"You just started working here Betty. It's only been like two weeks, Why do you want to leave so soon?" Meghan asked me as she placed outfits by hangers around the dressers.

"Is Tony giving you more trouble, or is it the other girls?" She seemed worried.

"Tony has truly been annoying but neither him nor anyone else here at Strip Tease is a reason for me leaving." I stated. "I got a better offer at this fashion house in Yonkers."

I've always been comfortable around Meghan although we aren't really close. Meghan is my dead grandmother's adopted daughter. No one ever really liked her or called her Aunt or sister. My uncles and other Aunties and including my mother never paid any attention to Meghan. No one ever considered her as family, well except for grand mother.

No one knows why Nana adopted her. She already had seven kids by the time, why add another?

It was only my brother Christopher who liked her. He always preferred staying at her place than at home. And he would bring me along with him when he did so. That's how I got used to Meghan.

As I said, I and Meghan aren't close at all. I only asked for her help because she's the only family member released from jail. She was caught doing some illegal gambling seven years ago. She has been free for two years now.

Meghan turned to face me. "Really? So you're a modeling now?"

She sounded surprised.

"I'm not modeling. I got a job as a personal assistant" I replied.

Me? A model? As if I got the body for such a thing.

She looked kinda proud when I said that.

"The first in the family to have a dignified job." She chuckled. "Wish my Gaby was smart enough to finish school instead of running of with that drug dealer Steve." She frowned at saying that.

Gaby has never listened to anyone. In fact, no one in my family ever listens. So I ain't surprised. I even expected it.

But I'm no better. Me finishing school does not make me more special than any other person in my family. If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't be here at NYU to begin with.

They helped me raise the remaining amount of my Tuition fee that wasn't covered by the scholarship I gained. So even if they raised that money from illegal activity, they did it out of love. And I have high respect for each and everyone of them.

And getting this job has nothing to do with me being smart. It was all James .

"She'll come back one day." I held her shoulder. "I know for sure."

Meghan laughed bitterly with sorrow clear in hear voice.

"For all we know she could be died." Her eyes held hints of pain. "Drugs never get anyone anywhere. And love is another word for blindness. I just hope I get to see her body before they bury her."

My heart ached when she said that. "I deserve to bury her myself infact. I gave birth to her."

"Megh........"

I don't believe Gaby is dead. I know Stephan was a very confused and desperate person but he would protect Gaby with his life if he had too. Though he never showed her how much he cares and constantly made her doubt it with his actions, I know for a fact he would do anything for her.

"Anyway, enough of Gaby. Let me go get your pay check." She left the room quickly trying to hide her agony from view.

I wonder where Gaby ended up at? We never liked each other but she was so down to earth. She saw the world beneath her feet. She had dreams and wanted to see everything.

Stephen was a wealthy guy looking for some kind of escape. And though he was trouble, in some sick way he really loved Gaby. He would do anything for her. Everyone called that relationship toxic. They said Gaby lost her way, she was so deep into it that she left with him the moment he asked.

They run away with a tones money. As I said "Steve came from a wealthy family" and he had his eyes on Gaby. And wasn't going to look else where. They went through alot and Aunty always suspect Steve to be involved in some drug stuff because she found half a kilo of cocaine inside Gaby's room. But who knows where she got that from?

"Here's your pay check." Meghan returned with the check and handed it to me.

"Thank you." I placed it in my bag.

"You take care of yourself. The world is worse than you think." She sat by the dresser. "And I know you've seen alot of things but it's worse. Just be smart." She advised .

"I'll do my best."

"Now don't forget about me. Pay me visits sometimes." She gave me a hug.

I nodded. "I will."

I was just about to exit when Meghan called me back.

"I almost forgot Betty. Come back for a second." She took something from one of the drawers.

"Adrian Stevenson came here looking for you last night. And he left you this." She handed me an envelope.

"Now I don't know what you and that man have going on, but I advice you to stay away from him." She warned.

"I don't have any....." She cut me off.

"There must be a reason he would give you all that money. I've seen that guy here more often than you think. And I can assure you he's bad news."

Money? This envelope has money. But what is the money for? He already paid me. Why would he hand me more?

"Be careful."

I left strip tease with one big question. Why did Adrian give me this?

I quickly opened the envelope and found something I wasn't really expecting. There was a phone number written in a piece of paper and of course some money, a lot of money next to it.

He left me his contracts.

There's no way I'm calling him.

•••••••

The first day of work and I was visibly nervous. I left NYU early enough to make it work on time.

As usual the fashion house was full of busy people. I walked straight to Miss Inez's office ready to take on the new responsibility of being a diligent employee.

"Betty darling, good afternoon." Evans greeted. He was reading a magazine sited on a sofa by the window. Miss Inez was no where in sight.

"Good afternoon Evans."

"I see you're early for your first day." He smiled. "That's good. You'll get on Inez's good side if you complete those deliveries. And also my own." He turned to face me.

"You've nothing to worry about. I'll do everything on time." I assured.

I'm determined to do my best, this is not just for my mother but also for myself.

"Then let's get to work. Miss Inez isn't around but she left some instructions for you." He placed his magazine aside and approached me.

"You have to deliver some paintings to Haven Publishers for it's new offices." He informed. "Follow me."

I and Evans took the elevator to the third floor.

"Do you know what would complete your look girl?" Evan beamed as he stood next to me in the elevator.

I wore dark blue skinny jeans, a yellow blouse and my brown boots with a light grey coat.

"Inlighten me."

"A flower on the side of your head." He gazed at me. "Right here." He touched my hair. "That pony tail suits you."

"Thank you." I tried not to be too fluttered.

Evans himself was wearing really tight green pants with a very see through white shirt and pink converses. His wavy long blonde hair was laid down.

I wonder who is the man Evans is dating? Cause he got the catch. Evans is a very attractive man who also happens to be very confident about his sexuality. No one can question it. He is clearly openly and proudly gay.

But I could be wrong. I never asked him but hope I'm not.

We got out of the alevator and went straight to the art gallery.

"Harry dear, get me those paintings I picked out earlier." Evans instructed one of the men working down here with a wave of his hand.

"Sure thing sir."

A minute later, Harry came back with boxes that I assume held the paintings.

"Take those to the black van I got packed outside." Evans requested.

"Yes sir."

Evans took something from his pocket and handed it to me.

"The keys to the company Van. You'll be using that for your work."

"Thank you."

"Get back here quickly sweet heart." Evans insisted. "You have about five deliveries to complete."

"I'll be back soon." I assured and proceeded with my task.

I worked for hours and hours. It wasn't that hard to deliver all those goods and since I was always inside a car, I hardly got tired. But I was indeed getting very very hungry.

The rest of the day went by faster than I thought. Evans is very easy to work with and he's so funny at times. I wonder if Miss Inez is the same.

Evans is the company Manager and he's really good at his job. And he has an amazing sense of humor.

I've never met anyone who is always smiling literally all the time.

I also noticed that Evans might actually be single. Because he was eyeing one of the male models by the fashion house like he wanted to eat the guy.

For a while I thought may be he was dating the guy but the model didn't spare Evans a single glance.

Evans is actually only a few years older than me, perhaps three or four. So I wasn't surprised when I saw him checking out the younger model. I tried not to stare much but Evans caught me.

"Okay you caught me." I raised my hands. "I think you like him."

Evans looked at me with these eyes and I almost laughed. The guy seemed whipped.

He quickly pulled me into Miss Inez's office.

"I swear Betty I've been having eyes for that guy for months now." He looked dazed.

"Then ask him out." I said. "What are you waiting for?"

Evans gave me this unsure look.

"What's wrong?" I asked. "Is he dating someone?"

"No he isn't." Evans replied. "I got Janey to ask him and she informed me he's single."

"Then what's stopping you?".

Evans sat on the sofa and I took my spot next to him. He looked kinda sad now. I placed my hand on his shoulder.

"I don't think he's like me?" He looked at his fingers. "He might be different."

"What do you mean he's different from you?"

He sighed and gave me the "you know" look.

"Oooh...." I said. "You're not sure if he's into guys."

"Exactly."

"Then why don't you ask him?" I suggested.

"And risk embarrassing myself girl, no way." He denied. "He may be straight as a stick, or worse, he could be homophobic."

"But if you never try you'll never know." I tapped his shoulder. "May be he notices you too."

Evans laughed.

"I'm pretty sure I'm non-existent to him." He sighed. "I'm screwed." He leaned on the sofa.

"There's plenty of fish in the sea you know." I tried to encourage.

"But I'm attracted to that one specific salmon with pitch hair and cute freckles who goes by the name Mike." He looked at me.

"Then risk it." I said. "If your eyes are set on that one specific salmon then don't let your fears weigh you down. Give it a try. Besides, if he isn't into guys then you'll be getting yourself out of this bubble. Because then you'll find someone who is actually into you."

Evans smiled..

"Thank God James brought you here. Miss Inez's last personal assistant was a pain in the ass. She could not initiate any sort of girl talk." He hugged me tightly.

"Evans....I can't........ breath." I choked out. Is he trying to kill me? He quickly let me go and I took deep breathes.

"Sorry.." he chuckled.

"Which reminds me..how did you and James met?" He asked curiously.

"You must be really close if he came here after not setting foot at this company in ages." He added.

Evans didn't realize that his question was taking me back to the night that I and James met. I've keeping myself busy to avoid thinking about him but I guess he'll always come back to haunt me.

It seems like yesterday when I saw him for the first time. The events that occured after that night are now blurry to me. Everything happened so fast and I don't even now how we got here.

The story of us looks alot like a tragedy now. He hasn't even looked for me after getting me this job. He's moved on so quickly and I'm barely beginning too.

"I met him at NYU about a year ago during a basketball game." I lied. "We've been friends ever since."

"Since when does James enjoy watching basket ball games?" He eyed me.

"I don't know." I said nervously. "May be he accompanied some friends." I offered a reason.

"I guess he has changed alot from the last time I saw him." He sighed. "He's almost a stranger to me now."

Well he is a stranger to me to Evans. I thought.

_________________________