This is, obviously, a continuation of The Masquerade story. If you haven't, please read the previous chapters to get to know the characters. This one is not a stroke story, sorry if you were looking for that. This story is not as near it's end as I thought it would be, and I hope you are liking the story as much as I like writing it. Have fun and enjoy.
Eskimo_Kiss xxoo
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As the man neared his walk become almost predatory. Alex couldn't see his eyes, but knew them to be hazel. Her unwanted suitor from the Masquerade. She cursed under her breath and started walking like she was going back to her car. She saw him speed forward and he grabbed her arm.
Alex grabbed his wrist, turned into him, bring his arm over her shoulder and pulling down, his elbow locked over her shoulder. She spun quickly and pushed him away from her, her hand under his arm. He stumbled from her for only a step before getting his balance again. He rubbed his elbow, glaring at her.
"What the hell do you want." Alex growled out, walking backwards towards the doors, and standing under the lights. The lights also happened to be near the security camera. The green man - green Masquerade outfit, green truck - stalked after her.
"You. Obviously." The man said the words with a growl. "Why the hell did you dump me for that loser."
"Are you serious?" Alex asked incredulously. Why the hell would he care that much? There had been plenty of women at the Masquerade. "How did you find me?"
"I saw you running yesterday morning. I just knew it was you." The man looked smug, like it was such a great thing for him to figure out who she was without the mask. Creepy bastard.
"And you followed me? Did I not make myself clear at the Masquerade. I avoided you all night long!" Alex threw her hands up in the air. She took a step back as he took a step closer. "Don't you dare touch me."
"You weren't avoiding me, you were just playing hard to get." The man looked down his nose at Alex. Alex's irish temper, which she rarely let out, was starting to perk.
"Excuse me?! I'm sorry, but you and I don't mesh and you need to get that through your thick skull right now!" Alex felt her face start to flush. She could feel the adrenalin coursing through her body. Alex's usual choice between fight or flight was fight. She would not flee, especially from a thrice damned petrified piece of dinosaur dung.
"You don't even know me. Of course we'll mesh." The man stepped forward quickly, grabbing her hands and trying to kiss her. Alex brought her arms up hard and quickly into an X in front of her body, breaking his grip, then sliding her hand between his arms she put her hands on his solar plexus and PUSHED. He stumbled backwards a few feet.
"What the HELL is going on here?" A man in a red shirt and black pants with a store ID badge came out of the doors. He looked at Alex and asked, "Are you alright, miss?"
"Yes, but getting very angry. He's grabbed me a couple of times and tried to kiss me. I don't even know who the hell he is!" Alex said. The man in green started coming towards them both, his eyes lit with rage and his face set in a stony mask. Alex took a step back, almost at the same time as the manager.
The manager then pointed up at the security camera. "I've already called the police. This is all on camera." The man stopped and glowered at them both.
"This isn't over, sweetheart." He said, his eyes dark.
"It better be, creepy bastard. If I see your truck anywhere near my neighborhood, I'll call the police again." The man looked at her and smiled darkly before turning and striding purposely for his truck.
Alex watched him go get in his truck. The manager put his hand on her shoulder and was talking to her. She didn't hear him. She watched the green truck until it was out of sight. She looked up at the manager, smiled weakly, and then sat quickly on the ground.
The manager knelt at her side, looking more relieved that she was acting like he thought she should. "I'm sorry, sir, I have no idea what you were saying."
"It's okay, miss. Here, I'll help you up and we can go into the store. I'll take you to the office and we can wait for the police." The man stood and held out a hand, she took it and pulled herself to her feet. Her arms were shaking. She had only ever been in one true fight, and that was five years ago. Come to think of it, she was this shaky afterwards then too.
"You actually called the police?" Alex asked in a small voice as they walked into the doors. She saw the cashier, who looked at her with her eyebrows raised. Alex smiled weakly and the girl gave her a thumbs up.
"Of course. I saw when he grabbed you when you were walking. I didn't know you didn't know him, but anyone who looks like him and grabs a woman the way he did deserves the police being called on him." Alex looked up at him, finally taking in his looks. He was middle age, slightly balding and a small belly hanging over his belt. He had glasses. He looked a bit like he was a prudish, anal manager. But, so far, he had been nice. He had kept ahold of her arm, like he was supporting her. She gently loosed herself from his grip. He looked over at her and she smiled weakly at him.
"Thank you. I saw he was following me. His truck has been seen around my neighborhood lately too. I think I have a stalker." Alex was ushered into the manager's office and she took a seat.
"That's awful miss. Well, the police should be here any minute. I assume you want to give a report?" He said, pushing papers around his desk and then sitting on the other side.
"Absolutely. What if he were to do that to someone who couldn't protect herself?" The manager nodded at her then got up and patted her on her shoulder as he walked past.
"You can sit right there and recover. I'll go wait at the entrance for the police and bring them back when they get here." The man, whose name she read as Bob, walked out of the door.
Alex sat against the back of the slightly uncomfortable chair. She closed her eyes and shook herself a little bit. She knew she could protect herself. Knowing she could protect herself and having to do it were two different things. Alex felt the adrenalin start to slow down. She took herself through some breathing techniques, feeling herself calm.
She startled when she heard her cell phone in her pocket go off. She scrambled for the phone and answered it without looking.
"H-hello?" She asked breathily.
"Alexandria?" Mark's smooth tone asked. Alex felt his voice wrap around her and comfort her a little more.
"Oh, Mark. I'm so glad you called." She said, her mind starting to calm.
"It is nine, honey." He said.
"Already? Listen Mark. Something's come up and I'm going to busy for awhile. I really want to talk to you later, but it would take too long to explain now. Can I call you in an hour or so?" Alex talked quickly, almost without breath.
"Of course. Are you okay?" He asked, his voice slightly worried at her tone.
"I am now. And don't worry about me, I really am okay. It's been an eventful night. I'll call you in a bit, okay?" Alex said, breathing this time, but still talking much faster than usual.
"Okay. But call me tonight honey. You don't sound quite like yourself. If you need anything, you just ask." Mark said.
"Thanks. I'll call tonight. But I've got to go."
"Okay. Talk to you later."
"Talk to you later." Alex replied, hanging up the phone. She looked out the door the manager had left open and as she didn't see anyone walking towards the office she dialed Brian's number.
