I'm getting super excited about this story and hope you are too!

Warning: This chapter contains slight sexual content towards the end.

Chapter 4

"Are you two, okay?" Ana asked, addressing Shilo and Graverobber.

The two exchanged looks, not sure of what to say. True, they were unharmed and managed to escape Amber's wrath but found themselves in a mighty fine predicament at the same time. The scenario that had just unfolded replayed in Shilo's head. She thought that for sure she and Graves were done for. Then without notice, here steps in GeneCo's latest singer and comes to their rescue in a sense. She had convinced Amber to let them keep their lives but at high cost. Did it all really just happen?

"Y-yeah. We're fine.", Shilo finally managed to say.

"Good." said Ana. "Follow me." She beckoned them outside the door.

Once again Shilo and Graverobber exchanged looks and Graverobber shrugged, following Ana out of the room. They walked across backstage, trying to avoid the glances that other GeneCo employees were shooting at them. Shilo looked at Ana who was walking straight ahead, not looking at anyone. Shilo wondered what the singer's intentions really were and if she could be trusted. Then again, Shilo didn't really trust anyone except for Graverobber. Still though, if it weren't for Ana, they would both be dead. Ana lead Shilo and Graverobber pass the crowd and to her dressing room. Once they were all inside, poked her head out to make sure no one was watching. Then she shut the door and locked it.

"Okay, listen. Amber will be here any minute with your guys's contracts so I wanted to give you some pointers." said Ana

"Pointers?" asked Graverobber.

"Yes, for your new jobs. You two should know how it works around here. I'm sure you guys already know that Amber isn't exactly as sweet as she's made out to be."

"So what's your point?" Graverobber asked again, raising his eyebrow.

"My point is that if you're going to be working for this company you're going to have to be careful. They have very strict rules here. One slip up and you're literally dead meat."

"You think we don't know that? Why do you think we've been hiding this whole time? I extract zydrate from the dead for Christ's sake. I'm always on the run. That doesn't matter though because I'm used to it." Graverobber continued as he gave a meaningful look towards Shilo. "What matters is that GeneCo has been on her tail when she's done nothing wrong!"

"Exactly! I understand that. That's why I'm trying to-" Ana started

"And it's your fault that her and I are even stuck in this bloody mess!" he interrupted.

Ana scowled. "My fault? I just saved your damn life. How about some gratitude for helping you escape Amber's wrath instead of yelling at me?"

"Why should we trust you? Back there you even said that you were only defending us for GeneCo's benefit."

"Of course I said that. I had to in order to convince Amber. Otherwise she wouldn't have given a second to killing you both. I had to make her think that there was something in it for her."

"So you're saying that you didn't help us just to suck up."

"No."

"Then why did you save us?" asked Shilo, entering the conversation for the first time.

Ana turned and looked at Shilo. "You're that girl from the opera last year. Shilo Wallace, was it?"

"Yes." Shilo answered.

"I remember that night so clearly. I saw everything on television. Rotti Largo's confession of his illness, how he exposed you and your father, and..." Ana looked down at the floor and gulped. "And Blind Mag's swan song."

Shilo looked at singer and wondered what she was getting at. "What about the opera?"

"Most people chose to believe that it was all an act, and that the sudden death of Rotti Largo and Mag was mere coincidence. Either that or they simply chose to close their eyes to the situation and wallow in their fear and stupidity. I, however, know that it was real." Ana shook her head of her bitter thoughts. "What I'm trying to say is that you've been through a lot and I didn't think that you deserved to die when you did nothing wrong. That's why I helped you."

Shilo stood staring at the Ana, amazed all the more. For whatever reason, it seemed that she was deeply upset at what had happened the previous year. Of course, many people were distraught about the situation but if Shilo didn't know any better, it seemed to have affected Ana on a more personal level. Before anyone could say anything more there was a loud knock on the door.

"Open up, Ana. I know you're in there and I haven't got all night." came the irritated voice of Amber through the door.

Ana quickly unlocked the door and let Amber in, along with her two bodyguards.

"Do those two follow her everywhere?" whispered Shilo

"You should have seen her old bodyguards." Graverobber whispered back.

"You two, let's get this over with." said Amber, directing at them. She held out her hand and the bodyguard to her left handed her two sheets of paper.

"One piece of paper for each of us? That's it?" asked Graverobber.

"That's all it takes, honey. Make sure to read the fine print." said Amber, handing each copy to him and Shilo.

They scanned over their contracts and inwardly cringed. It was all so official. Amber pointed to one particular section on Grave's contract and handed him a small magnifying glass.

"You'll see here that as long as you're employed with us, you must serve only GeneCo. That includes not only labor, but endorsement and advertisement as well. It also states that any negative word about GeneCo is prohibited from the network media and/or press. Failure to follow these regulations will result in immediate termination. I'm sure you can guess that when I say "terminate", I don't just mean that you'll be fired." Amber smiled.

"Charming as always, Miss Sweet." Graves said sarcastically.

"Shut up and sign." she replied, handing him and Shilo a pen. As Shilo reached for the pen, her hand shook. She remembered how Mag was forced to sign a contract with GeneCo and basically, unwillingly sold her soul. If she signed, Shilo knew she would be doing the same. She also knew that she had no choice in the matter. So she reluctantly signed her name on the binding contract.

Amber smiled as she took the newly signed contracts and handed them back to her bodyguards. "Well then, now that that's settled, we need to see to your living arrangements."

Graverobber and Shilo gave a confused look.

"You don't want to live in that dingy apartment forever do you? I'll need to be keeping a special eye on you two anyway."

"Can I have my old house back?" asked Shilo

Amber raised a brow. "What house?"

"The one that you bombarded with security and put on surveillance in order to try and find me." Shilo replied bitterly.

"Oh, that house. Yes, I remember now. Well since you now belong to GeneCo and it'll be easier to keep track of you anyway, I don't see why not. Ana will be making regular visits to check up on you of course."

Ana, who had been observing the scene quitely from the small couch in room now spoke up. "Hold on a second, Amber. Why would you want me to that?"

"I'm a very busy woman, Ana. I don't have time to watch them every second of the day. I need someone from the inside to help me keep tabs on certain things."

"Why me, though? How do you expect me to keep an eye on them when you have me rehearsing, writing new material, doing commercials-"

"It was your idea to give them jobs, Ana. I don't see why it's such a problem. Especially since you've decided to make the girl your assistant anyway."

Ana groaned. "Fine. Whatever you say, Amber."

"Good girl. You can start off by helping them move their stuff into that house tomorrow. Then you can take her to the photoshoot with you. I still want you there at 12:15pm sharp."

"Yes, m'mam." Ana said through her teeth.

"I'm glad that we have an understanding, good night then. See you tomorrow." Amber winked at Ana and then blew Graverobber a "fuck you" kiss as she left.

Ana rolled her eyes as she shut the door. She looked back at Shilo and Graverobber and they stood there in silence for a moment.

"Well that was...interesting." said Graverobber, breaking the silence.

"You two really don't like each other do you?" asked Shilo

Ana shrugged. "Amber doesn't like any woman who challenges her."

'Very true.' thought Graverobber.

"So, anyway, what time should I be at your apartment tomorrow?"

"For what?"

"To help you guys with your stuff remember?"

"Oh, that's right. Um whatever time is good for you I guess. Preferably not too early."

"Yeah, well I gotta a photoshoot tomorrow so it can't be too late."

'Diva' he thought to himself. "Well we don't have much so it shouldn't take too long."

Ana frowned. "I'm sorry if that sounded rude. It's just that Amber will be on my ass if I'm late."

"Oh. That's true. Okay, well how about 8:00?"

Ana smiled. "I'll be there at 8:30. It'll give you guys a bit more time. I'll have my bodyguard help too."

"You have a bodyguard?"

"Yeah, he used to be my-I mean he used to be Mag's bodyguard."

"Oh, I see."

"So where is the apartment anyhow?"

"Oh, it's on Crucifix Drive. Apartment 15."

"Got it. I'll be there."

"Well..I guess we better get out of your hair now huh?"

Ana nodded. "Not to dismiss you or anything but it's getting late. You guys should get home and rest. It's been a crazy night."

"It sure has. Guess we'll see you tomorrow."

"Did you guys need a ride? I could have a car take you guys home."

"That's alright. We can make our own way. Thanks though. For everything. You're okay after all, Miss Rosette."

She laughed. "It's just Ana. You're okay too, Graverobber."

Graverobber gave Ana a smile a courteous nod and he and Shilo began walking out the door.

"Oh, and Shilo?" asked Ana.

Shilo turned her head. "Yes?"

"Did you enjoy the concert?"

"Um, yeah I did actually." she answered, a bit taken aback by the question.

Ana smiled. "I'm glad that you did. Get home safely, okay?"

Shilo nodded and they left. So Ana wasn't what she thought. She wasn't so bad after all. What a weird birthday it turned out to be.

The singer let out a heavy sigh of relief as she finally made it home. No more paparazzi, no more Amber, no more chaos. It was all over for the moment and she finally had a chance to relax. She used the opportunity to slip out of the revealing stage outfit and stepped into the shower. She closed her eyes in pleasure as the hot water rained down on her skin. When she finished washing, she stepped out and wrapped on a towel. She then went to her room and changed into some black night shorts and a tank top. As she dried her hair with a towel, she went to the hallway where a small table with a portrait of a beautiful woman was surrounded by some candles. She picked up the picture and smiled, taking in every detail of the women's features.

"Hey, mom. How's everything in Heaven?" she chuckled softly. "Did you see the concert today? You probably weren't too fond of my outfit were you? Well, besides that how was my singing? I learned everything from you after all." The young girl sighed. She knew that no one was going to answer her back but she couldn't help it. "I tried to do some good today, mother. Amber was going to hurt that poor Wallace girl. The one from the opera. I managed to convince Amber not to kill her but now she's tangled up in GeneCo's web because of me. Did I do the right thing? I wish you were here to guide me, mother. I really miss you."

Suddenly there was a knock on the door and the girl stiffened. 'That can only be one of three people at this hour.' she thought. To her horror it was the one that she dreaded most.

"Guess who, bella?" called the voice. Her stomach clenched. She had forgotten about Pavi. She knew better than to keep him waiting so reluctantly went and answered the door. She was surprised when she saw him carrying a bouquet of roses with them.

"For you, mia cara. " he smiled, handing her the roses.

"Thank you, Pavi." she said, taking them.

"Well, aren't you going to invite me in?" he asked.

"Of course, come in Pavi." she said. He walked in the door and looked around, as if it were the first time he had seen her house.

"Please, make yourself at home. I'll just go put these in a vase." she said.

"Will do." he said, taking off his coat and chucking it to the floor. Before he could do anything else, she quickly rushed to the kitchen.

She knew that he had followed her but she tried to distract herself as she searched for a vase. Pavi sat down at the small table and she could feel his eyes on her. When she finally found a vase, she filled it with water and put the roses.

"Do you want something to drink?" she asked, trying to stall as much as possible.

"That would be lovely. A vodka and tonic if you have it."

She nodded and went to the cabinet. As she grabbed a glass and searched for the alcohol she stopped when felt two arms snake around her waist and felt a hot breath against her neck. She gulped and shivered as he buried his nose in her damp hair.

"Your hair smells wonderful, Ana. Just like flowers."

"You don't have to call me Ana here, Pavi." she said, the slightest irritation buried underneath her fear.

"My apologies, Jillian. It's just something I've grown used to. Carmela doesn't go by her real name anymore."

"That's because she actually wants to be Amber." Jillian murmured.

With a sudden force, Pavi turned her around so they were facing each other. "Did I ever tell you that I love that attitude of yours?"

Jillian said nothing. She just continued to look at his masked face. Pavi grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled her closer. "Kiss me." he said.

She knew it was a command and not a request so she had no choice but do what he said. She quickly brushed her lips against his and he pulled her even closer deepening the kiss. She groaned in protest as she felt his hand creep up and touch her behind. Pavi pulled away for a moment and glared.

"Don't flinch, bella. I'm not going to do anything to you I haven't done before."

The truth in statement disgusted her, in knowing that he had touched her in this way before so many times. She fought back the urge to cry as he went even further and forced her back against the kitchen counter and began running his hand up her shirt.

'I'm so sorry, mother. Please forgive me.' she silently prayed.

So what do you think? I know it gets pretty dark at the end. It's not exactly a happy story though. Reviews, please!