Alexander hadn't slept in a week. He had never needed a break as much as he did now. He was longing for Angelica and missing Eliza. And that's when Miss Maria Lewis walked into his life.

There was a knock on the door. Alex went to open it. Much to his surprise, Maria was standing there. She looked upset, and there were tears in her eyes.

"What's wrong, Maria?"

A few tears streamed down her cheeks. "I know you are a man of honor, and I'm so sorry to bother you at home. But I don't know where to go, and I came here all alone. James has been doing me wrong. Beating me, cheating me, and mistreating me suddenly he's up and gone. I don't have the means to go on."

Alex was shocked. He quickly lead her into the house, telling her to sit down. He walked over and took the thirty bucks from an envelope that Mrs. Washington kept for situations like this. "I'm sorry Maria. This is what we have left left for these kinds of situations."

"Thanks, Alexander." She took the money and stood up.

"Do you want me to walk you home?" Alex asked.

"Would you? Thank you." James has texted her that he and Susan were at his friend Jacob Clingman's house. Jacob actually knew who Susan was, unlike almost everyone else. His parents thought that she was Maria's cousin.

Maria lived a block away from Alexander's house. It didn't take long for them to arrive. "This one's mine, sir." She said, over politely.

They two walked into the apartment building. When they got to her apartment, he said, "Well, I should head back home."

Maria turned red. There was a look of slight fear and embarrassment in her eyes, but Alex couldn't figure out why. She suddenly grabbed him, and her mouth met his. He was sorry to say he didn't pull away. But he also didn't allow it to go any further.

He wished he could say that was the last time. But that last time, it became a pastime. A week into this endeavor, he woke up to two texts. The older one was from Maria.

'Alex, I saw James texting you. I'm so sorry, I care about your well-being far more than Ido about myself. I wish that I had never been born to save you and others from having to do with me. I'm sure he means to blackmail you.'

Alex's eyes widened and he read the newer text. It was from James Reynolds. "Even better," He mumbled.

The text read, 'Dear sir, I hope finds you in good health and a prosperous enough position to put wealth into people like me, down on their luck. I know that was my girl you decided to-'

"Fu-"

'Oh uh! Time to pay the piper for the pants you unbuckled. And hey, you can keep seeing that w**** if the price is right. If not I'm telling your girl.'

Alex raced to her place. She was half-dressed, still getting ready. He screamed in her face. "How could you?! Was your whole story a setup?!"

Maria burst into sobs, collapsing to the floor.

"Stop crying, godd*mmit, get up!"

"I didn't know any better!"

"I'm ruined!"

"Please don't leave me with him, helpless!"

"Helpless? I'm helpless! How could I do this?!"

"Just give him what he wants and you can have me!"

"I don't want you!"

"Whatever you want, if you pay, you can stay!"

"Lord, Show me how to say no to this. I don't know how to say no to this. But my God, she looks so helpless. And her body's saying, h***, yes. There is nowhere I can go." Maria pulled him against her, wrapping her arms around her. Alex didn't say no. "There is nowhere I can go."

"So?" James said, leaning against the doorframe.

"Nobody needs to know."

Maria relaxed against Alex. James patted the side of his leg, like a master telling his dog to follow. Maria walked over to him, following him out of the room. She shot Alexander a look, shaking her head slightly.