Chapter Four- Book One

Alana (POV)

I turned on my light and reached up and touched my lips. He kissed me and I let him. The question is why did I let him? And why did he kiss me? I am his employee. I mean yeah, he took me to a nice dinner, but he said it was because he hates to eat alone. So, I said yes to going thinking it was a wonderful way to get to know my boss better. After all, we are working together so I should get to know him. But as a boss only. I need to do what I can to avoid another situation like this. I walked over to my couch and sat down leaning my head back and closing my tired eyes. Only my mind kept replaying that kiss. It was like I had never been kissed before and I dated plenty of men who kissed me goodnight. But Gabe’s kiss? There was something different about it, almost electrical. It was soft at first and when I didn’t stop him, the kiss almost felt like he was claiming me. That is the only way I can describe it.

Yet, in the haze at the back of my mind, I have had these dreams at night about a black motorcycle and blue eyes. I wish I could find my hero and thank him for saving me. No telling what might have happened if he never showed up. But now I have a constant reminder of that night growing inside of me. It is not the baby’s fault, and I don’t believe in abortion so for me that is not an option. I decided I will keep the baby and raise it to be a better person than its father was.

I yawned and stood up heading to my bathroom to shower and then headed for bed. Once in bed, I closed my eyes and as I was drifting to sleep, I was startled awake by a noise. I sat up and heard a shuffling sound near my front door. Did I remember to lock it? I was so distracted I couldn’t remember. I slipped on my robe, crept into the kitchen, and pulled out a butcher's knife. I tiptoed quietly to my front door and noticed I did remember to lock it. Yet holding the knife I quietly unlocked the door and slowly turned the knob. I opened the door only to find no one there. As I turned to go back in, I screamed as I saw what was written on my door in what looked like blood.

You belong to me Bitch, and no one else or you die!

I ran into my apartment and slammed the door, locking it. I grabbed my phone to call the police.

Hours later after the police left, they had suggested I find somewhere else to stay for the night, but I had nowhere to go. So instead, I kept my door locked and sat up awake on the couch holding a butcher knife. I dozed off a few times only to wake with nightmares. This is the first time I was threatened, and I can’t help but wonder by who? As six am neared I stood and rinsed my face with cool water and dressed for the day before the car was to arrive at seven. Right before the police left, I was able to wash the fake blood off my door. I was grateful they stayed long enough so I was able to do so.

Feeling exhausted I walked into the office and sat behind my desk. I turned on my computer then remembered Gabe’s coffee and danish.

“Oh, shit.” I stood and rushed back downstairs to the coffee shop and claimed his order and ordered me the ginger tea he suggested I try. Back upstairs I set my tea down on my desk and then knocked on Gabe’s door.

“Enter, Alana.” I heard him say as I opened the door. I walked over to his desk and sat his coffee and danish down in front of him. He looked up at me and frowned, “Did you not get any sleep?”

I shook my head. “There was an incident at my apartment last night. The police were called, and it kept me up pretty much all night.” I tried to smile, “Don’t worry I can still do my job.”

“What incident? What happened?” He sounded concerned.

I shook my head debating telling him. After all, he is only my boss. “It was nothing. The police are taking care of things.”

He studied me and I can tell he was not buying it. He stood up and walked around his desk, came over to me, taking my arm gently. He led me to his comfy-looking couch in the room and sat me down. He sat next to me and turned towards me. “Alana, I don’t just want to be your boss, I want to be your friend also. You can confide in me. You can trust me.”

“We had just met a few days ago. I just don’t know.” I looked down at my hands in my lap. I was just so tired and didn’t have very many friends in my life I can trust. I had trusted one who had set me up on a severely bad blind date and since then I distant myself out of her life. I do have Sarah, Tom’s sister but she has her family and I refuse to be a burden to her. I am grateful that she talked Tom into helping me get this job so if anything, I owe her.

I felt Gabe’s hand cover mine on my lap and looked up into his eyes. They were so blue and filled with concern and sincerity for my well-being, that I sighed, and before I could stop myself, and for some unknown reason I began, “I was woken to a noise last night outside my apartment. I snuck to my kitchen and grabbed my largest knife from my drawer. When I opened the front door and peeked out, no one was there, but there was a message written in fake blood for me on my door.”

“What did the message say?”

“It said, you belong to me and no one else or you die,”

“Has things like this happened before?”

I shook my head. “No. But I have for the last month had this feeling of being watched.” Thinking about it, if I have been watched then whoever it is, seen Gabe kiss me. That could be why the message on my door. A warning. My hands began to tremble as I realized all this now.

I know he noticed the trembling as he squeezed my hands with his, “Have you any ideas who it could be?” He asked me gently.

“No,” I whispered. I might know but I was afraid to voice it.

Gabe seems to sense this as he asks, “Are you sure you have no idea?”

I opened my mouth, then shut it again. I am not sure how much to confide in him. But I can’t help it. When I look into his eyes I feel as if I can trust him. So, I began with my story. “About three months ago a friend set me up on a blind date. I could tell from the beginning it was going to be a nightmare. I saw the red flag as soon as I opened my door, and the first then out of his mouth was lewd comments about my ass and my breasts. Then at dinner, he kept drinking and flirting with the waitress.

I tried to make up some excuse to leave early but he refused, insisting I stay. He kept drinking and making crude comments not only about the waitress but about me as well. He kept telling me one day he wanted to take me away to get better acquainted with me and that he felt we were brought together for a reason. When we left the restaurant, he decided he wanted to walk for a bit to clear his head. I stupidly went with him. I kept telling myself what harm could happen with a walk?” I kept looking down at my hands with his large one covering them. I felt him stiffen sitting next to me. I couldn’t look him in the eye as I was telling him my story. I felt so ashamed. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes remembering what happened next. My voice trembled as I continued, “He dragged me into an ally, I tried to fight him off, but it only excited him more. He covered my mouth so I couldn’t scream.” I felt a tear slide down my cheek. I glanced up into Gabe’s eyes before I blurted, “I was raped. The baby is his. I don’t blame the baby. It is innocent.” The tears began to fall in earnest and Gabe took me into his arms and held me.

“I promise, I won’t let any harm come to you.” He told me as I wept in his arms. I just feel so tired and weary.

I must have fallen asleep because I woke up on the sofa in Gabe’s office with a throw blanket covering me. I lay there composing my thoughts. Why did I confide in Gabe about the rape? That thought only confused me more. And I can’t believe I fell asleep on the sofa in his office. Oh Lord, what could he be thinking about all this? He hired me as his receptionist and here I am crying on his shoulder. And what a strong shoulder it is. I felt how muscular he felt as he held me against his broad chest and powerful arms. I felt safe for the first time in a long time since the rape.

I heard tapping on a keyboard and sat up. Looking around I saw Gabe sitting at his desk focusing on his screen as he typed. He must have heard me because he looked over and smiled. “You were quite tired. You slept most of the day. How are you feeling?”

I stared at him. “I need to apologize to you. I normally don’t break down like that.”

He stood and walked over. “You don’t need to apologize, and I asked you a question. How are you feeling?”

I looked down at the floor. “I am trying to be brave, but I do admit I am a little scared.”

He knelt and took my hand in his. “Had you reported the rape? And have they ever caught the man?”

“I reported it, yes. And he seemed to have vanished off the face of the earth. The police questioned my friend since she was the one who set up the date. She confessed to not knowing anything about the man. So why she set up the date will remain a mystery.”

“So, this man is still at large somewhere.” It was more of a statement than a question. I nodded. “Do you suspect it could be him that is watching you? Who wrote that threat?”

“I don’t know. It could be.” I said, rubbing my eyes and yawning.

“Since you are employed with my company. I do not feel comfortable with you staying at your apartment. If something were to happen to you, I wouldn’t forgive myself.”

“Why? I am only an employee. I am not your responsibility.”

“As my personal assistant. Yes, you are my responsibility. And as such I will have you put up at a hotel until other arrangements can be made.”

I began to object and refuse but the look in his eyes told me he would not take no for an answer. And maybe this way I can finally get a good night's sleep. So, I nodded. “Alright. Thank you.”