and knock out a guy twice her size.”

“Is she okay?” his voice gets high-pitched, “Shit, Madison. She knows she should call someone if she gets in trouble, even if just the security guards at the club. Stubborn woman.”

“She was arrested and she’s gonna get some community service,” I tell him.

“Is this really necessary?”

“It was. She is too bold and aggressive. She needs some time to think about what she did.”

“Alright,” he starts to laugh, “But I’ll have you know, right now, she’ll turn your life into a living hell.”

“We’ll see about that. See you later.”

“Later.”

I park in my spot and go to my Office. I go over some things with my secretary and two of my assistants. I turn my attention to a very complicated case of a mother who is being accused of having her own son murdered and, to make matters worse, the defense lawyer is Benjamin, one of the best criminologists in the Country. No surprise he was hired for this case. Time went by quickly. One of my assistants walks in, “Sir, there’s some Cops here, with a woman in custody. They say they have a meeting with you today.”

“You can send them in,” I try to disguise a smile when Madison comes through the door with the two Cops behind her. I point her to a chair, “Take a seat.”

The Cop hands me her file and I’m surprised when I see that she’s completely clean. “So, Madison Aria Harver, you can’t just go around beating people up.”

“He was chasing me...” she interrupts me.

“Let’s cut to the chase, Madison. These fine Officers, and I, think you’re somewhat aggressive and that you need to improve this behavior of yours. Therefore, I’ll assign you, as an alternative sentence, to serve the New York Judiciary System, by working in this district as an assistant, from ten to five, for forty days, under my command and under the supervision of Harriet, Chief of Cabinet.”

“No. Thank you, Your Majesty,” she gets up.

“You have two options,” I recline on my chair and make a face at her, “It’s either that or the jail cell. Your choice.”

“When do I start?” She sits back down.

“Tomorrow morning! Enjoy your last day of freedom and, try not to beat up anyone else, please. Have a nice day.”

She opens her mouth, to contest something, and ends up closing it again. This is going to be fun, having Miss Feisty here, at my disposal. Who knows, maybe I’ll even convince her that this outrageous violence leads nowhere. And I can also find out more about this love therapy she preaches so much about.

As they walk out the door, I hear Alyssa’s voice, “Madison? Oh my God. What is going on here?” She comes into my Office, a little pale, “Why is she with those Cops? You didn’t....”

“Madison will tell you what happened, while I make a few calls,” I get up, walk up to her and kiss her forehead.

I see the two of them sitting in the waiting room and I close the door to go back to my work. Having this woman here may even be entertaining, but, hot the way she is, it won’t be easy to avoid trying to fuck her.

“Noah speaking,” my phone rings, taking me out of my thoughts, and I answer without looking at the caller ID.

“Babe, please don’t be mad at me,” Carly cries on the phone. No matter how much of a bitch a woman is, watching them cry always gets to me. How could I not be affected by a crying woman who lives with me?

“Easy now. Don’t cry, okay? But, Carly, you have to think about your behavior, otherwise, this relationship will be doomed to fail.”

“I know... I’m sorry...”

“Okay. We’ll talk later.”

“Won’t you come home early?” She asks in that voice that has been annoying me lately.

“I have things to do, Carly. We’ll talk later.”

“Was that your girlfriend whining?” I look up and see Alyssa coming into my Office.

“Yes, it was.”

“Listen, Noah, what matters to me is your happiness,” she sits in front of me, “If she makes you happy, then I’ll do my best to accept her. But I’m not gonna lie, it’s gonna be rough. I admire you for being a man who takes relationships seriously and for trying to make this work with Carly. I’ve been looking at some apartments and I found one that fits within my budget, so I’ve been thinking...”

“You’re not moving out, Alyssa.”

“Noah...”

“No. This discussion is over. Let’s get something to eat.”