Chapter 2

"Too tight,"

"Ah- I don't know," Thia said as she looked proudly at her latest design. "I think it looks great on you but if you don't feel comfortable I can fix it a little."

"Yeah please I really want to look good at that party in particular."

"Sure" Thia said with a smile she had learned to give to all her costumers.

Thia was inside the dressing room with one of the most important costumers she had; Mrs. Jackson. The wife of Perry Jackson, a very successful business man. Maggie Jackson wasn't an easy woman to get along with. She was in her late thirties and married to a very rich man. She was a little bit picky, but still a nice person and most importantly a consistant costumer.

Thia heard the phone ring outside. She called for her assistant "Dana would you please help Mrs. Jackson," she turned to Maggie and said "I have to take that phone call. I'll be right back."

She ran out of the room quickly and picked it up "Ann?"

"Nope sorry Sam, or should I call you Thia?"

The second she heard his voice she almost dropped the phone. "Who is this?" She asked knowing exactly who it was.

"Come on Sam don't you remember me?"

Thia didn't answer and she heard him take a deep breath loudly then said "Well I was just calling to ask about you. Are you okay now?" The way he asked the last question made her shiver. His voice actually sounded concern and there was something else.

Guilt she thought.

"What do you want from me?" She wanted to end this phone call right now but something in the words he said next made her heart stop for a moment.

"I want you back Sam."

It wasn't request it was more like an order.

"I'm sorry you're mistaken. There's no one here by the name Sam." She hung up quickly and felt her whole body tremble.

The phone rang again and the sound almost made her jump. She stepped away from it as if he was going to come out of it.

"Dana come out here for a second please," She called out.

"Yes Thia. Is there something wrong?"

"Answer the phone please and if it's a guy called Shane hang up." She ordered her nervously and stumbled a little when said his name.

Dana picked up the phone, and then looked at Thia. "Hello"

Thia stared at Dana waiting for the girl to hang up but she didn't, instead she handed her the phone. "It's Miss Thomson..." Dana said with a puzzled expression.

"Ah okay," Thia felt a great relief. She took the phone from Dana "Thank you Dana."

"Ann" She said leaning on the counter in front of her.

"Hey Thia. Are you okay?" She asked immediately the moment she heard her voice.

"Yes, no, no I'm not," She closed her eyes "That lunatic called."

"What? You mean the guy from yesterday?"

"Yes."

"What did he say?"

"What did he say; oh he wanted to know how I was doing today."

"Why call you when he was the one who... Oh I can not believe that guy. Really I can't believe him."

"That's not all, but I can't say the rest on the phone. Will you be home for dinner tonight?"

"I don't think so," There was silence for a moment then Ann said slowly "Richard wants me to meet him tonight and I think I'm going to go see what he wants."

"You go ahead, this can wait. We'll talk when you come back or tomorrow."

"Thanks Thia. I have to go now. They need me, bye."

"Bye."

Thia turned in time to see Maggie walk out of the dressing room.

"So when will you be able to fix this?" She asked smiling.

"I don't know Maggie," She was talking to her with her eyes on the phone, which was placed on the counter in front of her, waiting for it to ring again "I'll have it sent to you when it's done."

"But don't you think I should try it again one last time? I mean before you send it?"

"Hello Thia, can you hear me?"

"Huh sorry I-I don't think I heard you." Thia was really embarrassed but she can't take her eyes off the phone.

Maggie repeated what she said and this time Thia heard her and agreed to what the older woman said. She then spent the rest of the day trying to concentrate on a new dress she was making but she couldn't. At around 5 pm she collected her things, told Dana she would try to finish the dress at home and asked her to stay a while then lock-up and leave.

Thia entered their empty apartment an hour later after stopping off for some take-out.

"All I need now is a shower, a good movie, and the Chinese food I just bought." She said as she stepped into her bathroom, took off the shirt and jeans she was wearing and opened the hot water. But then the door bell rang.

"Oh who might that be?" she asked angrily as she put on her rob and headed for the door.

"Just a sec." she shouted from the hallway.

She leaned on the door cursing low about not having a peephole "Who is it?"

"It's me Sam,"

Thia's eyes widened in horror and her heart skipped a beat.

"Open the door Sam I know you're in there," He said loudly.

"I just want to talk to you." His voice was lower this time.

What now? Don't panic Thia, he is going to go away now, she calmed herself like a little child who was afraid of the monster under his bad, wishing he would go away.