The computer beeped and she turned her gaze to an incoming e-mail. Her neck was damp with sweat and she turned the nearby fan up onto medium. Pulling her hair back, she pinned it in a pony tail to keep it off her neck. Returning her attention to the e-mail, she read the contents and saved it into a file in her cabinet. Closing the window, she pulled up her software and sent out a message.

A reply came and she smirked. The people in the chatroom were decent, but even they were distant. Her eyes glanced down at a yellow package next to her and she opened it. A cd slid into her hand and she looked over the case. She moved over to her cd player and inserted the cd, turning the speakers up halfway.

The first track started and she returned to her chatroom. A friendly member sent her a private message and she replied on neutral ground. It was the same old thing she did every night. Keeping herself safely locked inside this office and away from real people just keep to her from being found. Another e-mail arrived and she minimized the chatroom again.

Frowning, she scanned over the new e-mail and dumped it. The last thing she needed was to reply to a message from her mother. With a sigh, she signed off the chatroom and turned her cd player off. Silently she logged off her computer and left the office. She locked the door for security reasons and walked down the hall to her room.

'Same old routine...'

______________________________________________

The office was quiet and she looked over the report lying on her desk. Another person was requesting a job under her administration and she frowned. Right now she had the core group she wanted and everything was running successful. She didn't have the time to play baby-sitter to a new-comer. However, she knew that once her co-partner read this the new-comer would be hired.

Frowning, she pitched the paper and turned her attention to the information coming through the fax machine. Picking up the fax, she read the content and paged for her secretary. The elder woman stepped inside her office and she handed her the fax.

"Molly, please give this to Bryan. He will be expecting this."

Molly nodded and asked, "Would you like anything while I'm out?"

She leaned back into her chair and said, "A hot coffee would be nice."

The elder woman smiled and left without another word. She smirked at their friendship and looked around her office. Four years of working in this building and she was one step away from being the sole manager. She slipped out of her chair and moved over to a giant window. She drew back the shades and looked down at the city life brewing all around her.

'How I wish I could be one of them.'

"Faith, here's your coffee and a note from Bryan."

She turned to Molly and nodded. The woman left and she took a sip from her coffee as she read the note. Rolling her eyes, she threw the note into the trashcan by her computer and sat down behind her desk. Picking up a pen, she began reading over the paperwork that needed to get out by the end of the week.

______________________________________________

She read the latest post in the chatroom and listened to the cd. The band was good and she knew the right manager to sign them with. Sending a respond, she heard a knock from her front door and moved across the room. Locking the door behind her, she moved to the front door and opened it slowly. Bryan smirked and she rolled her eyes as she let him in.

He was dressed up for a dinner, the dinner she had declined back at work. He handed her a bag and she slowly took it.

He nodded and said, "Go put it on so we can get going."

Her eyes narrowed and she said, "I'm not going anywhere with you."

Bryan laughed and said, "Oh but you are. Now be a nice person for once and go put on my gift."

She shook her head and left him in the living room as she retreated back to her bedroom. Locking the door, she opened the back and pulled out a black velvet dress with a pair of dress shoes. Her breath caught in her throat and she placed the dress out on her bed. She had to give him props. He knew how to win women over and she was his latest project.

Sighing in defeat, she slipped out of her clothes and into the dress. It slid over her skin like silk and she pulled her hair back from her face. She secured her hair to the back of her head and left bits of it hanging down in loose curls. Slowly she slid the dress shoes on and glanced at herself in the mirror. It was the woman she had hoped to never see, but sure enough she was dressed like a woman who loved herself and life.

Frowning, she walked over to her door and unlocked it. Stepping out into the hall, she glanced around the corner and found Bryan busy looking around. Quickly she slipped into her office and left her status away and turned off her cd player. Then she locked the office and made her way into the living room. Bryan caught her when she entered the room and whistled as he held out a fancy jacket for her to slip into.

She slid into the jacket and he opened the door. Her eyes narrowed at his manners and she slowly stepped outside. He escorted her down the sidewalk and helped her into his black mustang. Quietly he slipped in and pulled out onto the main road.

"I knew it would look good on you, but you look amazing, Faith."

She glanced at him and slowly said, "Thank you."

PGS