Chapter 3: The Man I Met.

That evening, the dining hall glittered like a palace banquet. Chandeliers rained light upon crystal glasses like polished silver that gleamed like weapons. The long mahogany table stretches endlessly, and its silence is as intimidating as the man standing at its far end.

Nathan.

His broad shoulders framed a commanding silhouette as he spoke into a phone. His voice was smooth but edged with lethal threat. I noticed his hair, long, dark, and impossibly elegant, spilling across his back, the kind of beauty that should have belonged to an angel or a woman, but instead, cloaked a monster.

A lady stood near him, dressing his long hair or rather caressing it. She stood near him, her whole body begging and longing for a look from Nathan who obviously didn't notice her oogles.

“No!” he said coldly into the phone. “Tokyo’s numbers aren’t enough. I don't want that, Shut it down!” His words rolled out of his mouth like commands carved into a stone. Who knows who he is talking to. Maybe, his business associates? I didn't care about anything at all right now as I was already lost in his striking handsomeness.

I lingered at the threshold, clutching a tray of linens with well tendered Spicy Rigatoni meant for his evening meal. Holding it against my chest as if it could shield me from the weight of his presence. My pulse skittered in my veins, heat rising unbidden to my cheeks.

Then he turned, and for the second time, I noticed his golden eyes again smoldered, seductive and merciless.

It struck me instantly this time. Oh my! How could a young man be this beautiful?

“You,” he commanded. “Come here.”

I jittered, as the tray trembled in my hands. I snapped out of my thoughts immediately. My knees weakened at his voice, but I forced my body forward, with each step dragging me closer to him.

He hung up the call, putting his hands slowly down, as his glare still struck on me and never letting go. The silence that followed was worse than his words. It was the silence of judgment and power. Of a man who could destroy the world with a whisper.

His eyes locked onto me, unblinking and consuming.

And for the first time, I wondered if my biggest mistake wasn’t taking Andrey’s deal, but daring to step into Nathan Bishop’s orbit.

Immediately, as if sensing my fear, he noticed something as he curved his lips into a devilish yet warming smile. Then he said slowly. “Tell me, young lady. Do you always tremble like this when a man looks at you this way?” he asked softly.

He wondered how a girl could be this beautiful yet tender. He loved the way she trembles before him or rather answers his question and also throws the same at him. Most of his staff has been trained to act robotic, only answering to his beck and call. But there is something different about this new staff before him.

Then suddenly, as if snapping out of his feelings. His face turned into something else that looked like fury. He has never acted this strange or melted in front of his staff before and it won't begin from me.

“Are you all right, sir?” The words slipped out of my mouth before I could stop them. I was concerned about him.

Nathan’s eyes snapped back at me, sharp as a blade, locking with mine again. He never expected such a question. None of his staff has ever dared to care. So, who is this girl?

“Interesting,” he murmured. “So you speak without being asked?”

“I…I’m sorry, sir,” I stammered with heat rushing to my cheeks. I never meant to ask. I just wanted to know if he was okay.

“Listen, young lady”. He continued. “You’re not here to care. Just focus on your duties” His interruption was swift, cutting through my nerves. My blood boiled. I wasn't expecting such an arrogant response from him. Not while I'm concerned about him. Yes, he is my boss, but shouldn't I care?

In anger, I lowered the tray on his polished mahogany desk carefully, ensuring not to make a sound. I turned toward the door to leave, but his voice cut through again.

“You cooked this?” He said with that smirk on his face, looking at the meal that was served. His voice halted me mid-step towards the door.

“No, sir,” I said softly. “The kitchen staff prepared it.”

“Oh, good! Because I don’t eat lies for breakfast.” He muttered, rising to his feet. God! I feel like strangling him right now. How dare he say such words at me? I hate him already.

His movements were slow and predatory but little did he know how hurtful his words were to me. I felt like pouncing on him and scattering his hair or making him feel the same way I feel, but who am I to question his authority?

He circled the desk with a deliberate grace. His burning eyes drilled into me. The knot I felt in my stomach earlier returned. His eyes traveled to every part of my fragile body. I wished he would look anywhere else, anywhere but not at me.

He shifted his gaze finally, moved closer and picked up my documents on the mahogany desk that lay before him.

“Elena Cruz from Sacramento?” he said suddenly. His tone sliced through the air. “Your parents are deceased, and you were raised by an aunt. Correct?”

I nodded.

My blood turned cold this time. That was the story Andrey had drilled into me, the one I was supposed to live by all the rest of my stay with the Bishops.

“Ye..Yes sir,” I stuttered. My heartbeat increased, drumming vigorously on my chest.

Lord, I pray let this not be my doom now.

Nathan looked at me. He felt something odd about the way I shivered any time he mentioned my name. He knew I was here to find a living for myself, but there is something he can't grasp about my identity. Or should he find out?

Invading the fragile bubble of space around me. He moved closer to me,his presence feeling heavy and intoxicating.

“Then tell me, Elena. Which street in Sacramento did you grow up on?” he asked with his brow raised.

My mind emptied as words failed me at this moment. “Uh…??”

A curve of smile ran across his lips. “That’s what I thought.” He said, as if knowing about the games I'm playing. Or has he found out?

He replied to me sounding so deadly. “Look,let me warn you. Whatever you’re hiding, I’ll uncover it, and if you’re fortunate, I’ll let you walk out of this house alive.”

A shiver tore through me immediately. My skin prickled as sweat gathered at the nape of my neck. What would be my fate if he finds out about my true identity? Or does he know already?

Before I could gather my thoughts, the door at my left creaked open.