The House in the Woods

Sara's Story

Sara's story is not a happy one.  If you are not in the mood for a sad tale, then please skip the next two chapters. 

Sara POV

"Actually, I think that I do need to tell you at least part of the story, because I know that Owen won't. He and I rarely talk about "that" time," I say putting air quotes up when I say the word that. "I think that you knowing the story might help in your relationship with Owen. You know he has walls that he puts up to keep people at a distance, but I would be blind not to see that you have feelings for him. You see past the walls to the man. My story might help the two of you to break a few of those walls down quicker."

I reach into the side bench and take out a bottle of Vodka and a shot glass. I take two shots while Sang waits patiently for me to continue. After the second shot Sang's places her hand on top of mine and says, "You really don't have to do this."

I ignore her and say, "It all started about five and half years ago. I was visiting a client in a building in Atlanta, and they were on the fifteenth floor. In my head, I was running through a presentation that I was going to give, so at first I did not notice the man that was on the elevator with me. I was juggling my purse, my briefcase and my computer bag and did not notice that I dropped a pen.

I was pulled from my own thoughts when I heard someone say, 'Excuse me, miss, I think that you dropped this.' When I looked up I made eye contact with the most gorgeous steel grey eyes that I had ever seen in my life. When I took the pen from him, our hands brushed, and I swear that I felt a jolt of electricity. He must have felt it too because a smile formed on his lips that was hard to describe. It was not a happy smile, it was more sinister than that. He looked me up and down, and a shiver when up my spine. He looked like he was devouring me with his eyes."

The elevator opened on the fifteenth floor, and I tried to exit the elevator but he blocked me. The man grabbed my wrist and whispered in my ear, "What is your name?"

I look away from him, saying, "Excuse, I need to get to a meeting."

He let go of my wrist, stepped out of my way and said, "Ah, you want to make it difficult."

As the elevator door closed, I was only half listening, but I believe he said, "Let the games begin, my sweet."

I went through my presentation, and while I did mention the encounter to one of my girlfriends the following weekend, I soon forgot about it. I was knee deep in work. Two months later, I took on a new client at work, so I became even busier.

I came home the night that I found out about the new client and found two dozen roses on my porch. The card said "I miss you, and will see you soon." I was not dating anyone at the time. I was an only child, and my parents had died the year before, so I did not have any family. I figured the flower shop delivered them to the wrong house, but there was not a flower shop name on the card for me to call and ask.

Three weeks later, my boss came to me and said that my newest client was asking for more of my time. I knew that the company was doing an acquisition, and I had talked to them about my firm handling the work. Because I had made the pitch, I knew it would mean that I would receive a bonus. It took two weeks for me to hand off my other clients. The only unusual request was that I would be working full time in their offices, but with the business that we would generate, my boss excused me from our weekly staff meetings saying that I could email reports to them. The next Monday, I would start reporting full time to JB Enterprises."

Joshua, the owner, president and CEO, was a recluse according to everyone in the company. He never came into the Atlanta office, and no one except his most trusted executives even knew what he looked like.

I worked for a few more weeks and then was called in by their VP of Finance, Jeff Hayes. I was offered an amazing position at double my current salary. I would be based out of the Atlanta office, but would be traveling most of the time, including some international travel. They were even offering a signing bonus that would be equal to the yearly bonus that I would have to forfeit from my current firm. I told Jeff that I was honored, but that I had a non-compete contract with my firm that I could not go to work with clients. Jeff said that he would talk to the partners of the firm and see what they could work out. It seems that the company president had authorized him to continue using my current firm even if I came on board. I had never met the CEO; I was a little surprised that he was willing to offer such a large compensation package, but Jeff said that my work had been outstanding and that it spoke for itself.

I arrived home that night and there were two dozen roses. The card simply read "Soon".

Even now, I cannot tell you why I didn't make any connection with the roses. I just thought that the florist had made another mistake. I was too wrapped up with the job offer and what it would mean for my career that I was not thinking of anything else.

The next morning, I received a call from my boss asking that I come straight to the office to discuss the job offer. When I arrived, I was guided to the conference room and there was a catered breakfast and a cake that said "Congratulation on your new job." JB Enterprises had given the firm a multimillion dollar contract in return for ignoring my non-compete agreement. The partners in the firm said that I would even receive the bonuses associated with getting the new business.

When I was leaving the celebration to go back to my new office, Jeff's executive assistant, Susan, called me and said that Joshua wanted to have dinner with me that night. I was floored and mentally went through my wardrobe trying to think what I might have to wear to dinner. Susan said in an almost whisper that Jeff had asked Susan to make an appointment for me at a dress boutique near the office. It seemed that he forgot to mention that one of the perks of my new job was a clothing allowance. She also set up a spa appointment for me to get the works so I would look relaxed when I met the company president.

When I arrived at the boutique, the owner greeted me at the front door and ushered me immediately into a private room. She measured each part of my body, and had me try on a few business suits before she brought out what she called the partyware. I had never owned outfits that flattered my body as the ones that she had me try on. She took pictures of me in everything. She said that she maintained detailed files on all of her clients so if I was traveling and could not make it into the shop, she could arrange for clothing to be delivered to me anywhere in the world. Working for JB Enterprises meant that I was now on her exclusive client list. She packaged a dress and what she called the proper under garments and shoes. She said that they would be delivered later in the day to the spa.

The spa appointment was fabulous. I was massaged, received skin treatments, and then they did my hair and makeup. The look was not what I would have done myself, but my "consultant" said that it was perfect. I got into my dress and followed the directions that Susan gave me to Joshua's estate. I say estate because I have never seen or been in a home that looked as elegant. I was greeted at the door and asked to wait in the library. Books had always been a passion of mine, so I was memorized by what looked like a thousand books that were on the shelves.

I should have been more aware of my surroundings. I did not even hear him until I felt the brush against my arm and the breath on my ear, when he said, "My sweet Sara, have you missed me as much as I have missed you?"

I turn to face him and he put his finger to my lips as he pulled out his cellular phone.

Joshua said into the phone, "Jeff, sorry to bother you during dinner, but something has come up. I found another company that I want to acquire. I want Sara James to leave tomorrow morning for Seattle to start the due diligence. It will take about a month to a month and a half to complete. I am expecting her here for dinner in about half an hour so I will give her the news. Since it is such short notice, I will arrange for my jet to take her." He paused for a moment and then said "I will get you the file and will have Sara start emailing you reports. Thanks, Jeff."

After he ended the call, I looked at him in the eye. "You are not sending me to Seattle are you?"

He gave me the same sinister smile that he did in the elevator. "Beauty and Brains. Did you know that you could be my first wife's twin?"