The Alpha Billionaire's Secret

Chapter 5: Somewhat Better than Day One

Gina's eyes were locked on her computer screen as she typed, her lip twitching into a frown every so often as various reports from the company popped up for her to work on. She was slowly getting into the groove here and no doubt relieved that she avoided most repeat mistakes. The rhythm of her own typing kept her calm as she worked, grateful to her own mind that she was able to get it together.

Still, when she didn't need to focus incredibly hard on her work, her mind fell to two topics. The first being that nightmare, lingering doubt that it was just a dream. 'It felt too real,' she thought to herself, but shook her head, dismissing it as a ridiculous worry. Mulling it over too much would lead to mistakes much like what happened on day one.

The second, far more important thing she thought about was Zaros. His office, his scent, how he looked with those gorgeous dark eyes. She found herself lost in his gaze when they'd spoken, his deep voice reverberating through her entire being. She let out a sigh, but then scolded herself in her mind for this silly crush. 'The CEO of this company?' she thought to herself. 'Impossible. It would never work, no matter how gorgeous he was or how strong you felt that connection.'

The woman couldn't help but feel something in his eyes as well toward her. It wasn't a negative thing, but curiosity and perhaps more. It could be her own bias, however, so she dismissed the thought and continued working.

At about halfway through the day, she entered the break room to see Zaros standing there, discussing something in a low voice with a gentleman she came to know as Jecht. They stopped talking upon her entry, glancing up warily. As she studied Zaros, nearly getting lost in his gaze once more, she noticed something peculiar for a CEO that, as far as she was aware, was too busy to be working with animals to get that sort of mark.

For, per her observation, he had scabbed over wounds on his face and neck, as if he'd gotten mauled by something. The odd thing was, it appeared as though they had been incredibly deep at one point, but now were healed to nearly just scars, as if he'd gotten them weeks ago. She didn't notice such wounds on him in his office yesterday, so what could this be?

She opened her mouth to question if he was alright, but then decided against it. 'I'll ask how the day is going and thank him for his help,' she thought to herself.

“Hello there," Gina said casually, taking a seat at one of the tables and helping herself to one of the free bagels offered to staff. “How is your day going? I appreciate your help yesterday. It has truly improved my performance," she said. Her voice was not shaky, but confident and strong. Despite the butterflies in her stomach, she didn't break eye contact from Zaros. She felt her cheeks redden and cursed herself inwardly, not wanting to be embarrassing. There was a certain spark to his eye that indicated possible mutual feelings. Though, that was just her looking far into things, right?

Zaros dipped his head, giving a light, tired smile. Other than that glimmer to his gaze, his eyes were partially closed, and there were shadows under them, as if he was lacking sleep from last night. “Good afternoon, Gina. It is… going. As it will. Good. I am glad you're adapting well. I knew you could do it. Sometimes it just takes a little bit of help from those in the know."

Gina nodded, relaxing a bit as the conversation jumped from the weather to technical terms in biology. At the second subject more than anything, she was right at home, listening to how close BAI was to several breakthroughs with their technology and following along with incredible ease regarding Zaros's excitement on this matter. Though he seemed distant, he was certainly passionate, understanding, and kind. Much to Gina's relief, of course, given that lackluster performance she gave on her first day.

Though both Jecht and Zaros were in the room, her eyes just couldn't leave the CEO. As much as she wanted to control this powerful attraction, it was difficult. 'Unprofessional,' she scolded herself inwardly, though kept a calm smile.

Break time came to a halt more quickly than Gina wanted it to, but that was how it went. She finally glances over to Jecht from Zaros when he cleared his throat.

“You're brilliant, Gina," Jecht said, a smile spreading on his face. “I knew we wouldn't regret bringing you on board. Granted, top marks in grad school says a lot, but not everything. We will be surveying the lab later, would you like to join us?" Gina gave a nod, thrilled to be a part of this important initiative. Once again, she felt her cheeks redden slightly at Zaros's nod of agreement.

The day finally ended, and Gina's heart fluttered after the break room talk with Zaros. He was far too busy for the lab survey, which was just fine, but that was pleasant as well. Jecht wasa chatterbox in the best of ways, which shattered her shyness, thankfully.

The sun dipped under the horizon and bounced off of the skyscrapers in a menagerie of oranges and golds. The woman passed by several people hurrying about their business, and the scent of roasting steaks hit her as she passed a popular restaurant.

'Beep! Beeeep!'

Gina jumped as a taxi rushed on by, angrily slamming on the horn at pedestrians who were trying to cross the street far too early. The woman shook her head. 'Just another day in the city,' she thought to herself. The bus stop was straight ahead, and she grumbled upon noticing just how busy the area was. 'It'll be a fight for a seat as usual.'

She stood in the back of the crowd, not wanting to fight to get to the front. Placing her briefcase on the ground, she rolled her shoulders back and absentmindedly stared around, bored and almost resolving to download that phone game she was curious about while waiting. However, the butterflies in her turned into hornets as a devastating shiver ran down her spine.

Slowly, she turned her head toward a nearby alleyway, licking her lips as her stomach clenched. Her eyes locked with a deep crimson stare, and she took a few steps back, slamming into someone who was waiting for the bus. “Hey!" he snapped, turning to glare at her. “Watch where you're going, lady!"

“Sorry," she said, hesitantly taking a few steps back from him but ensuring not to do so toward the alleyway. When she looked back toward the shadows, she found nothing, as if there hadn't been eyes there at all.

Yet… that odd feeling of being watched, hunted, even, did not go away. New York City didn't have any aggressive coyotes that she heard reported recently. Stray dogs would not be that bold, either. Regardless, neither of those animals had crimson eyes.

It had to be a trick of the light, right? She was just nervous about starting a new job, that had to be it. The sinking feeling in Gina's gut told her that these fake reassurances were wrong.

Something she would unfortunately find out very soon.