Alicia brought her knees up to her chin when she heard Mark's voice just outside the door. He was too far away to make out any words, but she could tell that he was coming closer since the sound of his voice kept getting louder and louder. She froze when the sound of his voice stopped, telling her that he was standing outside her door. She heard him knock on the door softly.
"Alicia, can I come in?" Mark's voice asked through the door.
Alicia waited a full minute before answering. "I would like to be alone."
She could hear him sigh before he responded. "Alicia, I want to explain myself and I do not want to talk through a door. Please let me in."
She wiped her tear streaks away and blew her nose before she slid the chain lock away and slowly opened the door. She didn't look away from the floor as she moved to the side to let him in. After he moved into the room, she quietly closed the door. A stressed silence hung in the air between the two.
"Alicia look at me." His deep voice whispered.
She jumped at the sound of his voice. He had not moved into the room and was standing right behind her. She turned, not letting her eyes leave the floor and she ended up staring at the tips of his boots. She bit her lower lip in her confused frustration and embarrassment, not daring to look up at him just yet.
Mark knew that he had to explain himself and his actions, but yet at the same time he didn't want to scare her. It was going to be hard to explain himself. As he struggled for something to say, she gathered her courage up and looked up at him with wide eyes.
"Who are you?" She whispered in a voice that he wouldn't have been able to hear if he had not of been standing in front of her.
He wished that they could of started the conversation with any question but that. He had a long night of explaining to do.
********
It took nearly two hours of quiet talking, but he was able to thoroughly explain what his part was in the WWF without scaring her. At some points she seemed wary, but she overlooked her questions. As the night went on, the two said their goodnights and Mark left her. He was so pre-occupied with his thoughts that he didn't see Venis slip into Alicia's room and lock the door.
Copyright 2000 by Lady Serria