Silent Hacker

The man across me watches with interest and I fight not to squirm. "I'm sorry about sleeping past the arranged meet up time..." I say testing the water. He smiles and says "You were quite busy last night so it's understandable." I narrow my eyes and bite my lip.

"So, you're the one who left the... gift?" I ask jumping straight to the point. I don't have the patience to beat around the bush... But what surprises me is the frown and look of confusion that crosses his face. "That... I went there myself to take care of it but when I showed up the man was already dead and hanging. I even thought about cleaning it up but thought against it. Someone clearly left the message for you..." Alec says and I find myself confused.

If what he says is true then someone else knew what I was doing last night and I wouldn't have known this if he hadn't left the message... "Do you know anyone who would have done this?" Alec ask in a low voice and I shake my head saying "No... to be honest, I thought it was you... but if it's not you... then I have no idea."

Alec frowns and I feel myself getting lost in my own thoughts but I couldn't help shake the feeling of unease. "I will keep watching the police reports and we can also investigate ourselves to see if we can find anything," Chip says in my ear and I nod my head in agreement. Alec sees it but doesn't say anything.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I watch her with conflicting emotions... I really did go there with the intention of killing the man and making him disappear for good but I was met with an unexpected surprise. I can tell by her reaction that she truly thought it was me and she really has no idea who would have done it.

It's either a gift or a threat but both leave me feeling uncomfortable. The only reason I'm able to keep tabs on her is through the mark I left on her otherwise... I would be chasing a shadow. This means that someone else with skills is watching her and keeping tabs. Either way, I will have to find them and kill them before this goes any further.

I don't fully understand the world of hackers but this can't be good. I look back to the beautiful woman in front of me and vow to track the bastard down. Our food arrives and I watch her get excited. I feel myself smile at the sight. She's a foodie.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I add a few jalapenos and stir the hot broth, waiting for it to become a perfect spicy blend. Once a few seconds pass I can no longer wait and dig in. "So you're a foodie?" Alec's deep voice brings me back and I nearly choke. I look up and swallow hard. "Yes, I like food," I say and continue eating. I hear him chuckle before he adds the same thing and begins to eat.

I slightly frown and recall that he even ordered the same thing as I did as well. Was he copying me? "Have you never had Pho?" I ask looking back to his dark eyes. He's watching me and I see his smile grow as he says "I've had Pho many times." I find myself frowning again as I say "Then why does it feel like your copying me?"

He chuckles and says "Because I am. I want to know what you like and how you like it. Is that wrong?" My frown grows as I think about it. "I guess not... why do you want to know what I like and how I like it?" I ask forgetting my Pho for a moment.

"Because I like you, Maya. I want to know everything about you..." He says with a straight face and I find myself choking on air. I take a few sips of my drink before I'm able to think clearly. "We bearly know each other Alec so before this goes any further I need to tell you that I'm not looking to be in a relationship with anyone..."

His smile is back and he leans forward causing me to lean back. "Oh I know Kitten but I will make you see... see how good we'll be. Together." My eyebrows shoot up to my hairline at his words and his confidence. I feel myself smiling but it doesn't reach my eyes. I think it's about time to move... things are becoming messy.