It may not be hell (but I'm scared it might be)

Michaela Pratt had always been a precarious child, raised to the age of seven by her grandmother, Joanna-Mae until the headstrong, hard-working old woman had a stroke in her sleep and Michaela was left with no family and nowhere to go.

She guess she had been lucky; adopted by a lower middle class polyglot missionary couple even though she had thought her chances low because everyone only wanted babies. Her adopted parents were nice enough, religiously fervorous and partly nomadic. Michaela prayed because it was expected of her but she had always been skeptical of an old guy in the sky who smited people and sent them to hell if they were bad. It seemed too much like a fairytale to be true, but she wore her crucifix around her neck and out of habit said grace over her meals - even when she was alone- ,she didn't lash out and resent her parents, didn't disobey them, got consistently good grades and tried not to be a burden on them.

She had lived in over 8 different countries until she was about 16 and her parents adopted 4 year old twins whose parents died in a car accident - and they settled down.

Michaela Pratt was more fortunate than most, obedient, eager to please, driven and ruthless (when she had to be) and all she wanted to do was be a successful lawyer and live a white picket fence life. Marry her future politician boyfriend and have 2.5 kids and maybe a dog.

"Well that's a lovely dress Michaela," Sam's voice says shattering her walk down memory lane and when she clicks the door to her closet shut, he's casually leaning against her furniture; appraising her.

Michaela doesn't know why she's imagining Sam, why he persists to follow her throughout her everyday life; second guessing her actions and keeping her up with polite albeit useless chatter.

She hadn't known Sam Keating well. They had probably exchanged 4 sentences between themselves; unavoidable since she worked in his house and she always heard an echo of her biological grandmother in her head "Now, don't be rude chile," compelling her to greet her boss' husband.

The dark skinned beauty doesn't know why he's being nice to her, she wants her mental apparition to scream and yell at her and to test violence on her tender skin. But ghost Sam does no such thing; he's cordial and his knack for seeing beyond unnerves her. It makes her feel a clawing guilt that threatens to envelop her and break her.

Because just maybe he wasn't the monster Michaela saw him to be. He was someone's brother, son, cousin.

He persists and persists and she feels like she's going crazy. This maybe her own personal hell.

The urge to confess is intensifying and her urge to talk to someone is pitiful.

Connor her mind supplies and a bitter smile twists her mouth; it's better when he's around because Sam isn't. She eyes her phone and sighs. Connor and her were not friends in any sense of the word, he was her competitor, her rival. The person she got satisfaction in one upping.

But- if she were to be honest - he was the other weak link. And maybe- just maybe- she could help him stay strong and shut up just as much as he could help her.

Michaela swallows her pride; it's bitter going down and she almost second guesses herself until she sees Sam's smiling, serene face in front of her.

Connor answers on the third ring and she stays silent on her end. A few moments pass and she still doesn't find the words to say and he saves her the trouble.

"I have outlines for Tort that you may want, I can share if you pass up those contract outlines you've been hoarding."

Michaela scoffs and shakes her head, a tiny smile tugging at her lips.

"I can be over in 10 minutes if you agree to my terms and conditions,"

"If we're sharing outlines, bring coffee. I like mine-"

"Black with two sugars; got it. I'll be over in 15."

He hangs up on her without waiting for her reply and she smiles.

AN: I told you guys that I accept prompts but I only received suggestions, which is doable but I've been fighting a writer's block and prompts would be much appreciated. Anything you guys would like to read, please pm me.

I already have most of the next chapter finished so it should be up either in a few hours or tomorrow

Please review

-Nica