Tell me your secret

Mary-Ella

"Excuse me sir," Ella stood up, adressing Mr. Parker.

"Yes Mary-Ella?" He asked, smiling.

She returned the smile a little reluctantly. "Please. It's just Ella. Anyway, I was only saying that maybe if we called for the snow plows, we would be able to leave."

"I don't think so," he sighed. "You see, the snow is too think for the plows to cover all at once. It will take a while. I believe my rooms should suit your needs though."

Ella pursed her lips but finally put on her traditional fake smile. "Of course, Mr. Parker."
She thought for a second and added a little sarcastically, "There is nothing I would like more."

Stella Thomas

Stella stood up, stopping the melody abruptly. "Excuse me, sir, but does that includes me? I shall not stay here! I have plans for later on, and even tomorrow morning!"
Stella could not absolutely remain in that mansion, with a man she was some what afraid of, for some reason she couldn't remember. What could have made her so afraid of such gentle man?

**psych, we have internet access**

Miles frowned. He agreed with Parker that it would be best to stay off the roads given the incliment conditions, but something about staying in a billionaire stranger's house didn't sit right with him, especially given the nervous tension he could see in many of the other guests and employees.

"Thanks for your hospitality Mr. Parker," he replied without so much as flinching. He got to his feet.

When the pianist Stella spoke up, Miles gave her a sympathetic smile. "Aw, it's all right. Given tonight's weather, no one in their right mind would hold it against you if you missed a few apointments."

Norman waited to escort someone to their room. This is bad, this is real bad. What's that snake got in the works for all of us, I wonder?

Rafael waited, looking out for anybody who seemed to be lingering behind. Somebody needed to go to their room, so he went with them, headed to the wing of the mansion that held the guest rooms. When he was done, he headed down the corridor to the main room. He was going to ask if there was anything he could do, but then he bumped into somebody.

"Oh, sorry," he said, turning to look at whoever he had knocked into.

*Hope*

I looked up to see who I had knocked into. I saw the gardener, and I had seen him before, but for the life of me I couldn't remember his name.

"Sorry." I murmured quietly.

************************
Sorry it's so short, have to go to work. Just finish it off with whatever you want.

Nicole Stone

Nicole stumbled back into the dining room and put a charming smile back on her face. When she was composed she approached the pianist. "May I show you to your room?"

She had an unsure look about her, but agreed anyways. The two left the dining room and started down several hallways.

"So you must know a lot about Mr. Parker." she said.

"I wouldn't say that." Nicole said.

"You're his personal assistant aren't you?"

Nicole nodded. "Mr. Parker is a very secretive man. He doesn't share much with anyone."

The pianist was quiet for a moment. "Is there any reason I should be feeling worried right now?"

Nicole hesitated for a moment, debating on how to answer this poor girl's question. "No." she said at last. "Not at all."

Ugh, I don't know what to post. Anyone care to chat with Mary-Ella?

*Sure, Nicole. Thanks, Lauren, for bringing Stella back to the talk*

Stella Thomas

Stella glared at the woman that had led her up a lance of stairs and down a hall. Somehow, she had assured her there was nothing to be worried about, but Stella felt like she should watch her back, because something was out to get it. Stella shivered, and someone called 'Hey' from behind them. She turned to meet that guest, hum... Mary-Ella, was it?
"Hey!" She called again, running towards them, and catching up.
"Hum... hi, Ella," Stella said, unable to think of anything else to say.

**Thanks. (:**

Mary-Ella

Ella smiled her dazzling little smile at the two women. "Sorry, do you mind if I join you?" She asked, politely.

Confused Stella nodded. "Of course not."

Mary-Ella seemed to get why they were confused. Why was she not down with the other guests?

"No offenese to anyone, but I don't really have any interest in being stuck down there with the other guests and well, him," she said, frowning a little.

"Oh," Stella replied, still confused.

Ella laughed a little. "I hope you don't mind. It's just that...I don't really fit in with those people. Long story," she smiled in a way that was meant not to be asked about.

"Oh," Stella said again. "I don't mind."

Mary-Ella nodded to her, gratefully and then turned to the other women. "I don't think I know you. I'm Mary-Ella. Just call me Ella, though."

Nicole Stone

Nicole nodded to Ella. "Nicole Stone." she introduced herself.

"Personal assistant to the big guy, huh?" she asked. Oh was Nicole getting tired of this question...

"Yes, and no I do not know anything about why you were all invited here tonight."

----
sorry it's short. I'm braindead. I'll post for the big guy later.

Norman sighed and walked over to Miles. "Come on, I'll show you and him to your rooms." He nodded at Brian Kent.

"Oh, thank you very much," said the weatherman cheerfully. His eyes, however, were shrewd and calculating. "You don't look much like a coat-check guy to me. You've got oil on your shirt. Mechanic, maybe?"

Norman snorted. "Yeah, that's what I am. The guy who takes care of Parker's cars." He said this a bit bitterly, as though just saying his occupation left a bad taste in his mouth.

"Hmm." Miles didn't ask.

Hey everyone. I just wanted to let you know that I will be gone from tomorrow to next Saturday, and I don't think I'll have a computer, so do what you will with Hope. Thank you

Hey guys. I know I've been kinda dead in this thing anyway, but I just want to let you know that my computer crashed a few days ago and I don't know how long it will be before I can get it fixed. This is the first time I've been able to get on a computer since.

So, if I do find an opening somewhere in here and actually manage to stay in for more than two posts, my posts will be, I'm afraid, few and far between. Sorry for the inconvenience

~Rayne

Richard Parker

The guests were all settled away in their rooms, and it was time for Richard to begin his visits. He had been much looking forward to this event all night.

Richard strode down the guest hallway, first destination already in mind. He stopped at a room at the end of the hall and knocked.

"Come in." Hope's voice unknowingly invited in her worst nightmare.

Richard opened the door and stepped inside, closing the door behind him. "Hello Hope." he greeted.

Hope was slightly shocked to see Richard in her room, but barely let it show. "Richard." she aknowledged.

Richard lost the charming smile from his face and adopted a more stern expression. "I know, Hope."

"Know what?"

"I know your secret. I know what you know. I know what you can do to me." Richard said.

Hope looked confused, she always had been an excellent actress. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

Richard took a few steps closer to Hope. "You do, Hope, and I'm here to make you an offer you just can't refuse."

*Richard be on the prowl! Watch out...and be ready to decide if you want to give in or fight back. And be prepared for violence, Richard doesn't want those secrets getting out. This man is capable of anything*

Miles spent a little bit of time in his room squinting up at the expensive looking light fixtures, examining the decorative knick knacks on the dresser, and gazing out the enormous windows at the white landscape. It was very difficult to see anything through the thick curtain of snowflakes, and he turned away with a sigh.

He kept his shoes and coat close by his bed. There was something he really didn't like about this situation. All these people he didn't know, all on edge, and there was their gracious host watching them all over dinner like a coiled snake...

With a frown he turned off the light and lay down, certain he'd be unable to sleep.
---

Norman showed Miles and Brian to their rooms, then headed back to the garage. He'd already decided that he wasn't sleeping in this man's house regardless of how tired he got. He knew Parker as well as anyone knew him.

Glancing towards the door, he picked up a wrench and placed it on the bench beside where he'd be sitting. All this time, and he still hadn't found what he'd been looking for... but he would, it was only a matter of time.