Let's have a chat! (1)

Morning found me sleeping on the side of the couch with my hand over the child. I need to get a name from the kid. I can't keep calling him child all the time. Well my neck felt like it was twisted in every which way possible. Working out the kinks, I looked at the child. Clear tear tracks on his gaunt face. He could have been poster boy for the malnourished.

First on agenda was to make the calls. Then when he woke up, he was going to have a bath and food. God knew when he last had anything even close to food. No, don't think about that.

Now onto the first call, splendid!

Sitting at my desk, listening to the quiet ring, I started thinking about possibilities. Beginning with the where and how to what was going to happen o the kid. of course he would be put in a foster home initially. Hopefully he'd find a good, loving family. But the thought of child's unknown future was making my heart heavy. Leaving those thoughts away, I contemplated on my next words with father.

"what do you want child, you really think I have time for your nonsense this early? I have better things to do than listen to your woes. If you have something important, then speak up, otherwise.." And he cut the call.

He freaking cut the call?! I sighed and put down the phone, when it started ringing again. ID was father.

I picked up the call,

" so, how did I do? Was it too much? Dramatic enough?"

Ok, here's the thing, few days ago I said he was too serious even in private and couldn't be dramatic (don't even ask how we ended up in that topic of conversation), so since then, he's been perfecting his dramatism.

"Haha, very funny dad. But, seriously? child?! woes?! what even?" I shook my head and started laughing, when he too joined in on it.

"I see you haven't forgotten your old man, Ira. What made you think of your poor old father?"

"You are being ridiculous father. We spoke yesterday, I visited you the day before. And you of all people cannot play that poor old man father card. So dramatic! I called you because I had a slight situation, here at the club, last night."

"You mean the child that is currently in your office?" his entire tone changed from fun to complete seriousness, projecting his power and authority. "Ford?" I asked.

"No, Adrian" he replied coolly, "You do know he reports to me too right? After all he's not only the club security head but your security detail too. I need to know my daughter is safe." I groaned at this.

"You know very well I can totally handle myself. You taught me personally."

"I know,"

"And yet father, and yet"

"Brat! Now that aside, what are you planning to do?"

"I was going to place a call to the social services and send out a few feelers about a potential slave ring? I might be totally off the mark here, but it wouldn't hurt to check once."

"Hmm, yes, I want you to personally lead it. After all, you will be the one ruling next, it's time you get the tone of the division too. I want a regular updates and a detailed report at the end. you know the drill. Now, where is that child?"

"Of course. He is currently sleeping on my couch, both of us had a rocky night, full of nightmares. He has a tattoo saying 'slave 9650', and I'd like to know who put it there."

"Don't get attached Ira. You know he is going to leave soon."

I stiffened, "I know father. Well then, I will let you know any further developments. Good day, dad." "Good luck, Ira."

Ending the call, I asked Adrian to place a call to the social services and let them know about the situation.

Now all I had to do was wait for the agents to come and suggest the next step. Meanwhile, the child had woken up, so I ordered up some fruit for him to eat.

"Good morning there little man, I ordered some fruit for you, meanwhile do you want to use the bathroom? Take a bath, you know how to right?" he nodded. "Will you?" He shook his head a sat on the couch with his head down. Sighing I sat beside him and nudged him.

"Come on kiddo, it'll be fine, you can use the bathroom if you want, no one's gonna hurt you. I'll be right here okay?" After a bit more coaxing, he finally agreed and went in.

His breakfast arrived, when he was in the bathroom. I took out a long tee from my emergency stash and gave it to him when he came out, which he accepted with reluctance. We were having breakfast, when the door opened and Vivienne entered.

Viv was my assistant and voice of reason. She looked at us, "How long was I gone? I swear I took one day off, not years. Who's this young man?" she said smiling at the kid.

I rolled my eyes, and narrated the whole situation to her. To say she was angry was an understatement. She loved kids and couldn't stand abuse. She was furious and sad at the same time judging by the face she was making.

She started pacing the floor, muttering what seemed like profanities, that couldn't be heard even if we struggled to. I sighed, (I realised I'd been sighing a lot since yesterday.) This was just the beginning of my day. Huzzah!