Chapter 1: The Woman Who Took His Hand

Alfred gave a nervous click of his tongue as he walked into the restaurant where he would be meeting Sandra. He pushed aside his doubt as a waiter approached, running a nervous hand through his hair.

"Uh, I'm here to see Miss Brock?"

"Ah, so you're mister Jones? Right this way." he nodded, leading the blonde to a private table by a window. A woman stood as he approached, and the second his eyes met her more sea foam colored ones he felt a spark ignite in his chest. The man shook her hand when she reached out to him.

"Miss Brock."

"Please Mister Jones, call me Sandra." her rose lips parted in a slight smile.

"Only if you call me Alfred ma'am." he chuckled, sitting across from her.

"Thank you for agreeing to meet me."

"Thank you for giving me a chance." the woman gave him a nod, sitting a little straighter.

"So, order what you like, it's all covered ahead of time." there was a pause. "And while we wait, we can start your interview."

"Fire away." Alfred glanced briefly at the menu before meeting her gaze again. She flicked her head, making her raven colored hair catch the light. His gaze was trapped on her, watching her dainty little hands delicately fold her napkin to place in her lap. Her lips pursed for a moment as her eyes narrowed slightly, and he saw her give her bottom lip a quick little bite before she moved her hands to rest in front of her.

"I understand you are an interior designer in need of work. Well, Alfred, I am in need of a designer."

The man felt a shiver roll down his spine the second she spoke his name. He couldn't tell why, but for some reason the woman across from him had him completely spell-bound.

"Oh?"

She gave a curt nod. "Construction on my new home is nearly complete. However, before the project can move forward I need a designer to, well, design the interior."

Alfred watched her pull a tablet out of the purse he never noticed sitting beside her. As the waiter returned to take their orders, an image of wonderfully executed blueprints were passed to him.

"Wow..."

"Pardon my intrusion," the waiter scoffed. "Perhaps I can have your orders before you continue on?"

"Of course," Sandra motioned to the menu. "I would like the special, and a fresh tea please."

Her guest gave the menu one more nervous glance. "Uhm, yeah I would too. Uh, please."

The waiter nodded, walking off as soon as he finished writing it down. The woman smiled slightly, her attention back on Alfred.

"Now then, back to our discussion."

He gave a quick glance at her, then the blueprints. "The design of the house is really something… Is it a multi-story home?"

"Yes," she reached over to scroll to the next image. "The main floor is mostly a large parlor and living room with a kitchen and dining hall. The second floor, on the other hand, is made up of a couple of bedrooms and bathrooms with a sitting area in the center."

"And the utilities?"

"Also ground floor. Do you think you could come up with a design that would 'wow' me?" he saw the devious smirk on her lips and knew she was expected some cocky answer. It made him realize that there was no way he was the first on her list; hell, she probably had an account on that site he had used, all set up to locate a new designer. He would have to answer very carefully.

"Yes, however," he paused, setting down her tablet. "It would be very hard for me since I have no idea where your tastes lie. It would require that I get to know you on a… more personal basis to effectively design this home for you, Miss Sandra."

The woman blinked her eyes in surprise. "Well, I see your point, Alfred."

"I'm sorry, but I don't think-"

"Now hang on." she held up a finger. "Do not turn me down yet."

Alfred watched her lips purse again, saw her bite her lip again. Her delicate little fingers twisted together, her cherry red nails flashing in the low lighting. She was thinking, trying to find some way to convince him, he could tell.

"Ma'am?"

"It is true that to be a good designer you need 'inside information' on your client. I believe I have an idea that would benefit the both of us." her smirk returned, but this time it was one of a victorious nature. "You can move in with me."

Had the man not been rooted to the spot he would have fallen from his chair in shock. "Pardon?"

"I'm serious. I have an extra bedroom that is not being used…" she trailed off. "But think of the benefits here. If you live with me, you can learn everything you need to know about my tastes, and you can move out of that ratty little apartment complex."

He blushed, kicking himself for putting his address on his profile. He should had known locals would know that damned complex! However, he was also blushing for another reason aside from his clear embarrassment. Sandra was a beautiful woman, everyone could see that. The way she carried herself, the way she spoke and behaved, it was clear she was used to a higher class. The mere thought of taking the trash he would call his stuff next to hers was suddenly an uncomfortable feeling for him.

"I-I don't think that would be necessary!" he stuttered. "I mean-"

"Alfred," she injected. "I am not making this offer lightly. Needless to say, you are my last hope of finishing this project. I need this house to be finished so I can get back to my life. And, if you do this for me, your pay will not only be handsome, I will give you my current house for yourself. It has already been completely paid off, it's completely off the grid concerning electricity and water, and it can easily be transferred into your name."

It was a great deal, that much was certain. Alfred desperately needed the money, any money at this point, and helping out a higher class woman with such a big project could really help him get his name out there.

"Fine," he sighed quietly. "I will accept your offer."

"Good," she pulled papers out of her bag, sliding them across the table to him. "Sign."

"Of course."