Chapter 2.

Chapter 2. You are a woman, you don't bow bitch.

8.40 am, Wednesday.

I was wide awake, made tea, had it with some butter cookies, dressed up in my regular jeans and top and was completely ready for my law classes which were supposed to start at 10.00am.

That is how anxious and inquisitive I felt.

Sitting on a chair and twiddling my fingers is what I had been doing for the past five minutes. My previous unbroken phone, which fortunately I couldn't part with, was lying on the table in front of me and exactly besides it, was the card Alex Bianchi had given me yesterday.

The numbers were well registered in my mind by now, I had stared at it way too many times. So now I knew his number by heart as well. Just his soul was left now.

The whole night I could barely sleep and in addition to my anxiety, Zivah hadn't come home. Apparently Sebastian had made her work overnight for whatever she had done. She was fuming with rage when she had called. And I was sure if Sebastian wasn't a billionaire and her big boss, people would have been searching his lost dead body by now. Over the months I had learnt to not piss off Zivah. She would threaten and mean every word.

I glanced at the cheap watch on my wrist. 15 seconds to go.

I quickly picked up my phone and dialed the number. My heart beat was beating so fast that I could hear it echo in my ears.

Gripping the phone to my ears I patiently waited for someone to pick up. After five rings, a husky voice answered the call, "Hello? Who's this?" The voice was cracked, as if he had just woken up.

I bit my lower lip, mentally slapping my forehead. Well, he doesn't even know my name. Because he didn't ask yesterday and I didn't tell him.

"Umm..." I cleared my throat, for a billionaire he sure slept till late.

I heard a groan from the other side, "I slept at 4am, now who are you?"

Damn, did I say that aloud? Good going, Myra. "Myra here. The library girl. You had broken my phone yesterday, remember? You were the one who asked me to call you."

I'm sure he'd remember breaking my phone. Plus I had to clarify that I wasn't some stalker who was calling him to flirt. He had himself demanded me to call him.

He paused and then I heard some shuffling. "Ah yes, the hacker." Thank God, he recognized me.

I nodded, "Yes you had told to call at 9 am." I reminded, just in case he had forgotten.

"I remember." I replied. "Can you drop in at my office today, at say-" I heard some tapping and guessed he was looking into his very busy schedule calendar. "5 in the evening, no make that 7. No one will be there."

"No one?" I blinked, why would he hire me if no one would be there? Oh dear! My pessimist mind.

I could hear his smirk through the phone and couldn't help but remember how good he looked when his lips turned up. "Yes, no one."

I gripped the phone tighter. "Mr. Bianchi, may I know what job I'll be doing?"

"You are a hacker right? Good with coding and security?"

"Yes."

"Then that's what you'll be doing." His answer was simple and I really wanted to ask him about the salary and work timings due to my classes and so many other questions but chose to stay quite. I'd meet him today evening. I would ask him then.

"Okay. Thank you Mr. Bianchi. I'm very excited to see you. I mean to see the job, I mean do the job." I fumbled, hitting my forehead with my palms as I humiliated myself.

I heard a soft chuckle and mentally groaned, even his chuckle sounds melodic. "Call me Alex. I'm very excited to see you too, Myra. Good bye."

I was still holding the phone for a minute after he had the cut the call. The soft tone ringing in my ears but louder than that was the sound of his words ringing in my head. I'm very excited to see you too, Myra. The way Myra rolled of his lips, My-ra. I didn't really like my name because in school it was made into a song. But now, the way he said it. I loved my name.

Myra, meaning beloved. Aww. So cute.

By 9.45am I was already at my class. Earlier than usual and with no one around. I hadn't cashed out the cheque yet, somehow it felt wrong. A blank cheque. I didn't want to use a phone I knew wasn't from mine or my parents money. I'd just give him the cheque back.

Throughout the class I was fidgeting and tapping my feet noisily. Even the professors noticed there was something wrong with me.

"Myra, are you okay?" Prof. Gerald who was the most experienced in hacking and very good at it. Even the FBI would occasionally ask for his opinion and codes. He was that good and he was my idol.

"Yes." I quickly nodded. Deciding to concentrate. After all this is what my job would be, hacking, might as well perfect it.

Prof. Gerald nodded but his old grey eyes scrutinized me throughout the class. At forty two, he was fit and didn't look a day older than thirty.

Then next lecture was by Prof. Mehak. A lecture not a single guy missed. Prof. Mehak was a stunning woman and although she was happily married, guys didn't stop hitting on her. She knew it too but didn't really care, she was in love with her husband and rightfully so, he was one of the hottest guys I had met. Of course after meeting Alex everyone else faded in comparison.

Ruksar Mehak, born in Dubai, taught us Malware threats and sniffing. I listened closely as she went on about the damages malware can do and how to avoid them.

After four hours and one more lecture, the day was finally over. I quickly grabbed my bag, pushed my laptop inside it and started to walk out.

"Myra!"

I turned and mentally groaned, rolling my eyes. Ugh, not again.

I tried to smile sweetly but it ended up looking sarcastic. "Hey Ray."

He grinned, unaffected by my disinterest. He pushed his spectacles upwards on the nose. He was cute and maybe even hot, in a nerdy sort of way. With dark blond hair and brown eyes under his black square specs and clean jaw line, he looked pretty good. I knew a few girls in our classes had a crush on him.

"Are you free today?" He asked, hope shining in his eyes.

A small part of me felt bad for him, he was a great friend and I knew he liked me but sadly, I didn't like him back. I didn't want to lead him on and then break his heart. This was the third time he was asking and I knew I would have to turn him down again.

I smiled sadly, "Actually I have an interview today." I answered. This was the only time I was turning him down with the truth. The other times I had just lied saying I had to go out somewhere but instead spent the evenings, lying on bed inside my cosy Panda blanket and watching series.

His eyes widened at my words. "Interview?" His voice sounded dubious, not believing me.

I nodded, "Yes, I really have to go now. Maybe another time?" I turned to go but my kind heart wouldn't let me. I looked back, "Maybe we can catch a movie this weekend."

His eyes brightened and his smile widened. Before he could get his hopes up. I quickly added, "Mark, Ella and others also wanted to go. We can all go." I knew Ella liked him, maybe I could play their Cupid.

His face dulled a little but nonetheless he smiled. "Sure, sounds great. I'll ask them."

"Okay. Bye then."

"Bye and good luck. I'll text you the details." He waved.

I showed him a thumbs up and walked towards my scooter. I wondered if I had done the right thing, agreeing to go somewhere with him. I really hoped he wasn't planning our wedding already. Marriage was the last on my to-do list and before it were 59 other things. So it was safe to say, marriage for me, was delusional.

It was 6.00 by the time I reached our flat. Zivah was still not there but I found a plate of fried rice on the table so I assumed she had come home a while back and then gone back to work. I'll call her later I vowed, working for 15 hours is not acceptable. Doesn't matter how rich and arrogant the boss is.

Quickly washing my face and feet, I opened the closet, as three tops fell on my feet. I stood there staring at the messy cupboard. Ziv was right, I really needed to clean the cupboard.

After a good five minutes of staring, I groaned and fell backwards on the bed. "I have no clothes." I shouted into the air.

Honestly I did, I had way too many clothes. But somehow I always felt I had none. Nothing to wear.

"Throw the ones in your closet before you buy new clothes. There no place in that messy hole." Mom would complain every time I shopped or grumbled about having no clothes.

I looked at the time, 6.15, damn!

I shuffled through the clothes and grabbed a black semi-formal neck button shirt, it was one of my favorites. Paired it with my rose pink pants and applied minimal makeup.

It was almost 6.45 by the time I was ready and it was only then did I remember, I didn't have the address of where I was supposed to arrive.

How could I be this dumb?

I quickly grabbed my phone, scrolling until I found the number I had saved. 'Alex Bianchi- Phone breaker'. My forefinger lingered on the call button, should I call? What would he think of me? Not punctual and forgetful? I'm so losing the job before even getting it.

Taking a deep comforting breath, I pressed on the name, held the phone to my ears and crossed my fingers.

"Myra." His deep welcoming voice made me forget why I had called him, hell it made me forget how to breathe.

He saved my number. I did a mental funny dance step.

"Hi." I squeaked out, sounding like a dying rat. I cleared my throat, trying to sound a little more confident. "Hi, so you see, funny story, um, I actually forgot the address." My voice turned lower with each word in embarrassment.

I heard a soft chuckle that made me blush and slap my forehead. How are you so dumb Myra? Did you forget your pills?

"Are you at home?" He questioned.

"Yes."

"Okay. I'll come to pick you up."

I froze, blinking twice. "Pick me up?"

"Yeah that would be easier. Give me ten minutes." His voice was authoritative, leaving no room for argument.

"Okay." I reluctantly agreed. "I'll send my address and-"

"I know it." He interrupted, making my eyes widen in shock.

"You know?"

My question was answered with a completed unrelated answer, "See you soon Myra."

It took him 15 minutes and 36 seconds to arrive. I was so tensed that I was sweating, I had reapplied my foundation and my lipstick and kept twiddling my fingers, gulping occasionally. How did he know my address, this question kept running in my mind and I couldn't find a single reasonable answer to that.

The second the bell rang, I ran towards the door, took a deep breath to calm myself before pulling the door open.

There he was standing smugly, a slight smile on his face, dressed in a grey suit and hands tucked in to the pant pockets, he could easily be a model. His eyes ran over me, making me feel hot and bothered. What was this effect he had over me?

Lust, someone at the back of my mind taunted.

"Good Evening." He greeted in a husky voice.

I could find words so instead I just nodded, grabbed my purse and turned to shut the door behind me.

My fingers started fidgeting with the keys, somehow I couldn't even lock the damn door with this useless man on my side.

"Myra." Alex muttered, grabbing the keys from my fingers. Our fingers brushed and I instantly jolted back at the contact. He stared at me, surprised by my reaction. "Relax."

I took a deep breath not daring to look at him. He looked so unaffected and I, so clumsy. I was always confident and never ever reacted this way. Gosh Myra, behave, have some self-respect. I mentally chided myself.

You are a woman, you don't bow bitch.

He locked the door and turned to face me. "Shall we go?"

I quickly nodded, and rushed ahead. Since I lived on the second floor, I didn't bother with the lift. I quickly walked down the stairs in my black pumps, thankfully they weren't that high or I would have fallen flat on my face.

I reached the ground, and gave a quick pep talk to myself. 'Myra, stop acting like a 16 year old, you are an employee and he is your boss. That's it, now behave, stay confident, hold your head high and show him how effing amazing you are.'

And remember if you want sex, he should beg for it.

He came down the stairs with a scowl on his face. "You could have fallen wearing those heels."

I looked down and then back at him. "I didn't. Let's go. I'm curious about this job."

He didn't reply and started walking out the gate. I quickly followed him, trying to match his long strides. He was really tall, about 6'3", which was a giant compared to my 5'5"

He stopped in front of a matte black car, it was so beautiful. He opened the door for me, I smiled and quickly got in. The car smelled of leather and a musky sort of smell. The seats were so comfortable.

I couldn't help my words as he got in the car and started it. "You don't have a driver?"

He shrugged, "I like to drive and I like my privacy." He pointed at the seat belt. "Put the seat belt."

I quickly put the seat belt, before his hands could reach over and do the work for me. I couldn't handle any more touching.

"So this job?" I started, talking about job was a safe option.

"Yes, I'll tell you about it once we reach my office. Did you have dinner?"

I hadn't eaten anything but I was so nervous that I could barely eat anything now. My stomach was filled with butterflies, there was no place to store any carbohydrates. "Yes little." I lied.

He glanced at me, "Are you hungry?"

I shook my head. "Nope."

"Okay if you say so."

There was silence for a while and quite frankly it was suffocating. The windows were closed and I felt if I even breathed he could hear it. "So how did you know my address?"

"I have my ways."

I frowned at the answer, looking over at him. His arms flexed as he turned the steering wheel and even through the full sleeve coat I could see how muscular he was. "That's not a good answer. Did you stalk me?"

He shrugged a shoulder as if it wasn't a big deal. "I had to know whom I had employed. You could be a thief or smuggler."

"And you could be a serial killer." I instantly shot back, feeling peeved. That bastard did a background check on me. "I didn't stalk you, yet I am here right?"

He sighed, "Look I have had bad experiences with hiring people, it comes with being a billionaire. I just had to be sure. Don't take this the wrong way."

I did take it the wrong way but kept quiet. No use fighting over this, he's already read everything about me. "Fine, so you know everything about me?"

He paused, carefully answering the question. "Everything that I should know. Basics like your education, what you do, where you live and family. Nothing in depth."

"Don't you think it's only fair that I know all this about you too?"

He looked at me in surprise but smiled. "What do you know to know? You can G****e it, most of my life is there."

"I like the information when it is given voluntarily, not when stalked and dug out." I taunted. He face stiffened but he nodded, "Fair enough."

He turned the car right, entering one of the tallest and prettiest industrial buildings I had ever seen. A minimum of 30 floors and 12 such tall buildings, I assumed, or maybe more. The campus was so huge.

He parked in front of a building highlighted as A1. The guard immediately ran over, opening the door for door. I got out of the car as Alex handed the car keys to the guard.

There were dim lights but the building looked isolated. Everyone seemed to have left for the day. I felt his presence behind me before his palm came in contact with the small of my back.

His touch I could feel right into my bones. Heated and firm. He guided me inside the automatic doors of the building, swiping in a card of some sort at the entrance. I didn't dare move away from his touch, I liked it way too much.

"Go straight and take a left, it's the forth door." He said before his hand left my body and I felt a wave of coldness wash over.

I nodded and quickly stepped ahead, ashamed of how I was reacting to his touch. I took the left and paused. Which door had he said, fourth or fifth? I couldn't even remember. I blame his touch for my absence of mind.

I paused at the fourth door, written there was 'Authorized personnel' well, I couldn't go in there, so maybe he said the fifth door. The fifth door had nothing written over it but I say a red cross in the center. Danger, oh that Alex is. This must be the door.

I turned the door handle and tried to push it open, it wouldn't budge. Was it locked? Did it require some card? I frowned, turned the door handle again and pulled it. It opened, showing me a room of darkness. I stepped inside, keeping the door open until I found the light switch. I patted the walls on the side, but they were plain. 

Where's the damn light when you need it? In your soul.

Shut up Mind.

"Myra!" I quickly turned to Alex walking fast towards me, a laptop in his hand. And a scowl on his face. "What are you doing there?"

"Waiting for you." I answered.

"I said the fourth door." Alex reproached, pointing at the fourth door.

"Oh." I replied stupidly. He shook his head, coming towards the door, leaning inside a little.

I suddenly felt something on my fingers and I left the door handle scared, the door instantly swung, making Alex jump and take a step inside. The door shut behind him and we were surrounded by instant darkness.

I froze, feeling myself go blind. I couldn't see anything, not even Alex. But I sure heard him, or rather his loud and furious voice. "Fucking hell." He cussed aloud.

I felt him grip my wrist angrily. "Why did you let go off that door?"

I twisted my hands, uncomfortable with his hard hold. "What's the big issue? Just open the door."

"That is the damn issue. This door only opens from the outside, not inside." His voice was laced with frustration and my eyes finally adjusted to the darkness, looking at his livid face.

"What?" I breathed out in utter shock.

He looked into my eyes, his lips forming a smug smile. "Miss Hacker, we are trapped."

Under the dim flash light of my very old phone, his dark figure was standing in front of me. Our eyes met and somehow the time seemed to stop as I could hear the sound of my heartbeat completely unsynchronized with the heavy breaths I was taking to calm myself down.

Well shit, this was not the way I expected my first interview to go. Locked in a room full of darkness with a hot billionaire.

How do I escape this?