Chapter 3

Lana had been working for Paul for several weeks now and things seemed to be going better than expected. They had gotten chatty and she had found out a lot about him; Lana couldn't remember the last time she had been this close to an employer.

The pay wasn't fantastic, but as Denise had said to him, Lana hadn't really cared. She enjoyed the work and she liked his company. Having such a clean living man around for a boss was a bonus in her recovery, and she respected that immensely.

Lana still went to meetings, checking in with her sponsor, Renee, when she had gone on the road with Paul, as well as checked out meetings in whatever town she happened to be at the time.

But one afternoon, she had been working at the computer when she had gotten a sense someone was watching her. She shook it off for a few moments, continuing to work.

It had been Paul that was watching her; he studied his secretary at her terminal, tapping out something as usual. By now, he was glad he had listened to Denise; Lana had been a life saver when he'd forgotten things here and there or when he thought he was going to be in a crisis, she had been one step ahead of him to keep things running smoothly.

In addition to her efficiency and intelligence, even though it wasn't like Lana would give a divas a run for their money, she had been pretty in her own unique way with shining copper hair and clear blue eyes; there was more than plenty of curve to her, unlike some of the anorexic-looking women that were around.

At her desk, the feeling of being watched overcame her and she looked up from her screen, turning around to find Paul in the doorway with a look on his face.

"What?" Lana asked quizzically. "Did you need something?"

He cleared his throat, a little embarrassed at being busted. "Uh, no, nothing at all. I need to shave."

She gave him a strange look. "Okay…." she got out before resuming her work.

What the hell was that all about? Lana thought, shaking her head.

She then made a couple of telephone calls that she had put on her "to do" list for the day before breaking to meet Denise for lunch. A little girl talk would do her some good right now.

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"It was just the strangest thing," Lana told Denise. "I was sitting there doing my work and basically minding my own business and then I had this weird feeling someone was in the room, though I didn't hear anyone come in."

"So what ended up happening?" Denise wondered.

"Well, I turned around after a few minutes and Paul was standing there with this look on his face. I can't really describe it. Anyway, when I asked if he needed anything, it was like he'd just come out of a fog and said 'No, nothing at all; I need to shave.' It was just so weird!"

Denise nodded. "He has been a little spacey the last few months; I guess it is just something you'd have to get used to."

"Yes, but it was as if I pulled him out of a trance or something."

"Lana, quite a few of these guys tend to be a bit eccentric. I know you've only been working for Paul only a short time, but the guy has his share of quirks. All you really can do is roll with them, at least for the time being."

"I guess that is it. Well, I have dealt with ten times worse. It still had me a little on edge, but I suppose it's harmless."

Denise smiled at her friend. "And you may be just getting started with Mr. Quirky Guy."