Previously

"Your company Mr Manoso works for me. I am your client and I don't like your services and so I'm terminating your contract. There is a clause in there which states that if the client at any point in time is unhappy with the services provided, then the contract can be disabled at once without any further discussion. I Mr Manoso am very much unsatisfied."

"I can change that in a moment, I will make sure that the when you leave this bed you will be very much satisfied by my services." He told me.


Stephanie POV

"Get off me!" I yelled. This guy is completely insane if he thinks he can pull this macho bullshit on me. Who does he think he is dictating who I sleep with, date or have dinner with? It's none of his business.

He rolled off me, and lay next to me on the bed, panting like he just ran a marathon. I seriously don't know what his problem is.

"I meant what I said Carlos, if you cannot respect my privacy, then I will cancel my contract with your company. I have a business to run, and if you pull this caveman bullshit on me again, I will make sure that you are banned form ever entering my store."

"I'm sorry babe, my emotions are out of whack lately and I don't know what to do about it." He sounded resigned.

"I don't care that you're going through some mid-life crisis right now, what I do care about is the fact that you have no respect for me." I stated firmly as I stood up.

Carlos looked shocked at that "What gave you that idea? I have nothing but respect for you, for everything you've achieved and become. You are the most well-rounded person I know."

"You don't carry someone out of their office like a sack of potatoes if you truly respect them. Trust and respect are the basis of any relationship, and I'm not into abusive relationships, so I'm sorry that I'm not exactly flattered by your behaviour." I was getting truly pissed at this point.

"I am sorry babe. What can I do to make this up to you? I'll leave you alone if that's what you truly want, but I really hope that we can be friends. I've never really dated, or felt this emotional stuff for anyone, so I don't really know how to react, or how to 'woo' a woman. I'm truly sorry for hurting you."

I looked at him clearly for the first time; this guy was truly clueless on how to date. He was just following his emotions and that was getting him into trouble. I glanced around the professionally designed room and saw the time on his bedside clock. Oh shit! Dinner with my parents! I am going to be late if I don't leave now… and my car is at the store.

"Carlos I really need you to drop me back at the store."

He looked really sad at that but nodded and grabbed his keys. I'm going to let him stew for a day or two so he can reflect on his actions and then call him – maybe.

He drove me to the store and walked me to my car, I'm pretty sure he still thinks that I have a hot date, but he'll just have to deal with it like a big boy because I'm running late as it is.

XXOXXXOXX

"So Steph, found a new guy yet?" My mum asked.

"Mum, you know I'm not ready right now. I need to devote some time to my business before I go out there again."

"Steph, your business is booming as usual, and I'm very proud of what you have accomplished; but all that money you are earning isn't going to keep your bed warm at night."

"I'm kinda seeing someone." I blurted out just to stop her from bombarding me with more philosophy. Just as I said that, Carlos entered the restaurant with Lester in tow.

"Who is it pumpkin?" dad asked.

Okay Steph, just make up a name. I opened my mouth to speak and Carlos sighted me and walked over. He looked confused as to what I was doing here, so I shut him up before he could do any further damage. "Mum, dad, meet Carlos… we're um dating." Carlos looked shocked for a moment and then regained his composure and nodded at my parents.

My parents shook hands with him and insisted that he and Lester join us for dinner. What have I done?

XXOXXXOXX

Carlos POV – 2 hours later

"What the hell was that?" I asked.

"I'm sorry; I didn't really think that through. They were about to start hammering me with questions and it kinda just slipped out before I could process it." She looked like she was in shock, hell I think I'm in shock.

"It's alright. I know first-hand how scary parents can be." I told her, thinking back to the many women my mum has invited to dinner to try to set me up.

"Yeah, once my mum tried to set me up with this guy, Dave I think, he turned out to be a stalker and almost succeeded in kidnapping me. Thank god one of my cop friends happened to pass by my apartment and stopped him in time. I signed up for martial arts training after that, I don't ever want to be in a situation like that again." She told me.

"Yeah well, goodnight. I'll see you again whenever…" I trailed off and backed away from her to my car.

She looked like she was thinking about something for a moment and then called out "Do you feel like ice-cream? I have a pint of Ben and Jerry at the hotel and maybe a DVD of 'Forest Gump' if you would like to join me."

I so badly wanted to accept, but then I got that feeling, like I was being cornered, like there wasn't enough air and I was struggling to breathe and I rushed out the words without thinking "I'll take a rain check on that. I have a takedown tonight, and I really need to go." I rushed to my car before I said or did anything stupid.

As I drove away I looked into my rear-view mirror and thought at least for once I'm not the one left standing.


Hey guys! I know I've been really bad about updating this story but I have been really busy with things lately. Please review about the story or just tell me a joke or something. Any inspiration is welcome because I really don't know what I'm doing with this story, it's kinda just writing itself…

Does anyone know the fanfic where Ranger talks about how he is sexually sick and hasn't been with anyone since her… I've been looking for that one please PM me or just review if you know about it

:D