chapter 3

Lia’s POV

I try and fail not to tap my foot as I am not alone in the lift. The old couple look back at me and mutter something shaking their head. I cannot able to catch it but heard words like ‘Young People’ and ‘No Patience’. God! It is taking for ever to reach the floor.

Finally after what seem to be like hours, I enter the floor. There is no difficulty in finding the Suite as it is the only room in the entire floor. I take a deep breath and press the calling button before I chicken out. And I do not expect the person when the door open.

Whoa! If this is the Lucian Alastair, then the films and magazines have not done any justice at all. I see a fine specimen of almost 6 feet. His hair is black and sticking up in an attractive way, so are his dark eyes. God! Girls will die to get such eye lashes. And do I miss out the perfect jaw line and the lips. The black Khaki and white button up shirt hug him perfectly. He is standing stiff with his hand still on the door knob.

I see him looking at me with recognition, shock and disgust. Wait! Do I say shock? Does he know me? Have we met anywhere? I am confused on the thoughts and realize that his face is now blank wiped of all emotions. I blush when I realize that I am still staring him and clear my throat. When I am about to open my mouth, he signals me to enter the room. But, he cannot have expected me right? Then why is he asking me to come in without any questions? Not to lose the opportunity, I step inside.

I look around the living room which would be perfect for any business meeting. I see an open space towards the end of the room which shows the entire view of the city. I see a dining place and a bedroom on the other side. I snap out from admiring the interior when I hear a click and turn to see Mr. Alastair closing the door. But why is he locking and stowing the key in. Is he not going to wait for whoever is about to come? Or have booked the room for any other purpose and mistaken me? I take a step back consciously at these thoughts.

***

Luc’s POV

I hear the sound of calling button immediately after James disconnects the call. Shall I open the door or wait for James? Am I afraid of a mere gold digger? I decide to deal with her not waiting for James which I may regret later.

I do not expect the person when I open the door. I am shocked to see the female standing in front of me. Isn't she the same one in restaurant who kindly helped a waitress? Isn't she the one with a lovely smile? But was it all mere act? She was in the same place when I had both the calls? So that’s how she was able to tell about my actions. She is also like all females, but with an angelic face. And I thought, no hoped she might be...

I snap out of my thoughts and catch her looking at me open mouthed. I see her blush when she finds that she is caught ogling. She blushes easily for someone for a gold digger. I realize my mistake and wipe all the emotions from my face. I hear her clearing her throat and that mere action create some reactions in me. When I see her trying to initiate a conversation, I signal her to enter the room.

I mentally count ten to one to control my temper. I must be stupid to feel angry for some female. What is happening to you Lucian? Once I calm myself I turn to check on her. She is checking on the interior and see her eyes trailing from the open terrace to the bedroom. My eyes narrow on the way she checks the rooms. Two can play the same game my dear...

I lock the door stowing the key away. And that sound make her turn. I see her face changing from puzzlement to shock. Why is she acting still? I sit on a couch and signal her to do the same. I see her hesitating a second but follows me. I tense seeing her taking out some papers. Are those the evidences she was talking about? But let’s see what she is going to say.

“Mr. Alastair, I was trying to reach you for the past ten days. I know this is not an appropriate way, but please pardon me for that”

Nice start, but why the big act still. It is getting annoyed.

“Nice start sweetheart. I almost fell in your trap. I should say your attempt to catch me had worked so far”

I can see a very evident confusion in her face.

“Mr. Alastair, I am not able to follow you. I can understand that you are angry on me to barge in on your personal time, but please give me 10 minutes to explain.”

“Angry is a very soft word for me at this minute. And to tell you, whatever piece of crap you are about to show me, will never work out. But I would like to see you try”

She closes her briefcase and glares at me furiously. I see her getting up. Closing her eyes for a moment, she looks at me.

“It is a big mistake to come here. I thought I could try to convince my point to you, but you are not worth it. So, if you open the door, I will take leave”

“Oh no! Not so easily darling. You should learn never to play with me. In fact you should never play with anyone in future.”

She is now getting panicked. I can now see that she realizes the seriousness. But the way she still portraying the confused girl act irritates me. With a smirk I take strides towards her.

“You should learn that stalking and blackmailing someone will never get anything for you.”

The confusion is very much evident in her eyes now. Cut the act please.

“Be happy that you are dealing with me alone and the cops were not involved”

“But.. But..” her stuttering and fear evokes some other reaction in me and definitely it is not victorious. I am disgusted on myself to feel for such a low life.

“Please you are making a big mistake. I am not the person whom you are thinking of. Let me go.”

I feel a moment of sympathy seeing her fearful eyes. But all phone calls and Jake’s photo angers me again.

I slowly advance towards her retreating figure. In another two steps she will hit the wall and have nowhere to go.

I pin her with the wall and arrest with my hands on either side of her face. My hands itches to caress the soft cheeks. I never stop till I am mere inches from her face.

And then I do the big mistake. My eyes lands on her full lips. As a chain reaction to my action, she licks her lips. I see her adams apple bobs up and slides back in her slender neck. My eyes darkens in desire.

Then I ask “So... Shall we start as you asked me to do?” My voice is unusually husky and I rip her tops open.

‘Smack’ I hear the slap before my head snap to the side. I feel the stinging sensation on my cheeks, realizing that she had hit me.

I throw her over my shoulders, ignoring her kicks and shout and drop her on the bed inside. When I see her trying to escape, I grab her ankle with a smirk. I can see her shaking in fear.

***

Unknown POV

I smugly reach the reception. So far so good. After tonight Luc will be mine permanently. I can see the receptionist giving me a fake smile.

“I have an appointment with Mr. Lucian Alastair. Can you guide me to his room please?”

I see the confusion in the eyes. “I am sorry ma’am. But there is no guest named Lucian Alastair staying here.”

“You should have been mistaken. I have an appointment booked with Luc.. Mr. Alastair today at 8:00 pm. Or can you check if the room had been booked under James Witherlow”

I get irritated at her fake smile. Cut the crap, will you?

She again checks her system and shakes her head. “I am sorry ma’am. No rooms had been booked under such name.”

I feel betrayed. Lucian, you are either extremely bold or extremely stupid for not taking me serious. I dial his number.

***

Receptionist POV

Once the lady walks away trying to reach someone over phone, I dial the instructed number again. In the third ring I hear “James”

“Sir, a lady just walked in asking for Mr. Alastair’s room. As instructed we have told that no one was staying in such name. She then checked if the room was booked under the name of Mr. James Witherlow”

I hear a few curses “Thank you. Call me in case of any other reaches for Mr. Alastair”

Something is definitely going on.

***

Luc's POV

She tries to escape me, but I am not going to leave her so easily. Then my phone buzzes. I know it is James as he have told that he will be coming up. I almost ignore it for a moment and my hold slacks once my eyes hit the screen. How come she is calling me, if she is in front of me?

“Lucian Alastair”

“I know it is you Lucian. What games are you playing at me? Are you still going to avoid me even after seeing the picture?”

I can clearly hear the very same voice that taunted me for almost a week, is now shouting at me. If I am hearing the voice over phone, then who is here with me? I see the girl in front of me is trying to get away from me. What have I done? But how does she knew about me being here? More important who is she?

I snap back to reality when the voice is still shouting at me. “.... are extremely stupid. I will show you what I can do.” And the call gets disconnected.

“Pl... Pl... Please leave me. I never knew that trying for a contract is this bad.” Only after I hear the sobs, I understand that I am still holding her. I release her immediately.

“Who are you?”

“Just don’t hurt me please.”

“I am sorry. But how did you know that I am here”

“Please let me go...”

I then realize that she is still in shock and not able to process whatever I am saying. I shake her shoulders to make her jerk back out of her trance.

“I am sorry. All this was a mistake. I am not going to hurt you. You can go.”

She never moves and I become suspicious again. “Why are you not leaving?” I question her.

She looks at me as if I lost my mind. “One, you have locked the door. Two, you have torn my dress beyond repair. Are you expecting me to go out half naked?”

I then see her trying to cover herself with the dress torn open and yes, it is beyond repair. I sigh at myself. I really need to control my temper. Without a second thought I take off my shirt and give it to her.

“Here, wear it. I will ask my assistant to bring one for me. It will be better if you leave now.”

She does not need any second note. Immediately she scrambles out putting on my shirt. I feel my shirt looks good on her than me. God Lucian, get a grip.

I open the main door and suddenly we are blinded by a series of flash. Out of instinct I shield her from whatever the lights are. I then see James running towards me and trying to drive away the people out of there. Wait! Are those cameras? Heck, this is getting more complicated than I think. By the time I grasp the situation, I see the girl is running towards the elevator.