Closer and closer

She felt the shivers down her spine when she sensed that he's too close already.

But not until he passed her by… The switch was just located at the wall beside her. He switched on the lights in the living room and said, "Sorry if it's too dark here inside. I'm not used to very bright stuff."

She was still standing there, not moving. Her body is still frozen.

Jack said "Alice?"

Alice couldn't look straight at him. Jack turned around and wore off his coat and let it lay on the couch. He said "You can sit."

Alice, who has not been feeling a not really good vibe of what's happening, said "I really have to go."

"Why are you leaving so fast?" He sat down on the couch.

"Because I need a rest…"

"Why are you sweating out there? Seriously? I thought my air con was strong enough to freeze someone here but you're sweating."

"Yes, it's kinda cold here but I'm sorry sir, I really need to go." She turned around and walked to his door.

He said "Are you scared?"

Alice paused and she couldn't look back. She doesn't want to see him grinning.

"Why are you running away from me?" He sounded so possessive towards her. It made him appear extra scary for Alice.

She looked back slowly and she saw him sitting on the couch, seriously looking at her. He was giving her the ferocious look.

Alice said "Sir I'm sorry if I couldn't eat with you tonight. Besides it's already quarter to 2 so I really need my rest."

He stood up and said "Oh come on Alice, I just wanted to know you… Can't we have this comfortable relationship?"

"No? Because you're actually making me uncomfortable…"

"What do I need to do to make you comfortable then?"

"By letting me go out."

"How could that make us both comfortable? You wouldn't even take a chance on me."

"This just wouldn't work if you keep doing it like this."

"What?" He goes closer to her slowly. "What do you think am I doing?"

She walks backwards, going closer to his door and reaching for the knob.

Until, he heard her twist it. He suddenly laughs.

"Wait…. I get it…. What do you think of me? A rapist? Hahaha. Oh Alice, you're my secretary! I wouldn't rape someone like you."

She frowned even more. He continued, "Raping is a crime. A CEO like me doesn't do crime, okay? Don't think of me like that! You're making it funny. Hahaha!"

Alice replied "And I'm not just someone you can boss around like this! Really? Bringing me into your house? What the hell is this? A private meeting?! Well first of all, my work hours with you are finished so will you please let me out of here?!"

Jack puts his hands over her shoulders and drags her while saying, "Can't you be calm for some time and just relax?"

She removes his hands on her shoulders. "Get your hands off me. You're my boss, okay I know that, but this is just so off limits! You are entering my personal life!"

"What's with you?" He grumped. "Always PMS-ing? I just wanted to be friends, that's all! What's the matter?"

Alice was left with no words to tell and she just found herself glaring at him.

"You're being totally unreasonable." He then shrugged.

Alice said "….. Friends huh?" She looked a little bit calm right now.

"Yes, that's all I wanted."

Alice thought "Maybe he wasn't the kind of guy that I thought, maybe I was the only one thinking about this whole stuff. I should give this a try."

"What do I have to do inside your house then?"

"Sit at my dining area, come, I'll show you."

He goes to the kitchen and opens his refrigerator. He said as he peaks his head inside the fridge, "What do you want? Salad? A cake? Pasta? What? Ice cream?"

"You got all of it there?" She sounded so amazed.

"Yup. I just moved in so I bought stuff to put inside my house and of course foods can't be missing. I love sweets. I mean, who doesn't, right?"

"I love sweets too."

"What do you want? Hurry, my hands are starting to feel the chills out here."

"Uh… just… an ice cream, maybe."

"Alright, coming up!" He gets it then closed the refrigerator. He puts it on the kitchen sink then gets a cup and a spoon from his cabinet. He took a scoop for her and puts it inside the cup then he tucked the spoon into the ice cream. "And….. late night snack is up for the girl who never cares about calories!"

Alice smiled and said "Thank you." She feels more comfortable as it goes by and she realizes that Jack was kind of an outgoing person so she feels like that they'll get along well too. "How about you? Don't you like to eat?"

He pulls out the chair for her to sit. "Nope. I have to neglect eating fatty foods because I just worked out recently." He sits just right in front of her. They sit at the same time.

Alice said "You made me feel like I've neglected work outs since then. It's just not my thing, just saying."

"I'm not asking. Go taste it. It's an ice cream from France."

"Really?" She tastes a spoonful of it. "This is just so heavenly delicious!"

"You can take it all."

"What?"

"I'll give the whole ice cream box to you."

"Really? Isn't this expensive?"

"It is. But it's beyond my conscience to just let it just freeze in my fridge for I won't be eating it even if it's stuck there."

"So that also means that you won't eat the pasta, right?"

"Oh, no, not the pasta, I love pasta. You can't take that with you."

Alice laughs. She finds him funny. She said "Hey."

"What?"

"Are you normally like this?"

He smiles and curls his eyebrows. He said "What do you mean?"

"Do you talk like this to other people? Because at the office… you seem—"

"I seem so what?"

"Arrogant and just too plain.... Boring."

He crooks a smile then nods while rolling his tongue around the inside of his mouth. "You got sharp tongue huh?" He chuckles. "I'm like this to the people I'm comfortable with."

"So that counts me in?"

Jack's wide smile fades a little bit and then he stares at her eyes with a luring stare.

Alice sees his stare so she talks right away and defends herself. "Oh! I'm not trying to flirt with you, alright? I'm not that kind of secretary!"

Jack chuckles again then bows his head to hide his smiling face. Alice said "Why are you laughing?"

Jack faces her and says, "Just because I'm comfortable with you doesn't mean you're flirting with me."

She smiles and says "Glad you knew my point."

She eats again then she talks. "By the way, what is this for? You know… me….you….talking like this. Did you do this to all of your former secretaries too?"

"No. I never talked to anyone of them."

"Then—" She looks in his eyes. His brown eyes intently looking at hers, sending a message from his stare, a message that seems to mean that he likes her. She gets that meaning in mind but she just brushes it off for it was a very delusional thought. So she comes up with an idea of switching the topic to another one.

"What about the presentations? Must they contain how many slides?"

"Why did you ask?" He smiles, sensing that she's trying to escape the subject.

"So I could make an outline later."

"Ah, there is no required number of slides, just minimal content each and the necessary information must be the only ones included in each… well of course."

"Ah yes, I got it sir." She eats the remaining ice cream in her cup to avoid the awkwardness. Jack was staring at her while eating and he's looking at her mouth so she felt so anxious, very anxious!

After eating, she then said, "Okay, I'm done." She pulls her hanky out of her pocket then pressed it against her mouth. She looks so neatly prepared. She's just so ready to go.

"I must be headed to my room now."

"You can stay for a little while…" He sounds so inviting.

"Ah, actually, no. I got more paper works to finish later as I wake up so… I need to go." She stands up and walks to his doorway. Jack chases her. "Thanks for your kindness sir, 'Till here."

She twists the knob and goes out in a hurry. Jack wasn't able to say anything to her, not even a word before she leaves.

He just grinned and went back to the kitchen area.

Alice goes inside her room and locks her door. She sighed in relief. "Wow, that was hell of a heartbeat!" She looks at her door and wonders, "As far as I remember, I closed the door after I get in but how the hell did he enter? He said it was open. This was never open when I go inside… Weird…"

But she cares less to it and pays more attention to how many hours were left to her for her rest time. She takes a shower and as the water drops down to her body, she has thought of her boss again. "Could it be that he entered my house? How good is he for me not to hear even the squeak of my door? But maybe… maybe it really was open. Damn. I should stop taking sleeping pills! These are the cause of my paranoia, perhaps."

Inside Jack's room…

He stares the chair that Alice just sat onto. "I can still feel you right here.", he thought.

He holds the back of the chair and rubs it as if he's rubbing her back. He gets her cup and picks the spoon out of it. "Sometimes I wonder what your lips taste like…"

Therefore, he licks it, closes his eyes then puts it in his mouth. He's imagining that his tongue is just inside her mouth this time. He enjoys the taste of it. It indulges him more and more.

He does it for so long until he smiles and says, "You taste so good, Alice."

He puts it back on t he sink then he goes to his bed room, wears off his long sleeves polo shirt, unties her necktie, pulls his pants down and changes to his casual outfit.

He opens the lamp beside his bed so his room lit up. Tons of pictures of Alice were now visible on his wall.

He stares at them again then said, "Soon Alice…. Soon…. You will be mine."

He lies down on his bed and gazes at the ceiling until he falls asleep.

The policemen are still on patrol outside.

The officer received information from an FBI agent. He announced it to the police team on duty. "He's not registered under his name in any hotel on site or in the area, but we're talking about a big area. Oh, and this case is being considered high profile… We badly needed to catch him. They also want us to be working on this case."

One of the police replied, "But sir, how long is the time they've given us?"

"As long as there's still no sign of him killing people again, we still got longer time for the search."

"Alright, sir."

The officer smiled. "Jack is back...… This is where it gets interesting."

They were given another challenging task. They called it a very thrilling method of operation. It was how the cops found him before. How they arrested him, convicted him and threw him into jail to rot. They said those were the best days of their lives. But if the process is altered and he was clever enough this time, there was less likelihood of getting caught again.

Of course they also had a doubt that they might fail the mission because the case that they're handling was not random, spontaneous killing. Long time ago, the bodies had been left to be found, but that was risky that's why Jack, the murdered, changed his techniques. He could outsmart the local police.

There would be no body for evidence. The body would just be gone and missing.

So the police army spent the whole night sketching their new plan for approach. Each team was expected to do their assigned tasks. The members selected are the people with high abilities to solve the case and absolutely the brave ones. Jack's mind and plans are not something to mess with.

Now that Kinley is not behind bars already, it has been a threat to the whole town. They will again be delved into the twisted mind of the psychopath. It's a dangerous game that could uncover the truth about the serial killer who is more cunning than everyone could ever imagine. The news was all around the town. It spreads so fast like wildfire leaving warnings to the citizens to stay in at night and be more careful.

Thus, when the morning comes…

It's aired on TV. Alice watches the show while she's drinking her coffee. She was actually prepared to go until the news got her attention. At first, she doesn't clearly know much about the Kinley case but now, she knew just what an animal Kinley was.

"You gruesome son of a bitch." Alice muttered, getting the remote. She turns it off then puts the coffee cup back to the table then gets her things in haste to go to work. But before she goes out of her apartment, she sets the security alarm so she would be perfectly safe in case.

"Just for safety." She said as she leaves.

Since Jack is the talk of the town, as she arrives at the office, it's still the topic. She raises her eyebrows then shrugs. She exhales and says, "As I've expected."

The administrator, Joe Schmidt, was seated near her work station which is originally not his place. Joe is Alice's closest guy friend inside the office. He was chatting with Morrie when she arrived.

He greeted her, "Hey brownie."

She replied, "What's with the nickname?" not looking and being busy arranging things on her table. She's not amused.

"Just a word play! Your hair gave me the idea for it."

Morrie continues talking to Joe. "You know what, I've learned from the magazine that Kinley kidnapped some of the girls he killed and mostly the guys are tortured. I could only imagine what he had done but I don't want to see it myself. It's way too gross to imagine, what more to witness, right?"

Joe replied, "The magazine had discussed some of the other killings that had been attributed to him. His tactics had been similar each time, but he was a creative man. Had he become more intensive in the years he had spent thinking about innocent girls, socializing with other murderers?"

"I don't know, maybe prison isn't the right place for his repentance. I think it helped him more."

Alice forced herself to focus on Morrie and the conversation at hand. Morrie asked her. "What do you think about this?"

She tried to sound casual. "I don't know. I'll have to check the internet for information."

"What are you up to that you don't give a damn about this?" Morrie said.

"Nothing."

Morrie muttered, "I thought you had deadlines again."

"Yeah, I do. I could even take my laptop, work at night in hotels or something. I just need to finish this frigging project as soon as possible rather than thinking about that stupid murder case. He should try me, tell him!" Alice forced a smile, trying to make the whole idea seem appealing. "We could make a whole documentary from it! Me and my death, what do you think?"

Joe said "Are you nuts? Jack Kinley can rip your head off anytime, I'm telling you! And why do you take this as a joke? 10 innocent people were killed Alice! That is not a joke."

"Calm your tits Joe, I'm just trying to lift the mood here. It's starting to get spooky and I don't like it so much. Other thing is, you're here near my station chitchatting with Morrie so I can't concentrate on my work! I hope you noticed that."

Joe said "This is the hot issue! Well what can I say to a woman who spends 99% of her life to her job and nothing only but her freaking projects!"

"You suck, Joe." Alice said. She normally pulls that kind of joke with him.

"Ugh! Alice. Don't curse!" Morrie said.

"Suck is not a curse! I go to church every Sunday and I heard the priests say that sometimes… well not actually sometimes, but once in a while…"

Joe said "But anyway, don't you think it's a little mysterious?... Look, Jack has been convicted and rehabilitated. For sure there are files about his profile but how come he remains unidentified until now? Like, there could be pictures of him at least. Otherwise, policemen have something to do with this."

Morrie leaned her elbows on her table, looking so eager to know. "What do you think it is?"

"I don't know."

"Maybe he killed the ones who are keeping the documents, don't you think? I think Jack is super smart so he could possibly do that with just a snap!"

"Or maybe… he warned them not to show his photos."

"But don't the policemen even think about the lives of the people in danger right now that they even protected their own sake instead of the whole town? How selfish!"

"All lives are important. If they were killed, who are the ones to catch the killer, right?"

"Ugh! You are such a genius, Joe!"

"Well… for a graduate with honors like me, hell yeah!"

Alice butts in, "Maybe you should join the investigation team and work on Kinley's case, your knowledge would be more useful there than using it here to boast."

"Someone is really jealous right here, Morrie. We should keep talking. This will get her on fire then we'll watch and learn about how sexy she is when she gets mad."

Morrie laughs with Joe. Alice said "Pss… Why don't you just get back to work?"

Joe stands up and says, "Fine! Don't worry. I'll talk to you later. Just wait in line."

"You're…. pathetic… Go!"

Joe walks away, smiling. Morrie said "Are you on your period?"

"Why?"

"You talk so rude."

"That's not rude. That's me and Joe's normal conversation."

"But you two… have something going on, right?"

"Us? Eww. No. He's just my friend."

"Really? Because you two have chemistry!"

"Screw chemistry, Morrie! And you too! Can you get to work now? We got deadlines, hello?"

"Oh yeah… Right…" She sits back while looking at her, smiling and teasing her to Joe through her stare.

Alice said "Oh come on! Morrie!"

Morrie looks away then said "Fine! Fine! Let me get the papers! I'll type them right away."

"Here." Alice handed her the files. She said "Ugh! I hate being in the executive department."

Then she starts working. Alice was always stressed out every day when she's in work, but it doesn't seem to appear on her face. She still looks beautiful. Alice is a natural beauty, indeed.

She worked until 5 in the afternoon. She doesn't know what went around the office the whole day because she was facing the computer screen. But she was so impressed to herself that she was able to finish one project out of all the multiple projects assigned to her.

She saves the file that she created then she leans her head to the back of her chair and rolls her chair backwards, away from her table. She said "Ah! Finally I'm done!"

Until, the vice president walked by so she sits properly.

The vice president told her, "Ms. Alice, how's it going?"

"Ah, one down, sir."

"Good. Show it to the president right away for approval."

"Right now?"

"Yes. I said right away so it means 'right now'."

"But sir, isn't it better finishing the rest of the projects then showing them all to him at the same time rather than showing each finished project then coming back again and again?"

"It was supposed to be like that but Jorge has an appointment later at 6 so in case you have one done, you have to make him check it so he'll know that there's a progress going on."

"Oh, okay. I got it."

"OK. Show it now." He walks away and proceeds somewhere else. Everyone inside the office was busy.

Alice gets her laptop and stands up. She looks so nervous. She thought "I never felt this nervous before when I was going to present to the president. Was it because of what happened last night? Uh no! I must not be thinking about it!"

She walks her way to his office with full courage. She knocks then enters. She couldn't look at him when she says, "Sir, I have finished one of the presentations. You might want to check it for approval."

But Jack wasn't also looking at her. He was busy typing something to his laptop. He's wearing his eye glasses and his hair was neatly fixed. Alice was just standing there, waiting for his response.

She said "Sir?"

But he looks like he's working on something very important so he seems unmindful of Alice like she doesn't exist inside his office. He looks so serious when he speaks. "Sit for a while. Wait just a second…"

Alice sat down. She thought "What? He's trying to act superior now? Like he didn't force me to go to his apartment last night? As if he didn't beg for me to stay? Does he want me to plead in front of him with my sorry ass because I mistreated him last night? Never!"

She can't help herself so she talked, "Should I just leave it on your table?"

He replied without looking at her, "Then what? Your laptop can't present itself… You can't just leave it there." He keeps on typing.

Alice said "But you weren't paying attention… sir."

"Didn't I tell you to wait?"

Alice felt embarrassed. Still, he looks serious but calm. She stares at him while he works. She's thinking what has gotten into him to act so different right now. She thought that Jack was just trying to keep it professional between them that what happens outside shouldn't be taken into their workplace.

Therefore, she keeps it cool. She acts like his normal secretary. She plays his game.

She waited for 15 minutes.

It was very quiet inside his office and she couldn't hear anything but the sound of the air conditioner and his fingers touching the keyboards as he types. She got nothing to do inside but to wait for him.

Alice couldn't take it anymore. She couldn't stand the time that she's wasting just for waiting for nothing. She moves from her seat. She was supposed to stand up and leave already until he spoke.

"Hand me your laptop."

"Thank God, you asked for it."

Jack looked at her and he got that different look in his eyes. A look that was too powerful and underestimating. Alice shuts her mouth because she thinks she just disrespected her boss few seconds ago for what she said.

Jack said "You've done it quite fast. Impressive!"

"Thank you." She puts her laptop on his table and shows her the presentation she made. He has no reaction while he's viewing it himself.

When he's done watching it, he lets Alice explain what she has done. Alice explained it well but Jack reacts so small about it so she worries a lot.

He said "Is this your first project?"

"Finished one…"

He nods and says, "Passed. Give me a hard copy tomorrow." He shuts down his laptop and flips it together to put it inside his bag. Alice smiles and says "Thank you very much, sir! Sure, I will provide you a hard copy tomorrow."

Jack fixes his table and stands up from his seat. He combines the papers scattered around his table and he's tapping it altogether over the table to keep it all intact. He said "Must be the ice cream huh?"

Alice looks at him immediately and replies "What?"

"Does it inspire you a lot?"

"Ah…" She remembers it. He is certainly talking about last night! He proves her wrong about her thoughts. She said "Might be?"

He carries his bag and starts walking. While he's walking, he's talking to her. "I got your number from the clerk. I'll call you later."

He was about to get out of his office but Alice said "I can't talk to you!"

He stopped just right in front of his door and looked back. He said "And why?"

"I got so many things to finish. Are you kidding me?"

Jack checks his watch and says "I got many things to do too. And besides… this is work related. What are you talking about?"

Alice blushes a bit. Truth is, she doesn't really want to talk to him on the phone because he still makes her feel uncomfortable. She just doesn't want that kind of connection so she makes an excuse.

She stutters as she speaks. "I changed my number…"

"Don't lie to me Alice. I personally asked it to the clerk and she told me it was active. And…."

He looks at her eyes and slightly smiles. His spine-chilling smile shows up again.

"I can always track you down, Alice."

Then he left his office and walked so fast on his way out for his meeting at 6. Alice was left inside, finding his words so unpredictable.

Her heart was beating so fast again… the hairs at the back of her neck rising… she can't move at her position.

His words kept her iced up in her place.