"Ofcourse not". These were the first words that came to Lisa's mind when Mr. Gentleman Stalker asked to have a word. But she smiled once more and said "why not?". "Lead the way" she said and taking her pepper spray along followed him outside the store. Once again Lisa puts precaution above all else. She's not foolish enough to let him walk behind her. If anyone was going to be taking the other by surprise it would be her.
For the first time, Lisa actually looked at him. He was tall, broad at the shoulders, with chestnut coloured locks which fell to his nape. She had the odd urge to touch his hair. It looked really soft. As soon as that thought crossed her mind she shook herself. Getting stockholm syndrome was not among the list of things she wanted to do before she died. The next sales person came in just as she was leaving, she nodded a greeting hoping that the guy had gotten a good look at Mr. Gentleman Stalker so there'd be a witness just incase she turned up missing or worst, murdered.
"I shouldn't be following you. You didn't even tell me your name or who you are". It seemed Lisa had finally decided to confront him . And where best to do it than in the middle of the street where passers-by could come to her rescue. Mr. Gentleman Stalker smiled then. And Lisa saw what beautiful straight and white dentition he had. And craziest of the crazies, he had dimples. That smile completely transformed what Lisa had thought to be a hard countenance, to something almost angelic and sweet. Once again Lisa had to mentally shake herself awake. What in all God's kingdom was wrong with her? Mr. Gentleman Stalker then said in what Lisa could only describe as the sweet Baritone of an angel "I am Lucas Ward." And then he bestowed that charming smile on her again. Lisa replied "That's just your name, who are you and what do you want?" The charming smile finally fell off his face."Ward", he said "of ward enterprises??" Raising one beautifully arched eyebrow as though urging her to search her memory. Lisa then said "oh... " Adopting a facial expression depicting recognition that fell off her face as smoothly as it appeared "Never heard of it." She may or may not have heard that name before, but at that moment Lisa was in no mood to go down memory lane. "ID please" she said. lucas handed over his ID for her scrutiny. She seemed satisfied with what she saw and handing back his ID semmed to relax slightly.
Mr. Gentleman Stalker who finally had a name, 'Lucas' smiled a wider smile whose brightness could have only been measured in megawatts then. He said" Ward enterprises is the biggest shipping company across the Atlantic. It's a family owned business. Now I feel cheated. You know my name and what my family does yet I know nothing about you. May I have the honour of knowing your name?" Lisa was almost at her wits' end. She took a few calming breaths and said "Lisa". "Lisa what?" Lucas asked and Lisa said "Just Lisa". Lucas then said "Ok.... Just Lisa I have something of utmost importance to discuss with you. If you don't mind I'll like to take you to the nearest cafe so we can talk over coffee." It was then that Lisa realized that she'd be running late for her next job. Out of anger and frustration, she made it abundantly clear to Lucas in no uncertain terms what she thought "I don't have time for chitchats over cups of coffee. I work for a living. And you sir are wasting my precious time." She said. Turning her back to him she walked off. Towards the coffee shop around the block where she worked as a waitress.
Lucas stood on the sidewalk, shocked and dumbfounded. He kept opening and shutting his mouth like a fish pulled out of water. When he finally got his bearings, he followed her to the coffee shop keeping a few paces between them.
For the very first time since she began working at Willy's Lisa was late for work. She apologized to the manager who told her not to be late again and then putting on her apron went to work. As expected Lucas sat at one of the tables alone. He was getting quite the bevy of female admirers. All the other waitresses kept staring at him. One of the other waitresses went to take his order. He asked to see the manager. As soon as Norton was done talking to Lucas he came to Lisa and said "Your shift for today is over. Go with the gentleman. At least listen to what he has to say." And then as he walked off beneath his breath he said " Somebody needs some excitement around here. Good riddance".
Lisa took off her apron and left the cafe, not sparing Lucas a single glance. He stood up immediately and followed her out.
He shouted. "Ten minutes. Just hear me out. Please?" Lisa sighed and turning to him said, "the clock's ticking". He took her to one of the benches on the sidewalk and when they were seated Lisa said "Eight minutes left". Then Lucas said "I have a business proposal for you. A housekeeping work deal that will pay you five thousand dollars a week." Lisa was dumbfounded for a few seconds but as soon as she could speak again she asked him " Do you not know how obtaining housekeepers work? You go to an agency. You don't go to a convenience store or a cafe." Lucas then said, "it's a little complicated, but as you know the pay is good. Five thousand dollars a week." But Lisa "Good pay, but not enough for me to work with "a little complicated"." Lucas said then "What do you propose?". Lisa said " Fifteen thousand dollars." But Lucas said "Ten thousand, last offer take it or leave it." Ten thousand dollars was much more than Lisa earned in 4 months. So Lisa said,"Draw up the contract, listing my duties in detail. In my experience "a little complicated" usually turns out not so little." Lucas gave Lisa his card. And then as an afterthought he said "It's a full time job, so you'll have to quit your other jobs. We'll meet tomorrow so you can read and sign the contract. Willy's?" Lisa replied "It's a date."