Chapter 3.

Chapter 3. Only a donkey could find you attractive.

It had been ten minutes since we were locked in this room. And although I had turned on my phone's flashlight there was no range on my phone to call anyone and ask for help. And he had left his phone at his desk, because he had another one in the room next door - the one I should have entered.

"What is this room?" I waved my phone around, looking at the endless number of folders and files stuffed in every corner.

"It's the file room." Alex answered, he was sitting on a small table at the corner, his laptop on his lap as he typed something very fast. His eyebrows were furrowed in concentration and I could see he was frustrated. I would be too.

"I am sorry, I didn't know about this door."

I heard Alex sigh. "It's okay Myra, it's not your fault. I have dropped a mail to the main security. They should have this door open in ten minutes." He closed his laptop and got up, keeping his laptop on the table he was previously sitting at.

He walked towards me, I gulped and looked away. Being at this close proximity, alone and locked with his hot human specimen was the devil's way of showing me why I should have ate the last French toast and not thrown it away. Mom always said, eat the food Myra, don't throw it away or it will haunt you.

My food is sure yummy and definitely haunting me.

"Myra, are you okay?" he was closer than I had anticipated, I could feel his hot breath over my neck.

I gasped, taking a step back, needing some distance between us. "Yes of course I am okay. Are you okay? You would be okay, you are always okay. Do you know okay is the most frequently spoken or written word on this planet? The origin of this word is also well disputed, some believe it came from the nickname of President Martin van Buren, 'Old Kinderhook' while some say that it is a shortened version of 'Oll Korrect' which was used by President Andre during-"

"Myra." Alex's short commanding voice made me stop. "You are babbling."

I pressed my lips together to stop myself from speaking. I had tendency of talking non-stop whenever I felt nervous or anxious. It was my mind's way of coping up with the tensed awkward situation. Half of the times I didn't even know what I was talking about, words would just flow through my lips. All I could hope was they made sense.

"Sorry." I mumbled, tapping on my phone screen impatiently, wondering what was taking the security so long.

Alex smiled, titling his face, his gaze analyzing me. I squirmed under his scrutiny. "How old are you Myra?"

I looked at him, "You should know, you have read my file."

"I would prefer hearing it from you."

"Twenty-three." I answered after a few seconds. "I'll turn twenty-four this coming October. How old are you?"

"I just turned twenty-seven." He answered, taking a step near me.

This time I stayed put, holding my stance. He seemed surprised at my stiff response. "Do you have a boyfriend?"

My eyes widened at the personal question, "Didn't your file have this information?"

He shrugged, "I skipped that page."

"Why?" I breathed out as he took another step closer, standing so close that I could see his eyelashes under the dim light.

"I need you to answer this." he replied, looking into my eyes. I felt my breath hitch, as I felt his eyes leave mine and travel below, stopping at my lips. Unconsciously I licked my lips, his lips darkened and his face came closer, or was it mine that went closer to his? I didn't care.

One more breath and I could feel his lips on mine. I wondered how they would feel, soft and firm? Or rough yet gentle? If someone had told me yesterday, I would be in a locked room with a billionaire almost kissing him, I would have happily dropped him off at the nearest mental asylum and then laughed over it for the next ten years.

But here I was, my eyes automatically shuttered close as his face came closer, I felt his breath fan over my face and then, I heard the door handle rattle and light stormed in the room. I immediately jumped back two big steps, blinking my eyes, trying to adjust to the sudden rays of light.

"Sir." I heard the man, probably security. "Ma'am."

I hid my face in my palms, ashamed of what I would have done, if it wasn't for the interruption. I would be kissing a billionaire I had just met, a guy I barely knew, a guy who might be engaged or have a girlfriend. This was entirely against what I believed in. I wouldn't even date a random guy or a stranger let alone kiss one.

"Ma'am?" I looked up at the sound, only then realizing that I was alone in the room with the security guard looking at me with an extremely judgmental look. Alex seemed to have already left, leaving me alone. What an ass! Hot but annoying!

I quickly walked outside not daring to look at the guard. Once I was outside I saw the fourth door already open and stepped inside, too afraid to close this door behind me.

Alex had his laptop open and was plugging in the charger, not sparing me a glance. He removed some files from a drawer and sat on a chair, going through the papers.

I waited for a few seconds wondering if he was even going to talk to me or ask me to sit, when there was no response I took a step forward and sat on an empty rolling chair opposite him. I folded my hands on my knees, impatiently taping my feet.

Both of us didn't speak for a good five minutes, I didn't know what to say, after all this was an interview which did not feel like one and a situation I had never even thought of being in. And he wasn't speaking a word, all he did was go through the papers and type something on his laptop.

"Quit tapping your feet."

My feet froze mid-air, I blinked at him and gently let my feet rest on the floor. "Can I breathe?"

I saw his lips twitch to form a smile but he held back. "Only if it's absolutely necessary."

I smiled a little, feeling a little at ease. "So about the job?"

"Ah yes." He nodded, passing me a few papers. "Do you understand this?"

I took the papers making sure my fingers didn't touch his. I looked at the papers, they were codes in Java language, well written I might add, but I could easily form a code to take this one down. "I know what this is." I replied.

"And this?" he passed me another set of papers.

"They are protective layers of a system. What Anti-virus is installed and what measures are taken." I answered wondering if he would understand me if I went into the technicalities.

"Do you think it is good?" His eyes held mine, his chin over his hand.

I looked at the papers and shrugged. "It can be better, it looks pretty easy to hack into this system."

Alex nodded. "It must be easy. Can you do it? Make a better security?"

"Absolutely." I replied confidently, "But I'll need a team." I quickly added.

"Yes, I already have one. I'll introduce them to you tomorrow."

"So I'm guessing you got hacked?" I asked, looking at him with one eyebrow raised.

He sighed, leaning behind on his chair. His arms flexed as he rested them on the table. "Yes about a month back. We lost some real sensitive data and some big upcoming projects and deals."

I leaned forward a little. "Do you know who hacked?"

He shook his head. "No idea, we haven't been able to trace it yet."

I picked up the papers he had given me. "Is this your code?"

He snorted, "No no, our code is good but the code this hacker used to hack is way too complex even my technical team hasn't been able to work it around."

I frowned at that. "What makes you think I can?"

Alex glanced at me, titling his head to the left, analyzing me. "I never said you could do it but I challenge you to prove me wrong."

I smiled slightly at that, not meeting his eyes. "I have classes from Wednesdays to Fridays. And library on Tuesdays and weekends, I am only free on Mondays."

"You are working at the library only so you can pay the rent right?" Of course he knew it all, he had read my whole file. "I am sure your salary here will be more than enough."

I cleared my throat. "About that, how much is my salary?"

"$30,000"

"A year?" I frowned that was pretty less.

He looked at me with a scowl. "No, a month."

I felt my jaw drop, holy hell, I could buy a mansion in a year. "Are you serious?"

He smiled, a soft chuckle falling out of his mouth. "Very much so. I shall have the contract and other details ready tomorrow."

I quickly nodded, feeling giddy at the thought of earning so much. "But I have classes tomorrow."

"Can you work from 7 to 12 at night? I know most of them prefer to work the night, silence and peace makes them better, or so they like to think."

I thought about it for a while, classes from 10 to 6 and then work from 7 to 12, that was 14 hours out of home and barely 6 hours sleep. Should I do it? Health is of course more important than anything else.

"Of course the salary will be $40,000 a month then."

"I am in." I quickly answered. Health can go to Hell.

He smiled nodding, "So on Mondays and Tuesdays you'll be working 9 to 5, and Wednesdays to Fridays 7-12, you don't have to work on weekends unless it's an absolute emergency. I want you to know this job's not an easy one. You'll be handling the security of a 100 billion dollar company. And you can be asked to work on odd days and at odd timings."

"Yes absolutely." I agreed, I always knew ethical hacking wasn't easy, even our professors had warned us on the first day. 'If you can't work for 36 hours non-stop under high pressure, leave this course now.' And after a month, five had left the course.

"Good." Alex gathered up the papers and stuffed them into a folder. I got up from the chair as he shut his laptop and turned off the charging. "Are you hungry yet?"

I glanced at my phone, it was 9.37pm already. I hadn't eaten anything and there was no call from Zivah. I really needed to call her. "Um..."

"I haven't eaten anything because I had to pick you up."

His sentence made me freeze, I looked at him guiltily. "I am sorry, I didn't know."

He shrugged, walking out of the door, motioning me to follow him. "Do you like Chinese?"

"Not really." I put my phone inside my purse, quickly following him before the door would shut. I was super afraid of doors around here now.

He squinted at me with surprise, "Really you don't like Chinese?"

I shrugged, it wasn't a big deal not many liked it. I would eat but not with a watery mouth.

"So Italian? Indian?"

"Indian." I quickly replied. I loved spicy food, thanks to Zivah.

"Good." He paused at the security door. "Make a pass card for her." He slipped a paper over to the guard. It was the same guard who caught us in the room, he took the paper and glanced at me shrewdly with a look that said he was judging me and my values. My eyes narrowed at him, I hated such judgmental people. And like the mature person I am, I stuck out my tongue at him.

He flickered with surprise at my action, quickly looking down.

Take that you old dog!

"Let's go, I know a good Indian restaurant." Alex said, walking ahead, motioning another guard to get his car.

I followed him, trying to match his stride. Gosh just because you are tall doesn't mean you walk fast.

He waited at the end of the stairs while I climbed down, my feet a little shaky in the pumps. "Stop wearing the heels." Alex grumbled as I finally reached and stopped next to him.

"I like it." I lied, scowling at him. I hated heels, but due to my height I had to wear it.

"Fine fall on your face then, I'll just laugh." He shot back smugly.

"Haha, you are funny." I taunted.

"And hot." He added.

"And delusional."

Alex raised his eyebrows. "You don't think I am hot?"

"No." I snorted, every vein in my body knew what a big lie that was.

Alex took a step ahead, closing the distance between us. I fought back my urge to step back and create some much needed distance between us. "Really Myra? You don't find me attractive?" his voice has notched down, just above a whisper.

I swallowed, suddenly forgetting what words meant. "Uh hu, nuh." Was what came out of my mouth.

Fortunately, the car arrived and stopped next to us just then. I quickly backed a step, clearing my jumbled mind and replied. "Only a donkey could find you attractive."

Alex opened the door for me, smirking as I sat inside. "Then I think you are a cute donkey." And then he shut the door.

I felt a blush creep up my cheeks. Why was I blushing, he called a donkey as well, don't just concentrate on the cute part.

He started the car and before he could remind me, I wore the seat belt. "Good donkey." He teased.

I rolled my eyes. "Stupid monkey." I muttered under my breath.

"I have a good ears."

"I wish I could say the same for your face." My reply was so instant that it made me gasp. My eyes widened as I looked at him, waiting for him to blow over and get furious. I had sarcasm running like blood inside me but even I knew I had to control my tongue around my boss, especially if he was billionaire who was used to people bowing down at him.

Instead his reaction was unexpected. He let out a small laugh, not a full blown hyena type but a small dog type. "You are like fresh air and sunshine."

A grin danced on my face and I looked away, staring out of the window.

His words were my favorite music.

We stopped at the restaurant and Alex stopped me from opening the door. He walked over and opened the door for me. I smiled at him, a light flutter crossing my heart. Who said chivalry is dead, maybe chivalrous men are.

We walked over to the table and immediately a waitress walked up to us. "Good to see you back Mr. Bianchi." She smiled at him, a flirtatious smile. "Your usual table?"

Alex just nodded. Her smile widened as she turned and started walking, swaying her hips more than necessary, an inch to the left and her hip could touch Antarctica. I scowled at her back, mentally puking at her desperation to get Alex.

"Right here." She stopped at the table in the far end of the restaurant, right next to the window.

Alex smiled at him, it looked like a polite formal smile but judging by the returning grin from the waitress, one was to think Alex agreed to spend the whole night with her.

"Thanks ya." I muttered, pulling the chair back making sure it scraped the floor.

She winced at the shrill sound, sending me a scowl and walked away.

I sat on the chair, grabbing the menu and leafing through it. I glanced at Alex who wasn't even looking at the menu. I held out the menu, asking him if he wanted it.

He shook his head, "I already know what I'll have."

I looked at the menu again, my mind coming up blank. I never knew what to order especially at new places. When it came to food, I wasn't much of a risk taker. Finally after 5 minutes, I closed the menu and smiled sheepishly at Alex. "You order for me."

Alex raised his eyebrows. "Are you sure?"

I shrugged. "Yeah, I don't know what to eat. Nothing very heavy but I am okay with spicy food."

"Okay." Just as he said, the waitress came back, the big fat smile plastered on her face. "Your order Sir?" she bent a little forward, batting her eyes at him.

Oh gosh, what was this? Some weird foreplay?

"One full Chicken Biryani, two pav bhaji and ras malai for dessert." Alex replied, immune to her open advances. Then again, he must be used to it.

"I shall be back to serve you." She replied and walked away. Thank God, her hair were tied in a bun or I was sure she would have flipped them too.

Even at this time, there was sufficient crowd in the restaurant. Most of them looked like Indians but I could see a few Europeans and Americans. And then there was one American girl who was wiping the water coming down her nose and eyes. Her food must be damn spicy.

"You never answered me." Alex's words made me look back at him.

"Answered what?"

"Do you have a boyfriend?" he asked again, taking a sip of water from his glass.

Well I wish I was that glass.

I sighed, playing with my fingers. "No, I am single."

His smile widened. "Fantastic."

"And you? Do you have a girl friend?" I asked, my heart beating fast waiting for his reply.

Please say no, please say no. I mentally prayed.

He didn't answer for a while, pressing his lips and looking out of the window. Just as he turned and opened his mouth to answer, the stupid waitress came. "Here's the Chicken Biryani." She kept a bowl at the center of the table, along with the plates and spoons. "Should I serve?"

"No, that's fine." Alex replied.

"Let me know if you need anything else." She said with a big smile.

Fuck off. I need you to fuck off. I thought to myself, glowering at her.

"Let's eat." Alex said, serving a good portion on my plate.

I nodded sullenly, knowing that I was never getting the answer for that question again. So I drifted on to safer topics. "What is your favourite colour?"

"Pastels."

I blinked at him surprised. "Seriously? Not black or blue?"

He chuckled, "I have two sisters who probably invented colours. I like black but I prefer pastels."

The rest of our dinner was spent in talking and making jokes about the usual most-talked topics. I got to know he didn't really like dogs, a stray had once bit him in childhood and since then he was afraid of them. He did like cats though, mainly because they didn't even care about humans.

One of his sister, Sandra, was happily married while the other one, younger one, Sofia, was creating a havoc in her own life by dating some playboy celebrity. No one approved of their relationship but she was adamant about being in love with him. This was the sixth time she claimed she was in love, Alex complained.

He was usually travelling the world but due this hacking issue, he had decided to stay here for at least three months. He was really desperate to find the person behind the whole security breach.

After our dinner, Alex volunteered to drive me back home, making me drop my idea of taking a cab. "The food was really delicious, especially the dessert." I said once we were in the car.

Alex grinned proudly, "I know, the chef makes it so appealing. I wanted to hire him for myself but he refuses to leave this restaurant."

"Thank you."

He looked over with a light smile. "Welcome Myra."

My responding smile was brighter than his. For a billionaire he was so different, not very arrogant, down to earth, kind and hopefully single.

Once we reached my gate, he opened the car door for me. As I got out my foot got stuck under the seat and I ended up launching out of the door, right inside Alex's arms.

His arms gathered me up as I almost fell, his hold strong and firm over my waist. "Easy, don't rush." His breath fanned the right side of my face.

I didn't reply too mortified, I twisted my feet and finally set it on the floor, standing up steadily.

Alex didn't let go, his hold remained around my waist. I squirmed a little, hinting at him to let go but instead his hold only tightened. Goosebumps rose up my arms, my heart skipping a heat before beating faster than ever. My waist felt incredibly tiny under his arms. I finally got the courage to look up, he was already staring at me. His blue eyes, drowning in every inch of my face. I felt naked under his gaze, "Alex." I breathed out.

His lips opened slightly at the single word. "Invite me for coffee Myra?"

I stared at his lips, so desperately wanting to invite him but I knew the consequences wouldn't be good. So holding on the thin thread of constraint, I took a step back. His hold loosened and eventually fell off. I steeped around him, walking inside the building. "Goodnight Alex."

I didn't bother to turn knowing well enough that if I did, I would run back to him and finally give into the urge of feeling his lips on mine.

Feel. Feel your heart racing at his smile. Feel the goose bumps at his touch. Feel the sadness as you part ways. Feel the happiness as you meet. Feel it all darling. You are after all just a girl, walking into fire with nothing but a pinch of water and your heart to burn.