Chapter 5

Raphael

“I promise you, you won't be sorry." I reassured.

"No need to make promises. Just make sure you’re good to my boy." Mr. McCormick stated.

"Oh, no need to worry about that, Mr. McCormick."

"I look forward to doing business with you, Mr. Lahsen."

"The feelings mutual." We exchanged a firm handshake.

Mr. McCormick and his son stood simultaneously. I stand as well. A professional habit I learned from my grandfather.

"I'll walk you out." I followed behind the McCormicks and made small talk as we made our way down to the lobby.

"Mr. Lashen, are you leaving for the night?" Christina asked as we passed the front desk. She stopped whatever she was doing on her computer and looked up at us waiting on my answer.

"Yep. You should be heading home soon, too." I responded politely.

"Yes. Right after I document today's prophets." Christina replied.

"Don't work yourself too hard." I responded. She smiled and directed her attention back towards the computer screen.

"How do you keep from fooling around on the job. If you know what I mean." The younger version of Mr. McCormick asked once we reached the main entrance doors, looking at Christina with obvious sexual desire.

"Although she is beautiful, I respect my business and I respect my employees. Besides my business brings me enough pleassure. I've never had the need to mix that kind of pleassure with business."

"Well said Mr. Lahsen." Mr. McCormick stated.

After exiting the building, we said our goodbyes and parted ways. Bringing on architects weren't really my idea, but if it would benefit Lahsen Enterprise, then I'd just have to swallow my pride on that. Shit. Why the hell did I have to park in B Lot today? I would have to walk a little distance to get to the car. The weather was around 64 degrees tonight, not that bad, so walking wasn't too much of a hassle. Once I got to the entry way of the car garage, I thought I heard.... crying? I looked around and that's when I saw it.

Accross the street, behind La Loca, was a car with some sick son of a bitch taking advantage of some drunken girl. You know, you really should mind your own damn business. Turning back around facing the parking Lot, I dialed 911. I notified the operator of what was happening and the location, then I hung up. I proceeded to open the side door of the parking garage and stopped abruptly when I heard the poor girl shriek out in pain. Shit! Shit! Shit! Why the hell did my mother have to raise me right?

Approaching the car, I could hear the disgusting things this sick bastered was saying.

"You know you wanted this" the guy repeated.

Suddenly, this anger came over me. As if violating this woman isn't enough, he has to hit her too? The guy brought his fist down on her before I was able to reach him. I ripped him off of the woman.

"What the fuck?" The guy yelled out in confusion. We wrestled and it ended in me beating the guys face until he was unconscious on the ground.

I hurried back to the car to give aid to the woman. That fucking asshole! As I looked the woman over, lifeless eyes looked back at me with tears falling loosely. I know this woman! Anger filled my chest. She had blood coming from her nose and her bottom lip was busted. She had a bruise forming on her left cheek and red finger marks around her throat. I gently slid an arm underneath her shoulders and pulled her towards me. With my free arm I linked it under her legs and lifted her gently out of the car.

I carried her across the street to the car garage and opened the side door. Really wishing I got my car first. I climbed up the stairs without a problem. She was fairly light and didn’t add much weight to me. We reached my Monte Carlo and I gently put her in the back seat and closed the door. As I made my way around to the driver side, I finally heard the sound of sirens in the distance. It’s ridiculous how long it takes for them to show up and do their jobs! I pulled off in a hurry and headed for the hospital; passing the EMS on the way.

Once we got to the hospital, I spotted an empty EMS with a paramedic leaning against it having a cigarette break. I yelled to them and they came over quickly, stopping halfway and turning back around and disappeared into the back of the EMS and pulled out the stretcher. I lifted her out of my car and gently placed her on it.

Once we were in the emergency entrance they quickly took her to the back. I had no idea what I was doing. I let them know what happened and they made me fill out a form anyway like I knew this woman's information. I filled out what I could and left a lot of it blank and turned it in.

"Do you know any emergency contact information at all." A nurse asked me.

"Ma'am. I've told you all so many damn times, I don't know her that well. The only information I can give is a name." She continued to type in her computer and instructed me to wait. Once they got her situated, they notified me and lead me to her room.

I stayed the whole night with her. Nuses came in every few hours asking me if I needed anything, and checking her vitals. It's 5:02am? Better make that phone call. I stepped out the room and called Christine.

"Lahsen's Enterprise, Christine speaking."

"Yes. Christine clear my schedule for today."

"Oh, Mr. Lahsen! Silly me! I didn't notice your number."

"It's fine, just make sure you clear my schedule for today, and contact Mr. McCormick's son and have him go over his designs with Geffory. Also, call Mrs. Primusah and schedule her in for the twentieth of next month."

"Ok. Not a problem."

"Thanks your the best."

Ondina was still asleep when I re-entered the room. I reclaimed my place on the sofa next to her bed and decided to rest my eyes for a few minutes.