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(Disclaimer: I own Nicola, Helena and whoever else you don't know.)

CHAPTER FOUR

The next few days passed with a lack of events for Nicola. Unpacking and unpacking, with sprinkles of helping her mother in the shop. She had told Helena about the boy she saw and he mother said he must be shy or intimidated by her beauty, all the things your mother is supposed to tell you and all good mothers remember to do so.

Nicola heard the door bell of the shop go off and she went downstairs to see who it was. Helena had gone out on a delivery and she was left to keep the ship a float. It was Gianna.

'Another order for the mystery family?'Nicola began pulling out order forms and whatever else she thought she would need.

'Not today,'Gianna shook her head.

'Oh,'Nicola thought that maybe this could be the client/business owner break up moment.

'It's not that,'Gianna could clearly read the dismay,'My boss would like to start paying more for the services your mother provides because you are now here and the extra money would be needed.'

Nicola picked up a copy of the last order's receipt,'That would be way too much.'

'There is no arguing, he won't take 'no' for an answer. He also wants to pay for your schooling. There is a very good private tutor and he would like to have you meet with him. You are helping your mother after all; you can't be away at school so much a day,'Gianna pointed out at the end.

Nicola felt apprehension. She had no idea who this person was and everything was kept so secret. She wanted to meet who this person was and why they cared so much about what she did about school. She also wanted to know why it was so important to pay more of the flowers. The man had already paid much more than necessary.

'My mother will be back soon. You will have to talk to her about this. Would you like some tea, coffee, anything?'Nicola walked to the back room.

'Some coffee, please,'she could hear Gianna sitting at the desk.

Nicola brought coffee to the table and dropped creamers and sugar on the table,'I didn't know what you throw in there, so I just brought the whole lot out.'

'Thank you,'Gianna smiled,'So how do you like it here so far?'

'Quite alright. I walked about yesterday. I was offered a tour to the castle, which I declined.'

'I see that,'Gianna muttered.

'Hmm?'

'Nothing, go on.'

'It was a girl named Heidi, very pretty. Then there was a boy that just looked,'Nicola corrected herself,'stared at me while I was sitting at the cafe. A girl stood with him, they looked very alike. Twins even. Then she was gone, then he was gone. Very quick.'

Gianna almost choked on her coffee,'Well, that will happen I suppose. Just be careful, there can be some unsavoury characters walking about even the smallest of towns.'

Helena walked in,'Hello there, Gianna. What can I do for you today?'

Nicola excused herself and walked up the stairs. The sounds of Gianna's explanation for her reason being there faded as she walked to her bedroom. She had noticed Gianna's odd reaction to Heidi and the others being mentioned. Maybe she was just having an off day, everyone has those.

She opened the window and stuck her head out to have a look at the state of the weather,'Bloody miserable looking day.'

Then there was rustling in the tree outside the window. She tried to follow what it was, but couldn't figure out what it could be. She wasn't even sure of what type of tree was there. She went down the stairs and took a look at the tree, not even sure of what wildlife that could be. Then she saw a flash of movement from the side of the house. Oddly enough, when there is something mysterious, you probably shouldn't chase it unarmed, but sometimes you feel the need to go ahead with it.

She saw him and now it was time to conversate no matter how weird the encounter may be. He looked back at her and he started running. It could have been running or something out of this world. Nicola had run on the track team at one point and this was killing her. She had to stop and soon found herself resting against the wall of a store front. Then the slow walk home began.

Helena looked at her daughter,'Where did you?'

'Oh, sprinting. You know, have to keep in shape.'

Helena looked to Gianna,'Right then.'

Gianna stood up,'I should be going. I will see if he will meet with you, but I can't guarantee anything.'

'Thanks,'Helena let Gianna out the door. She then turned to Nicola,'Out of shape?'

'A little,'Nicola was sprawled across the stairwell.

'Now that Gianna is gone. What were you really doing?'

Nicola rolled her eyes,'Well, I saw that boy from the other day and I tried to follow him and I couldn't keep up. Now here I am.'

'Better luck next time, I guess,'Helena shrugged walking over Nicola to take the cups up to the kitchen.

Nicola nearly crawled up the stairs and sat herself at the kitchen table where a glass of water was already placed.

Helena spoke,'I really think the tutoring offer is great. I was to meet with this man, but there's no guarantee. A bit frustrating.'

Nicola nodded and drank her water,'I think I'm going to go read or something. Call for me if you need anything.'

Alec sat in his room staring at the wall. She had gone after him, she was intrigued. She had to be considering how much she pushed herself to keep up with him. He could still hear the sound of her heartbeat accelerating as she picked up speed, the blood moving through her veins. If he thought less of her he would have let her keep up with him and drain her. He could not bring himself to do such a thing to her. There was a light knock at the door. It was Gianna and he knew there was no reason for her to be there, but he went to the door anyway.

'Yes?'

Gianna spoke quietly,'You were there. Don't hurt her.'

'Don't you dare speak of this to anyone,'he knew he could use his intimidating nature against her.

'Understood,'with that she walked away.

He didn't need a mere secretary getting in the middle of his life and what he was doing, where he was going, who he was seeing. His sister had already put her nose into the situation, he didn't need anyone else. He thought that maybe he should go out again tonight. Then again that wouldn't be possible, there was a meeting with the rest of the guard and perhaps he would be sent on a mission. That would give him sometime to forget. He could only hope.