If you played honest and respectfully with her, then she was your very best friend in the company, and the few that ever crossed her rued the day.I th...ught she was the most beautiful woman on the island, and treated her accordingly from the moment I stepped off of the boat three years ago. She smiled at me, but never once accepted my offers for a drink after work or dinner. After the third firm but polite rejection, I took the gentle hint and (mostly) kept my eyes to myself, although I. ’ ‘Yes?’ ‘If you need more time you are more than welcome to stay a bit longer. I don’t mind and it will be nice to have some company while you are getting back on your feet again.’ She looked almost hopeful so I decided to not shoot down the offer entirely. ‘Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind. I won’t make any promises though. That’s why I’m here after all.’ I was depressed at this point. I was so mad and hurt that I had gone past pissed off and straight to the hole. I could feel a terrible. Behind them was some sort of transparentplastic item, tinted pink, that looked like a blow-up mattress, exceptthat there was a space between two layers in which a mannequin stood. Hedidn't want to even think about what it would be like to experience that.His aunt spoke to one of the clerks, a young woman in a tight corset,stockings, heels and little else. Occasionally Tabitha would pointtoward Alex. A sale was rung up, something was slipped into a plainbrown bag, and then Alex's aunt spoke. Someone was walking down her block? Who could it be? She wriggled her body further into the niche. The hedge should completely hide her from the view of anyone on the sidewalk or in the street. The only way anyone could see her is if they leaned over the hedge and looked down.And why would they do that?The steps came louder and louder, and she could see a flash of movement pass the bottom of the hedge as someone walked by. Black pants, black shoes. Male shoes.Chloe didn't want to move, didn't.