Yes he wishes to go with Stella

Johnny stared at Stella’s extended hand. His instincts told him that he shouldn’t go that it would be safer to stay put here. His heart however disagreed. He saw the warm smile on Stella’s face, the gentle air around her as she stood before him, those blue eyes that looked upon him with welcome and, kindness. He just couldn’t help himself. It all made so many emotions swell up inside of him. Slowly before he even knew what he was doing, Johnny had taken hold of Stella’s hand.

Her hand was firm, and strong, yet also soft, and warm. It was so strange to Johnny as he almost felt like he was in trance as his eyes stayed locked to Stella’s as he slowly sat up. Stella guided Johnny off the bed, and helped him to his feet. As she pulled him to stand up, Johnny lost his balance and fell forward into Stella. Luckily Stella was quick, and caught Johnny in her arms. Unfortunately despite the swift action Stella forgot about Johnny’s hurt arm which upon touching made Johnny yelp in pain.

“Ahhmm.” Johnny said trying to stifle a cry into a much less meek sounding grunt.

“Sorry I didn’t mean to hurt you, are you alright?” Stella said letting Johnny back to his feet.

“I’m fine, I’m used to pain.” Johnny said trying to seem tough after such an embarrassment.

Stella gave a look of sympathy at hearing Johnny say such a thing, but she couldn’t dwell on it now they had a meeting to get to.

“Okay Grace, get the car ready we should hurry to meet with the family.” Stella told the butler.

“Of course Lady Stella.” Grace turned on heel, and exited the room.

Stella grabbed her suit, and put it on before she then motioned for Johnny to follow behind her. Johnny quickly trailed behind Stella, as Stella then trailed behind Grace. The look of the hallway really solidified to Johnny that this place was indeed high class. Between almost every other room was an expensive looking painting or piece of art work. With there being almost 30 pieces in total this hallway alone must’ve costed a fortune. Eventually Grace turned to an elevator and, called it. The three idled for a few minutes as they waited for the elevator, with both Stella and Johnny occasional making eye contact then quickly look away, only to then awkwardly meet eyes again. As the evaluator dinged Grace then entered, followed by Stella and Johnny.

As the evaluator started to move, Johnny realized he had no idea where he was actually going. Something about a family meeting, but he had no idea what to actually expect. This worried him a bit. While Johnny had dealt with many unexpected incidents on the street, wild dogs, territory bums with a knives, handsy drunks. That was all stuff he could get out of because of his street smarts and quick thinking. He was familiar with that, he could mostly handle himself. Yet with the setting of where he was going no doubt being wildly different then what he was used to.... He wasn’t feeling to sure of himself, and the fact that he felt trouble on the horizon. It made nervous.

“So um, where are we going?” Johnny asked trying to sound casual and hide his nervousness.

“Oh right I didn’t tell you, well I’m going to a big family meet up to day, it’s uhh sort of celebratory tradition we do every that my mom hosts.” Stella explained seeming to have a little bit of trouble finding the right words to accurately describe the event.

“It’s also serves as a private business meeting, as almost everyone in the family is employed or planning to get employed in the company.” Grace explained.

“Are many of your family members going to be there?” Johnny turned asking Stella.

“About 50, though some don’t show up every time so maybe more like 48 to 45.” Stella said.

“You have 50 siblings??” Johnny’s eyes went wide in disbelief.

“What?” Stella looked at Johnny confused by what he just said.

“Oh I see, hahaha no by family I meant my whole family tree not just immediate family.”

“Still that’s a lot, does every one in your family really work in QUEENS?”

“Pretty much all of the woman, and, even some of the men, but there not all just on the business side of things, some are involved in banking, testing, marketing, management, research, innovation, art, coaching, media, tech, or just about anything else you can think of.”

This made Johnny even more concerned though.

So many jobs, yet it made sense. QUEEN’S was a mega corporation they sold, and owned tons of different stuff so finding an occupation in the company wouldn’t really hinder what job one could do. Heck if Johnny remembered correctly QUEEN’S even owned a few sports teams, and record companies. Really one would be spoiled for choice working under the QUEEN’S company. Which meant that Johnny now truly had no idea what to expect of this get together. At first he was weary of meeting one or two business types, but now meeting potential 60 people coming from all walks of life all coming from probably one of the richest families in America? As that thought sunk in the bad feeling in he had before got even stronger.

Johnny didn’t get a chance to think on this more though, as the elevator then dinged. The doors then slid open, and he found himself looking at a strange yet luxurious lobby. As he stepped out after Grace, and Stella he looked around in awe. There where two large marble fountains, some indoor trees, along with some more expensive looking statues around. The ground was made out of black obsidian, which was so polished he could see his reflection in the floor.

Off to the left was a check in counter occupied by a singular hotel staff employee wearing a sharp looking white suit, and gloves. The stylized table which he sat behind also made up obsidian, which looked to be connected to the ground. A quick glance Johnny and, Johnny noticed that the few lobby chairs, and tables that were around are also made from obsidian, with red leather seat cushions for comfort. To top it all of there was a grand nearly futuristic, looking chandelier hanging from the ceiling. The sanitized high class nature of the room made Johnny feel like he at the entrance of a corporate building or an capital office rather then a hotel lobby.

Johnny kept following Grace, and Stella till they halted at the entrance of the building.

“I won’t be but a moment lady Stella, just sit for a minute while I fetch the car.” Grace said gesturing to a pair of seats at a table by the entrance.

“Yes Grace oh, were you able to find a rental on such short notice?” Stella asked.

“Indeed, it’s not a new model but it will be up to standard for the occasion, better then showing up in the limbo with the damaged front end.” Grace said.

Johnny was about to ask what happened to the front end then her remembered last night. Oh right HE happened, hopefully the damages to the car weren’t to bad. After all it wasn’t like he could foot the repair bill.

Stella then took a seat, and Grace trotted off to get the rental. Johnny felt a bit awkward as he sat down in the seat in front of Stella. He felt like he should make conversation, yet he didn’t really know what to talk about. How could he? How could some street rat find some mutual conversation with such a rich handsome girl.

“Do you like books?” Stella asked seeming to not have a problem making conversation like Johnny.

“Huh?” Johnny said.

“That is do you do any sort of reading, and if so what do you like to read?”

“Ummm I like sort of fantasy novels, you know like Tolkien sort of books.” Johnny said, lying.

Well not really lying, but not saying the complete truth. True Johnny liked fantasy, but a very particular type of fantasy. The romance novels for boys type of fantasy. The ones with dashing knights, and pretty princes. Tales of dramatic love, and drama. He loved those stories so much yet, he wasn’t about to admit to of a girl let alone one he just meet.

“Really, I love Jenna Tolkien, my favorite book has to be her work Lords of the rings, Samatha’s and Filda’s friendship is probably one of my favor bits it really captures female companionship in a way that not many other works do, hey have you ever seen the movie?” Stella looked excited as she started to ramble on.

“Uh no I haven’t.”

Johnny started to feel a bit about lying to Stella. She looked so happy to find some one the same tastes as her, and here he was just lying to cover his own shame.

“Honestly a lot of fans thing it doesn’t do the book justice, and I get that but I honestly think it’s a faithful adaptation, as well seeing all the characters brought to life on the screen is just so awesome to see you know?”

“Y-yeah right..!”

Johnny clenched his skit between his fingers as he started to look around nervously. He really hoped that Stella didn’t ask him about specifics of the book. Man he really should have just made up some obscure book... That’s when Johnny noticed a woman reading a newspaper was staring at him from across the room. She looked at him with distain like she thought he didn’t belong here. Which while Johnny did stick out a little from the few other people in the lobby, the clothes Grace gave him not as high end what every one else was wearing. While he didn’t blame Grace as he really did like the clothes, he wasn’t going to let some stranger looking down on him like that. Johnny turned, and started down the woman, his unwavering gaze making her feel uncomfortable enough to get up, and leave.

“And I- hey is something the matter?” Stella asked noticing Johnny starting at the women walking off.

“Nothing, it just seems some people don’t think I should be here,” Johnny said sighing.

Stella looked over to the spot were the woman was sitting.

“Hey you don’t have to worry about that, if any one is bothering you just come to me okay?” Stella said reassuring, with a look of fierce protectiveness.

“Y-yeah sure, I think I’ll be okay though.” Johnny said trying to not sound like he was completely helpless.

He had dealt with less then hospitable people before, and didn’t want to give Stella the idea he couldn’t handle himself. Stella then turned to the window.

“Ah, it appears Grace has the ready come on let’s go.” Stella said standing up.

Johnny trotted after to her to white luxury
four seat car, white Grace sat in the driver seat of. Stella curtsy opened the car door for Johnny. Yet he opted to go around, and get in the other side himself. He had been acting to much like some mewling baby kitten, and that stare down with the lady made him remember he still should present him self as strong. Even if it was something as minor as showing he could open his own door by himself. Stella didn’t seem to notice though simply thinking Johnny must have misunderstood her gesture of politeness as her waiting to get in once Johnny did. So she simple got in the back, and sat next to Johnny giving him a small friendly as the twos eyes meet.

“The drive shouldn’t be any longer then 15 minutes.” Grace said as she started the car and started to pull away.

Looking back Johnny finally saw what the hotel looked like. It was a huge black glass sky scraper which sparkled as the sunlight reflected off the glass. Such a tall building, no wonder the elevator ride to so long Johnny thought. His room must have been all the way at the top floor.

Then some classical music starters to play from the car speakers as Grace turned on the radio.

“Music lady Stella?” Grace asked, looked back at Stella though the rear view mirror.

“Yes Grace you can leave it on this station as well, I love this piece.” Stella’s said as she listened to the tune of a somber violin, and piano.

The music was sad, yet also a bit calming. Like it sung a song of resignation and, acceptance to some fate that while unfortunate was almost peaceful to accept. Johnny hoped this wasn’t the universe foreshadowing some thing for him...

———————————————————————

After a few minutes of a peaceful car ride though the city, the car pulled into its destination. Johnny looked out the window to see where they were and saw they had pulled in front of a tall building. More accurately it was a sky scraper. It was so tall Johnny had to crane his neck upwards to see the top of it! A few other cars were just pulling in as well, each of them being one impressive looking luxury brand or another. A women in a suit standing by the curve came to greet Grace as Johnny, and the others exited the car.

“May I park for you miss?” The woman which probably was a chaffier asked holding out her hand expectantly.

“Indeed.” Grace said dropping the car keys into the woman’s open palm.

Johnny then followed close behind Grace, and Stella who the entered the building as two more woman in business suits, and sunglasses held the door open for them.

“Hold it.” One of the women said standing in Johnny’s way.

“Who are you, and where do you think your going?” The other said in stern voice as she pushed Johnny back a bit from the entrance.

Suddenly Johnny’s hallucinations kicked up. He could see the women’s flesh melt from her face. The glasses falling down to ground with the flesh that was once her face. All that was left of the women’s face staring back at him was a horrifying skull with fire burning from its eyes. Johnny froze with fear. Which was lucky on his part as he want to screech at the terrifying sight in front of him. Stella wasn’t sure what was wrong, all she could see was Johnny standing there stiff as a board as his breathing got faster, and faster till he was almost panting. Stella wasn’t going to stand by idle though, and quickly she sprung into action.

“He is with me Sasha, I’m sorry he is a last minute guest.” Stella said walking between Johnny and the door guard, her stance a bit defensive.

She then held Johnny’s hand, giving it a tight squeeze and hooked her arm around his. Slowly everything started to fade back into reality for Johnny, as his delusions suddenly left him. Johnny was surprised usually his hallucinations didn’t go away so quickly. Could it be because of.... Johnny didn’t get to finish that thought as he became flush with embarrassment as he realized Stella had her arm around his. They looked just like a couple, and ah he could feel a little bit of her muscle under her suit. Johnny wasn’t sure but he was guess she from what little he was feeling that she had a strong body. Her body... Her naked body... AH, Johnny turned even more red, as he began scolding him for thinking something so dirty about a girl he just meet.

“A guest, uh Ms. Rose hadn’t informed us that you would be bringing any one.” The guard named Sasha said eyeing Johnny who was now blushing, and bitting his lip.

Sasha relaxed a little bit, as she presumed that Stella, and Johnny were a couple, and that Stella just hadn’t introduced him to her mother Rose yet. It would make sense, and it would account for Johnny freezing up like that, as the Sasha chalked that up to Johnny being nervous.

“I know, and I’m completely to blame for that, it was a very last minute thing and I didn’t have a chance to tell her I would be bringing some one.” Stella said trying to make the matter seem simple.

The guard still looked like she wasn’t sure if she should let Johnny in. Even though she knew, or thought she knew why the two were there she wasn’t sure she should let Johnny in without Ms. Rose’s permission.

“Please, I’ll tell my mom right away I’ll make sure you don’t get in trouble Sasha.” Stella said giving the gruff looking woman the puppy dog eyes.

Sasha looked Stella and, Johnny over for a moment. She then sighed and stepped aside.

“Alright then, but Stella please be more considerate to contact your mother ahead of time you know how she doesn’t like surprises.” Sasha said partly warning, Stella and partly scolding her.

After all introducing a boy like this, at the yearly gathering is pretty bold, and could cause a scene if Ms. Rose was displeased.

“Okay I will next time thank you Sasha.” Stella said nodding her head in thanks.

“Mmhmm.” Sasha said as she waved both Johnny, and Stella in.

After the three then entered, Stella then realized she could let go of Johnny’s arm which she did. After all they weren’t really a couple right? Johnny felt a his heart sink a bit as he no longer felt Stella’s body against his. He didn’t dwell on it though as he had a bigger problem now.

“Hey.” Stella said in gentle, but concerned tone.

“What happened back there, you really froze up.” Stella said looking Johnny up and, down like she was missing some tell that would explain why he had acted so strangely.

“ I would like to know to, has perhaps your accident caused you some mental damage, if it has we should take you to a hospital right away, brain damage isn’t something that should be left untreated.” Grace said looking serious.

Johnny stared at the ground. He didn’t want to say. He didn’t want to tell them about his condition. Not just because he had a fear they would ship him off to the looney bin. It would be the logical thing to do right, he could get all the help he needed in a padded cell. A cell away from Stella... Wait why was he thinking about... Either way that wasn’t Johnny’s only reason he didn’t want to tell them. He also didn’t want to be seen as any more of a charity case then he already did. He couldn’t let him self seem more weak then they probably already thought he was. Yet still, Grace, and Stella didn’t seem like they were going to just drop the subject. Much to dismay he was going to have to say something.

Then as Johnny opened his mouth to speak, but then the entrance doors swung open, and he heard a voice call out.

“HEY!”

Then the sound of two sets of foot steps, that seemed to be coming closer.