Where I Belong - R.V.Elliott

Chapter 37 

This couldn't be right. 

"So what do you say?" The real estate agent asked leaning against the kitchen counter a sly grin on his face. This is what my morning had consisted of. Searching for a house, sadly the only ones half decent were still in this town. It was a beautiful house more than what I hoped for but something was off. 

"You're not going to get another apartment at this price Miss Mendez". 

"That's just the thing. Why is it only $650 a month? Is it going to fall apart as soon as I sign the lease?" I wanted this house, I knew as soon as I walked through the front door I had to have it but $650 was cheap far to cheap for a 2 bedroom apartment, build in ensuites in both bedrooms, a toilet upstairs and downstairs, a front and back garden, a fairly sized living room with an open space kitchen. No I smelled a rat. "Its the price the owners asking for. Its a great house Miss Mendez it would be a shame if you passed up on it". 

"Who's the owner?" I asked "And why is he asking for so little? Like you said its a great house. A house worth a lot more than $650 a month". 

"I can't disclose that information but I can tell you you won't be disappointed if you take it. The house has not long been refurbished everything you see is brand new. The neighborhood is quite and its only walking distance from the shopping mall. Would you like sometime to think?". It all sounded perfect to perfect. Something wasn't right and the price threw me off. Don't get me wrong I wanted to sign on the dotted line and move in immediately but my gut feeling stopped me. 

"Did my dad put you up to this?" I asked knowing if it wasn't my dad then it had to be Blaze. Let's just say my dad wasn't happy with my decision to move out. It was too dangerous for me to be living alone, he liked me close so he could keep an eye on me. He didn't get that I needed my own space, didn't realise I was un happy living at the clubhouse. Then of course he tried to force me into taking his house, told me it would be safer because I'd always have someone with me. I didn't want one of his merry men coming by everyday to check in on me. I wanted my own space, somewhere I could come home to at night and not have to worry about people having sex it my bed, somewhere I could walk around naked if I wanted to. Somewhere where I could finally call home. 

"Sorry Miss Mendez I have no idea what you're talking about". Looking at the confusion in his eyes I tried to see if it was genuine or if he was putting it on. My dad knew a lot of people and it wouldn't surprise me if he somehow managed to make this happen. Find me a nice little place at a genuine price and the best one I've came 

across happens to be a few block away from the clubhouse. If this wasn't my dad then it sure as hell had to be Blaze. 

"What about Blaze then?" I thought I saw a flicker of dread in his eyes but it was gone before I could make sure. I knew something like this was going to happen. I didn't get why they couldn't just let me find my own place to live, why they always had to interfere. I could take care of myself I have been doing it for a long time. 

"Again I have no idea what you're talking about. Listen I'm sorry to hurry this along but I do have other clients waiting. Do you want the house or not?". 

"I'll take it. Where do I sign and who should I write the deposit out to?" I still had my suspicions that either my dad or Blaze had something to do with it but I wasn't going to let this house slip through my fingers and I couldn't lie it was a great price. Watching him take the contract from his inside pocket he placed it on the counter handing me a pen. "Please sign on the dotted line and print your name below it". Doing just that I handed him back his pen "Pleasure doing business with you Miss Mendez. The lease runs for 6 months at a time. The only time you'll see me is when we are renewing it, of course that's if your still here. Anyway I must go, welcome to your new home". Smiling at me he about turned when I remembered I hadn't given him my deposit. 

"What about the deposit?" I called after him as he made his way to his car. 

"No need Ava its already been taken care of" Winking at me he got in his car and drove of leaving me with my mouth hanging open. I knew I smelled a rat. He had a good poker face I'll give him that. 

Slamming my car door shut behind me I stormed into the clubhouse. Always had to interfere in my business, didn't he know I could take care of myself no matter where I lived. I wasn't the child he forgot about all those years ago. Nostrils flaring I glanced around the place noticing it was only the women that were hanging around. 

"Ava darling" my mom smiled coming towards me. 

"Where is he?" I snapped catching the attention of the other girls and what a surprise Kelsey was here. "Is he in there?" I asked making my way towards his office. "Ava now's not a good-Ava" My mom yelled coming after me. 

"How fucking dare you?" I snapped barging the door open only to have 15 pairs of eyes on me. I was too angry to care what he was doing or if it was a bad time. "You had no right" I hissed. 

"What the fuck are you moaning about now?" My dad growled thumping his fist of the table "In case you haven't noticed we're fucking busy here". I didn't give a damn if they were busy or they had club business to take care of I was pissed. "Does it look like I give a shit that you're busy. You had no right to interfere in my business and I know you had something to do with it too" I snapped turning my attention to Blaze. "Stay out of my business or so god help me I'll-.." 

"What the fuck are you talking about" My dad roared pushing himself to his feet making me take a step back. I didn't trust him after the last time and I didn't want another broken jaw. Watching the hurt appear in his eyes at my actions he ran a hand over his face. "Blaze fucking deal with her" He sighed before falling back into his 

chair. 

Deal with me? 

Yeah because he wasn't man enough to speak to his own fucking daughter. To busy running a bunch of motorcycle thugs. Shaking my head at him I about turned and stormed out nearly knocking my mom over in the process. Walking back through the clubhouse I stormed towards my car needing a cigarette. Pulling open my door I reached inside my glove department and took one out only to realise I didn't have a lighter. "Fuck" I cursed thumping my hand of the steering wheel. It was a good thing I was moving out of here because I never seemed to be in a good mood anymore. Always swearing, always drinking. The quicker I got out the better. 

"Here" Handing me a lighter I lit my smoke before taking a seat. "If you've come out here to deal with me then you can forget about it" I said blowing out a gust of smoke. "He knows what he did and if it wasn't him then it was you. How many times do I need to say it before use listen". 

"You flinched earlier" he said changing the subject, something he was getting good at. "What are you talking about?" I asked laying my head back and closing my eyes. I knew exactly what he was talking about and yeah I moved back, after the last time I wasn't taking any chances. "When your dad stood up. You flinched backwards, he wouldn't hurt you again Ava" He whispered stealing the cigarette from my lips. 

"Yeah well I didn't think he would ever hurt me and guess what he did. I wasn't taking any chances I like my face better when its not covered in bruises". 

"I like it better when you're just about to come" He whispered his breath fanning over the side of my face. After everything I said yesterday he still comes out with shit like that. "Yeah well I didn't ask for your opinion" I snapped keeping my eyes in front of me. "Y'know what I like even better?" He asked causing me to roll my eyes "I don't care" I sighed because I knew something filthy was going to come out of his mouth. Grabbing a hold of my chin he turned my head so I was facing him. "What are you doing?" I gasped. Did he forget yesterday? Leaning forward so he was only inches away he stroked his thumb over my bottom lip "I like it better when there's a shit 

eating grin on it, when you're happy and smiling like you don't have a care in the world" Feeling his breath fan over my lips I swallowed hard. Why did he always affect me? "Yeah well that won't happen as long as I'm here" I snapped jerking away from him. Hearing those words leave my mouth made me feel bad. I should be happy here, my moms here. She was all I ever needed but now I knew something was missing. I needed to fill the void heck I didn't even know what the void was. 

"You were happy the other night darlin'. Don't think I've ever seen you laugh as much" Turning to look at him I shrugged "I had a bottle of tequila in my hand. That pretty much explains everything". 

"Gotta stop hating on everyone sweets. Holding all that anger and hate inside you ain't good. You need to realise the people that surround you love you and are only looking out for you, making sure you're safe. You shouldn't be caring so much about everything. The girl that walked through those doors a year ago didn't give a shit about anything especially anything here". I knew he was right and I hate myself for agreeing with him. I never used to hate or be angry at anything. I was always happy and carefree. Why did it suddenly bother me, nothing used to bother me because I didn't care. So why did I care so much now. "You're right I shouldn't care. Now if you'll excuse me" I said motioning for him to move so I could close my door. Rolling down my window I popped my sunglasses on and started my engine "I'm going to drown myself in wine. Bye Blaze". Revving my engine I sped out of there. 

I wasn't really going to get drunk. I was going to go to the grocery store and then I was going to go home. Pulling up outside the store I frowned, I still hadn't spoke with Nate. I couldn't build up the courage to phone and tell him I couldn't see him anymore, truth was I didn't want to stop seeing him. Why should I sacrifice something that might be the best thing that's ever happened to me. Locking my door I walked through the entrance grabbing a trolley as I did. Making my way round the grocery store I was in a world of my own until someone bumped into the front of my trolley. "Sorry I- Nate?" I gasped little butterflies fluttering in my stomach "How are you?" I 

blurted out. 

"I haven't heard from you. Did I do something wrong?" He asked making me feel even worse. How could he do something wrong? He was perfect. "No you didn't" I whispered unable to look at him. Man I didn't like this feeling at all. "I'm sorry Nate there's just been a lot going on" And there was its not as though I was lying. 

"Your face is healing nicely. You back at work yet?" He smiled leaning his arm on the trolley. "Not yet, what about you? I didn't expect you still to be here" I teased. In all honesty I thought he would have left by now, went back to running his company. "Well you see, I met this sweet, caring, beautiful girl and I can't stop thinking about her. Works not a good idea because I can't seem to concentrate". Feeling my cheeks heat up I bit my bottom lip. "Hm I see. Well what are you going to do about it? I mean if you can't stop thinking about her" I said playing along. Nate was a great guy, always asked how I was doing, always made sure I was okay. So why should I stop 

seeing him? 

"Well that's entirely up to her" He replied 

"Does she know?" I smiled "Might be a good idea to tell her you can't stop thinking about her. She may be having the same problem, she might just not have the courage to tell you". I had been thinking about him I even had a pro's and cons list mastered in my head. "You're right I'll call her" He smirked making my mouth fall open. Pulling out his phone he put it against his ear. Not even a second later my phone started ringing. Chuckling I pushed against his shoulder "Very funny" I said rolling my eyes. Laughing along with me he put his phone back into his pocket. 

"Do you fancy a coffee?" I blurted out 

"Sure but I don't think theres a coffee shop around here. We could nip into town if you'd like?" He asked but I had a better idea. What better way to settle into your new house than with some great company. "Or I could show you my new house and we could have coffee there?" I grinned. 

"Sounds great" He smiled 

"I just need to pick up a few things first"hink 

Okay so a few things turned into a lot of things. Grabbing some shopping bags I opened my front door only for them to fall out my hands at what I saw. My house was now fully furnished. Gritting my teeth I balled my hands into fists. "Think I'll need you to come decorate my house, you have some skills Ava". Nate said looking around himself. If only I could take the credit for it. As much as I wanted to be angry they had done a good job.