Chapter 6

Timeline- 2 week after Prue’s return.

( Paige's POV)

I sigh out of frustration as the papers in my hands fly out, and flutter everywhere: to my left, my right and in front of me they fly. This job for Buckland’s Auction House is killing me! I started working here as a temporary secretary last month, and I do nothing but stash a bunch of papers, answer phones and list possible buyers to the “ people in charge”.

I begin to clean up my mess and a quiet, “ here let me help you" comes from my left.

I glance up and smile at my boss, Kaleb Carlisle. His green eyes shine with desire to help. He hands me the remaining twenty pages of the information on a painting I’m suppose to fax out. I stand to my feet and grin and thank him.

“ You’re welcome, but what are you doing here so late?” He asks casually.

I gaze into his warm green eyes and it’s hard not to stare. He isn’t an ugly man after all. His face is long and he has a strong jaw. His eyes are covered by brown curls wrapping around his ears. His hair curls to his ears in a nice clean cut look. He smiles at me and it’s no wonder he has no trouble getting women into his bed. That smile can make any woman’s heart melt to her knees.

“ Uh-- I’m,” I pause trying to pull myself out of checking my handsome boss out. I breathe and for a moment I wish I had Piper’s power to freeze. Than again, maybe not- I might accidentally blow Mr. Carlisle’s ass up and that would be such a waste- speaking of his ass…

“ Are you alright Paige?” His low tone pulls me out of my pondering and I stare back at his concerned gaze.

I shake off the moment and reply, “ Uh yeah- I’m uh- just catching up on some work before I head home.”

He smirks and suggests, “ You’re really a hard worker Paige, I think you might find a permanent position here at Bucklands”

Yeah in your dreams.

His eyebrow rises slightly and he asks, “ Do you want to have a drink after work?”

Wait- he just asked me to have a drink with him. I glance up into his anticipating eyes, awaiting either my rejection or acceptance. I bite my lip and utter, “ I-uh- Mr. Carlisle-”

He interrupts me and says plainly, “ Please- call me Kaleb,”

I grin and state, “ Kaleb- thank you for the offer-but- I’m seeing someone right now-”

I watch as he chuckles slightly. He nervously wipes his brow and then says, “ That’s alright. I was hoping to be friends with you- I did not expect a relationship.”

I blush from the embarrassment I feel at reacting this way to him. Why would he want a woman like me anyway? There are plenty of blond young models around this building….

I chuckle nervously back and declare, “ I could use a good drink. Let me fax this and we can go. Have you ever been to P3?”

He nods and I suggest, “ My sister, Piper is the owner. I’m sure I can get a discount.”

He grins at this and says, “ Then I will grab my coat and meet you back here in five minutes.”

I nod and gather myself together, trying not to think about having a drink with my newfound friend….

( P3- An hour or so later)

The music blares around us, as I laugh at a joke Kaleb has just told. His cheeks redden from his own chuckles. He waves his hand in front of him, apologizing, “ I’m sorry, I don’t tell jokes very well.”

My smile widens and I reply, “ It’s no problem. It was a bit dorky, but I think I got it.”

His emerald eyes land on me, and for a mere moment our eyes lock. There is something amazing about those eyes. It is like he can read my very soul, as if he knows my darkest hiding places, where I hide the fact I have powers.

If only you were single, Paige.

Wait- why am I thinking this? I’m with Richard, the man I live with. The man I’m possibly falling in love with. Or am I just rethinking of how my life wasn’t as complicated before I met Richard? After all he has caused some problems with my family and the- last time we were with my sisters’ he tried to place a spell on himself to change his Karma. That didn’t work out so well and Phoebe was possessed by a dead hooker from France. Additionally, my long lost sister hasn't told any of us the truth of why she is here. Mix in our neurotic white lighter and future girl, and you have a complicated mess. Although this night, talking with is the most normal part of my life right now.

“ You okay?” His voice murmurs as my eyes flicker to right over his shoulder. I had been staring for more than what was needed.

I shake off the memorizing nature of his voice and put a smile on my face replying, “ Yeah- just thinking about some things going on in my life.”

His eyes fall to the table and he asks, “ Like your boyfriend?”

I narrow my eyes and tilt my head to look back at him. “ Not really, mostly my sisters’, things haven’t been that great since-” I stop myself from saying anymore.

How come I feel like he would understand my concerns? I don’t normally feel this comfortable with someone I hardly know. Perhaps I can have a friendship with him- and attempt to keep my hands off of him, so long as I’m with Richard….

He nods and says, “ I see. I understand completely, I have three older sisters’ myself.”

My eyes widen again and I question, “ Wow, must have been an adventure in your house.”

His eyes express a glint of humor in them as they drift back onto the table. He says nothing as I watch Piper near our table. She wears her usual club attire and brings us our third round of drinks. She sets down my bottle of water, and places Kaylbe’s martini in front of him.

“ Thanks Piper, by the way this is my boss, Kaleb, I introduce her to Kaleb. He shakes her hand uneasily and she looks back at her own hand in curiosity.

“ Nice to meet you, finally. Your club is amazing,” He proclaims, grinning widely and talking over the blaring music.

She nods and suggests, “ Thank you, and I’m sure Paige will make sure you get home safely.”

I shake my head at her and she walks off back to the bar. Kaleb turns his eyes back onto me and then looks at his watch. His smile fades into a grimace.

“ You have to go?” I inquire, feeling the effects of happiness leave my system. For once, I’ve had a normal evening out, no magic, no Richard… no engagements with the future either….

He sighs and replies, “ Yeah- I have an early meeting at the Auction house in the morning.”

He removes his wallet from his black suit jacket’s pocket and leaves a few ten dollar bills for the drinks. He begins to stand up and I suggest, “ Wait, you shouldn’t drive like this- let me drive you home.”

He shrugs and grins that adorable smile of his. “ All right then.”

I grab my jacket and we head outside the doors of the building.

We make our way out the doors into the parking lot. I stop a few feet from my car to fiddle around and find my keys. I find them and accidentally drop them onto the ground. Kaylbe reaches down for them and hands them back to me. I stare back up at him and catch his gaze.

Get home to Richard.

Get home to Richard.

Get home to Richard, before you screw up your relationship with him.

He smiles down at me. He must be near six-five and he murmurs, “ Maybe we can do this again sometime. I had a get time with you, Paige.”

I scratch my hair because of my nerves as I stare right on back. “ I did too. I haven’t had-”

I’m catch off guard when he shouts to me, “ Watch out!”

Before I can respond, my body is thrown to the ground as, I watch a dark lighter fire an arrow into Kaleb’s right shoulder. He flinches in pain and cries out. He falls to the ground and I stare at the dark lighter. He grins back at me and says, “ Got what I’ve been looking for.”

He shimmers out, and then I scramble for Kaleb's wounded form. His face is twisted in pain, and I take my coat and place it over his wound. He shudders and his eyes meet mine. He acts as if the poison is effecting him.

“ Kaleb, you okay?” I murmur to him.

His eyes open long enough for him to stare back, all he says to me is, “ I’m sorry.”

He shudders from the pain. I can’t touch the arrow without poisoning myself. It dawns on me then. I can’t truly escape magic…

Kaleb is a white-lighter…..

To Be Continued.