J.J. Grantham started moving again, walking past her, keeping a normal distance, as if they didn’t share a possibly ominous secret. “You don’t have to stand and welcome anyone, just get up from your chair. No one expects more of you, most of them don’t care.”
“Okay,” Alice nodded and watched him walk towards the conference room she had prepared.
It was only then when she noticed that he was carrying a thin leather briefcase in his right hand. Alice was dazzled by the fact of how coolly he was acting towards her, as if their time at the Dark Alley meant absolutely nothing to him. Or was this part of the act? His way to separate work from the Dark Alley? Wouldn’t she do exactly the same? Wasn’t she actually doing the same?
But then, as he opened the door, he turned his head and looked straight at her, his expression unreadable once again, or was he worried?
“I wanted to tell you, Alice,” he spoke, and she instantly know that he was talking about the fact that he owned the company she had been transferred to and the job she now had. “I would have told you if I had known.”
Alice pressed her lips to a thin line, stopping herself from saying anything that could make this situation even more awkward, and nodded.
“If you want to talk about it,” he added. “Whenever or wherever you want. You have my mobile phone number.”
Alice had no idea what to answer to that, and as she didn’t say anything, he vanished behind the closing door.
Well, fuck, she was screwed. It was one thing having dirty fantasies about her boss, but it was something else entirely when he knew about it, and something completely different when there was a chance that he was having the same fantasies about her, which she herself knew about.
Would that happen every time they saw each other? That they would think about their time at the Dark Alley?
Alice had no idea what she had expected him to say or do, but not this. Not being all professional and yet offering to talk about the situation. J.J. Grantham could have looked down on her, could have insinuated anything embarrassing to her, and even attempted to feel her up, as he already knew her body to the letter. He could have fired her on the spot. He could have simply ignored the entire situation, but no, he chose to talk about it.
While she was staring blankly at the closed-door Alice realized she really had gotten the job because she was good at what she did, and her Mr. Scotch, the big boss, had done nothing to influence that process. He could have gotten her thrown out of the race, or made sure that she would get the job, but he hadn’t.
The rest of the day turned out to be quite uneventful, after talking to Mr. Grantham. He had been right about the other board members. They just passed her by, greeting her, as if she always had sat at that desk. One even called her ‘Grace’ and only two others were confused as they realized that they never had seen her before. But none of them introduced themselves to her.
Until lunch, when she was taking the orders.
It was actually the big boss J.J. Grantham himself who introduced her to everyone. Alice avoided looking directly at him and so did he. They could be professional about this, but there were limits, especially when that man was standing close to her, smelling like that, bringing back all the naughty memories of what he had done to her in the Dark Alley.
Alice knew that she could handle that. She had been in awkward situations before in which she had to work with someone she didn’t like, who had talked trash about her. Seeing Mr. Scotch every other week, or sometimes weekly couldn’t be that hard, unless he came close to her.
All she needed was to inhale his scent and memories invaded her mind. Alice was grateful that J.J. Grantham avoided touching her, because she knew perfectly well how her body would react to that. It would burst into flames.
She had read so many books about the forbidden work romance, of the female heroine being infatuated with the boss, and the male lead tempting or enraging her until they finally clashed, ending up having mind-altering, dirty sex. There had never been a book telling the story the other way around. Alice knew how sex was with J.J. Grantham, they had already checked that box, but he didn’t seem to be the tempting, overstepping, and seductive boss that would make her working life hell.
Maybe he would stay away from her in the Dark Alley, too? Would she really want that? Could they make it work? Being all business when they met outside of the club and continue like they had within the sanctuary of the Dark Alley? Would she want that?
Alice didn’t know. What she did know was that right now she needed some stability, and something normal. With that in her mind, she pulled out her phone and messaged Tristan and asked him if he was up for dinner. Her phone buzzed just a few minutes later: Pick you up at work today?
Alice checked her watch. It was close to dinner time, but the board members were still meeting.
“Tomorrow?” She wrote back. “I don’t know how long I will have to stay at work today. Bosses are still meeting.”
That’s all right, Tristan sent back before she could put her phone away. Let’s say tomorrow then, unless you get off within the next hour?
Tristan obviously really wanted to meet with her. It made Alice smile a little, but before she could answer him, the double doors of the meeting room opened. And he stepped out, closing the door behind him.
“Alice,” he said her name and it made her shiver in a very wrong way, it felt like smooth silk on her skin. “Could you please let the restaurant know that we will be there in about forty minutes,” Mr. Grantham walked up to her desk, instead of just staying where he was. “After that you are free to leave for home. You don’t have to wait until we have left, the cleaners are used to cleaning up the meeting room.”
“Yes, Sir, I will let them know right away, thank you,” Alice responded, with a nod, reaching out for the company phone, but their glances had locked and he didn’t turn to walk back into the meeting room. “Is there anything else?” she added, realizing that he simply could have used the intercom on the meeting table or his computer.
For a second there, Alice was sure that he was about to say something, but he seemed to have changed his mind. “No, that’ll be all, Alice,” he shook his head. “Have a nice evening.”
“Thank you,” she smiled back at him and added “You, too,” before she could stop herself.
J.J. Grantham just smiled back at her and went back into the meeting room.
Well, that was odd.
Alice did as he had told her and then messaged Tristan that he could pick her up, after telling Jimmy that he was free to go home as well.
Twenty-Three
Tristan had asked for 20 minutes, which told Alice that he either was still at work, too, or living downtown. And that reminded her what Jimmy told her about Grantham Global providing apartments close to work for employees that were assisting the upper management.
Alice hadn’t found any files, letters, or emails that were offering her the same, but maybe there was just no place available right now. Apart from that, she wasn’t even sure if she really wanted to move.
When she arrived downstairs five minutes early, Tristan was already waiting for her on the same spot where Jimmy usually parked. Alice had no idea what make of car he was driving, but it was dark blue, which didn’t surprise her.
Tristan got out of the car when he saw her and opened the passenger door for her, which made Alice smile. Good manners were attractive when it came to her. A guy could be gorgeous, but if he had no clue how to behave, Alice wouldn’t even touch him with a little finger. She had friends who loved the foul mouthed punk type, but that wasn’t her.
“Hey,” Tristan greeted her with a wide smile.
He was definitely happy to see her, definitely, because it was so soon after his suggestion at the Dark Alley, but Alice didn’t care. She would make clear to him that it didn’t mean as much as he might think it did.
“Hi,” she answered softly, stepping off the last stair and gave him a peck on his cheek and he responded the same w
ay, keeping enough distance between them, as if he knew that this could be his last chance.
After she got into his car, he closed the door and went to the other side. That was when Alice had a strange feeling of being watched, but maybe it had to do with the fact that pretty much anyone could see them right now. Maybe even Jason Jeremiah Grantham. Would he be jealous? Alice shook her head to get rid of this thought.
“Are you all right?” Tristan asked her, starting the car and she just smiled.
“I’m fine. Just a little tired.”
“I can just drive you home,” he offered.
“No, I’m starving,” Alice laughed. “I had only a salad for lunch. I hope you know a good restaurant.”
“I actually do,” he grinned, his eyes brightening up.
He was stunning when he grinned boyishly like that.
They started chatting about her new job, while Tristan drove through rush-hour traffic, and Alice did her best to not go into any details on her new big boss. Of course, Tristan couldn’t have any clue, how could he?
When Tristan started talking about his job, Alice was silently relieved to not tiptoe around the topic anymore, but she couldn’t help and ask herself if she would have to always be careful around him. She really liked Tristan, but that wasn’t how she imagined a healthy relationship would be. Alice held her horses right then and there. She barely knew him.
Going out on a date, even a spontaneous one, seemed strange. Alice was simply not used to it anymore, and it had only been a few weeks since she started going to the Dark Alley. Before that, she had stayed clear of men and enjoyed her time alone. It was the first time in a long time that she had been single, and with the Dark Alley she hadn’t felt the urge to settle down.
Alice had to be honest with herself; she didn’t know if she really wanted a normal relationship, or a relationship at all. What she needed right now was just a little change from what had become normal, and some time away from her daily routine.
It was odd, really. A few weeks ago, she would have had a little internal happy dance sitting next to a guy like Tristan. She would have been worried that she wasn’t interesting enough, even worse that she was boring, because that was what her life had been like. But now it was close to chaos.
Tristan knew what she was up to. He had watched her having sex with someone else and jerked off to it. They knew each other from a place that they weren’t allowed to talk about. And that was exciting. He had no clue that he wasn’t the only one she now knew by name. And that was thrilling, too. They had sex and kissed.
“This is just crazy, isn’t it?” Alice suddenly blurted out. “I mean, going on a date when we skipped all bases already.”
“I guess it is,” Tristan glanced at her before bringing his attention back to the street.
“Would it be strange for you if we just… I don’t know, go out and have dinner and leave it like that?” Alice asked.
“I thought that that’s what we were planning to do,” he answered. “A normal date, as if, well, there was no place that shall not be named.”
Alice laughed.
“I understand that my gender often comes off as horny,” Tristan continued. “But new studies show that women actually think more about sex than men do.”
“Is that so?” Alice questioned and cocked one brow.
“Yes,” Tristan nodded. “We men just talk more openly about it. So, it’s actually intriguing to know a lady who does the same.”
“Thanks,” Alice spoke quietly, slightly smiling.
“For what?” Tristan frowned.
“For calling me a lady,” she laughed again.
“No need to thank me for that,” he chuckled and pulled the car over to a parking lot. “We will have to walk a bit, I can give you my jacket. It’s a bit chilly outside and you don’t have an overcoat.”
“Thank you, that’s sweet of you,” Alice said and stayed in her seat until Tristan had walked to the trunk of his car and got out his coat; then opened the door for her and helped her into the piece of clothing that was definitely too big for her, but it fulfilled its purpose.
Since they already had talked jobs and Alice didn’t want to go into any specifics, they walked silently towards the restaurant, which looked like some Italian family place from the outside and didn’t disappoint once Alice stepped into the place. It wasn’t very crowded, so they could pick themselves a table far away from the entrance so that Alice wouldn’t get chilly.
When they got the menu, it turned out that she could basically order anything at all, which made it harder for her to decide. She wasn’t someone who wouldn’t regret eating unhealthy at that time of day.
Tristan and her actually did have a nice evening and talked about pretty much anything but the Dark Alley, which was refreshing and just what Alice had hoped for. They talked about their time at school and college, but it was more interesting to listen to Tristan and what he had already experienced in life, travelling around the globe for a couple of years before returning home and becoming an investigative reporter. He was easy to listen and talk to, which probably was because he knew his way around words, but also because he was actually her age.
Alice couldn’t help but imagine how this relationship could develop when, after three hours of dinner and conversation, the night ended in Tristan driving her home.
“I know we stayed clear of the topic the entire evening, but I just want you to know that I am thinking of cancelling my membership,” she explained.
“Why is that?” Tristan’s interest seemed sincere.
“I don’t know,” Alice sighed and then admitted. “I can’t tell you. It’s just… I wanted you to know. But I would like to repeat this evening someday.”
“Someday soon, I hope,” Tristan smiled at her.
Obviously, that was all he was going to say about that topic, and he didn’t seem to want to investigate any further, which Alice appreciated.
“Yes,” she nodded, smiling more to herself. “I would like that.”
“I’m going to wait in front of your house until you’re inside, okay?” He asked after a few moments of silence.
“That’s sweet of you, thanks,” Alice smiled at him.
The very same smile stayed on her lips after she had opened the entrance door and waved Tristan goodbye. It stayed there even when she walked up the stairs to her apartment, but it vanished as she saw another box waiting for her at her door. She could see from this distance that it wasn’t a flower box this time.
That was when she realized that she hadn’t asked King if he had sent the flowers. But it didn’t really make sense that it was him, because he had just told her today that he didn’t know that she had been hired. And it wouldn’t really fit to how he had presented himself towards her today.
So, was one of them lying, or was there someone else she was missing? Jeff maybe? But they had only texted a little bit. Had he followed her?
Alice felt sick as she stopped at her door. Staring at the expensive looking box, she wasn’t sure what to do with it, but leaving it outside didn’t seem like the right option. So, she had a secret admirer. It couldn’t be that hard to find out who that was.
Maybe, so she thought, when she picked up the box and let herself into her home, it was King’s wife, who was a closet lesbian? She laughed about that idea, which might even be true. Wouldn’t that be something.
Alice put the box on her coffee table and frowned. Something was off. She was certain that she had put her laptop back into her bedroom, but it was right there.
“What the–?” She spoke to herself, sat down on the couch, and looked at the pillows.
Was it just her, or had they been moved? They were positioned so neatly, while she usually just tossed them into the corners. Maybe she was imagining things, but Alice got up and walked around, checking to see if anything else what out of place. There was nothing out of the ordinary. Everything seemed to be right where it supposed to be, apart from her laptop.
Qui
ckly, Alice returned to her laptop, flipped it open and pressed any key; it instantly came to life, showing her last search, the profile of J.J. Grantham. There weren’t any other programs active and yet the pop-up warning her that her battery was low appeared, along with the annoying noise.
Alice got up, took the laptop with her, brought it back to her designated spot in her bedroom, and connected it with the charging cable. This was odd. Not only wasn’t her laptop where it was supposed to be, but all of a sudden the battery was low.
She couldn’t shake off the feeling that someone had been in her apartment while she was out with Tristan, but she didn’t want to believe that he had something to do with this. It could have happened while she was at work. But apart from her mother, who was living farther away, only Bianca had a key. Alice couldn’t call her, because it was too late. It would be the first thing to do when she woke up the next day.
Hastily Alice checked the door for any signs of forced entry, but the lock and the door was fine.
“You’re acting crazy,” Alice told herself, resting her back against the door, which she checked several times making sure she really had locked it. “You just have forgotten to put that damn thing back in your bedroom and on the charger, that’s all!”
Although, in the back of her mind, she knew it wasn’t true. She was absolutely certain that she had put the laptop back yesterday.
Checking her phone as she was tossing herself around in her bed, she saw it was already past midnight. How was she supposed to sleep with that strange feeling eing watched, or violated? Tomorrow it was all about going through the tapes of the meeting and putting the important information from the recordings of that meeting onto paper and starting to find a date for the meeting after the next. She had time till Thursday to do the first and till next week for the second.
Dark Alley: Stalker Page 2