Rumor opened her eyes to find yet another beautiful sunrise peeking thru her window. She smiled, just knowing in her heart that today would be a great day. She climbed out of bed to do her normal routine of bathing and primping, getting ready to face the world. Rumor WAS a knockout. She stood 5'6", long flowing blonde hair that rested on her perfect girlish shoulders. Her eyes were as blue as a summer sky. Her small hips set atop her long perfectly shaped legs.
She had always been the envy of all her friends and the desire of all the men. This made Rumor jaded, in a way, but she didn't care, at the age of 20, she was beautiful and she took full advantage of that fact. Her mother always told her that there is a price for being beautiful, although Rumor had no idea what she meant by that ........ but she would soon understand that mother knows best.
As she set out to begin the short 4 block walk to work, she couldn't help but notice a red mustang sitting across the street. The driver sat quietly reading the morning paper, glancing up every few minutes to catch the eye of the beautiful young girl. She just smiled and began her journey to work. Rumor was completely unaware that the red mustang had also began its journey. The man started his car and slowly began following her.
As she crossed the street, she thought for a moment she had caught a glimpse of the crimson car in the corner of her eye. But she quickly dismissed this notion and kept on walking.
"Stop being paranoid and just go to work," she thought to herself, feeling very foolish at this point.
"Good morning Rumor," said the lady at the front desk, "My you are looking beautiful this morning, as always.
"Thank you Linda," she said, smiling and making her way to her desk.
Just then the front door swung open. Rumor couldn't quite make out any facial features as the sun was casting its morning glare.
"May I help you, Sir?" asked Linda.
The mysterious shadow did not speak nor even look in Linda's direction. He quietly let the glass doors shut behind him as he made his way to Rumor's desk. He just stood there in front of the beautiful girl, still not saying a word. Rumor looked up from her computer, smiling.
"Good morning Sir, may I help you with something?" she asked.
The man removed his sunglasses and took a seat across from her.
"Yes you may help me, Rumor, my name is Kenny Sterling, I'm a friend of your brother's from college" he answered, placing his shades on the desk.
"You're a friend of Mason?, I haven't talked to him in 6 months or more, how is he?" she asked, sitting back in her chair.
"Your brother is fine, Rumor, I'm just in town to visit my grandfather, he is a little under the weather these days," he said.
"Oh I'm sorry to hear that, I hope he is feeling better soon. So did you come here to see me or do you have some business here today?" she asked.
Kenny only smiled and stood up, taking his shades and putting them back on. He was a very tall man, well over 6', very muscular and very well toned. His light brown hair was neatly combed and parted. Rumor could tell he was well off, his gray business suit and flashy new sports car were a dead giveaway.
"May I ask what your plans are for lunch, Rumor?" he asked, taking a few steps back from her desk.
"The same as always, I eat lunch at my desk," she answered.
"Well I don't know many people here and I hate eating alone, may I accompany you to lunch today?" he asked politely.
She smiled as she felt her cheeks begin to get warm, "Sure Kenny, I'd like that very much."
"Then it's a date Miss Rumor," he said, smiling almost wickedly, "Around 1?"
"Around 1 sounds good Kenny, I'll see you then, " she said, lightly fanning herself with a folder.
As she watched him walk out she replayed several conversations between she and her brother thru her mind. She could not remember him ever having mentioned someone named Kenny. But she didn't care, he was very handsome. So she was just gonna go for it and have fun. At least she would get out of the office today.
Rumor found herself checking the clock several times that morning.
"A watched pot never boils," said Linda, smiling and laughing.
"I know, I know, it just seems like time is standing still," said Rumor.
Finally 1 o'clock rolled around, and as promised, the mysterious Kenny once again was standing in the doorway. Rumor smiled and quickly grabbed her purse. She gave Linda a quick grin and joined Kenny, as they walked out to his car.
"This is a beautiful car, Kenny," she said, as she climbed in and fastened her seat belt.
"Well thank you Rumor, it gets me where I need to go," he said as he started the car.
As they drove down the small cobblestone roads Rumor tried to check her hair and makeup without being too obvious.
"You look beautiful, Rumor, don't worry," he said as they pulled down a street.
Rumor's attention was quickly shifted from the mirror to the road, she began to get a little uneasy when she realized she had no idea where she was. But her fears quickly dissolved as she nestled into the comfortable leather seat. Kenny looked over and noticed her eyes were closed, this made him very happy.
Finally the car came to a stop outside of a small cottage. It was set back in the woods and very charming. A small swing slowly rocked back and forth with the afternoon breeze and the smell of honeysuckle was thick in the air. Kenny and Rumor slowly emerged from the car and walked up to the house.
"This is charming, is it yours?" she asked.
