Chapter 4

Zachary. I knew it was him.

His comforting hand held my back, delaying my legs from collapsing under me. He swung me up in his strong arms as if I was nothing more than a ragdoll and pocketed my purse before carrying me to Lord knows where. My head rolled back between my shoulder blades as he walked over to the elevator.

The elevator opened directly into his private office, a huge room occupying the corner of the building with floor-to-ceiling windows giving views in two directions: Fifth Avenue to the east, Central Park just a few blocks north.

Similarly, the two remaining walls contained an immense book shelf that took over more than half of the walls. A single oil painting was hung on the dark coloured wall opposite the window - a vase of flowers by Vincent van Gogh.

The mahogany dark surface of his desk was equally uncluttered: a computer, a leather journal, and a framed photograph of a woman.

I probably regained half of my consciousness in the elevator and though I still felt dizzy, my sight was back.

He carried me to his plush, luxurious executive chair, opposite the lesser chairs. With great care, as if I were made of porcelain and could break at any moment if given the chance, he gently placed me down on the chair.

I squeezed my eyes shut and leaned back on the chair. Moments later when I opened them again, I saw Zachary sitting opposite me on the desk.

Time slowed down again, but this time it was different.

They say eyes talk better than words sometimes. I never understood that; Until now, as I stared into his hazel orbs. Though no words were leaving his lips, he was still speaking. Speaking in a language different than that of any human.

Maybe that's why I couldn't understand it. Understand the silent words being spoken to me through his eyes. A foolish person would say his eyes held nothing.

But I wasn't foolish. His eyes held so much more. What? The answer to that question I didn't know. Misery? Angst? Silence? Torment? Sorrow? Pleas for help?

"Your eyes are beautiful." He uttered lowly.

"My eyes? They're so dark. You must be kidding." I laughed.

"Don't say that." He said as he faced the window. "Is there no beauty in the night?"

"The night has the moon and stars to decorate its darkness. What do I have?"

He looked back at me with the same piercing eyes. "True. But you don't need any ornaments or decorations."

I looked down at my hands and sighed. Damn. Who would've known he was into poetry.

"How do you feel now?" He asked.

"Confused but better. Thank you."

"Don't mention it. It was my job to save the damsel in distress." He smirked. "Why did you faint, though?"

"I'm not sure," I confessed. "All I remember was downing a glass of champagne-"

"Spiked." He stated, fists clenched.

"Impossible. Who'd do something like that in such a high profiled event?" I reasoned in bewilderment. In all my years of partying and drinking, never had I ever been careless of my drink. "You really think so?"

His eyes softened as he took in my shocked expression. He nodded and asked me further questions regarding my health and diet over all.

"It's the only most reliable explanation" He confirmed.

My fists clenched and my jaw rooted. I remember thinking, I'm about to beat a b*tch up-

"Don't worry. I'll check the security cameras and we'll know who it was." He reassured me.

"Don't worry? Are you serious? Somebody spiked my drink. If you hadn't seen me faint then I'd most likely be picked up by some random dude who thought it was okay to spike my drink and take advantage of me. I wonder how many other girls have been the subject to this kind of assault just tonight!"

"You're right," He said. "But trust me when I say that I won't let this slide. Whoever did this to you will pay for it."

I laughed. "That is until you find out that whoever it was, was the son of some big enterprise owner, or who knows? Maybe an old pervert who's also some big enterprise owner himself!"

"I won't!" He snapped. "My own sister was raped and murdered by the same kind of person and he is still rotting in that jail cell where he'll stay for the rest of his miserable life! What makes you think I wont do shit for you?!"

A blanket of uncomfortable silence fell upon the room.

Lucrecia Harrington. Zachary's older sister, the most perfect blue eyed blonde girl I had ever met. Last I'd seen her was at a Hermes fashion show when I was fourteen.

When I'd told her I wanted to be a model like her, she'd grinned and said, "Don't compare your life to others. There's no comparison between the sun and the moon. They both shine when it's their time."

"Lucrecia," I mumbled. "I'm sorry..."

"Whatever." He said.

After some time I decided to break the unnerving silence.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have spoken to you in that way."

"I don't need your apology." After a long pause, he added, "We should head back, your mom's probably worried."

I nodded. The journey in the elevator was awkward to say the least. Gladly, it only lasted for about thirty seconds as we finally made it to the main floor.

"¡Mi querida! ¿que pasó? (My dear! What happened?)" Mamá exclaimed, holding her arms out to me.

"Nada mamá, deja ir a casa. (Nothing mamá, lets just go home.)" I mumbled.

She decided not to press on me too much on the matter but I knew she'd question me about what happened sooner or later.

I thanked the door woman as she passed me my shawl. As soon as I began putting it on, Zachary extended his hand.

"Let me." He offered.

I handed him the shawl as I moved my hair out of the way. He slowly laid the shawl on my shoulders, his skin grazing with mine.

"I'm sorry I exploded at you." He whispered in my ear and I successfully hid the shivers that threatened to run down my spine.

I turned to him and smiled. "It's okay."

"Well it was nice seeing you again." He offered as he walked us to our car.

"Same here." I replied

"I'll see you again?" He asked.

"Maybe, maybe not." I shrugged, getting in the car and with a cheeky grin.

Zachary leaned in, his left arm resting on the limousine's roof while the other was holding the car door.

"Goodbye Nicole." He said, gently shutting the door.

"Finally" I muttered, burying my face in my hands. I can finally blush and shudder in peace.