Free I'm in Love With a Stripper by Michelle Marola Page A

You know I will already I don’t know why you ask but don’t talk with your mouth full,” Royce smiled.
    Royce pulled Alena aside.
    “ I want you to be really careful when I’m not here OK?” Royce said looking into Alena’s beautiful eyes. He wondered if it was possible that she became more beautiful since last night.
    “ I will,” she replied softly.
    “ Call me if you need anything. Call me if anything seems funny. I mean it,” Royce said sternly.
    “ Royce, I’m sure it’s fine. I don’t know why Blake would want to continue this,” Alena replied.
    “ Alena, look he’s a bad dude. I’m pretty sure he killed his last girlfriend. This guy is off his rocker,” he replied.
    Alena looked up to Royce with a shocked and slightly frightened look in her eyes.
    “ Just don’t go anywhere by yourself. Promise me, OK?” Royce replied.
    Alena nodded, “Of course.”
    Royce gave her a quick kiss and then Gavin a hug before heading to work.
    Alena cleaned the kitchen and then played blocks with Gavin for awhile. Then she unpacked some of her things. She unpacked the box which contained her school books. She put them on the kitchen table.
    Hmm ... I really need to start studying again. Next semester is coming soon , Alena thought to herself.
    Alena made lunch for herself and Gavin and then decided to give Jessica a call.
    “ Hello?” Jessica answered in her usual upbeat voice.
    “ Hi Jes! It’s Alena!” Alena replied.
    “ Alena! It’s so good to hear from you,” Jessica replied.
    “ Oh my gosh, Jessica! So much has happened. Do you want to do dinner tomorrow night?” Alena asked.
    “ Sure! What time? Should we invite Lisa?” Jessica questioned.
    “ Yes! Do you want to call her? How about seven tomorrow?” Alena asked.
    “ Seven is great! I’ll call Lisa and I’ll meet you at the restaurant tomorrow at seven!” Jessica replied.
    ***
    Alena met Royce at Gavin’s new karate school. The two sat with the other parents and watched as the kids practiced.
    Royce took Alena’s small delicate hand within his large one.
    I didn ’t know Royce could be like this. He used to be so cold, so angry, so distant but now he’s so loving and kind , Alena thought to herself.
    “Oh , tomorrow night I’m going to dinner with the girls. Could you and Gavin order a pizza or something?” Alena asked.
    Royce nodded.
    “ Just make sure to be careful,” Royce replied.
    Alena nodded, “I will.”
    What a mess I ’ve got myself into. He used to be my boss and now this. Maybe the girls will help me sort things out tomorrow , Alena thought to herself before focusing back to Gavin’s karate class.

Chapter 17
    Alena, Lisa, and Jessica arrived at the restaurant. The trio ordered drinks and began to chat.
    “ Lisa, I haven’t seen you in forever! Please give me an update,” Alena asked warmly.
    “ Well, I’ve been seeing Kris,” Lisa chirped.
    “ Wait, who is this Kris guy?” Alena asked.
    “ Alena, you have really missed a lot,” Jessica chimed in.
    “ I met him at the club. You know the night…” Lisa got quiet.
    Alena smiled, “It’s OK. I’m fine. Please don’t worry about it. So you met him that crazy night?”
    Lisa nodded.
    “ After Royce had called Aaron, Aaron ended up shutting the club down early incase Blake came back to start more trouble. Aaron ended up knowing Kris and he told him to keep me safe until he knew exactly what was going on,” Lisa said as she blushed.
    “ We just sat and talked and he was really nice. The next night, he came back and just paid Aaron to have me sit and talk with him,” Lisa said.
    “ Wow. That’s crazy, Lisa. But you know you do have that effect on a lot of men,” Alena replied.
    Jessica grinned, “Yeah, just keep listening.”
    “ Well, that’s basically it. He just comes in every night and pays Aaron to have me sit and talk with him,” Lisa said sheepishly.
    Jessica chimed in again, “And he wants to marry her.”
    “ What?!” Alena