The Night Mysterious

Chapter 1

She was tired of being coddled.
Tired of being watched over.
And even more tired of questioning eeryone's motive.

She preformed all the tasks she was asked to, even while wondering why and wishing she understood the shared looks of her bosses, not to mention some of the clients who came in.

And even more so, she was growing tired of being lied to, which was the whole reason why she was in this office right now pacing.

She had come here to relax, only the slip of someone's tounge had her questioning everything.
Mrs. Slater.
That's what she had been called down there, and it was appearently enough to get her up here.

So what the hell was going on, and what else were they keeping from her?

Zach Slater forced a smile as Julia Santos-Kiefer poured champagne for the two of them and flirted with him as she moved across the hotel suite she resided in. There was no amusement in his eyes as he watched her. He was onto her game. Had been for some time. He was well aware of the fact that she had latched onto him for security, as well as the type of life his money could buy her, and that she wasn't above using his pass connection to her sister, Maria, to keep him interested.

But for now, he'd allow it, because he was playing a game of his own.

Biding his time till he could make a move of his own, or till the woman he really wanted came back to him--- even if it were only to make his life a living hell (not that it currently wasn't, but at least with her going after him with both barrels blazing it would be an interesting hell.)

"Zach, you aren't even listening to me," Julia pouted.

Sighing he accepte the glass from her: "Sorry, my mind's on something else."

"Something or someone?"

"Julia. . ."

Rolling her eyes, she sat down next to him, "Really, Zach, I don't understand why you bother. She's made you the town pariah."

"I was that the day I arrived."

"She was having another man's child. I mean how freakin' selfish can one woman get?"

"Let's leave out the fact that she was carrying that child for her best friend."

"Against your wishes."

"The reason why I objected should be obvious now."

"Zach, really. You don't get her. Kendall is only out for herself. Ryan's right. She proballly only did it in some odd attempt to get him back and hurt Greenlee. Not that I understand what he--- or anyone else--- sees in her. And I don't know what he saw in Skipper Barbie either. I mean if you had known Gillian you'd understand how wong those two are together. But then again, two selfish, self serving women like Kendall and Greenlee certainly deserve each other. I mean who goes behind their husbands' backs to get pregnant? Never mind the problems of when you lose a baby thinking it can be replaced, and by one that his ex is carrying for you!" she rambled, but unlike with Kendall, he didn't find it entertaining, but annoying.

Leaning further back in his chair, he closed his eyes trying to block out her voice as a knock sounded on the door. Muttering to herself, Julia went to answer it. "Don't you people understand anything about downtime?" she demanded of the woman on the other side of the door.

Edie smiled stiffly at her. "I need to speak to the boss," she said simply.

"He's busy. I mean. . . really. . . " Julia started as Zach came up behind her. "What do you need Edie?"

"There's someone in your office who needs to speak to you. ASAP," she said with a look that Zach knew meant his attention was needed five minutes ago.

"Can't you. . ."

"I'll be right up," Zach interrupted Julia.

Edie nodded. "I'll wait for you by the elevator to brief you on the way," she answered as she turned and headed in that direction while Zach stepped back into the room and closed the door.

"Why don't you delegate more?" Julia whined.

"I delegate enough to have had the time to help you," he responded stiffly.

"Well, you don't have to get all defensive!"

"Julia, those of us who work non-menial and own our own businesses can't delegate everything and have to take care of problems when they come up."

"Well if you had chosen a more reliable partner. . ."

"Good night Julia," he said as he left the room. Striding quickly down the hall he came to a stop near an annoyed Edie. "What's the problem?"

"Mrs. Slater's in your office."

"Oh?" he asked as he pressed the button for the elevator. "What does she want?"

"I believe the order was to get you and your sorry hide now so that she could find out what the hell you're up to."

Zach smiled slightly at that: "well let's not keep her waiting. . ."