Thread: The Heiress and the Hacker [[Silva & Quix]]

Richard found himself unable to meet Alexandra's gaze afraid the hope in his expression would appear too desperate. He wasn't normally an overly emotional man, but this woman had always made him feel alive in a way that couldn't be logically explained, and the exchange in the study proved that she still retained that ability. He wanted her, needed her, so bad that it hurt. Richard swallowed down the lump in his throat, and began to move towards the door, when her words caused his entire body to stiffen, and a jolt of electricity flowed through him. Ill be in touch. He'd anticipated the old Lexi would still be buried inside, but what Richard had not been certain of was how deep her feelings for him ran. Had he meant as much to Alexandra back then as she had to him, and would his challenges reignite the spark the one which dared her to disobey her father or serve to put further distance between them? He pulled his gaze back to meet hers, and whispered, I look forward to it., before he forced himself away from her side, and opened the door. If he didn't depart now, he never would not until they were discovered together, and that couldn't be allowed to occur. Not tonight. Richard motioned for Alexandra to leave before him, and watched, silently, as she walked away. After she'd disappeared from sight, he exhaled the breath he'd been holding, exited the room, and turned in the opposite direction. A plan of the Huntington manor had been easy enough to find on the internet, and Richard took care to avoid the ballroom as he found his way to the back entrance. Would she call, or would she not? Five minutes earlier Where's my daughter? I'm not sure, Sir. Well fucking find her, the Senator wishes to say his goodbyes, and James has been asking after her. NOW Yes Sir. Thirty-three year old Karl Williams nodded in acquiescence, and waited until Blair Huntington turned his back to swear under his breath. The six-foot four, broad-shouldered, barrel chested man, with the shaved head, knife scar which ran from jaw to cheekbone, and piercing green eyes, looked incongruous dressed in a three-piece woolen suit, and not a man to be ordered around. And that was true with the exception of Mr Huntington, Karl Williams would have allowed no other man to speak to him in that manner, without reprisals. If they dared, he would, and could, take them down in a heart-beat. However, working security for Blair Huntington had taught Karl that the man was not one to be disobeyed or trifled with. He had intimate knowledge of what had occurred to past employees who had attempted to do just that. Some had ended up in Hospital the result of an unfortunate 'accident' whilst others had simply been forced to relocate to the other side of the country in order to find gainful employment. Huntington's reach was far and wide. However, working for Blair Huntington also had it's advantages he paid well, and offered a number of not-so-legal employee benefits to those he trusted. Karl Willams was content to follow orders even if it meant babysitting the man's fucking daughter. He'd worked for Huntington for almost twelve years, and been there every step of the way to see Alexandria mature from an impetuous teenager into a beautiful young woman. Beautiful in appearance anyway Karl didn't particularly have much time for her as a person. If truth be told, he considered her a stuck-up, rich bitch, born with a silver spoon in her mouth, and a woman who needed to be taught a lesson. By him. Regardless of whether his opinions of Alexandra were based on fact, Karl's bitterness towards her, though kept well-hidden, had grown exponentially over the years. Having a hard-on for the better part of a decade for a woman who was untouchable could do that to a man, and Alexandra Huntington was the very definition of untouchable. His inclination when he entered the corridor, and heard the voices which emanated from the closed study definitely those of Alexandra, and an unidentified male was to barge on in and drag the woman out kicking and screaming. What would her Father think, what would James think, when advised that she'd been discovered locked away, alone, in the study with a man who wasn't her suitor? Karl would enjoy the scene as she attempted to explain herself, and the punishment which would be sure to follow regardless of her excuses or innocence. However, animal instinct told him not to, and as a ray of light crept up the hallway Karl Williams stepped into an alcove, and remained motionless. Alexandra Huntington walked right past, so close he could have reached out and brushed her arm with his fingertips. Karl waited until she'd re-entered the ballroom, then stepped out from the alcove to follow the man who'd exited after her, and walked in the opposite direction. Something about him seemed familiar, and Karl searched his memory for where he'd seen him before, but it wouldn't come. What was obvious to Karl, was the man wasn't an invited party guest, and his purpose was with Alexandra. Something personal. As the man snuck out the back door, Karl resisted the temptation to call out, and detain him for questioning. His nerves were on fire, and the nagging sensation that this could provide the opportunity he'd long been waiting for stopped him from doing so. Instead, as the shadowy figure entered a vehicle parked far enough down the street as to not be visible from the Huntington residence, Karl withdrew a notepad and pen and wrote down the licence plate. This was something best kept secret from Blair Huntington whilst Karl undertook his own investigation. The days passed slowly for Richard. Each time the phone rang, his heart would race in anticipation of it being Alexandra, but on each occasion he was disappointed. The man was aware that it would require bravery on her behalf to deny her Father, and that it take could a good amount of time for her to steel herself to do so if she ever did. However as the days progressed, Richard became convinced that his challenges hadn't been enough, and that he'd need to attempt to forget about his ex-lover once and for all. The text, when it finally came, caused his breath to stop, and he stared at the screen for a full five minutes, unable to believe that it was real. For the first time in years, it would be just he and Alexandra, alone. Richard quickly responded, with just two words, I'm here, then left the room from where he conducted his business to await Alexandra's arrival. The residence, a three-bedroom, two-bathroom house, not nearly as luxurious as the Huntington's palace of course, was located in a well-to-do neighbourhood quiet and peaceful. Richard stood on the front lawn, and heard the vehicle's approach before he saw it. Dressed casually, in a pair of Levi's, and a white fitted tee, he appraised his ex-lover as she exited the taxi, then a second later was beside her. I can't believe you made it. Come inside, we have a lot to discuss. The initial excitement faded along with his smile, and Richard felt a chill run down his spine as he placed a hand on the small of Alexandra's back, and guided her to the house. Now that she'd actually come, the reality of the situation and it's potential consequences had begun to sink in. The sensation of impending dread would only have worsened if Richard had noticed the man who sat inside the black Ford Taurus parked on the street corner telephoto lens trained on the pair as the front door closed behind them.