Meeting The Boss

Those pills have been associated with extreme cases of sleepwalking and sleep driving. The addition of alcohol seemed to be the tipping point for Rosette. It appeared that she had unconsciously gone shopping the previous night. Deciding to forgo the pills, Rosette indulged in a juicy pear, rediscovering her love for fruit. She chuckled at the thought of keeping fresh fruit at home, a departure from her usual reliance on microwave meals.

Upon opening the refrigerator, Rosette was astonished to find it stocked with fresh meat and vegetables. Delving into the supplies, she discovered eggs, bacon, and fresh bread. Notably, her staple milk and mustard were now placed on the door, a deviation from their usual prominent position. Puzzled by where she managed to shop at such a late hour, Rosette proceeded to cook eggs and bacon, relishing the meal.

Feeling pressed for time after focusing on non-essentials that morning, Rosette hastily prepared for work, opting for a blue sweater and tailored black slacks. Hastily locating her black clogs in the laundry room, she embarked on her commute to work, driving with a sense of urgency. Fortunately, she encountered no issues with law enforcement this time.

Arriving at the clinic amidst the usual chaos, Rosette felt slightly flustered as she attended to her final patient of the morning. "Sam, I'm Dr. Grey," she introduced herself upon entering the room. The tall individual before her, with his dark hair tied back, appeared younger than his stated age of 45. Despite the patient's physical ailment, Rosette proceeded with her routine examination and inquiries.

During a brief pause in her questioning, the patient inquired, "How was your breakfast today?" Although a peculiar query, Rosette continued with her assessment, noting that her meal was more satisfying than usual. As she navigated the digital questionnaire, the patient remarked, "Maintaining a healthy diet is crucial for overall well-being." Rosette concurred, acknowledging the challenges of cooking for oneself compared to a larger family.

Now fully captivated, Rosette inquired, "What do you mean?" as she gazed up at Sam. The revelation that her kitchen lacked fresh, non-packaged food left her speechless. Perplexed by how Sam was privy to her dietary habits, Rosette's expression turned skeptical as she crossed her arms defensively.

Curious and slightly suspicious, Rosette pressed, "How would you know?" Sam explained that he had restocked her kitchen on behalf of Mr. Luther, expressing concerns about her driving skills and safety. The mention of Mr. Luther left Rosette puzzled, prompting her to question his identity.

Sam raised an eyebrow in response to her query, recounting their encounter with Mr. Luther at La Luna Eclipse a few nights prior. The memory of their brief yet intriguing meeting in the restaurant's restroom dawned on Rosette, evoking a sense of unease.

As Rosette processed the information, she sank into a chair along the wall, seeking clarity on Sam's unexpected presence. His reassurance that Mr. Luther intended to invite her to lunch for a conversation stirred a mix of emotions within her. Bewildered by the intrusion into her home and the vigil kept in her unconscious state, Rosette struggled to comprehend the situation.

In a state of disbelief, Rosette stammered, "I have alarms and door locks, how did you enter my house and stay with me?" Sam's nonchalant shrug offered no explanation, leaving Rosette with lingering questions. Before departing, Sam conveyed Mr. Luther's desire for a lunch meeting, cautioning Rosette not to delay, as impatience was anticipated. As Sam exited the room, leaving Rosette in contemplation, she couldn't shake off the sense of intrigue and apprehension surrounding the enigmatic Mr. Luther.

She sat in the chair for a few more minutes until the medical assistants' voices drifted in from outside. Rosette's medical assistant, Madonna, peeked in and scanned the room, "Hey, if you're finished, that was your last appointment before lunch. We're getting out early," she exclaimed. "I thought it was a physical; I wish they were all that quick. What's wrong with you? You seem shaken," her cheerful demeanor wavered, genuine concern in her eyes.

"No, just hungry, and I think I left my wallet at home. You go ahead to lunch; I'll see you back here at one," Rosette forced a smile and stood up from the chair. Taking the laptop, Rosette made her way back to the office. The vase of lilies adorning the desk should have surprised her, but she felt strangely detached.

Leaving the clinic always felt like a unique experience, situated in a rough part of town. Avoiding potential encounters with drug deals or the homeless seeking a dollar was a daily occurrence. Today, Rosette would have welcomed their presence over the men awaiting her outside the door.

These men felt more menacing; they had invaded her home while she slept and tracked her down following a disturbing incident at a restaurant. Refusing to comply with them seemed futile. Rosette focused on breathing slowly, attempting to quell her rising panic.

Sam lounged against one column, accompanied by a larger man on the opposite side. Clad in similar dark polo shirts and slacks, they appeared unfazed by the unseasonably cool weather. The new man's hair was shorter and lighter than Sam's, exuding a stronger, more muscular presence, fixated on the drug dealers nearby.

"Hey, Ethan, she's here; let's go," Sam gestured for Rosette to join them, leading towards a dark Suburban parked haphazardly across two spaces in the lot. The deeply tinted windows concealed the occupants, heightening her unease. Walking between the two men, Ethan voiced his disapproval.

"I don't trust the people here; they're desperate. She's not safe in this area," his comment struck Rosette as odd and unsettling, as if they were in a subpar grocery store. Retaliating, Rosette retorted, "People here do what they must to survive. No one else has ever given me trouble like you all have," her defiance tinged with uncertainty.

Sam chuckled, and Ethan just snorted as he opened the back passenger door of the Suburban and gestured Rosette inside. She wasn't sure what to expect, but it still caught her off guard. Mr. Tall and Dark was already seated inside, known as Mr. Luther.

"Thank you for joining me for lunch today, Rosette," he said with a smile.

"Thank you for the invitation," Rosette replied automatically as she took her seat.

Suddenly, Rosette realized why Mr. Luther hadn't approached her at the clinic. Her expression froze, unable to tear her gaze away from him. A moment too late, she noticed her rapid breathing and tried to calm herself. Ethan positioned himself in the front passenger seat next to the driver, but Rosette was so overwhelmed that she broke out in a cold sweat.

The familiar scent she had been chasing all week surrounded her. She cleared her throat and attempted to avert her eyes, but she couldn't. Coherent thoughts escaped her as she entered the vehicle. The only thing on her mind was the captivating man in the opposite seat. His skin appeared even more flawless than she remembered, tempting her to reach out and touch him. Unaware as the SUV exited the lot.

Desperately trying to regain composure, Mr. Luther had a slight smile as he reached over and took Rosette's hand, soothing it with gentle circles. His touch seemed to calm her breathing that she struggled to control.

"Where are we headed?" Rosette inquired, snapping out of her daze and recalling she had just gotten into a car with strangers.

"The Club has reservations for us; I'm certain you'll find something to your liking there," Mr. Luther replied. "Did you rest well last night?" he inquired with a tight smile.

"I believe you know exactly how I slept!" Rosette retorted, cheeks flushed. Her emotions shifted from excitement to anger in an instant. The audacity to ask that after intruding into her home.

The deep rumble in his chest hinted at a laugh, causing both men in the front seat to glance back.

Unexpectedly, Rosette found herself seated across his lap, her face mere inches from his. He appeared annoyed but still undeniably alluring.

"You shouldn't consume substances that induce such drowsiness; it's unsafe. Do you frequently take such things?"