Three

I was picking at my nails while I was recounting when I first met Ryan. He walked away so suddenly I thought that maybe Mark was standing behind me or staring at him through the office glass. I didn't think I was a target.

"So that was when you first met him?" Pat asks me as if she didn't hear a word I just said.

"Yeah. I didn't know it was him though. He wasn't there the next day so I assumed Mark, my boss, fired him for not working and talking to me and bringing me food. It made me feel really bad for eating it when he didn't show up the next day. A new guy showed up and I didn't pay any mind and definitely avoided any contact besides saying good morning, excuse me, and have a good night."

"You were attracted to your kidnapper due to physical appearance which is your right and you shouldn't feel bad. There is nothing bad about being confused and speaking with someone about your feelings. "

"Well thanks Pat I totally feel bad about being attracted to a stranger I didn't think I'd see again. And it wasn't just physical then. He had a good personality and was kind even though I was a bumbling mess. I didn't think he was the kind of person he had turned out to be. He did turn out to be a caring person in the end and I think that is how he is naturally. I'm hoping that's naturally how he is otherwise I'm stupid for having feelings for a jerk. I guess I have feelings."

"Why do you think you defend him when myself or your mother talk bad about him?" Pat looked at me cocking her head sideways. She vaguely reminded me of a dog who wasn't sure if she heard a whistle or just a figment or her imagination. Pat reminded me of a cocker spaniel with her permed auburn hair.

"He could have killed me and he didn't. He could have left me in his cellar but he didn't. He actually let me have a room in the house but I had to sleep across the hall from him so he could hear if I was trying to sneak out of the house. I never did because I didn't know where I was and I didn't want to lose the bed. It was nice." I said and sounded dreamy thinking about it. Just thinking of him and those dark brown eyes was enough to make me forget where I was as I rememebred a conversation I had with him. I couldn't even start to think about it because of Pat though. I had a brief flash of anger but ultimately knew that it was good she snapped me out of my reverie before I was lost in my thoughts again. She snapped her fingers bringing me back to reality for a second time.

"Well, I think you may have had repressed feelings for him due to him kidnaping you when you recognized him as the temp. janitor. Let's meet back up next Thursday at four?" Pat asks. She must have been using this time to gauge when I needed to come back and probably to see if I was mentally unstable. I cringed on the inside thinking about her opinion of me. Maybe she thought I was cooky so she was going to throw me in the loony bin. I couldn't afford that after the months of work I missed. The months of work and now the times im coming into work late. Well today at least. It made me feel like a bad employee even though Mark seemed to understand. My anger spiked because I was not given notice and Mark was left without an assistant this morning.

"Okay. Can I get a doctors note so I can take it to work? I really need to have this. I haven't been back but maybe a month and I really need them to know I'm not trying to skip out." I also didn't want Mark thinking I just didn't want to come into work. My thoughts started drifting back to Ryan as I grabbed my belongings. Ryan would smirk at me as I fumbled with my things and Pat typed out and signed my doctors note. She set it on her desk and I agreed to the appointment for Thursday already noticing a slight difference in the tension in my shoulders

"Yeah." She writes an excuse and hands it to me reminding to be here at four next thursday and I walk out. I do have to give my mother credit though, she found a therapist about a five minute walk from my job. I get right to work and once I finish the first manuscript, grab my note and knock on the door to Marks' office. I hear him faintly say come in and open the door being qiuet as I walk in. I sit both the note and manuscript on his desk and sit down across from him.

"Sir, I appreciate you in being understanding about me coming in late today. I had an appointment with a therapist today about my kidnapping situation. I plan on getting another Manuscript done today for you. I think I need to edit the one from yesterday?" I look at the clock on the wall and see I've been here for an hour reading that manuscript and throwing my notes on it. It wasn't great but I've read worse. I was interested by the second page so I call that good writers work. Mark just walked out of his office and stopped behind me.

"Athea. Thank you for coming in and getting right to work. You haven't taken time off before for anything so you do what you have to do for you. I don't know what you went through with that scumbag," I bristled at his description of Ryan. " So if you need to come in late or leave early for any appointments then you are welcome too. Just please bring me a note just for HR purposes." I looked at him through my desktop screen. I didn't want to turn around in case he saw the fire burning in my eyes at his description of Ryan.

"No problem Sir. I'll get that manuscript edited for you right away." I say standing up to leave and Mark stands in front of me. I've always had a thing for Mark. He's a CEO of his own publishing company and pretty damn attractive to add to his success. However, he is my boss and there is no way I would risk my job for him.

"Athea, you don't have to do that right now." He says as he grabs my hand gently and comes closer. My heart started beating. I've had plenty of day dreams about this and I'm pretty ecstatic about it. Something was niggling at my subconscious making me feel like this was wrong what I was thinking.

"Sir, I am still an employee in this company and I tink this would be a violation of my contract with you and this company. Citing clause C section seven no employee is to fraternize with coworker or boss in the company regardless of position or department."

"Yeah. I just realized that you were such a good worker and I admired and thought about as more than an employee of mine." Mark admits. His face turned red with embarrassment.

My excitement was starting to fade as a feeling of wrongness came over me and Ryan flashed through my mind again. He has to be laying low so he doesn't get turned in for kidnapping. Mark had pressed his lips against mine bringing me back to the real world. His lips were soft but insistent and it felt wrong on so many levels. Mainly becuase he is my boss but also because I can't get Ryan out of my head and yeah it's been about a month and a half since he let me go but being captive for around seven months can really keep a person in your mind even when you don't want to think about them. I really did not like thinking about Ryan on a daily basis almost twenty-four seven.

I lightly put pressure on Marks' chest signaling for him to stop. "I'm sorry Ma- sir. I'm not mentally ready for this and I don't feel comfortable breaking a conract and being unproffessional with my boss while everyone else has to abide by the rules."

I watch as his chest moves up and down and he loosens his tie. I ouldn't look up at his face and was fidgeting with the hem of my skirt and sleeves.

"It's okay. I'm sorry for pressuring you. You can get back to work now."

I nod and leave his office. I see a figure move around the corner and get up to investigate when Janet comes up to me and hands me a slip of paper. I look at her and she shrugs.

"I don't know. A really attractive man came in and handed this to me and told me to give it to you. He said you'll know who it's from and not to worry. He just left. You might be able to catch him."

"Oh. Well that's okay Janet. I'll read this later. Thank you for giving it to me." I say as I slip the paper into my waistband.