A/N: I'm so happy you guys like this new story I was worried because it's a dark but it's gonna get better I promise!

Chapter Five

Hello Stranger

Sam was tired and worn out but he needed to finish his work load before heading out to his cabin for the next few days, he'd taken much needed vacation days and intended on making the most of it alone and in the woods. He heard that Mercedes had come to the office today but missed her by five minutes, he wasn't sure why but she stayed on his mind since the first day they met. He had only seen her twice but something about her stuck with him and even though his attempts to see her outside of the office never resulted in anything he hoped that she was okay. He, like the rest of the company heard about Mr. Tinsley being out of the office for the next few days and wondered if she would be accompanying him on his trip to Colorado.

"Mr. Evans?"

"What's up Marley?"

"You have an alert coming from you property… umm 9874 West James Drive?" Marley replied questioning the actual location because she never heard of it.

"Oh, is there footage or just an alert there's a lot of wild animals out that way so it's probably just one of them triggering the motion censor."

"No sir, there's footage I can send it over and download a copy like usual."

"No… just delete the footage I have an idea of who it is so delete it and please email me the confirmation once it's done. Also you can head out a little early today since I'll be on vacation for the next several days, I don't want you coming in and working all day okay? Few hours to answer calls and emails, if you want you can do a majority of it from home, I want you to spend time with you husband." Sam replied with a pleasant smile.

"Are you sure? I have no issues coming and working."

"Yes and don't worry you're still getting that bonus." He said before walking back into his office letting out a shaky breath. He'd given her the note and key hoping he was wrong but he wasn't and now he was going to have to face her in a few short hours. Gathering his things and grabbing a few files to take with him, he had no intentions of working but if it rained then he could keep busy. Sam was sure to give her the key to the cabin next to his since he owned both and was the only person that knew he actually did outside of Marley and now Mercedes.

"What the hell have you gotten yourself into Evans?" He said to his self before heading out of his office.

Mercedes had taken her mother out to lunch and followed her home to change her car, she promised to water her plants for her mother before she left to catch her flight to Miami. Mercedes waited for two hours before leaving her mother's house, she was thankful her old car was still there and switched before heading to the address she was given.

The drive was peaceful and she enjoyed the changing scenery which went from building and homes to trees and forest, the further she drove the more isolated everything became and she figured she should probably stop for food before she got any further away from civilization. She was smart enough to withdraw some cash before getting on the road she also sent Shane a text letting him know that she needed cash to give to her mother for a contractor, he didn't reply so she assumed he didn't care. She quickly went into the grocery store and grabbed all the items she felt she would need including toiletries and some snacks she hadn't been able to buy since he disapproved of idle snacking.

After being in the store for over an hour she felt she had just about everything she could possibly want and need and checked out. She loaded her car and took a deep breath before getting back on the road, she turned on some music and decided to sing along. She didn't even recognize her own voice it had been so long since she sang out loud, the more she sang the freer she began to feel and when her and her father's favorite song came on she couldn't resist letting the windows down and belting the words out.

Mmm num ba de
Dum bum ba be
Doo buh dum ba beh beh

Pressure pushing down on me
Pressing down on you, no man ask for
Under pressure that burns a building down
Splits a family in two
Puts people on streets

Um ba ba be
Um ba ba be
De day da
Ee day da, that's okay

She could still remember her father helping her learn the words and singing along with her as he taught her how to drive and them laughing when she hit the cones. He was her best friend and when he died a piece of her died leaving only a shell of her walking around being told by her mother that she needed to watch what she ate, how she ate, how to sit and how to attract not just a man's attention but everyone's. Her appearance was constantly under review and she was told what to wear, how she wore her hair and what kind of makeup looks best on her… if her mother saw her now she would turn her nose up at her. She worse a simple purple t-shirt and a pair of ripped jeans with her hair in ponytail.

"A real lady never pulls her hair into a ponytail."

"I didn't raise you to wear jeans."

"You should always wear your best, never settle for less."

Mercedes rolled her eyes at her mother's words, she had heard them everyday for seven years until Shane came into the picture. He was five years older than her and pretended to be the sweetest person you could have ever met but his true colors came out on their wedding night and Mercedes tried to leave then. Her mother however guilted her by saying her father wouldn't want her to give up so easily. Had she known what she knows now she would've left but she didn't know her mother was getting a monthly check from him until she found a check written out to her mother for $25,000 and saw post dated ones behind that one.

Her mother basically sold her to the devil and in order to keep the money flowing in she had to ensure Mercedes would stay no matter what… she felt herself getting teary-eyed and shook those thoughts from her head as she pulled up to the address stopping at the large gate and fishing her purse for the note. She put the code in and the gate opened then closed after she pulled in, their were two cabins on the property they weren't close but close enough to walk to if needed be, she pulled out the key and saw the number three on it and noticed each door had a number on it. She pulled up to the one marked three and nervously walked up the stairs to unlock the door, when she opened she immediately like how it was decorated. It didn't smell stuffy or even look dusty so that meant it was well taken care of and it wasn't hot inside like she expect. She did a quick walk through and smiled as she touched the leather sofas and granite counter tops, she went and got the food she picked up and placed the cold items away before going to get her things and placing them upstairs in the master suite.

"Well… what now?" She asked herself before realizing she didn't let Mr. Evans know she was coming out here. She grabbed her phone but shook her head knowing that she should have left it in her car, she remembered seeing on some show that if she turned it off and took her sim out she would be fine so she got his number first then did just that.

"Surely this place has some type of phone..."

She looked around then spotted one on its cradle in the living room grabbing it and began dialing his number but getting nervous and placing it back down. What the hell am I supposed to say? Hey I ran away from by abusive husband and for some damn reason I feel safer here in your cabin than I do home oh also no one knows I ran away so you can't say anything.

"Yeah that'll make him want to let you stay here even longer." She said hitting her head with her hand. She looked at the phone for few minutes before grabbing it again and redialing his number only to place the phone back down. You'd think you were trying to call the Queen or something, just call the man!

She quickly redialed his number and pressed send and waited for an answer, after a few rings she was about to hang up but she heard his voice and froze.

Hello?

Helllo?

Ah… I.. Hi. Mr. Evans?

Yeah.

I… it's Mercedes, I just wanted to let you know I decided to come to the address you gave me.

Yeah I know, it's off the grid so no one will know you're there but me and my assistant.

You… you know?

How about we talk in person? I'll be there in about forty minutes okay?

Umm… sure. I'll be here.

See you then.

…

Sam pulled up and noticed the car parked in the other driveway smiling slightly before pulling into his own and going inside, he told her he would come over and talk to her once he arrived but wanted to shower the day off first. He took a quick shower and changed from his suit to a fitted gray shirt and a pair of dark jeans before heading over to speak to her and show her around. He grabbed the set of keys and small batch of flowers he'd gotten for her and headed over. He had to remind his self not to use his own key to get inside and knocked waiting patiently for her to answer and when she did he couldn't help but smile at her.

"Hi, how are you?"

"I'm good and you?" She asked smiling back at him but he could tell she was nervous.

"I'm doing well, I got these for you… do you mind?" He asked slowly moving forward and she nodded stepping aside allowing him in and closing the door behind them. She watched him walk into the kitchen and grab a vase then add water and place the flowers inside. He checked the refrigerator and cabinets and saw that she had already gotten her some food and he checked to make sure their were still pots and pans for her to use whenever she cooked. He turned around and saw her fiddling with her hair and shirt and frowned.

"You look great, please don't fuss about the minor things like that." He said reassuringly. She stopped immediately and rubbed her hands together nervously before looking up at him, he was looking at her but not in a judgmental way… he was concerned and she could tell he wanted to say something but stopped his self from doing that.

"I'm sorry, I just look a mess right now." She replied finally.

"You don't but I understand.. I wanted to give you these and show you around the property if that's okay." He said handing her the keys to the back door and his cabin.

'What are these for?" She asked taking them slowly.

"The extra key to here, I had two sets so I figured you'd feel safer if you had both as well as the spare to mine for emergency or if you just need me. I assume you already looked around the place but there's an additional key to a safe room downstairs. There's a security system and I can have the code changed for you just let me know and we can do that, umm seeing you already have food but if you need anymore feel free to take from mine. I tend to get a little loud with the music so just shoot me a call and I'll turn it down, I run in the mornings so do be alarmed if you hear beeping it's just me triggering the motion censors which is how I knew you were here. One more thing, there are a few wild animals out here so if I tell you not to leave it's not because I'm trying to trap you it's for your safety." He said taking a deep breath and trying to see if he missed anything. She stared at him with a shocked look in her face that quickly changed to a suspicious one.

"Why are you doing this? Did.. did Shane put you up to this? Is this some type of test..?" She asked backing away from him as her breathing increased slightly. She should have know this was some type of trap and now she was in the middle of nowhere with a man she didn't even know. She felt the tears getting ready to fall and when he moved closer to her she couldn't help the flinch her body made. Oh shit… he hates when I flinch. Apologize!

"I'm sorry I didn't… I won't do that again." She said looking at him with so much fear in her eyes it broke his heart. Sam stepped back and created distance from them and waited a moment before speaking again.

"I know this won't seem like much but I would never hurt you or any woman. I'm not helping your husband do any type of test, no one knows you're here okay? You are safe, I just needed to tell you those things so you would know my intentions are pure and I do not expect anything from you. I do want you to never apologize for being afraid or feeling unsafe. I can give you as much space as you need but I want you to know that I'm here… we don't know each other but I can be a friend in due time." He said calmly and slowly so she understood he was sincere. She still looked uncertain and he could see her shaking slightly.

"My mom was in an abusive relationship after my dad died, she stayed for years before it got so bad she had to be hospitalized for two months. She never said anything and when I found out it was too late and when I saw how you reacted at the Gala I knew… we don't have to talk about what you've gone through but believe me when I say I understand and I'm happy you decided to come here. I will protect you the best I can and as long as you stay here I'll make sure no one knows okay?"

"Your… your mother.. is she okay?" Mercedes asked feeling herself calm down somewhat but felt bad for asking that question because of the sadness that fell upon his handsome features.

"She passed, she never made it out of the hospital."

"Oh I'm sorry that I asked." She replied sadly.

"Don't be, I've been able to work through the hurt I felt and put her ex away for a long time. I miss her but she wouldn't want me to dwell on her passing." He said rubbing the back of his neck with a lopsided smile.

"Thank you for sharing that with me." He just smiled and nodded before heading towards the door but stopping once he reached it.

"Your rib… is it better?" He asked and she felt her eyes grow big and looked down biting her lip.

"I think it's just bruised… it's been broken before it didn't feel like it this time." She said barely above a whisper.

"Hey don't fret I'll show you how to check to make sure it isn't.. had a ton of practice. Don't forget to lock up and good night Mercedes." He said walking out and closing the door behind him. He stood on the porch waiting to her the lock and when he did he smiled and walked back to his cabin letting out the breath he'd been holding in since he arrived. Mom… I don't know what I'm doing but she can't end up like you.

Soooooo...? Now we know a little more about them both. Yes both of Sam's parents are passed on but it's help make him the great person he is! Next chapter will be a rough one!