Chapter 5

Paul stood off to the side, watching as Lana organized the schedule for the coming week. He somehow picked up that watching his secretary was making her a little uneasy, so he would stand where it was likely Lana wouldn't catch him.

He wondered at times what really made her tick; outside the rough road that had led up to her pill addiction and stint in rehab before coming to work for him and the brief things he'd gotten from Denise, Paul didn't really know much about Lana at all.

Sure, they'd talked about some aspects of their lives, but he sensed there were things she still hadn't discussed, but he didn't push it.

And she was so kind, appreciating even the most minor things he'd done for him. Most women could have cared less or thought it was cheesy, but Lana didn't.

She also didn't make jokes or talk shit behind his back while kissing ass to his face like some of the assistants and secretaries of the guys placed higher on the roster did. If anything, Lana built him up both to his face and when she discussed him with the other girls.

Paul hadn't even known about it until Denise had asked him one day how Lana was working out.

"She's great," he replied. "I never did thank you properly for that referral."

"Knowing Lana is blending in and not being given a hard time is thanks enough," Denise smiled. "You know, she thinks very well of you."

Paul was shocked. "Yeah?"

"Yes. She thinks you're one of the sweetest guys she's ever met and feels so lucky to be working for you."

He felt his face turn a little red. "Hmm, okay."

"Oh, cut the 'aw shucks' attitude, Paul," Denise chided him. "I happen to agree with her. You have a lot of wonderful qualities, and if girls can't get past the exterior of the glitz and glamor to appreciate the fine man Lana and I see underneath, then it's their damned loss."

"Uh, Dee, can I ask you something?"

"Sure, whatever you like."

He raked a hand through his hair. "Is Lana by any chance seeing anyone?"

Denise was thrown off a little by the question, but didn't show it. "Not to my knowledge. Why?"

"Well, I did want to take her out somewhere. Kind of simple stuff, you know. But I didn't want to interfere if she was seeing a guy."

"Trust me, you won't be interfering with anyone. As a matter of fact, Lana hasn't seen anyone since her last relationship ended so badly."

"Dude was that bad, huh?" Lana had never discussed her ex and this was a good time to get the details, even if it was through Denise.

"Do not get me started on that asshole Billy," Denise replied, a touch of steel in her voice. "When he wasn't running around on her or talking down like she was worthless, he treated Lana like his personal property."

"Did he ever…."

"Hit her? No. In spite of all of her issues, Lana would have never stood for that. She'd left earlier if Billy had as much as laid a pinky finger on her. Then again, it would have been the lesser of the two evils, considering the psychological hell he put her through."

Paul didn't know who this dude was, but he wanted to kill the son of a bitch nevertheless.

"Nobody deserves any kind of abuse, Dee," he finally said.

"I know," she nodded. "Still, I think it's great you are taking such an interest in her. But please remember, she's early in her recovery and dealing with old issues from before and during her addiction."

"I will," he grinned. "Thanks, Dee."

"No, thank you. You could be the best thing that happened to her in God knows how long."

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"My name is Lana, and I am an addict," she spoke up at that evening's meeting.

"Hello, Lana," the group spoke back.

"There is something on my mind tonight being we are on this topic."

"What is that, Lana?" the group leader asked.

She then went into the incidents about "her boss," not giving his name. "He's a great man in general and treats me very well. It's just recently he's done some things that I've found odd."

Another member spoke up. "Are you comfortable with the job overall?"

"Oh yes, " Lana replied. "Like I said, I don't think I've worked for a better person since I left secretarial college. Even my last job before my addiction wasn't this enjoyable. But I am still figuring out these recent quirks. I mean, they're harmless, but I can't help but wonder what is going on in his mind."

"We always say here at the meetings not to sweat the small stuff, Lana," an older man responded. "It's wondering over those small things that played a role in our respective addictions."

"You really think so, Mark?" she asked.

"Of course. You said you like this gentleman and he's great to work for. Every employer is going to have some minor eccentricities, if you will. Have you spoken to him about this?"

Lana sighed. "I've attempted, but he's evasive or changes the subject."

"Then perhaps it's best just to go with it for awhile before you approach him again. By then, he may be more comfortable discussing it."

Lana thought a moment and then smiled. "Maybe so. Thank you, everyone."

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"Good meeting, I gather?" Denise asked when Lana came home later.

"Yeah, you could say that. I got a lot of insight this evening."

"Great. And your boss called."

"Did Paul say what he needed?" Lana asked. "It's not like him to call me out at night."

"Actually, I think this is more of a personal matter than a work one."

Lana went to the phone and dialed his number. "Still, this is out of the ordinary."

"Lana, if you should know anything by now, Paul is anything but ordinary, and I have a feeling he's finding you the same way."