alk to anyone," Charisa's muffled voice c

ut he nodded, waving his ha

s a man here to s

Tyler felt a great deal of respect for her suddenly, and felt very badly for anyone that ea

es had a chance to survey the room. When they fell on Tyler, some of the fire

" Leah said. "He wanted t

Tyler before turning back to her

or a few minutes?" Tyl

the helplessness in her eyes. She had duties to atte

ah's shoulder. "It's fine. You get bac

wo of them again. She finally nodded

eah walked past Tyler, giving him a careful look that he read very we

epped out of her room. She wore only the simple black dress common to all of the staff. The white a

g woman. The media had painted her as the aloof princess of a sinister financial king, carefully keeping herse

, though." Charisa tilted her head to

augh. "You're not go

shows up in almost every magazine, usually some story

igned injury. "You wound me. But that's fair

deeply. "Here

sympathy for this young woman. She was attractive. Her dark hair and bright, blue eyes would be enough to captiv

did want to make sure you were okay.

is still all over the television. I guess I get to hope that the

t can help you out?" Tyler

l been seized. He never imagined that it would leave her dest

trying to get into acting. She barely has enough money to

em were behaving in ways they did not understand. She had an excuse. She was under duress

rest of the week here with m

of shock made h

but I'm sure that you did not have it coming. A few broken cups is not worth risking a sexual hara

eantime, enjoy the resort as a guest where your old boss can't touch y

ed her arms.

at you're over it and moved on. People who do things lik

t blame her. He knew how quickly people in his own circles could turn if the sensed weaknes

gave him a square look, setting her

ve one of the luxury cabins, so you'll have your own room. No expectat

fully. Finally, her stance relaxed.

ood. Do you have

Nothing worthy of

to this deal. Allow me to take y

This was a quaint and small cabin. He wondered if she had a chance

**

e picture windows dominated the façade, glowing through their translucent white shades. He carried her s

ould have his arrogant side, and occasionally as he took her through the shops in town, she saw it, typically, when he put down a d

the cabin and held i

front of it. A wide high definition television hung above the fireplace and a full entertainment system sat to the left side. Along the left wall

right another large living area was set up with balcony rails do that it looked down below them. Beyond it was a hall with three doors. Tyler guided her to one and invi

is at the end of the hall. I don't know if you do your own laundry. If you do, the French doors in the hall have a small washer and

aundry?" She tried to imagine this man measu

ruined my own clothes at another resort. I'

ere honest and hardworking, but she supposed that anyone could be tempted

that's never a pretty sight

s hazing ritual." She watched as he gave her a dubious look, tilting his

s look becoming quickly serious and co

with pots." Charisa wanted the levit

e money that he's taken. That's good. They can't take away his ability to care fo

to understand the depth of empathy that he had in this moment. She did not want to do that. He was being nice to

usy day, so I'll let you rest. I'll wake you up in the morning and

ld be nice," Charisa s

to the hall. "Thank you fo

**

oot-covered face and when he coughed, he sounded congested and full of smoke. Inside, in the flames, was everything he ever knew and understood to be

y did, they always left her feeling strange, as though she were coming back into her own body. It

played back in her mind and she remem

nroy, as promised on the cover, while he played on his game console. When Tyler was five years old, his mother had set fire to their home. She had d

naged to wake the groggy nanny, who stumbled

of the boy as he stood watching the inferno that had been his home. He said in the intervie

illness to be shameful, something that others faced, not them. Tyler had inherited his father's fortune, and when he was old

errible, tragic story? Charisa put he

**

ke of her being there, or Leah for that matter. She thought about Chloe, who had gotten her the job to begin with. She

tion. They sat at a large table with other res

g acknowledgement. She was happy for that. She noticed a glare from Mr. Graven. When he attempted to come to the table, Tyler rose

rain today, and the early afternoon was quickly growing warm. Charisa follow

arisa to run into him. He turned, startled, and gave her a kindly smile. "

Worthington," Cha

sa a broader smile. "Well, I'm afraid you have

not even recognize her face. She supposed that in the world Mr. Worthington inhabited,

e had never se

orthington before he could stay anything else. Tyler had stopped and turned. He w

ppened?"

on," Charisa said and decided to l

s head. Charisa continued on to the

he horses. Mr. Worthington did not think enough of the day to even

he thought of putting the incident behind her lightened her step. After