Haha, so what's my excuse? Uh, I don't have one? This chapter has been slowly worked on for the past... however long is has been since I last updated. To be honest, I've been writing snippets of future chapters as this beginning bit is kinda boring. There is still a handful of chapters to go before we get to "the good bits". I'll try my best to make good, though! Can't have anyone falling asleep.

Good news, though. I completed Bloodlines! So, more material for me to work my magic on.

Anyways, enough of this, on to the chapter. It's rather unclimatic or interesting, but like I said, the good bits have yet to occur. To be honest I started this story with some mindless fluff that I keep adding to (a growing snippet that won't be happening for a long while yet) and ended up creating a plot around that. I don't supposed it's rather original, but I shall do my best to keep things interesting.

Enjoy.

Disclaimer: See chapter 1.


The Moon as my Witness
Lady Draculea
Chapter 3
LaCroix Foundation was really intimidating, Diana decided. Tall, imposing doors flanked by even taller statues really struck fear into anyone who was not prepared enter the building. It certainly intimidated her. Diana hadn't thought that the building would be so tall.

It could be worse, Diana thought, it could be the building across the street. Now that was a frightening building. Surrounded by a wrought iron fence, gargoyles sat protectively around the border, leaning over solid stone posts. They were so life-like, looking like they were ready to jump into action whisking away anyone who even looked at them the wrong way.

With a steadying breath, Diana squared her shoulders. She could do this. It was just a really tall building; a really tall building with a fascinating man; a fascinating man who was quite possibly at the top of this concrete giant. Resolved, Diana placed a firm grip on a door handle and pulled.

Almost immediately, a cool wave of artificial air swept past Dianna and sent goose bumps across her bare arms. Shivering, she wrapped her arms around herself in hope to ward off the chill. It was always too hot outdoors and too cold in, forcing her to either sweat in a warmer shirt, carry around a sweater, or just tough it out and freeze.

Up ahead a brightly lit sign in scrolling letters read "LaCroix", lending her no doubt that she was in the right building. Beneath the sign sat a smiling woman behind a slightly curved reception desk. Stepping closer, Diana noticed that the woman was wrapped in a thick sweater. Good idea.

"Good afternoon." The woman smiled, looking almost relieved to find something to do. Odd, Diana thought. Aren't Mondays usually hectic?

"Hello," Diana smiled weakly back, "I was told to ask for Mrs. Mina Paul."

"Alright," the receptionist said as she riffled through a pile of papers. "Your name?"

"Diana Jacobson."

"Jacobson… Aha! Here we are." The woman waved a slightly crumpled piece of paper, having pulled it from the bottom. "Mrs. Paul will be expecting you. If you take a left through there," she pointed to a pair of metal detectors off to the side, "then take another left to reach a couple of steps. An elevator will be waiting open for you. Mrs. Paul is on the seventeenth floor, her office the first door on the right."

"Seventeenth floor, first door on the right, got it." Diana nodded to herself as she mentally stored the information away. "Thank you."

"You're welcome! Have a nice day."

Echoing the statement, Diana followed the instructions to the elevators. Just as the receptionist had said, one was waiting open to her. As she approached the lift, she finally spotted some people. It had been unnerving that the building seemed to empty, but now she could see that they were just hiding behind doors. A group of three exited an elevator, deep in discussion while a man almost overwhelmed with a stack of paper in his arms scurried down the hall to a woman who was holding a door open for him.

Somewhat relived, Diana entered the elevator, finding the correct button in the ocean of numbers after a search that took longer then it should have taken. Thankfully, no one had entered behind her to witness her embarrassment.

The butterflies returned as the elevator ascended, making her slightly nauseas and lightheaded. Her heart felt like it was going to pop out of her chest and she wondered why she hadn't thrown up yet. She felt that she had gotten over her head. What had made her think this was a good idea again? Right, Sebastian LaCroix, her stepmother's boss had offered her a job, though menial labour, she was sure, as she didn't have the knowledge or experience to do anything important. While she may come to regret this later, it was the only way she could be closer to the enigma that was Sebastian LaCroix, even if it was in her head.

Finally, yet at the same time all too soon, a ding to signify the arrival was heard and the doors opened with a hushed swoosh. Stepping into the hall, Diana quickly spotted the correct door, Mrs. Paul's name printed on a neat plaque.

Her feet felt like lead as Diana stared at the door knob, her hands attached to her side and reluctant to part from where they clutched desperately to her pants.

"Can I help you?"

Jumping, Diana spun on her heel, her hand over her heart, its beat loud in her ears. In front of her stood a tall woman, taller than Diana's own average height by at least six inches. Dressed in a smart blue suit, the woman's neat, black bob and tight lips made Diana think that this woman was more likely to set her on fire than help her.

Finally finding her voice, Diana hoped she didn't look (or sound) as nervous as she felt. "Uh, I'm looking for Mrs. Paul."

A perfectly arched brow rose as the woman's features softened fractionally. "You are Diana Jacobson, I presume."

Diana nodded slightly, "Yes, that would be me."

Sliding past Diana, the woman opened the office door and held the door open for the puzzled girl. "Mr. LaCroix told me to expect you. I'm Mrs. Paul, but please call me Mina. I get enough formality from my boss."

Relieved by Mina's words, Diana's nervousness melted away as she was welcomed into the office. By the time she was seated and offered a mint, Diana felt calm and even a little excited. There really wasn't any reason to worry, everything would turn out fine.


Even though Diana was sure that no one had entered the small windowless room that she had been ushered into after her information had been taken down, she was sure the boxes of unorganised files surrounding her were growing. Multiplying. The cardboard squares, inanimate objects, were having box-sex behind her back, producing paper-spawn at an alarming rate. She was sure of it. What other reason could there be? Other than, of course, that she was getting tired.

Glancing at her watch she wondered – again – why she had thought this would be a good idea. Her fingers were cramping, she had at least five paper cuts that she was aware of, she couldn't feel her bum anymore from sitting on the floor for so long and she'd give her right leg for some water.

A simple task at first glance, a challenge second, and suicide last. If Diana knew that there was this much to do she would have gone with the other choice of coffee runner. At least then she wouldn't have to deal with reproducing boxes. Though, it wasn't so much the boxes as what was inside the boxes. Files. Lots and lots of files. And she was tasked with the job of organising them. Blue papers in one box, white ones in another, not to mention she had to separate them by date then by department. It was a simple task, but tiring. Especially since she had gathered a small mountain of unknowns.

"Stupid boxes, I'm on to you! Think you're so smart, popping out baby boxes when I'm not looking." An accusing finger pointed at a particularly smug box, "just you wait!"

"They are rebelling already?" An amused voice questioned. "They usually wait for at least a few days more."

Heart in her throat and stomach swimming around her knees, Diana could feel the sudden flush of heat in her cheeks and her ear burned. Afraid of whom she'd find behind her, but unable to stop herself, Diana slowly turned to meet the grey eyes of Sebastian LaCroix, a knowing smile titling his lips.

Diana swallowed nervously, realising how silly she must have sounded. "Yes, well... um." Saysomethingsaysomethingsaysomething echoed in her head. Save face, stupid girl! "I might have threatened them a teeny bit, so it's not completely unwarranted."

"Indeed?" There was laughter in his voice.

Great, now he thinks you're insane. "They were asking for it." As if saying that solved everything.

"If you say so," the sandy haired man shrugged, the movement so fluid Diana wasn't sure if she had imagined it or not.

"Mina has informed me that you've been here since three?"

Diana sighed. "Yes."

Scanning the room, Sebastian's gaze lingered on the woman sprawled on the floor before moving to the clock hanging on the wall. "It's almost nine o'clock. Have you eaten?"

Food? Diana shook her head. She hadn't eaten anything since lunch and even then a peanut butter and jelly sandwich was hardly of any substance. The pack of gum she had gone through didn't count either except for leaving her with a distaste of mint. "Ah, no."

He smiled in a way that made Diana think of a cat with a bowl of cream. "Then you wouldn't mind accompanying me to dinner?"

Diana blinked as all thoughts left her head. Was he asking her out? The question echoed through her head as she scrambled for a way to answer without making a complete fool of herself, but then her stomach answered for her. Mortified, Diana's blush came back full force. Could this day get any more humiliating?

"I'll take that as a yes?" There was laughter in his voice, but Diana was relieved that he wasn't openly laughing at her.

She forced a smile, though it felt more like a grimace. "That would be great. I just need to tidy up..."

Sebastian shook his head. "Don't worry about that. I doubt anyone else will bother trying to sort this. It will be here when you return."

"Unfortunately," Diana sighed as she glared at the stack of boxes beside her. Standing with a wince, Diana effectively ignored the urge to rub her bum to help return the feeling to it. She was surprised that she even could even feel her legs, convinced for a while that everything waist-down had fallen asleep. Instead she tugged on her ponytail as she scanned the room for her bag. The last she had seen of it was when she had stuffed it in the corner, away from the boxes. Of course it wasn't where she left it. She mumbled under her breath.

"Something wrong?" Mr. LaCroix asked as he waited patiently.

"My bag has pulled a Houdini – aha!" Smiling, she snagged the well-used bag from out under a hungry box. "Okay, I'm good."

"Nothing else to disappear?" The question was asked with a straight face, but Diana was sure he was still laughing at her. Embarrassed at her behaviour, she shook her head in the negative, leaving the room when he motioned and holding the door open for her as she passed.

Greetings sounded as Diana followed Sebastian to the elevators, and not less than three people came scurrying forward to ask a question or attempt to strike up a conversation. Though a few were obviously sucking-up – it really wasn't hard to see that – Diana was amazed at how polite many of the employees were. A few even managed to smile for her, though there was a few forced ones, even though she probably looked as out of place as she felt. With her jeans and a semi-casual blouse, she looked better suited to working behind a counter than in an office building.

Suddenly they were outside, the trip through the building and down the elevator little more than a blur to Diana while her thoughts ran through her mind. The warm wind played with her hair and warmed her AC-cooled flesh; the effect sent a pleasant tingle down her spine. Not knowing where they were going, Diana silently followed Sebastian. They were in the heart of the city; buildings towered over them, the bright never ending lights created an artificial glow that effectively blocked the night sky.

As it was still early, at least to the Los Angeles nightlife, the streets were busy, leaving Diana to wonder if the streets were ever empty. Groups passed in laughing flocks as they flitted from place to place, while those alone rushed home after a long days work. The city was teaming with life and it was affecting Diana, filling her with energy and putting a smile on her face.

"What are your thoughts on Los Angeles?" Sebastian's voice inquired once they had crossed a brightly lit street. "Enjoyable, I hope." His eyes were on her, his gaze unnerving.

Diana could fill heat filling her cheeks and quickly pulled her eyes away from his penetrating stare to study the ground in front of her. "LA is... busy. I -" she paused, trying to find the words caught in her throat, "- don't know what to make of it." Risking a glance back towards the man beside her, she was relieved to see that was no longer watching her, but instead held a thoughtful expression on his face.

When her companion didn't offer any further words, Diana felt the silence between them tense. Frantically, she searched her mind from something else to say. "So, um," she winced as she stumbled over her words, "where are we going?"

"Hm?" Sebastian hummed, distracted. "Ah, a small café by the name The Cherry Dish. It's a popular destination for those who know of its existence. The cafeteria at the tower is often busy and not everyone is a fan of fast-food."

"Cafeteria?" There was a cafeteria located in LaCroix Tower? She had never heard of such a thing. Her high school didn't even have a cafeteria, but then again, her hometown was small and more of a college town than anything else.

Diana's surprise must have shown on her face for Sebastian chuckled. "It is a rather new acquisition. A good portion of the tower is still under construction. The tower appears large, but in reality, barely half is currently in use."

That made sense. Diana did remember hearing Heather talking about how LaCroix Foundation had recently moved office from somewhere in Europe to a larger base in Los Angeles. She didn't know how long it took to complete such a large project, but she assumed that it took years in the making.

Their pace slowed and Sebastian led Diana through a cherry red door and into a cozy dining area. Almost immediately the pleasant smells of the restaurant assaulted Diana, her stomach grumbling in anticipation. Looking around as she followed Sebastian to the counter she took in the decor, appreciating the pretty woodwork and pictures that hung on the walls.

The lady behind the counter was occupied with another customer, allowing Diana to glance at the menu. The selection was relatively small, but that wasn't surprising for a small restaurant. They seemed to specialize in beverages, exotic teas and coffees, but their food selection was just as interesting. She didn't recognize anything at first glance and feeling adventurous, she turned to her companion to ask if he recommended anything when the shrill ring of a cell phone broke the silence between them.

Shooting Diana an apologetic glance, Sebastian pulled the phone from his pocket, flipped it open and brought it to his ear. "Yes?"

He sounds annoyed, Diana mused as she focused her eyes back on the menu to give him some privacy. I wonder why? Well, it wasn't very hard to figure out. She sure as hell wouldn't want to be bothered during her dinner break.

"They're arriving now?" Sebastian all near hissed into the phone, startling Diana. Catching her eyes, Sebastian lowered his tone, the slight irritation on his face fading easily away. "Fine. Escort them to my office." Snapping the phone closed and slipping it back into his pocket, Sebastian sighed.

Hesitating, Diana wondered if she should say anything. It wasn't any of her business, but he did invite her out to eat with him as a friend, right? "Is everything okay?"

"Yes," the businessman replied as he checked the time. "I'm sorry to say that I must return to the tower, though. Associates of mine have arrived earlier than anticipated and I must meet with them."

"Oh." Though she had expected it, she still felt disappointment that Sebastian had to leave so soon. She wasn't really surprised, though. "Now?"

"Yes, now." Though a small apologetic smile pulled at his lips, there was a slight inflection in his voice that Diana couldn't really fit with his expression. "Enjoy you meal, Diana. Hopefully our next meeting won't be cut so short."

Next meeting? The thought bounced around in her skull and Diana couldn't help but smile, even when Sebastian turned to leave. A one time event, she had thought. Why would Sebastian LaCroix have dinner with her? Then again, why would he offer her a job? There had to be something, but even no matter how much she hoped that Sebastian simply liked her, she couldn't help but think that there was something more to it. It couldn't be that simple, could it?