Chapter 1

"Patience is not the ability to wait, but the ability to keep a good attitude while waiting". - Joyce Meyer

It is getting late where is that man? I glance at my watch biting the inside of my cheek. This is why I never agree to meet clients after hours, especially at places like this. Skunky bars that is. I hate places like this. Always smelling like testosterone, sweat, smoke, and drinks. Not even mentioning the drunk men thinking that they are some kind of exceptional, they mostly are not even attractive. Most of them are old enough to have imoregnated my mother! I place my empty wine glass on the bar signaling to the bartender to keep the wine coming. All I wanted was to kick off my shoes, unstrap my bra and find a comfortable spot on the couch in front of the television tonight.

I turn around as soon as I hear a group of people entering the lonely bar where I find myself being held hostage in, waiting on a new client who is interested in buying the place currently known as 'The hub'. Why anybody would be interested in this place blows my mind. The walls are filled with cracks and the ceiling might be about to fall on my head or rather the rest of the building above my head, but I am sure as hell not telling the idiot that. I'd rather point out that there is place to grow. An enormous piece of land at the back with the potential for building, the two houses on the side that comes with it, the five levels up that could be changed into apartments and the pool that can be reopened. Serves him right for making me wait. I turn away from the cloud of smoke pickering at my nose and I gulp down the glass of white wine on the bar.

"Pretty girl like you shouldn't be in a place like this." A husky voice whisper into my ear. Like I have not heard that one before, I mentally roll my eyes in the back of my head.

"Not interested." I wave my hand over my shoulder shooing the man not even glancing his way. The smell of his breath alone is repelling. Cigars and alcohol clouds flow from his mouth, revoltingI'd say.

"Come on girl let me buy you a drink." He teases making me turn to face him. He looks much younger than I would have guessed by the tone of his voice. Light brown hair covers his head making its way to his eyebrows which is pulled together in a knot. Soulless blue eyes bore into my eyes and his lips curved into one corner. He rend his eyes from me to signal the bartender then order me a refill and a vodka for himself before taking up the seat next to me. "Seat taken?" His voice hard and I am not sure if it is a question or a statement, but again man, the pick-up line is outdated already.

"Sure." I gesture with my hand to the seat as if I had any say in the matter.

"I hope I am not the one making such a beautiful girl wait ." He joke. Oh, it is you, my brain suddenly realizes that it must be the fool I was waiting for. The one who insisted that we meet at this hour,after work. If I didn't need that commission bonus I would swirl him right now. Emptying the glass of wine on him. I glance at him faking a smile.

"I have another meeting." I mutter in disbelieve at his confidence and arrogance. "Do you want to take a look around?" I question him although I really wish that I haven't. He can see the place is a dump and truthfully I am scared to go up the stairs. The building looks like a dangerous hazard. I saw a 1000 ways to die the other day of this group of kids who played in an old empty building. One girl got trapped inside and the ceiling collapsed onto her. Just one room. If my life is any indicator of what luck I could expect. The roof might collapse when I set my feet into the room.

"Let's finish our drinks first." He move towards my newly untouched glass of wine which I pick it up and take a sip of the white liwued before he can put his stinky fingers on the glass. At least I can enjoy another ten minutes or so of being alive. An uncomfortable silence falls between us only the sound of laughter and beers clinging around us is audible. I am not good at chitter-chatter. You know talking about this and that. I contemplate asking him about the weather, but almost immediately get rid of the thought. Maybe ask what he is planning on doing with the building. Ask him why he couldn't meet me during business hours.

"I really need to get this done with." I finally break the silence between us a few minutes later nervously gulping down the last of my wine, but I almost collapse when I rise to my feet from the chair. Darn, too much wine.

"Are you okay?" He questions me his one hand on my lower back and the other hand on my wrist. I might have fallen flat on my face if he hadn't caught me, but I sure don't appreciate his hands on me. I place my palms flat on the bar making sure my grip is tight. I tug my body away from him.

"Yeah... I um... The wine." My knuckles turn white against the bar while I struggle for words. I shouldn't have drunk that wine so quickly. I am an occasional drinker never having more than two glasses of wine. Tonight is an exception. "I am fine. Let's go." I take a deep breath and grab my handbag from the bar leading the way to the back of the building.

"As you can see." I indicate to the big space when we reach the second floor. "The possibilities are endless. The space is perfect for an office building and if you are prepared to spend more..." I take a deep breath trying to keep my balance. I can't believe I am drunk. I am drunk and trying to sell a piece of property that is almost as wasted as I am. "Apartments..." I place my palms flat against the dirty wall to support me.

"Are you seriously trying to sell me this... piece of shit?" He glares at me. His voice almost rumbling with laughter. "You don't know who I am, do you?" He takes two steps closer and I retreat slowly taking a step back. Red lights go off in my head. Wrong guy! Wrong guy! I need to get out.

I slowly start walking backward, but he doesn't stop coming at me. I can't help but think that he is dangerous. Why would I lead him up here? Why would I think that he is Mister Ivanov? He grab onto my arms pulling me against him. Luckily for my self-defense classes, I kick him hard in the groing making a run for it not looking back.

"Bitch" He hisses through gritted teeth then catch up to me jumping on me sending both of us crashing to the floor. The taste of blood in my mouth sends adrenaline flooding my body. I turn around kicking at him, but the wine is my enemy causing my strength to weaken. I kick at him, but my legs are too weak. "Don't worry sweetheart. You won't remember this." A crooked smile appear on his face. I try screaming, but there is no sound. Why is there no sound? I try again but nothing then I try begging. Maybe if I plead.

"Please..."

"Please..."

"Don't..."

Nothing. He cups my face with one hand his fingertips digging into my now wet cheeks. I didn't even notice I was crying until my eyes were fogging up. I close my eyes hoping it was a nightmare, but when I open them he was still watching me with lust-filled eyes. I hear him groan with ease then unbuckle his belt. No. No. No. Please.

He pushes my dress up and places his one knee between my thighs and asmuch as I want to fight back my body is numband the only thing I am able to do is close my eyes again when he starts planting kisses on my neck. His breath increases and I can hear him swallow hard.

"Please... don't." I try begging again and suddenly the weight lift of my body. I open my eyes with shock. I am dreaming. Thank God. It was just a dream, but my body is still numb and I am still not able to move.

"You will be okay. The police are on their way." A vision with clear blue eyes whispers against my cheek. I close my eyes at his words. Darkness surrounds me.