Summary: Jasper Hale, owner of a popular photography studio, decides to go to a strip club. There he meets Leah, a stripper that caught his eye from the moment he walked through the door.

Rated M: For extremely vulgar language, sex scenes, etc.( You have been warned.) For mature and older audiences ONLY.

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or any of its characters. Stephenie Meyer does. .

" Hello?"

" Hello to you too Blondie," I replied with a smirk on my lips, sitting at my desk. I had been going to meetings all week about the upcoming showing this weekend at the heart of the town- where often, the even wealthier attended to observe and eventually bid and buy all kinds of art, my work included- for magazines, books, or their own personal preference.

It was how I became really known, on my own. I always had this fascination with art in general- but it was something about Photography, the camera, that really caught my eye. That electric sensation I feel- when I press that shutter. And when I have the subject in front of me, I'm able to do something magical- manipulate my vision anyway that I please- into a masterpiece that just takes my breath away.

But of course the company was already in my family name- so when my father finally retired six years ago, I had been taking over the business ever since. Right now, he and my mother have enough money to travel for a lifetime- and so they do. I haven't seen them for a couple of months, but I know they're taking care of themselves just fine.

" Who the hell is this?"

"Who do you think?" I retorted, smiling. I could practically see her right then, rolling her eyes into the phone. She snorted.

" Funny, I don't remember giving you my number hotshot."

" Well you did." I insisted. " You were practically throwing yourself at me before I told you my reason for being there."

" Can you pity a girl for wanting a bigger raise?"

" I guess not."

" So, why did you call? Leah giving you trouble or something?" I could hear the amused tone in her voice- and as much as I wanted to smile and laugh right then- I couldn't. Those sad eyes flooded to my mind, that tremble in her voice- and it hurt to think that anything was making her feel that way. I didn't go back to her house to check on her since then- I figured she would prefer some time to cool off- so I waited a couple of days. I didn't even go to the club.

But now I was starting to grow agitated, worried. And I was tired of sitting back and waiting- doing absolutely nothing.

" That's the thing- I haven't seen her since I picked her up Tuesday." I confessed, and I heard her inhale sharply into the phone.

" Well she hasn't been coming to work." She replied, worry etched in her voice. " And Jack is really starting to get pissed off."

I grimaced. This Jack, I figured, was the owner of the club and responsible for all the dancers there. But even though I really couldn't give two shits about him- Leah's long absence proved to be something to stress over. She hadn't showed up for work since that day- and she could be anywhere right now. But if it meant I had to search the whole town- the whole world for her- I would.

" Where do you think she could be?" I asked then, sitting up in my chair. I rose from my seat and grabbed my coat from the arm of the chair, shrugging it on. Swiftly, I grabbed my keys from my desk and started for the door as I held my phone to my ear.

" I-I don't know, her house I guess." She paused. "I would check on her if I could but my shift's been really tight lately."

" No it's fine. I'll go. Thank you."

She sighed. " Sure."

As soon as I reached her house, I hopped out of the car and jogged to her front door. Rapping on the front door for Leah, I observed the windows and noticed the blinds had been closed. The rocking chair I had seen days before was still silently deteriorating. It was covered with a floral fabric- but completely concealed with rips and dust.

When she didn't answer, I knocked on the door louder this time.

" Leah it's Jasper. Please open the door." I said.

She didn't answer. Frustratedly, I tried for the doorknob and turned it. To my complete surprise, the door slowly opened in front of me. My eyes immediately watched for anything in front of me. The house looked completely dark from the inside, so I could barely make out anything at first. I peered, taking my first couple of steps inside and closed the door gently behind me.

" Leah?" I whispered. I pulled out my phone from my pocket to use as a flashlight, and used it to guide my way around. I moved my hand to the left with the light, and guided it slowly in front of me. I figured I was in the living room, as there was a couch against the wall, and a fire place that didn't seem to have been touched in years. Wood stiffly peeked through the thin iron gate, and a couple of newspaper sheets were stacked messily against it. The flat screen television was arranged against the wall with a stand supporting it, a small cotton pink chair near it.

I saw a coffee table then in the middle of the room- where two beer bottles an a couple of used napkins were sat. I peeked into another room and took note of the kitchen. I didn't stay there for too long though- I had to find Leah, and so far she was nowhere to be seen. I stood there for a moment then- pondering.

Was she even home?

A noise from above me made me glance up instantly, and that's when I found the staircase leading upstairs.

Slowly, I approached it, and started for the steps. Someone was definitely there.

I reached the top and spotted one bedroom- but the door was closed. But since this was a two-story, I knew there had to be more than one room. I faced my phone in front of me and noticed there were a couple of other rooms down the hall, but all of the doors were closed. But even so, I had to keep going.

I tried the first door, and it was locked. The second was also, and the third was a small but empty bathroom. The walls I noticed, were peeling, just as they were outside the house- and there were various marks and dents on them- some deeper and more apparent than others. They seemed to have been painted over multiple times, but each time, only made them look even more obvious, or the wall just plain unusual.

The doors looked just as worn- and portrayed something you see in a horror film.

The more my eyes settled on them, an uneasy feeling came over me- and I swallowed.

It was when I neared the last door on the left of me, that I heard something. It was faint, but it was coming from the other side of the door. I leaned my ear against it, trying to make out what it was, but I couldn't at first.

And that's when I heard sobbing.

Leah.

My hand gripped the knob and I turned it. Thankfully, it was unlocked- and I slowly forced myself in as it creaked.

And there she was.

Curled up into a ball on the floor- her back against the headboard of her bed, her hands covering her face. I searched around for a light switch with my phone and pulled on the chain of a lamp and light flooded the room- and it was then that she gasped and looked up. My eyes softened, and I hurried over to her, dropping to my knees to wrap my arms around her.

She gasped shakily. I felt her stiffen in my arms but I pulled her closer to me.

" It's alright darlin'. I'm here." I cooed, though my heart was beating erratically in my chest.

" Jasper-" She started.

" Don't. You don't have to tell me anything." I told her, and I felt her relax slightly in my arms. I embraced her tighter, and she sighed against my chest.

" And I know you told me not to become involved but... truth is you're stuck with me darlin'. " I said. " And I'm not going anywhere."

" You're... you're making a big mistake." She uttered beneath me, and I chuckled lightly.

" Maybe, but I think I'll take my chances. I've grown quite fond of you."

" Asshole. You're crazy." She muttered, but I smiled when she tightened her grip on me.

"There's this... gathering I'm attending on Saturday and I want you to be my date."

" I'm... a complete and total mess- too complicated for words. We are absolutely nothing alike. You hate that I smoke, and I swear like a sailor."

" Yes, yes, yes and yes." I replied with a chuckle. " But I like you."

Author's Note: Hope you liked the chapter! And thanks for all the reviews and alert.

Wonder what happens next!

Until the next chapter!

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