Chapter 3- Third Wheel

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As Joe moves from behind his desk toward Alice, she begins to get even more nervous. It is as though a mixture of excitement and frightening chills are running down her spine at the same time. He is brimming with so much confidence and gusto; positive gusto. He looks almost intimidating, yet at the same time, like he couldn't hurt a fly. Alice finds it attractive but frightening, in an odd but good way. And boy does he look smart! Alice has always had a thing for smart men, cunning men; although, not too cunning. 

His build also is magnificent, and the way he walks so charismatic. He is like the quintessential lady's man. Alice has never felt this attracted to someone on first encounter before. It is definitely not a good sign, especially considering the fact that he has 'playboy' written all over him. She begins to wonder how on earth she is supposed to concentrate on her work with him hovering around. She isn't sure, but somehow, from the look in his eyes, she can almost tell that the interest is mutual. But of course, that's what playboys do, right? They'd want you to think that they're into you. So even if they're not really that interested, they'd play along, to savour the attention and possibly milk it for all it's worth. Alice slightly raises a brow. 

On Joe's end, when it comes to work, he likes to believe he is a man of precision and unflinching focus. He hates being distracted and dislikes being unprofessional even more. But why on earth does he feel so destabilized by this lady's presence, he wonders. 

'Maybe it is a passing infatuation.' he concludes within. Right now, he considers himself severely sex starved. He has barely been with any one in months because he has been really busy with work. Also, he has not had any stable relationship in quite a while. Only a few hook-ups now and then, but nothing truly serious since he nearly married Porsha, and well, that didn't happen. He believes he will eventually get over this thing with Alice, like he did with all the other girls. Although aside from her beauty, there seems to be something more about her that makes him almost want to giggle whenever he looks at her face. It is quite odd and annoying. He does not like it at all, and he has never felt more uncomfortable with his emotions than right now. He doesn't think he has ever felt this enchanted by sheer radiance before, at least, not on first encounter. Alice's warm smile has inner beauty and kindness written all over it in such a captivating way that it makes him feel unusually safe to be in her presence, so settled. Or maybe due to his job, he has just been around broods of vipers for too long. The way she speaks is so calm, so humble, so serene that his heart could nearly melt. 'But for heaven's sakes, she is your secretary! You need to come back to your senses!' he opines within. 

Let's see how this goes. 

While Joe ushers her into the smaller outer office, he pretends to forget her name "So, here is your desk, Miss Alice Men..."

"Mendez sir. Or Just 'Alice' is fine.", she replies assertively with a warm smile. 

"Alright. Alice." He responds, before gently scooting her over to make for the desk drawer on the other side. In the process, the entire length of Alice's left arm grazes his steadfast chest and her wrist slides across the chilly silver of his belt buckle. While this happens, they both feel an immense tingling within their cores, like a sudden urge to remain in close proximity, to hold each other a while longer. But defying her intoxicating hormones, Alice adjusts her stance to give him room. 

Joe on the other hand tries not to flinch, as he feels her warmth drifting away. He continues, 

"Right now, we have about seven pending cases on our hands, so you'll need to start scheduling my appointments right away and contacting the clients..."

He is interrupted by the sound of the door knob clicking open. 

Porsha enters."So!.. This is the new throne room?", she says with a smirk. 

"Well well well! The gods must truly be smiling on me, for me to get a visit from her majesty herself, so early during working hours.", Joe responds sarcastically with a broad smile. 

Then Porsha rests one hand on a chair and poses like a professional model, "What can I say?... Every dog needs a treat now and then."

"Awwww.. If I didn't know better, I'd say you were getting a little sweet on me.", Joe replies with a slight smirk while licking his lips. 

Then Porsha scoffs at him almost playfully, "Huh!.. In your dreams, Joseph King." 

She turns to Alice, eyeing her from toe to head "So.. who's the girl scout?" 

Alice raises an eyebrow. 

Then Joe moves toward her and places a palm on her back, "This lady is Alice Mendez, my secretary!"

Porsha smiles, scoffs again and tilts her head in disapproval. "Ohh!.. Well.. good luck with her!"

She continues, while taking a seat, "..About the Sanchez case, I'll need a full briefing and all the case files. Wrestler wants us both on the case."

"..Of course, that's why you came.", Joe rolls his eyes. Afterwards, he goes back to the desk drawer and sternly raises his eyes to look at her. "..Well, as you can see.. I'm still settling in. So, I'll get back to you on that later."

Porsha sighs, "Oookay!" 

She shrugs, stands up slowly and starts heading toward the door. 

Joe then echoes at her, kittenishly, "Say 'hi' to Park for me!.. Dude's got a huge crush on you."

Porsha bursts into laughter, "That sissy?.. Park couldn't ask me out if his life depended on it."

 She places her hand  on the door knob, "And.. I don't think he does relationships."

Joe laughs and then says earnestly, "You'd be surprised. Just.. go easy on him, will you?"

"I'll think about it." she replies playfully, and then turns to bid Alice farewell, "Miss Mendez!"

Thereafter, she exits, while Alice can't help but clench her teeth into a nearly repulsed grin. 

Sensing Alice's disgust, Joe tries to pacify her, "Please, don't let her get to you."

Then they both walk back into his office.

"She isn't always like that though.", he echoes. 

"You two seemed pretty close, sir.", Alice pokes. 

Right now, the last thing Joe wants to tell Alice about is the failed relationship he had with Porsha like millennia ago; back when they were still sweethearts; when it was just 'them' against 'the world'. He was a much different person back then and so was she. It's funny how life can change people so much, or rather, expose parts of them you never knew existed. 

"Well, we've been working together for a long time, so..", he responds, taking the easy way out. 

"True.." Alice agrees, "..She reminds me of someone though."

"Really?.. Who?"

"My dad.", she replies, looking towards the floor. 

"Oh!.. How so?", Joe inquires. 

Squinting a bit, Alice replies with a half smile, "Well sir.. Let's just say.. he is not very nice."

Then oddly, she chuckles a bit after some memories flash through her head. 

Joe is amused by the way she finds laughter in everything. He smiles back at her warmly and then says in a friendly manner, "You can call me Joe."

"Alright sir", she blushes, "..I mean, 'Joe'."

He nods in approval but then adds, squinting a bit, "..But 'Mr. King' of course, when others are around." He smiles again. 

"..Don't worry, I understand." Alice affirms with an assertive smile. 

Upon hearing this, Joe smiles back cunningly. He is becoming even more pleased with her and is trying really hard to fight off his brewing affection. He looks down at his computer screen, looks up at her again and then licks his lower lip while the loud silence simmers.

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