My Billionaire Vampire

This is a bad idea.

For the umpteenth time that sentence rang in my head. A little regret tucked into my heart for rejecting Oliver's offer to take me home.

Well, it was actually part of my pride that prevented me from taking up the offer.

We just ended our relationship two weeks ago. After two years of being with him, finally a few weeks ago a woman came into my apartment and slapped me just like that before screaming at me to stay away from Oliver.

She claims to be Oliver's girlfriend, and admits they have been dating for over a year.

Damn Oliver, he's not even that handsome. But that damn thing has been cheating on me behind my back for over a year.

I looked back again for the third time, while my feet were still moving. My instincts told me something was following me, or someone.

All this because Mr. Newman forced some of his staff to work overtime for the past three days.

And today is the worst, we can only go home at half past twelve in the evening. Me, Oliver, and several other staff.

Unfortunately there are no buses running at this late hour, whereas waiting for a taxi will take longer. So I stupidly decided to walk.

Now, the idea of walking alone to my apartment at 12 at night sounds so stupid.

I turned my head back to the deserted street behind me. This area is too quiet.

"This is a really bad idea, Ella." I muttered to myself. I should have been patient and waited for a taxi.

I've passed this road several times because it's the quickest route to my apartment on foot.

This street is filled with food shops and Mexican goods which I remember always being busy during the day. Unfortunately the atmosphere during the day is in stark contrast to tonight.

All shops have stopped operating and closed tightly. I could only see the light from some of the shop windows and from the street lamps. The rest was pitch black.

The sound of my heels which were not too high sounded faint when I knocked on the pavement I was walking on. Somehow the fine hairs on the nape of my neck have stood up a little since entering this damn street.

I forced my eyes to look straight ahead, only a hundred meters left until I got out of this terrible road. And I promise I'll never go through it again at night.

Suddenly a shrill scream broke the silence around me, making my steps stop in place. His voice sounded slashing, as if the owner of the voice was really in pain.

A stark contrast to the silence I previously heard.

All the fine hairs on my body are now standing up together with the instinct in my head that screams to run. But part of my conscience told me to turn around and help the owner of that voice.

This is one of human weakness; trusting his conscience more than his brain. If this were a horror film, I would be the first to die horribly.

My heart pounded hard inside my chest cavity as I turned around again. No matter how loud my instincts screamed inside my head, I took a step toward the source of the sound.

The screeching came again, this time intermittently. While walking, my right hand, which was slightly shaking, slipped into my handbag, looking for my cell phone.

My steps stopped hesitantly in front of a dark alley that might be the source of the sound. Now the screams had stopped completely and returned to leaving silence.

I squinted my eyes toward the dark alley, hoping to see more clearly. This alley is not very big, just like the alleys in horror films where Jack the Ripper comes out of the dark with his bloody knife after butchering his victims.

Hands still a little shaky, my fingers dialed 911, then out of the corner of my eye I could see a shadow moving in the darkness.

"Hello?" Suddenly a man's voice echoed in the alley, almost making me drop my phone from my hand in surprise.

I looked up at the silhouette of a man walking toward me. This time I followed my instincts, my feet stepping back a few meters.

He was wearing a white shirt with a black leather jacket and jeans. What is clear is that he does not look like Jack the Ripper.

"Are you okay?" asked the man with a small smile. The smile on his face looked a little strange, so I stepped back again.

"What sound is that?" I asked in a slightly panicked voice. My heart was pounding so fast I could almost hear it pounding in my ears.

The man stopped a few feet in front of me right under the street light, the light shining on his face clearly.

His slightly long black hair touched the collar of his shirt. His two awkward black eyes stared at me. He fell into the handsome category.

Or very handsome if we met under normal circumstances.

But there was something odd-something wrong with him. The man smiled again when he saw the expression on my face.

"What sound did you hear?" He tilted his head to the right slightly, his deep voice almost pleasant.

Like the voice of a rented Santa Claus who is usually displayed in malls to take pictures and give Christmas gifts to children.

It's just that this one sounds a hundred times more dangerous than Santa Claus's voice.

My mouth opens to answer him, then I close it again. If he's a killer, then telling him isn't a good idea. My hand gripped my phone tightly.

"Ummm, I think I heard wrong." I muttered while getting ready to turn around.

"Wait a minute, Miss." The voice sounded commanding as it called out to me, making me back rooted to the spot.

"Is someone following you?" he asked in a worried tone as he glanced behind me.

On reflex, my head turned behind me too to look, but there was nothing there.

"Ah, I think I saw wrong." Suddenly the voice sounded so close that it made my heart jump in my chest. When I turned back, he was right in front of me.

"Tsk. Sweet miss, I'm a little sorry to hurt you." He said it in a lazy voice before grinning slightly, a pair of fangs showing from behind his lips.

His hands moved as my mouth opened to scream. And in just one second, his warm and wet lips touched my neck.

A pair of sharp fangs tore through the skin of my neck very painfully. My mouth opened to scream, but no sound came out of me.

The last thing I remember was the bright light from the streetlights and the horrible sound of loud gulping.

***

(6 months later)

"I've asked Oliver to book a plane ticket for you, Eleanor." Mr. Newman's voice sounded final. I could only look at my manager with a look of despair.

"But sir, I really can't-"

"You are one of the best auditors in this company. You should be happy because I consider you one of the best employees here." Mr. Newman shifted his gaze to the documents on his desk, a gesture to gently shoo me out of his office.

I stood up from my chair quietly. However I'm not going to do something as childish as begging Mr. Newman again. One time is enough.

Without looking at him again I walked out of his room and walked over to Oliver's desk.

Oliver Sheldon Wright is my ex-boyfriend and assistant manager at the accounting firm where

I work. I remember the first time I met him, when I was an intern and Oliver was a junior accountant.

I never thought I really loved this man, before his mistress came to my apartment and slapped me.

The damn thing. You son of a bitch!

I clenched my fists tightly then stopped in front of the assistant manager's desk. Oliver was focused on staring at his computer screen, a few strands of his light brown hair fell onto his wrinkled forehead, then he slowly looked up at me and smiled a little.

"Can I help you, Els?"

Els. He always calls me by that annoying name when we're dating.

"Mr. Newman said you handled my plane ticket." I tried to force my voice to sound as neutral as possible.

We have ended our relationship more than 6 months ago, although I still want to punch him in the face every time I see him but I have to act professional in the office.

He took an envelope from his desk drawer and handed it to me, still smiling. "Sorry, Els. Actually Mr. Newman asked me to go but I couldn't, so you had to fill in for me. Well, have fun, I heard there's going to be a big festival in Manhattan."

I stared at him in disbelief. He just stared back at me with his annoying smile.

His brown eyes stared at me, as if waiting for me to react. I resisted the urge to throw the porcelain vase in front of me at his face then turned towards his desk while muttering a thank you.

I won't be childish anymore. Oliver's words, after I told him about the woman who came to my apartment and slapped me, came back to me.

'You're overdramatizing, Els. Don't be childish.'

I opened the envelope in my hand angrily. It contained two tickets and a hotel reservation, my eyes stared at the departure date and destination; Manhattan.

I hate Manhattan.

I put the ticket back in the envelope and took a deep breath. As an auditor, I actually don't mind business trips like this.

It's just that usually Mr. Newman sends a team, if he only sends one auditor like this then his work will surely suck. This kind of work will usually take at least 2 weeks. Depends on the size of the company to be audited.

I exhale my breath again, I hate to go alone. Exactly since 6 months ago I hate when I have to be alone. My mind returns to that night, the streets are deserted and the sound of screams of pain suddenly breaks the silence.

The fine hairs on my neck stood up again. Even though I don't really remember the man's face, I still remember his voice. And I remember those strange black eyes.

My stomach hurts when I think about it again. I can't remember what happened after the man approached her, but strangely I woke up the next day in my apartment as usual.

The only signs that made me sure it wasn't a dream were only two red spots and bruises on my neck, until now the wounds haven't completely disappeared.

Of course I reported it to the police, but they didn't find any bodies or missing persons report so they stopped the investigation.

"Ella, do you want to join us for lunch?" a voice broke my thoughts.

I looked up at Christine who was standing in front of my desk with my wallet in her arms, her hands busy typing something on her cell phone. Onecorner of his mouth tugged at the end of his blond hair.

"Oh, okay." I replied before picking up my wallet and walking next to him. Christine shoved her cell phone back into her pocket.

"Mr. Newman assigned you alone?" asked

Christine suddenly. I groaned at his question.

"Ouch. I thought he would give that to Oliver." he continued. We stopped in front of the elevator.

"It was supposed to be like that, but Oliver threw it at me." I replied while folding my arms across my chest. "I don't even know who the client is yet."

"You don't know? Shaw&Partner. I heard Mr. Newman and Paul talking about it. They themselves refused to send a team and asked for an auditor. I think Shaw&Partner wants to do a covert audit." Christine replied while shrugging her shoulders.

I groan again. "Is the company big?" I asked as I stepped into the empty elevator.

Christine turned to me with a frown, "You don't know Shaw&Partner?"

Well, I'm only familiar with the names of banks and financial companies, so I shook my head at him.

She rolled her eyes "You should watch the news more. Are you sure you haven't heard of Nicholas Shaw? Gregory Shaw?" I shook my head again.

"Of course, I forgot your taste is Oliver's class." Christine grumbled "He and his brother are lawyers. They founded Shaw&Partner. They've taken off in the last few years, now Nicholas and Gregory Shaw are the highest paid lawyers. You should read their interview in GQ magazine. Oh my God."

"Are they that good?"

"Maybe. But they're both so ... " Christine paused, as if searching for the right words, "So yummy."

My forehead furrowed slightly at his description. Yummy sounds disgusting to me.

"But you have to stay away from Nicholas Shaw. Some tabloids say he's gay. He's never been seen with women. Very different from his brother, Gregory." She continued.

I rolled my eyes when I heard that, I never cared about someone's sexual preference, besides I most likely wouldn't meet them.

Auditors will only deal with financial managers and the like. Not boss. And I really don't care if this client is insanely good looking, a job is a job.

One thing is for sure, the job waiting for me in Manhattan will surely be a pain

My hand cramped the last clothes I brought into my suitcase, then closed it. Three hours later my plane departs, meaning one and a half hours later I have to be at the airport. I opened my suitcase again and threw a book into it.

"I've already called a taxi." A blonde head appeared from behind the door. I smiled as I zipped up my suitcase. "Thanks, Lana."

She came into my room and jumped onto my bed, her long legs dangling gracefully on the edge of my bed. "You sure that's enough for two weeks?" he asked, looking down at my small suitcase.

I shrugged my shoulders "I'll be back the weekend." Even though it's tiring but I don't want to spend 2 weeks alone in an unfamiliar city.

I dropped my body next to Lana. We rented an apartment with two rooms together. I've known Lana since college, even though now we work at different companies but we still rent an apartment together. She is still 23 years old, one year younger than me even though we graduated together.

Lana comes from a rich, very wealthy family. When she was in college she lived with her father and stepmother who always changed every five years. Her biological mother died long ago, and Lana has no other siblings. As for me, well, I don't have parents or other siblings. I guess that's what made us so close like siblings all along; we are both lonely. Lana never came home even after we rented an apartment together, she had a bad relationship with her father.

"You can take mine, Ella. All of that won't be enough." She muttered while pointing at my suitcase with her hand. Then she stood up and disappeared from my bedroom door, a few minutes later she returned with a pile of her clothes and a bigger suitcase.

Coming from a rich family, Lana can have as many clothes as she wants. She always said her father bought them all to cheer her up, not wanting to make her sadder, I never asked her what she meant.

Maybe Lana knows I still have to pay off my very expensive college tuition, which I still have another year to pay, so she gives me full access to her wardrobe. Since then I never buy clothes again. Not because I couldn't afford it, but because Lana would scold me if I bought new clothes. If xhe caught me looking at a new blouse or dress in front of the boutique, the next day she would buy it and give it to me.

If I refuse, Lana will use various excuses until I accept. Since then I've been trying to train my eyes not to carelessly stare into boutique windows anymore every time I go out with her.

"Is this enough?" asked Lana to herself as she shifted my clothes into her suitcase. Satisfied, she nodded to herself and then closed her suitcase. "I put some of my heels in, yours almost broke." She grumbled as she folded her arms across her chest.

I looked at her with a smile "Okay, Ma"

Lana just answered me by rolling her bright blue eyes. "So you're going to audit Shaw&Partner?" She said suddenly before dropping her body next to me, her eyes staring at the ceiling of my room.

"You know about the company?" I asked. Lana's family has extraordinary connections in the business world, almost all CEOs and heads of companies know her father. Even before Lana went to college, her father tried to set her up with an acquaintance.

"I've met one of them." Lana's voice sounded a little choked up then she swallowed hard before continuing, "Gregory Shaw... I've met him once."

"Oh? Your father set you up with him?" I said, getting interested.

Lana chuckled then shook her head "My dad? No, I met Gregory Shaw at a conference. Do you remember that conference I went to in college?"

Ah... Of course I remember it. After the conference Lana came back to my dorm crying, She stayed for a few days at my dorm after that. Until now I don't know what happened to her, and she never wants to tell me why.

"I met him at that place. Just a glimpse." She continued while shrugging his shoulders indifferently. But the dreamy look in her eyes said otherwise.

"Is he that handsome?" Christine also holds the same view when referring to the Shaw brothers.

Lana turned her head and laughed again "Well, he's okay. But not my type."

I've known Lana long enough to know she was lying, but before I could ask any further a car horn sounded from outside.

"Taxi!"

We both jumped out of bed, I took my suitcase and my shoes from under my bed and followed Lana who had walked out first.

***

The first thing I realized when I stepped into the Manhattan airport was that I didn't have my cell phone with me. After a full fifteen minutes of unpacking my handbag three times, I gave up.

While dragging my suitcase, I walked to the nearest paid telephone booth and called Lana to tell her that I would only be able to contact her after buying a new cell phone.

The trip to the hotel took over an hour due to traffic jams. Even though my plane trip was only 2 hours but fatigue immediately attacked me as soon as I arrived at the airport. Partly because I didn't want to be in this place, partly because I had to stay late the night before.

After check-in, I tightly closed my hotel room door and spent the rest of the day sleeping.

***

My hotel is only five minutes away from the Shaw&Partner building, and is in the middle of a central business block which is almost never quiet. This morning I left 45 minutes early to find the bagel shop Lana had recommended.

The row of shop buildings that I passed were opposite office buildings, from Starbucks, Laduree, to designer boutiques. Almost everyone walking the block was wearing the same clothes as me, formal work clothes and a scowl on their face. Ha. Looks like I'm not the only one who hates Manhattan.

After walking for a full five minutes I realized I had no idea where the Shaw&Partner building was going, or which bagel shop I was going to. My steps stopped next to a black SUV parked on the side of the road, I looked around looking for a road sign. Do I have to use GPS? Damn it, I didn't bring my cell phone.

My eyes were still trying to find a road sign when I caught my reflection in the windshield of the SUV next to me. The windows were pitch black all over so I couldn't see through, but parked cars are usually unoccupied, right?

I glanced at my reflection in the SUV's window to check my hair ties, then wiped the lipstick off the corner of my lips with my finger. I stared at the reflection of the serious expression on my face for a moment. Even my reflection looks very ordinary, the only thing I can be proud of is probably my two amber eyes. Lana said the first thing she remembers from me is my eyes which are quite rare.

The rest... in comparison to Lana maybe a 7/10?

Feeling stupid for comparing myself to my best friend, I smiled at my own reflection and then looked down at my watch. Still about 35 minutes to find that bagel shop. I continued my steps along the long row of shops that lined the road.

Ten minutes later I found it, a little blue restaurant that sells bagels. Exactly as Lana's description. This place doesn't even have a name. I stepped inside and read the row of menus on display after which I ordered Avocado Salmon and coffee. A few minutes later a man brought me a salmon bagel and my coffee. He placed them on my table with a smile. I thanked him while smiling back. It's little things like this that I like more about visiting a small shop or restaurant than a fancy restaurant.

"Miss, you should try the Herring bagel next time." He said with a big smile, his black hair had turned slightly white in some parts.

"Oh, okay." I replied, still smiling.

"I'll give you extra free next time Miss...?"

I held out my hand to her, "Eleanor."

"Ah, what a beautiful name for a beautiful woman." He wiped his hands on his apron before taking mine. "You can call me Julio."

I nodded "Thanks for the bagels, Julio. Is this place yours?"

"Mine and my wife's. Well enjoy, Eleanor." he replied before moving to greet other visitors.

My hand opens the paper bagel cover, the smell of smoked salmon and spices wafting through the air makes my stomach grow hungry, I haven't eaten since arriving in Manhattan yesterday afternoon.

I finished my bagel while looking out the window, my eyes caught the SUV from earlier. The SUV stopped at an office building not far from this bagel restaurant.

A man got out of the rear passenger door and walked into the building, I could only see his back from so far. Seconds later the car sped away, and disappeared around a bend in the road. I glanced at my watch once my bagels were gone, I had 15 minutes to find the Shaw&Partner building.

After asking Julio where the Shaw&Partner building was, it turned out that it was the building the SUV man had entered earlier.

The building security gave me a guest tag and asked me to go up to the 15th floor. Lynch in finance, and Dave in HRD to take temporary employee tags.

Even though Shaw&Partner owns this building, they only occupy the top 5 floors, the rest are rented out to other companies. I can't imagine how rich Mr. The Shaw brothers went on to own an office building in the central business district of Manhattan.

Must be a very lucrative lawyer's job these days, I thought as I got into the elevator with a few other employees and pressed the 15 button on the elevator. For a moment my eyes were fixed on the elevator button which only reached the 19th floor. Doesn't this building have 20 floors?

One minute later the lift stopped on the 15th floor and opened, the Shaw&Partner logo engraved in large and clear near the reception desk.

"Welcome to Shaw&Partner." I muttered to myself as I stepped out of the elevator.

***

Turns out all my initial guesses were wrong. Mrs. Lynch, chief financial officer, only asked me to audit the financials of the past 6 months. She thought there was a slight mark up by her staff, but she didn't have time to prove it because it was now approaching the year-end audit period. So she hired an independent accountant to do it.

I don't understand why she didn't just let it go instead of bothering to hire an outside accountant, besides leaks like this are usually not that big.

Mrs. Lynch got me a temporary office, even if it was small at least I got some privacy.

My whole spirit came back in an instant when I saw my new desk, I think I can finish it in a week if I stay late most nights. I put my bag and turned on the laptop on the table.

"Miss Heather?" Mrs. Lynch distracted me.

"Yes?" I looked up from my desk.

Mrs. Lynch walked inside, her brown bob hair swaying slightly as she walked. Her face reminded me of Anna Wintour, editor of Vogue magazine, complete with cold expression.

"Before you start any further, I would like to inform you to detail the incoming cash received from the Bank of Rotterdam." Her eyes stared straight at me, "And you must report it directly to me."

I nodded trying to smile at him. "Only the Bank of Rotterdam?"

He paused for a moment as if he was contemplating something in his head, "The Bank of Rotterdam and a company called Thompson&Thompson."

I nodded again and then Anna Wintour, I mean Mrs. Lynch, get out of my office. I turned my attention back to my laptop, marked the calendar exactly one week from now as the deadline, then continued with my work.

***

In the end I had to skip my lunch because I was chasing today's deadline. Besides, I don't have friends to eat because I don't know anyone in this place, the only one I know is Mrs. Lynch. And auditors are sometimes not well received by their client employees, this is why I prefer to work in a team rather than alone.

But luckily I like my job so without realizing it the clock on the office wall is already half past 6 in the afternoon. I decided to end it and go back to the hotel, after all I have to buy a new cell phone and contact Lana as soon as possible.

I put my things that were on the table into my bag and walked towards the elevator. When I left some of the employees had already gone home, the elevator was already quieter than this morning.

Just a few meters away from the Shaw&Partner building, I remembered my flash drive still stuck in my office laptop. I turned around and crossed again while the street light was still red.

Of course one bad luck wasn't enough for me, one of the heels of my shoes got stuck in the drainage which was on the road next to the sidewalk.

"Oh crap." I muttered as I tried to pull my leg up. The streetlights had turned green as I bent down to pull off my shoes, several cars passed me in close proximity while others just honked.

The heels I'm wearing today are Lana's, so I can't just leave them stuck in here. The cheapest Lana shoes could be worth a month's salary, and I have no idea how much the heels I'm wearing right now cost.

I tried to pull it back as hard as I could, but the more my legs moved the deeper the heels became stuck.

The horn sounded again nearby, but I paid little attention to it. Finally with a last ditch effort I stood up again and pulled my legs up with my hands.

Suddenly out of the corner of my eye I could see something moving towards me quickly, when I turned around a car was driving 25 meters right in front of me and it still hadn't slowed down at all. I could see the driver was staring at the cellphone in his hand and didn't notice me.

My body froze in place, too frantic to move. It doesn't look like I'll be able to avoid it anyway. My brain felt frozen like my body.

As the distance drew closer to just a few meters from my body, suddenly a pair of strong arms hugged my waist and pulled me. Only a split second later the car hit one of Lana's shoes which was still stuck in the drainage and drove away.

My heart was beating a hundred times faster in my chest so I could hear the sound of my own heart pounding in my ear. My eyes stared straight at the white shirt inches in front of my face while my body still tensed with shock.

"Are you all right?" a soothing baritone voice half whispers in my ear. His voice was punctuated by his slightly panting breaths, as if he had just been running.

I looked up at my savior. A pair of the darkest blue eyes were looking at me, a trace of worry evident in their eyes.

I nodded slightly, my brain was still a little shocked to answer his question. The man was still hugging my waist, and I was also still clinging to him. One of my hands gripped his shirt tightly while the other gripped his hard shoulder.

"Are you sure?" he repeated after studying my face, He didn't use his formal tone anymore. I can smell musk and mint from this close, pleasant smells that make my brain melt a little from the shock. His dark brown eyebrows that looked slightly arrogant were furrowed at me.

I still haven't answered her question, but my gaze hasn't left her face either. His dark brown hair was neatly combed back, although some of the strands were a bit messy. I could see the firmness in his face, his strong jaw and nose. He looks like someone important, or like someone whose main job is to intimidate others.

Then my eyes shifted to my hands still tightly gripping his shirt, I awkwardly let go of my hands from him. But standing with one heel made my body unbalanced, the man's hands held my waist again.

"I-" I swallowed my saliva to moisten my dry throat, "I'm fine. Thank you for..." my next sentence stopped in my throat when his two dark blue eyes looked at me with an intensity that made my heart beat fast again, as if He was trying to observe me closely, as if I wasn't the only one currently stunned.

Then after a few long seconds, I shifted my gaze around us to hide my burning face. Several people were looking at us as we walked.

Slowly, as if he doesn't want to let go, he pulls his hand away from me. I stood awkwardly in front of him, then took off the heels I was wearing so I could stand more balanced.

"I saw the license plate, you can report it to the police after this." His deep voice made my stomach feel a little strange.

I smiled at him "No need, that was my fault earlier." I replied while pointing at Lana's shoe which was now stuck deeper and deeper between the drainage bars.

Oh, damn it. I have to drain my savings to replace it.

"I will still report it. He was driving while using a cell phone." he said pulling the corners of his mouth down then looking at me from my face down to my feet, making me feel even more awkward. "Your leg is injured, Miss...?"

"Eleanor... Heather." I answered. He looked back at me, this time a faint smile graced his handsome face.

"Queen Eleanor." he muttered to himself.

Some of my lecturers have also called me Queen Eleanor when I say my name for the first time. My name is a bit old fashioned.

Before I could ask what my savior's name was, a car pulled up next to us. A black SUV, the same car I saw this morning. The window where the driver slowly got down, a blonde haired man glanced at the man beside me. "Sir."

"Eric." The man next to me replied, then he opened the passenger door of the SUV. "I can't sleep peacefully until I make sure you're okay, Miss Heather." He said as he let me in, I looked at him in surprise.

"I-I'm fine. Just a little bruised." I replied.

Her intense blue eyes stared back at me. "Erik will drive you home." her commanding voice leaves no argument for me.

The man named Erik only glanced at us briefly then smiled at me before looking ahead again.

I looked at my blistered feet then at the man again, "Okay." then nodded at him before getting into the SUV in front of me. He closed his car door before I could thank him, then the car drove away leaving the man standing on the side of the road.

His gaze continued to follow the pace of this car, until we finally turned a corner.

I haven't even asked what his name is.

After treating my blisters, taking a bath, and ordering Chinese food delivery, I sat down on my big hotel sofa alone. The sky outside was already very dark and it started to rain.

I tied my slightly loose sleeping coat and stared at the TV across from me blankly. This past hour my head has been busy trying to guess who my savior man is. Well, since I can't guess the name so I can at least guess the occupation.

With his stern and intimidating voice and face, he might just be a young banker. He doesn't look too old from my age, maybe around 30s? But there was something in those blue eyes that made him not look like he was in his 30s.

I bit the corner of my lip and frowned, then a knock interrupted my thoughts. I walked to my hotel room door and opened it. A bell boy stood up carrying my delivery and a black box. I gave my delivery money and tip to him then took the Chinese food I ordered.

"Miss Heather? This one is for you too." He said as he handed over the black box he had brought.

"For me?" I looked at the box hesitantly, it looked like an expensive box of godiva chocolates except they were bigger and no labels. "I didn't order it."

"A gentleman brought it twenty minutes ago, Miss." Then he handed over the paper tucked behind the box. A small envelope said Eleanor Heather.

I took the package from him then thanked him, he greeted me politely then returned to the elevator. I closed the door to my room and then put my delivery on the table next to the TV.

I put the mysterious box on the edge of the bed while looking at it doubtfully. When I opened the box, pieces of pastel pink paper filled the box, contrasting with the black color of the box.

Then something black and red protruded from the paper. My hand tugged at it, making pink pieces of paper fall around me. A shoe? Exactly the same shoes as Lana's, only new ones.

I stared at the black shoes with red soles in my hands for a few moments.

My heart started pounding faster. I put the shoes back in the box without looking at the pair and then opened the small white envelope beside me.

Inside there was only a thick plain white card and two lines of sentences;

'I can't sleep peacefully before making sure you're okay. Lunch tomorrow?'

Then a line of cell phone numbers underneath.

I don't have to guess who sent it. My stomach felt strange again when I read it, it felt like there were dozens of butterflies flying in it all at once. Without realizing it my body moved itself towards the hotel telephone, then dialed the number.

When I looked up I could see my own face in the reflection of the glass. I couldn't hold back a stupid big grin on my face right now.

"Yes?" A baritone voice answered me after the second ring.

No hello? OK.

"Um, hi!" I glanced at the clock on the hotel wall, 8 pm.

"Eleanor." His tone turned a little softer at the mention of my name. I had to bite my lip to hold back my stupid smile that was getting wider.

"I haven't had a chance to tell you yet but, thanks for this afternoon... And for the shoes. But I can't take them." My eyes caught my reflection in the mirror again, this time my fingers were twisting the telephone cord.

God, I look like a 16 year old girl in love. I let go of my finger then and there out of disgust.

He paused for a moment before replying to me again, "Isn't the size suitable?"

"Not that." I can't take shoes worth one time my salary for granted. "You don't need to replace it. I can't take it."

"And you can't give it back to me. I don't want it."

"Okay..." I bit my lip again, trying to find another way, "What if I change it?"

"With?" his voice turned deeper making my heart pounding even more out of control. Maybe I'll have a heart attack if I hear his voice any longer.

"I can send you a check-"

"I don't want it either." Cut him before I finished my sentence. He's really stubborn. But I also still have to return the money somehow later. Maybe I can mail a check to his office? But first I have to know his name first.

"I don't know your name yet." I continued, trying to divert the conversation.

He fell silent again, but this time somehow I could imagine his face smiling.

"I will tell you my name when you have lunch with me tomorrow, Eleanor."

I guess He never hears the word no. "Okay, how about half past one in the afternoon?"

"Erik will pick you up at your work."

"Oh, no! There's no need. I have to go somewhere else first." I have to buy a new cellphone before I forget it again.

"Are you sure? Erik wouldn't mind driving you."

Plum. Plum. Plum.

"Yeah, I can go alone. Where is it?"

"Antonio Lombardi. Two blocks from the Finley Bank building." he replied.

I passed that restaurant this morning, right next to the Laduree boutique, from the name I think it's an Italian or a French restaurant. "I think I know the place."

"Good. See you tomorrow, Eleanor."

A little feeling of disappointment infiltrated me, I still want to talk to him. "See you tomorrow, um..." Ugh. I don't know his name, "-bye."

Then after two seconds of waiting he finally hung up the phone. I looked at the phone in front of me, part of me was tempted to call Lana. But calling the hotel's phone is quite expensive, I abandoned my intention and then took my Chinese food package and opened it. The smell of kungpow chicken immediately filled my hotel room, reminding me of my hunger. I bit into the biggest piece of chicken then chewed it while putting on my stupid smile.

***

Mrs. Lynch has checked on me three times this morning, and she's been asking the same thing over and over to piss me off a little. I'm not even close to a quarter of the audit because of my flash drive I left yesterday.

I bite into the Herring Julio bagel I bought for breakfast this morning while staring at my laptop screen. The savory and salty taste of the herring melts in my mouth mixed with the sauce. I'm going to miss Julio and his bagels when I get home.

My eyes glanced at the clock on the wall for the umpteenth time. Two more hours. I've prepared a check to replace Lana's shoes. Either way, today I have to return the cost of yesterday's shoes to the blue-eyed man.

***

Exactly fifteen minutes before my lunch break, I turned off my laptop and checked my face briefly in the toilet. I let my auburn hair down to my chest, I stared at my reflection in the mirror and then applied faded lipstick. The two red dots on my neck have started to fade, but I still have to cover them with concealer every morning so they don't show. My mind always goes back to that night every time I see the wound on my neck.

After being satisfied I looked at my reflection for the last time then came out of the toilet. My lunch appointment is still half an hour away, but I have to stop by the cellphone shop first. I grabbed my bag and walked towards the elevator.

The sky was a little overcast when I came out of the Shaw&Partner building. The last two days of rain have never been absent in Manhattan, I made a note in my head to buy an umbrella later. The first is the cell phone.

After five minutes of searching I finally found a cellphone shop, I bought a cellphone model with minimal features and the cheapest price. After inserting my new simcard and turning it on, the first thing I did was call Lana. My fingers pressed Lana's number I had memorized by rote. He picked it up on the fifth chord.

"Hey." I greeted as I walked out of the shop, the wind brushing my hair as I walked. I pressed my blazer with one hand.

"Ella! I've been waiting for you since yesterday. How's Manhattan?" Lana's cheerful voice made me smile.

"Not so bad. You still working?"

"I was just about to go to lunch. Did you meet the Shaw brothers?" Lana is terrible at lying. I can hear her curious tone that she's trying to hide.

"Of course not, I only deal with the financial manager... But I met someone."

"Somebody?" Lana's voice sounded suspicious.

"Yeah. He helped me when I was almost run over���"

"Wait a minute, you almost got run over?" he interrupted in a panicked tone.

"Hh-mmm. I'm fine. Back to that guy-"

"Wait a minute, who helped you, a man?"

I'm starting to get a little annoyed with her. "You think I'd tell you if it was a woman who helped me?" I asked annoyed. Lana just laughed at my question. I turned at the crossroad from the Shaw&Partner building, just a few more minutes before arriving at the restaurant I was headed for.

"Well."

"I think he's a banker. He even got his personal driver to take me back to the hotel afterwards."

Lana whistled quite loudly. "Whoa. Nice Ella. Quite a step up from Oliver. Is he handsome?"

This time it was my turn to laugh.

"Okay, he's very handsome." Lana doesn't have to wait for my answer to know, she knows it by the sound of my laughter. "What's his name?"

"I don't know his name yet." I answered honestly.

Lana was silent for a few seconds then laughed again, "Okay, that means he's very, very handsome, huh?"

"I didn't have time to ask, but he'll tell me at lunch."

"He asked you to lunch?" Lana's voice was rising. My eyes captured the Antoni Lombardi restaurant building from where I was walking.

"Yeah, I'll tell you later. I'm almost there. Bye, Lana." I hung up my phone without waiting for an answer from him.

I put my phone in my bag and looked at my watch, I arrived fifteen minutes early. Well, better early than late.

A waiter in uniform opened the restaurant door for me, I entered this elegant restaurant and then stopped in front of a long queue.

Do you have to queue first? I thought as I stared at the queue in front of me hesitantly then looked at my watch. I have to go back to the office in 45 minutes. I bit my lip while standing in the queue at the very back, suddenly a waiter approached me and smiled. "Miss Heather?"

"Ya?"

"Your table is ready, Miss. Over here."

I stared at him for a second with a confused look before following him through the red carpeted hallway. Various paintings filled one side of this long hallway, while the other side was filled with large windows.

This restaurant is quite full at lunch time, I barely saw an empty table. I glanced around the restaurant. Then I saw him.

He sat down at a table at the end of the room, in front of him was a glass of red wine that was only a quarter of a glass left. I couldn't take my eyes off as I walked towards him. He wore a dark blue suit that matched his eye color and an ivory white shirt, no tie.

Even when he was sitting as usual he exuded a domineering aura. Her eyes have been looking at me ever since. When our eyes met my heart was pounding again. One of his hands rested on the white-clothed table, his fingers lightly tapping.

The waiter in front of me pulled a chair for me then gave me the menu book. After I thanked him he left. My attention returned to the man in front of me.

"Hi." I greeted as I put my bag next to my chair. He didn't answer me, but his eyes were still looking at me kindly.

"You're not wearing the shoes I sent you." He muttered while slightly frowning.

"I don't want to spoil it again. Those shoes are not mine." I answered with a smile.

This time the corners of his mouth were slightly pulled down. "Eleanor, I already gave it to you. I will not take it back."

I smiled at him again "The shoe I broke yesterday belonged to my friend. She lent it to me so I have to return it." I can't afford shoes that expensive, I added to myself.

When he didn't reply again, I opened the menu in my hand then started looking through the menu lines. There's no price listed on it, which means there's only one thing; the whole menu is expensive.

I bit my lip while guessing what menu is the cheapest. "Have you ordered yet?" I asked, glancing at him. He was quieter this time, making me even more nervous.

He just nodded "Are you ready to order?" he asked, raising his hand to call the waiter. Two seconds later a waiter appeared next to our table. "Are you ready, sir?"

"As always, Giorgio." He replied without taking his eyes off me, "Eleanor?"

"Caesar Salad." Salad can't be too expensive, can it? "And... Cold Chamomile." The waiter named Giorgio nodded, smiled, then disappeared as fast as he came. I suddenly wanted to be at Julio's bagel restaurant more. I can eat comfortably and not have to worry about the prices at the restaurant.

"Eleanor." His voice broke my thoughts, I looked up at him again. "What are you thinking about?"

Without noticing I was still biting my lips. "Oh nothing. Just a job. So you ready to tell me your name?"

"I don't know where you work yet."

I don't even know your name!

I mentioned the name of the accounting firm I worked for. "But I'm auditing a client company. Shaw&Partner Company." I added.

A surprised expression graced his face and he furrowed his brows, "You work for me?"

Huh? My nervous feelings slowly turned into a little uneasy. "Sorry, what?"

"Eleanor, Shaw&Partner is my company."