Rising Up: Finding Me book 1

by J J Harper

  "Oh! I like you, you are going to be so much fun to have around. Mason this one’s a keeper don't fuck it up."

  "Thank you Beth for you seal of approval, and I promise you I have no intention of letting her go, or fucking it up." Mason nudges her shoulder affectionately. I can tell that they are close.

  Another voice joins the conversation, this time from a young man walking out of one of the downstairs rooms. "Could this be the wonder girl herself? Imogen, I'm Austin, Mason's younger, cleverer and much better looking brother, so don't waste any more time on him and come and live with me. I'm sure we have much more in common."

  "Yeah but Austin according to Ginny here Mason is really, really good in bed so I think she's gonna stick with him."

  "How do you know I'm not better than him in the sack? Eh Beth!" The two siblings walk off towards the kitchen still bickering.

  I've got my head in my hands and can't stop shaking my head. Mason pulls my hands away and bends his knees to look at me. "Welcome to my family babe, I can't believe you said that to Beth, well done girl you've just made yourself very popular in this house. I think they will be fighting over who sits next to you like five-year-olds. I love you sweetheart."

  "I don't know what came over me. I've never said anything like that to a stranger before."

  "She's not a stranger Ginny, she's family. You’re mine now so you are part of this crazy household. C'mon let's get to the table before Austin eats everything."

  The rest of the brunch continues in the same madcap way. Nancy tries and fails to control the light-hearted bickering that goes on between Beth and Austin, with Mason chipping in here and there just to wind them up even more.

  Jim is very interested in my work back home, and how I'm settling in at work here. It seems that he has a financial interest in Mason and Lakes' business, he has taken a semi-retirement from the hospital after a health scare last year, but likes to keep his hand in when asked, especially if a more difficult case comes in and needs his experienced hands.

  "Imogen, how did your parents feel about you coming over here to work? It's for a year isn't it?" Nancy asks not noticing Mason’s agitation as his body bristles and stiffens as he sits next to her, but reaches for my hand.

  "Um, well they were a bit surprised, but unfortunately I don't have an easy relationship with them. They have never been very encouraging and I felt the need to branch out and try somewhere new.” I give a tentative smile to see if they are okay with my explanation.

  "Oh what a shame for you dear, please let me know if I can help out with anything while you are here.”

  “I think I’ve got things covered Mom.” Mason turns to his brother when he starts to snigger and clips him across the back of his head. “Shut it Squirt!”

  Trying to take the attention away from Mason I say. "Thank you Nancy, that's very kind, and I promise when I need help I will ask you." I smile at her hoping that we haven't offended her.

  Austin soon takes over my attention my talking to me about the places he'd visited in England, and I loved his enthusiasm for my home country. He really is very handsome, tall and dark and rugged, and although his looks are similar to Mason’s he doesn’t have anywhere near the same pull that Mason has for me.

  An hour later Mason starts to make moves to leave. "Come on Ginny sweetheart, we'd better make tracks, I've got some work to do before work tomorrow." He gives me a look that sets the butterflies in my stomach into flight and my panties see I got the word right, damp.

  "Thank you so much for inviting me and for such a delicious brunch." I lean down and kiss Nancy on her cheek.

  "You are very welcome Imogen darling, don't be a stranger."

  Jim also gives me a hug before handing me over to Mason. "Look after her son, this one's special."

  "Hell Pops, you don't need to tell me that, I'm sure as hell not letting her go."

  In the background Austin’s voice pipes up. "You know where to find me when you get bored with him baby!"

  Mason actually growls back at him. "Be careful baby brother your job may not be that secure yet!"

  "Let me know when you’re free to go shopping Ginny and we'll hit all the good stores."

  "Thanks Beth, I'll call you."

  Finally we escape and relax back in the car. Mason looks over and smirks at me. "How did you enjoy that babe?"

  "It was really good fun Mase, I was a bit surprised by all the ribbing you give each other, but I could see it was all in good fun, and that there is a lot of love amongst you all.

  My home life was nothing like that, I have a brother a few years older than me, but he left when he was seventeen, and hasn't been back since, so it’s been about thirteen years since I've seen him."

  "That must be tough for you, do you miss him? What’s his name, have you tried to find him? Maybe Luc could have a look for you."

  "He's called Theo and I used to miss him but it's been so long now I don't know if we'd have anything to say to each other. Maybe one day I might try to find him but I think I can only deal with one family drama at a time, and this latest one I think is going to be a real shitty one."

  Mason

  Just as I finish off the work I need for tomorrow a message appears on my screen from Lucas

  Just thought you should see this.

  You may want to find out what these

  Two are discussing. I can't imagine

  It’s anything good. Let me know if

  You need my help.

  Luc

  I click on the picture to enlarge it and see Mark sat in the window of a cafe with Lauren. What the fuck!! Ginny leans over my shoulder and kisses my neck causing shivers over my body as goose bumps appear on my skin. "Hey Babe, was that a good shower?" I turn to her and run my hands up her still damp legs.

  "Yeah I missed you though I had to make do by myself." She giggles as I growl at her.

  "That better not be true sweetheart. I'll have to drag you back in there with me and show you that you can't beat the real thing." I lean in and nip her stomach just above her navel.

  "Hey who's that in the photo? Is that Mark? Who's he with?"

  "Yeah, Lucas just sent it to me, it is Mark and the woman with him is Lauren. So he was curious as to what they could be doing together."

  "What Lauren as in 'your Lauren'?"

  "Well yes, but she is definitely not ‘my’ Lauren. It seems a bit strange that they are meeting, and the only thing they have in common as far as I'm aware is me. I don't think he'll be showing up at work tomorrow and I know that the police have questioned him over the damage to my car but I have yet to decide whether to press charges."

  "Why wouldn't you? I mean he smashed up your car!"

  "I need to sort out his work load before taking it further, he could cause us a lot of problems with his case load if we are not careful, our reputation as responsible lawyers could be jeopardized if it went to court, so we may have to deal with it separately."

  "Okay, you know best. So how are you going to find out what these two are doing together?"

  "I'll get Luc on to it, he can check their computers, emails, Facebook you know all the sort of shit."

  "Can he do all that stuff?"

  "Babe, you'd be amazed at what Lucas can do, why, do you want him to look at anything your ex is up to?" Looking up at her I can see she's scared. "Ginny, what's up, why are you suddenly looking scared?"

  "I know Jake had that video on his laptop, I know I deleted it but I don't know if he ever uploaded it or made copies, the other men probably wanted a reminder of their fun night, but I'm sure if what you say is right, that Lucas would find that and I don't want him to ever stumble across that."

  "Would you rather he left him alone or if he knew of its existence before he started digging."

  "I don't know, I think I'd rather see what happens between my mum and dad before we feel the need to investigate Jake. Anyway, I'm tired and want to have an early night. If you've got lots more to do would you rather I went home."


  "Hell no, I was just finishing when Luc sent that pic through, so you go in and I'll finish up here and join you. Have you checked in with Maddie today?"

  "Yeah I called her while you were working, she's good and seeing Lake tonight so we'll catch up tomorrow and I'll probably stay back at mine tomorrow." She kisses the top of my head and walks back to the bedroom.

  By the time I wrap everything up and text Lucas letting him know I want him to chase the Mark-Lauren situation. My thoughts are that they are probably up to no good. Both of them have a grudge against me. I think Lake hit the nail on the head when he said that the shit was gonna hit the fan.

  It's gotten late now and when I go to bed Ginny is already asleep. I stand and watch her sleeping amazed at her bravery and resilience, she has had a really difficult time and this weekend has been tough. I love her so much it causes an ache in my chest.

  Undressing quickly in the bathroom so I don't wake her, and after brushing my teeth, I slide gently in next to her and her body automatically moves against me and with her back to my chest I circle my arms around and hold her falling asleep quickly listening to her soft breathing.

  My mind is running at warp speed as I try to understand how she has survived this horrific ordeal, and be able to give herself to me so freely. I tighten my arms around her body and as she sighs softly, I close my eyes.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  Imogen

  After such a stressful weekend work was a relief. April brought me up to date and was concerned that I was feeling better and okay to work. Focusing on the up and coming changes and interviews to be arranged, I soon forgot about the flowers and Jake. Yes, Jake did terrible things to me and he should be punished for it but after getting away from him I really don’t want to have to face him again. I know it makes me seem weak but as much as I hate him I wouldn't have had the courage to get a job abroad, and in doing so meet Mason, the most important thing in my life now.

  Lunch came and went with a sandwich at my desk as I kept working, I was happy to be left alone just plugging away on my structure changes so I was surprised when Mason put his head round the door.

  "Are you ready to leave babe? I think you're the last one here."

  I looked up and noticed the time. How did it get to six thirty so quickly? "I really need to finish this report before I can go." Running my hands through my hair I look up at Mason.

  "Babe, it's late and you've only had a sandwich to eat today. Look April has already left so you can finish this in the morning and have it to her by lunchtime, she won’t be able to do anything with it till tomorrow. Come on sweetheart, let me take you home." His hand reaches out to me and after saving my work I shut the computer down and get up to grasp his hand.

  "Are we okay being seen together at work?"

  Mason chuckles. "Yes Ginny, not only because we are the last ones here, but also because I amended the no frat policy today. Much to the relief to some of the staff who have been secretly dating. Certain rules still apply but we have relaxed certain conditions."

  "Did Lake say anything about him and Maddie?"

  "No, he didn't, and I don't think it went down with Maddie too well. I think you two need to have a night together don't you?"

  "Yes I think we've got a lot of things to talk about. Does that mean I won't see you tonight?" I look up hoping he'll tell me he'd sneak in later.

  "No, I don't think I'll be down tonight, there's a few things I need to sort out with Lake and Lucas tonight and it may be a late one." He kisses the top of my head as we exit the elevator and start to walk home.

  "Oh. Okay, it will be strange not sharing a bed with you, but we can catch up tomorrow maybe?" My shoulders droop at the thought of not seeing him.

  "What happened about Mark?"

  "Nothing yet, he'd been and cleared his desk before we got in this morning so it will probably end up being settled out of court if he's prepared to pay the repair costs, plus he can pay me damages."

  We've reached our apartment building and enter the elevator. As it stops at my floor I turn and kiss his lips. "You know where I am if you change your mind." I get out and make my way home. Maddie is already in and is sat at the breakfast bar with a glass of wine in her hand.

  "Tough day Mads?" I walk over and give her a hug before grabbing a glass out of the cupboard. "Shall I join you?" I smile.

  "Hell yeah! I've had a shitty day Ginn. Did you hear that Mason let everyone know that you two are dating?" Her smile is forced as she tries not to cry.

  "Yeah he told me on our way home, I think it was too early, he should have just lifted the restriction and let nature take its course."

  "Did he tell you that Lake didn't say anything about us? I mean for fucks sake Ginny, we've slept together nearly every night for months now, and then he just ignores the chance to announce that we too are a couple." Anger has taken over the sadness now.

  "What are you going to do about him?" I already know the answer, Maddie always walks away as soon as any problem arises.

  "I told him that if I wasn't good enough to tell his colleagues, then I didn't see any point in us continuing, I'm not going to be a secret. I'm twenty six years old and I want a relationship.

  I know I've always said I didn't after all the crap my parents put me through, but shit Imogen, when I see what happened when you and Mason first set eyes on each other, and it was seriously hot but romantic too, and I think I want to find one of those for me. And it seems that Lake is not that guy." She shrugs her shoulders and sighs before taking a large gulp of wine.

  "Please tell me you've bought more wine because, my lovely friend, I think we're going to need to tonight." I've sat through these types of evenings many times and wine sure does make it easier.

  "Yeah I picked up a couple of bottles on my way home."

  "Have you had anything to eat? Shall I cook or do you want to order in?"

  "Let's cook, we seem to live on take outs since we got here, doesn't anyone in this country ever cook?"

  The next hour is spent in the kitchen listening to Alanis Morrisette, always a firm favorite when we're in a man hating mood. Singing loudly and cooking up a delicious high calorie risotto with cream and wine. We don't hear the knock on the door at first, but when the knocking gets louder Maddie dances her way to the door. "If you're male then bugger off we're not interested!" The wine has definitely kicked in.

  "No, definitely not male, it's Tamsin and Amber and we've brought wine and cheesecake!"

  "Well hell girls! Come on in!" Maddie hugs both of them even though she's only met Tamsin before.

  "Hey, your short like me, thank God for that I feel like I'm surrounded by giants all day long."

  I walk out to meet them and silently mouth 'Thank you' to them over Maddie's head. I sent an SOS text out to them earlier knowing that Mads would enjoy their company as much as I do.

  "Hi, you two. Wow you've brought a dessert, we've made risotto so I hope you like that."

  Tamsin smiles at me. "I've never had it but it sure smells good."

  The rest of the evening is spent eating, laughing and drinking wine. Maddie and the girls decide to hate all men for the rest of their lives and will only use them for sex before kicking them to the curb.

  It then turns to me and Mason and how jealous they all are of me, but there's not much I can say so I choose to keep quiet. Mason has text me a couple of times just to check in and to tell me he misses me. Even though I wish we were sharing the same bed tonight I'm enjoying myself too much to dwell on it.

  Maddie says something that snaps my attention back to the girls. "Ginny deserves to have Mason, she had a shitty boyfriend before she came here, didn't you sweetie. He is a famous TV star back home and a total cheating lying shit."

  "Really, Ginny, that's too bad it must have been tough for you." Tamsin looks embarrassed that Maddie has brought it up or maybe she noticed the daggers I was shooting my friend.

  "What's his name?" Amber asks also picking up on my tension but M
addie is too drunk to shut her mouth now.

  "He's called Jake Williams. And he's a total prick."

  "Maddie for God's sake shut up please, nobody is interested in my ex." I'm getting annoyed with her now, but notice Amber frantically tapping on her iPhone.

  "Is this him Ginny?" She spins her phone round to show me his photograph.

  "Yeah, that's him why?"

  "Because he's coming over here to work, he’s presenting some talent show crap, like the X Factor."

  The color drains from my face and I rush to the bathroom to throw up saying goodbye to all of the food and wine. I finally stop retching and brush my teeth. When I walk back through all the girls are staring at me.

  "Imogen sweetie I'm really sorry." Maddie has tears rolling down her cheeks while Tamsin and Amber just look confused.

  "Imogen, why does this make you so ill? I mean if he's your ex you shouldn't care anymore."

  It's Tamsin who asks the question.

  "It's a bit more complicated than that. He was verbally and physically abusive to me. Look I've got to go, I'm sorry, it's been lovely having you and we can do it again soon but I need to speak to Mason." I rush out of the door and instead of waiting for the elevator I run up the four flights of stairs to his apartment. I'm hammering on the door for him to open up but it's Lucas who answers, I fall sobbing into his arms not caring who it is.

  "Shit Mason, get out here now! Something is wrong with Imogen." I can hear the panic in his voice.

  Mason races towards me and lifts me away from Lucas' arms and carries me towards the sofa and sits down with me held tight to his chest. "Imogen, Ginny babe, talk to me. What's happened? What's wrong? You're scaring me babe."

  I struggle to get the words out. "It's h..h..him, he's c..coming over here. H..He's g..got a j..job here,"

  I look up at him and he's staring at Lake and Lucas. "You… You knew this!" I sit up straight and try to pull away from him. "When did you find out? Why didn't you tell me?" I'm struggling to get away from him now. It's Lucas who kneels down in front of me and takes my hands.