My Storybook Hero

Matters of the Heart

"Good afternoon, Ally!" Piper said cheerfully as she walked into Leo's office.

Ally stood up and nodded. Piper noticed that the usually talkative woman was quiet. Ally looked horrible. Her mascara was smeared, along with her lipstick. Her usually beautiful red hair was wild and sticking up.

Piper didn't have time to ask her anything as Leo opened his door and invited her in. Piper had to admit that Leo's usually crisp, yet good looks were no comparison for today. Leo looked as if he hadn't gotten enough sleep the night before.

"What do you want?" Leo asked in an exasperated tone.

"I was just dropping by to turn in some of the materials that had to do with that book I was writing. You can get someone else to finish it or you can trash it," Piper said looking intently at Leo.

"Trash it? Like you did me?" Leo asked.

"Oh Leo! Look it's not you or anything. I was just seeing someone else," Piper said.

"You could have told me that," Leo pointed out.

"I could have, but I wanted to know where we stood before I told anyone anything," Piper said. "Leo, there is no use moping about. There are plenty of other women who would love to go out with you."

"Like who?"

Piper opened Leo's office door and beckoned for someone to come in.

"Who're you waving at?" Leo asked.

Ally walked in. Leo stopped in his tracks.

"There is no use denying your feelings because someone like me was in between you," Piper said.

Ally and Leo stared at Piper and then at themselves.

"I'm so sorry, Ally," Leo stood up.

"Oh, Leo! I love you," Ally ran to him.

"I love you, too!" Leo said kissing her.

Piper smiled at her success and walked out of the office.

As she stepped out of the office, Piper saw the window washing guy. The same guy she pointed out to Ally and said he was cute. The guy seemed down and Piper understood. He had liked Ally, but she never paid much attention to him.

Piper looked down the hallway and saw a pretty blonde being pestered by an annoying guy to go out with him. Piper looked back to the window washing guy and caught his eye. Piper pointed to the blonde.

The guy gave her a puzzled look. When Piper motioned for him to go ask her out, the guy came in and walked towards the blonde and the annoying guy.

Piper didn't hear what he said, but the annoying guy stomped off and the blonde left with the window washing guy, smiling.

Piper excited the building with so much happiness. Everything was going right. Piper's cell started ringing.

"Hello?"

"Piper? It's me, Paige."

"Hey, Paige. What's up?" Piper asked cheerfully.

"Somebody's on a high horse! What's it all about?"

"I'll tell you later. I don't want to say anything over the phone."

"Well, be that way. I just wanted to know if you came up with a name for the club."

"Actually, yes. I decided to name it P3. You know for Prue, Piper, and Paige."

"That is so cool! I was going to suggest something crazy, but I like your name better."

"I'll talk to you later, Paige. I've got to meet someone to do some work on the club. I'll give you all the details later!"

"It is a guy?" Paige asked.

"Yes. I'll tell you later! Bye Paige!"

"Bye, Piper!"

Piper entered her club to find a guy waiting for her. Piper couldn't help but notice that he had a little too much gel in his hair. The man introduced himself as Dan Gordon. He seemed to be a little nervous around Piper.

"I just want you to make sure that everything is alright and if any work needs to be done," Piper said.

"It could use a little work. I'll go ahead and take some measurements," Dan said.

"Thanks, I'll be over in the office interviewing some people. Just holler if you need me," Piper said.

Dan nodded and continued with his work.

Piper sighed. Stupid! She thought. Next time you advertise for your club, include your name and maybe you'll get better responses!

This was hopeless. She had just advertised that a club was opening up and that they were now hiring.

The responses she got were not the people she was looking for. She had a guy who was out on parole, a really morbid girl, and a lesbian who tried to asked her out. Piper could have sworn she heard Dan Gordon chuckle when that woman asked her out!

Dan interrupted her thoughts. "I'm done. I've got all the measurements I need. I'll be back in a week with some supplies and fix things up."

"Thanks," Piper said and Dan left.

All I need are some employees to help me clean up and stock up!

Piper put her head in her hands, when she heard a door slam. Piper looked up. A young dark-haired man walked towards her desk.

"Am I early?" he asked.

"Depends on what you're here for," Piper said.

"A job. My name's Richard. Richard Montana." He said.

Piper was already starting to like this guy. "Piper Halliwell."

"The author? I can't believe I'm finally getting to meet you," Richard said.

Piper talked with Richard for awhile and decided that the job was his.

"You're really giving me this job!" Richard said.

Piper nodded. "Two more things."

"What?"

"If you know anyone who's looking for a job and is a good worker, tell him/her that I'm hiring."

"Sure! What's the other thing?"

"Are you seeing anyone?" Piper asked.

Richard shook his head.

"I've got a sister and—

"Miss Halliwell—

"Piper, please."

"I know where this is going and I don't really like people setting me up on dates," Richard said.

"I understand," Piper smiled.

Just then Paige walked into Piper's office.

"Sorry if I'm interrupting something," Paige said staring at Richard.

"No. We're finished," Piper saw the looks being exchanged between Paige and Richard. "Richard, I'll contact you with more information. And don't forget that I'm hiring."

"I won't forget," Richard said, but he was looking at Paige.

"You know what, Piper? I'll see you later and you can talk to me about you know what. I'm sorry I couldn't stay long. I'm on a overdue lunch break and I better head back to work, before I lose my job. Talk to you later!" Paige left flushing.

Richard looked after her.

"Still not interested in going out?" Piper asked.

"Huh?"

"That was my sister. You still interested?" Piper asked.

"Of course I'm interested!" Richard exclaimed.

Piper laughed.

Piper entered her apartment with her groceries. She couldn't wait to make dinner for Cole!

Piper noticed that her apartment looked empty. Piper put her bags down in the kitchen.

"COLE?"

No answer.

"Cole?!" Piper called out again.

Still no answer.

Piper walked into her bedroom. The bed was made and all of Cole's clothes were gone. There was an envelope on the pillow.

Piper picked it up and opened it.

Piper,

I love you very much! Nothing will ever change that! But things must come to light. I can't be with you because of some personal matters. I can't explain. You told me you would understand, so please understand this decision. I'm very sorry. It's not your fault. It's all mine. Please forgive me!

I'll always love you,

Cole