“What are you waiting for? Our client, Michael Clayton, CEO of Finserve Inc. will be here any minute. Get ready,” said Nicholas but Alyssa was surprised to note a glint in his eyes as if he knew what she was anticipating. “I’m ready as always. You’re the one going green seeing every Phil and Darren talk to me.” Alyssa tossed her hair and walked over to check the equipment, leaving Nicholas chuckling at her sass. “I see. What else do you expect me to be? Give me what I need and I’ll not get green at all,” he drawled, watching her with hooded eyes as he settled into his chair. He wanted to say more but didn’t want her to react right in front of Michael.“I won’t ask what you need since I guess that’s what you’re expecting me to,” she said with an impish smile on her face. Nicholas smirked at her, loving her line of thought.“I don’t think you need to ask me. You know what I want. I’ve told you before if you can refresh your memory. I’ve always wanted you and still do,” he said in a lo
Alyssa was dumbfounded by his question. Was he seriously wanting to leave his posh penthouse and move into this apartment with her? No, he was just teasing her!“I don’t think the loneliness will kill me. If it does, I’ll definitely call you,” she said in a sugary sweet tone that could make one fall for her, hook, line, and sinker but Nicholas had already fallen, so it didn’t make a difference to him. He laughed, his body alive with excitement. “Call me before you die. I could give you a kiss to bring you to life.” Alyssa groaned and walked away towards the closet to check but her mind was on the topic of discussion. Did he really want to kiss her again? Was that his motive? Was he going out of his way just for a kiss? “You didn’t answer me, Alyssa.” He followed her to the closet. “No, thanks. I’d rather die,” she laughed although deep in her heart, she knew that she was dying to have his lips on hers. “Liar! I know you’re dying to kiss me.” He stood, leaning against the door, wat
The next morning, Alyssa felt very apprehensive about facing Nicholas at work. After the way they parted last night, she wondered what type of mood he would be in. Would he still bear a grudge upon her?She reached the office but strangely Nicholas still didn’t arrive. She checked her email for work and found two emails from him, both work-related. Was he not coming to the office? Why else would he send her so much work that might take her all day to finish? For the next few hours, she absorbed herself in the work Nicholas gave her. It was lunchtime and yet Nicholas hadn’t arrived at the office. “It’s lunch, Alyssa. Come over to the cafeteria with me,” said Phil as he walked into her cubicle. Alyssa looked up at him and smiled, closing her laptop. “Oh, hi! I’ll be there in a while,” she said, getting up.“Stop working so much. Nicholas wouldn’t be coming in for two weeks after all. Aren’t you, his girlfriend? Why didn’t he take you with him?” asked Phil suspiciously. “He offered bu
Alyssa rolled her eyes at the absurdity of his proposal. Was it seriously a marriage proposal? “No, thanks. I’ll take back my concern.” Nicholas laughed but although he didn’t admit it to her, he actually liked the idea. Marrying her would more or less solve his own problem. He would be entitled to unlimited se*, his mom and granny would be happy too and so would Alyssa since she would be free of her step-dad and brother’s interference in her life. “Why not? It’s the best solution for you, me, and my family. I’ll get what I want from you. You’ll be free from your stepdad and brother while mom and granny will be happy to have you in our family.” Alyssa gaped at him, baffled by his suggestion. Was he really pursuing the matter? She had thought he was joking! “Seriously? This is the weirdest marriage proposal I’ve ever seen,” she scoffed and Nicholas shrugged. “If it solves our issues, why not? So will you marry me, Alyssa?” he asked giving her a brief glance and driving on. “No, Nic
“I don’t fall for crooks, so you can keep your crooked plans to yourself.” Nicholas laughed as her warning didn’t deter him even a tiny bit.“I can’t leave my crooked ways. Let’s see if they work or not.” He drove out of his granny’s driveway but Alyssa was now more concerned about the trip he had announced for tomorrow. “What time are we leaving tomorrow? Shouldn’t you have told me earlier? I haven’t packed anything yet,” she complained giving him a pointed glare. “I can help you pack. We’ll leave at 10 o’clock in the morning. Be ready, I’ll pick you up.” Alyssa gave him an exasperated look wondering how in the world she would pack everything tonight.“No thanks, I’ll manage somehow. So for how many days are we going? Will it be just a business trip?” she asked, glancing in his direction to notice the smirk that momentarily appeared on his face. “It’ll be a two-week long trip. Yes, mostly carry your business suits along with some semi-formals. We will be free during the afternoons
“You won’t have any problems with me after you get to know me. That’s what this trip is all about, isn’t it? I told you I won’t play fair,” he shrugged, sitting on the chair and making himself comfortable. Alyssa was stunned by his admission. So he had indeed taken her challenge seriously and started working on it as well. “I thought this was a business trip,” she said, dazed and confused. What would she do now? What exactly had Nicholas planned for her? Would she have to share a room all throughout the trip? “Stop fretting so much. Let’s relax and enjoy a movie. So which is your favorite?” he asked her to lighten the atmosphere in the room. Alyssa studied him for a second and noted that he was indeed interested in a movie. Sitting on the chair beside him, she browsed through the options available. “Select it but we’ll watch after take-off,” said Nicholas sensing the way she was all worked up around him. He wanted to make her comfortable around him first or it would be difficult to
Alyssa woke up suddenly feeling someone pick her up. Her eyes met Nicholas’s piercing gaze as he carried her in his arms and deposited her on the bed. “Why to sleep on a chair when you have such a comfortable bed?” he asked in a husky tone. Alyssa was immediately on high alert and scooted as far away from him as possible.“I’m not sleepy at all.” Nicholas sighed and leaving her all alone, he went to his chair and took out his laptop to work. He felt a little upset at Alyssa’s attitude. He was just trying to make her comfortable since she was sleeping cramped up on a chair but she misunderstood his motive as always. Why couldn’t she see that he was indeed true to his words? He just indulged in harmless flirting with her. None of the kisses that he gave her were forced since she enjoyed them as much as he did. It was true that he had been totally honest about his feelings for her but he hadn’t given her any reason to tread so cautiously around him. Sighing he continued with his work wh
Alyssa looked around the room, appreciating the contemporary-style dark wood decor and carpeted floors. She noticed that the double bed was larger than that on the aircraft so she could easily put up a barricade here. Her eyes fell upon the electric kettle with complimentary jasmine tea products and she couldn’t stop herself from brewing herself some. Picking up her cup, she opened the door that led to a small balcony with panoramic views of the bay and the Singapore skyline. This was the first time she had traveled to the far east and she already started loving the feel of the place. There was a mysterious thrill in the air as if she was waiting for something to happen, although she had no idea what. She sipped the tea and closed her eyes to savor its refreshing taste. On the spur of the moment, she had invited herself into his bedroom but now on second thoughts she wondered if it was a good idea. Would he keep his word as he did on the aircraft? What if he didn’t? Would he force hi