CHAPTER 2

Alex woke the next morning rested but feeling guilty. She wouldn't be going back to work at the publishing company and she was sad about that. Her boss had been very good to her and she hated that she couldn't call and explain but if she told them where she was Scott might somehow find out and come after her. No she couldn't call work, hopefully they would understand and not think too harshly of her.

Alex admitted to herself that it felt good to sleep in. Scott didn't allow that either. She was beginning to see what he was really like. She now realized Scott had a problem with control and he had to run her life. It was when she started to pull away from his control that the abuse started in earnest. Not physical just verbal and emotional but she believed that physical abuse would be coming soon and that was why she needed to get away.

Alex went in to take her morning shower when she noticed the bathroom window was open. 'Didn't I close that last night?’ she shut the window and locked it dismissing the entire event under the pretense of being tired. She took her shower and dressed with care. At 10:05 she headed for the diner, she didn't want to appear too anxious for her meeting with Michelle.

"Morning. Have a seat. I'll be right with you."

Alex took the same booth she had occupied the night before and looked around. There were more people in the diner today, new faces for her to observe. As she looked around there in the back was a man drinking coffee. He seemed familiar but she couldn't place him. Was he staring at her?

Just then Michelle came to the table bringing her a cup of coffee.

"It's been busy this morning." Michelle continued when Alex nodded. "I'm sorry I couldn't come up with any jobs. I made a few phone calls but it seems that around here nobody ever leaves their jobs."

Disappointment in her voice, "That's okay. It really was a long shot, but thank you for trying. I guess I'll have to try a larger city." she said with sadness in her voice. "I wanted to live in a small town but I guess that isn't possible. Got to go where the jobs are."

"If you want I can try again this afternoon. Make some more calls."

"Thank you." Alex smiled sadly at the young woman who was trying to help her.

"Let me see to my other customers and I'll be right back. We will think of something." Michelle patted Alex's hand as she moved away to refill coffee cups.

"Excuse me." A man's voice startled Alex, interrupting her thoughts and she jumped as she uttered a small gasp.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to frighten you. I couldn't help overhearing your conversation. You are looking for a job? My friend is in need of an assistant and I am sure he would be interested in talking to you."

Alex looked at the stranger. He was a tall, good looking man. He appeared to be in his late 30's but she wasn't sure. Alex had never been good at guessing people's ages. She had always believed that age was merely a state of mind. She looked this man over, he was tall over 6 feet, he had dark brown eyes that seemed to penetrate her soul and long curly black hair which was pulled back into a ponytail. He was smartly dressed in black pants and a light blue button down shirt.

"I can take you to meet him." the man continued as Alex's mind raced.

'What if Scott sent him?' Panic momentarily filled her but she quickly hid her emotion.

''Too fast. I'm going too fast.' the man thought to himself.

"I'm sorry I didn't introduce myself. My name is Paul." The man smiled and Alex melted inside. He had a beautiful smile.

"I can give you the address if you prefer, then you can drive yourself to the house and meet my friend."

With that Paul wrote down an address and directions on a napkin, smiled at Alex and then walked out of the diner.

"Was that a friend of yours?" Michelle asked as she came back and refilled Alex's cup of coffee.

"No. I don't know who that was, but I think he is offering me a job." She handed Michelle the napkin.

Michelle read the address Paul had written, "This is on the edge of town very quiet and somewhat isolated. I heard some one bought that place but I don't know anything about them. Are you going to accept his offer?" Michelle handed the napkin back to Alex.

"I don't know. It can't hurt to just hear him out. I don't have any other prospects right now."

"Well, be careful."

"I'm learning to be very careful. That is why I am telling you where I'm going. Just in case." Alex smiled at her new friend, laid money down on the table for her coffee and headed back to her room. If she was going on an interview she needed to dress the part.

* * *

"Well…" the man asked as Paul entered the darkened room.

"I gave her the address." Paul replied.

"You didn't bring her?" the man spun around and snapped at Paul, eyes blazing red.

"She became nervous. I didn't want to frighten her. She will be here."

"She better." the man turned back around to stare out the window.

* * *

Alex had left Scott in such a hurry that she didn't have time to pack much. She searched through her suitcase looking for something appropriate to wear to an interview. She finally decided on her black knee-length skirt and a dark purple satin blouse. This blouse had always been her favorite it was the last thing her mother had given her before the accident. She took out her black pumps and dusted them off. Her jewelry consisted of small gold hoop earrings and a necklace her mother had given her. It was the initial A and had belonged to one of Alex's ancestors; it had been passed down from generation to generation. In fact, Alex was named for this ancient ancestor, Alexandra Marie. Alex for short.

She checked her appearance once more in the mirror then leaving her room she climbed into her car and headed for the address on the edge of town.

She pulled into the driveway and sat staring at the sprawling mansion ahead of her. 'There must be some mistake.' she thought. The house was at least three stories high and seemed to go on forever. Alex could only guess at the number of rooms in this place. 'If he is looking for a maid I am out of here.' She laughed to herself. Alex had never been known for her housekeeping skills even though Scott had tried to change that. Scott. She had to stop thinking about Scott. He was her past and she needed to start thinking about the future.

She took one last deep breath then got out of the car, careful to lock the car door and set the alarm then headed to the front door and the unknown.

She rang the bell. ' I wouldn't have thought something this old would have a doorbell. She mused to herself.

Paul opened the door and smiled when he saw her.

"We've been waiting for you. Come with me." He led her to the library.

"If you are looking for a maid I'm afraid you have the wrong person." She laughed nervously trying to break the ice.

"Oh no, we have someone who takes care of the house. My friend needs an assistant. He is writing a book and needs some one to type his dictation."

Paul opened the library door and motioned for her to enter. The room was dark, all the curtains were drawn and only a small light was on. As her eyes were beginning to adjust to the dark the lights went on in the room startling her.

"Welcome Alexandra. I've been waiting for you." Standing before her was a tall man with piercing brown eyes, black hair pulled back into a ponytail much like Paul's and completely dressed in black. This man was more muscular than Paul but didn't seem to be much older. He was a good looking man not really handsome like Paul but she found his appearance very pleasing to the eye.

"How did you know my name?"

"I'm sure Paul told me." he tried to sound convincing.

"I don't remember telling him my name." Alex felt the hair on the back of her neck stand up.

"I'm sure that is where I heard it. How else would I know your name? Now, come sit down and let me tell you about the job." He took her hand and led her to a chair while he sat in the chair opposite her.

Paul quietly closed the door and left the two alone.

"I'm writing a book and I need a typist. You see, I like to dictate my ideas so I need someone to transcribe my notes. It really is a very easy job. You can even set your own hours. I would like for you to start tomorrow, you can move your things in today."

"Wait a minute. I haven't accepted the job yet. I don't even know your name." Alex was trying to keep the anger from her voice. She wasn't getting involved with another control freak no matter how much she needed this job.

The door opened and Paul entered with a teacart.

Realizing his error, "Excuse me. My name is Gene and this is my friend and associate Paul. I didn't mean to sound so demanding it’s…well….it’s just that I have a deadline for the book and my last secretary left with no notice and the typing has not been started. My publisher wants to see my progress and I have nothing to show them so you see I am rather desperate." Gene's smile was so charming how could you not do what he asked?

Paul had poured her a cup of Earl Grey tea, her favorite and had added cream and sugar, just the way she liked it. 'How did he know?'

"I understand about publishers. I worked for a publishing company for five…" oh no, she had said too much. She didn't want to talk about the past and she couldn't let them check her references. If they called her old boss and told him where she was Scott might find her. No, she couldn't let that happen.

Gene saw the panicked look cross her face. He knew about her old job and he knew about Scott. He understood her fear but he also knew that Scott would not find her, he had seen to that. But Alexandra didn't know any of this.

"That is a beautiful necklace you're wearing. It looks rather old."

"Thank you. It belonged to one of my ancestors. Actually I am named for her."

"It's a beautiful name." He smiled again. "Will you come to work for me Alex?"

She couldn't resist that smile, so sexy.

"I accept your offer."

"Good. I do expect you to work 40 hours a week. I know typing for 8 hours straight each day might become mundane so if you would like to split up your day I have no complaint. Also, I thought you could live here that way it would be easier for both of us. In case something came up and I needed you." He had done it the first step to getting her in the house. Gene waited anxiously.

"I don't know." Alex began nervously.

"There are many rooms here, you would be perfectly safe. I give you my word." He had to remain calm. 'Don't upset her, the plan won't work if she isn't here.'

"I would be free to come and go as I please?"

"Of course. Paul will give you a key to the front door so you have unrestricted access."

"I'll try it for two weeks then if it isn't working out for either of us we can each walk away, no problems."

"Agreed." Gene and Alex shook hands.

"You didn't tell me what is your book about?"

"Vampires. Do you believe in vampires Alex?"

"Only in monster movies." she laughed. "And to think I was just thinking about werewolves when I got here yesterday."

* * *

"Are you sure about this?" Michelle sounded concerned when Alex told her about the interview with Gene.

"It is perfect. It gives me a job and someplace to live. What could be better? Besides we are on a two-week trial. If I don't feel comfortable I can leave."

"You are sure you are comfortable with this arrangement?"

"Not completely." Alex admitted. "That is why I am telling you. Here is the phone number so you can call me every couple of days to make sure I'm okay and if they won't let you talk to me or it sounds fishy you can call the police."

"If this is what you want then okay."

"I have to at least try." She didn't want to tell her friend that this would be a good place for her to hide from Scott. Michelle didn't know anything about Scott and Alex wanted to keep it that way.

She spent the rest of the afternoon with her newfound friend. It had been months since she had been able to have a friend and she relished her time with Michelle. Maybe she would contact her old friends and let them know she was okay. They would never tell Scott where she was living.

Alex and Michelle drove to the mall in the city and shopped all afternoon. She had packed so little when she left that she needed more clothes. They laughed like schoolgirls as they wandered from store to store. Occasionally she would look up to find Paul watching her. At these times he would smile at her and go on his way. 'Is he following me?' Before she could complete the thought Michelle was dragging her to another store and Paul was gone. 'He must be doing their shopping. There is no reason for him to follow me, is there?

It was after dark when she pulled into the driveway and parked her car. She sat there for a few moments staring at the huge house. She was beginning to have second thoughts about this new job. Alex thought she saw curtains move slightly and just as she was about to start the car and drive away Paul walked out the front door to greet her.