Chapter 2
"Laura! I need those files!"
I sighed as my boss, also my best friend, Bethany Charles entered my office.
"Laura, what's wrong? You're always looking gloomy and tired, I can squeeze in a break for you, if you're looking for one."
I stared at Bethany, her blonde curls and her cherry smiles seemed to lit up the blue sky in her eyes.
For once I felt free, like someone had just given me the freedom I needed, and that God had been my best friend since university. I smiled and nodded my head, as she walked over and rubbed my back.
"Maybe I could work from a different location?"
"What, like move away, forever?"
Her face drained of colour in sorrow and worry.
"No, just for a couple of months, Beth. Los Angels is a bit too crowded..."
"Okay, I know some people in Georgia, think of it as a holiday present, from your bestie."
Bethany stated as she gripped me into a hug, I smiled, maybe I did need a holiday from the people I knew so well. Just for a little while.
"Alright, how does next week sound?"
"What, no! If you're going on a holiday, you go right away. And you don't come back here unless I see more smiles than frowns, missy. That's a order for your job, if you want to keep it."
We laughed as she left my office, alright Georgia, here I come.
Georgia USA seemed like a nice place, lots of trees, a lake, tall glassy buildings. Everything seemed perfect.
I was with my tour guide when it happened, a simple tour around the city with my new, temporary boss. A slight tap on the shoulder and everything changed, a new complicated emotion entered my life, yet it felt oddly familiar.
"Excuse me, ma'am, you look new around here. It'd be my pleasure to show you around."
I looked up at a man, he was about 6ft 2, wearing a nice dark suit. His pitch black hair surrounded his slightly tanned face, his dark brown eyes pierced me. Like I was helpless, and he played me like his puppet. A small but visible smile was attached to his face, he held out his smoothed skinned hand in greeting. I tried looking away, I tried to move, but his gaze glued me to the ground. I was stuck like his prey.
"Um, no... No thank you, I'm fine."
The words came harsher than I expected out of my mouth. Yet, I knew this predator, he could hurt me just by touching me.
He backed up a few inches, like I had hurt him from the inside.
"Sorry, I rushed a little, didn't I? Let's start with new beginnings, shall we?"
His tone of voice was hushed, and almost audible, but the way he said it. It was sexy, but luring.
"I'm-"
"I know who you are, you're that rapist, Jake Valentino."
"But, I-"
"No, leave me alone, I don't want you to hurt me. Get lost, you monster."
I took off running back to my boss.
"Eric! A man's after me!"
Eric Finwey was Bethany's other friend, he was so nice and very smart, they said he would look after me.
"Where? I don't see him, hurry up, or you're going to miss out on the hotel check in."
I looked back as Mr Finwey dragged me down the street, Valentino was nowhere to be seen.
