CHAPTER 5

Pamilerin pounds on the keyboard, fingers flying in irritation. She couldn't explain why she was getting so worked up. Or maybe she could but was trying too hard not to think about it. She wonders if Lewis is still with the King. A smile teased the corner of her mouth, when she thought of him. He is more comfortable and friendly to talk with, she likes his gentle nature. It is nothing romantic or anything like that, but she knows he is someone she can trust. She is sure he will keep his promise to her.

She intentionally asked Lewis not to let Alexander know that she was aware he was around. She planned to be in her office. If he needed anything from her, he could call her. If not, she intended to ignore him. That way it will teach him a lesson on simple courtesy. "I mean just because he is royal and all that—royal my ass" she hissed and continue pounding away on the keyboard. The intercom on her table rang out. With one hand, she reached for it, releasing a quick breath before answering it. "Hello Your Highness"

"See me in my office" was all he said before dropping the call. She wondered why he was always grumpy as she readjusted her clothes before heading towards his office.

Alexander pushed away from his desk and sauntered to the glass window area overlooking the garden, gazing out. For days he'd worked his way through his responsibilities, trying to ignore the nagging itch at the back of his mind—the itch that was Pamilerin. Now she was ignoring him? Who did she think she is? He knew she was aware that he was back from his trip, and still she pretended as if she didn't know. He smiled at her stubbornness. He heard the soft knock "come in" he called out with his back still turned to her.

"Your highness" She said, to his turned back, waiting for him to acknowledge her. Pamilerin use the moment to really look at him, his grey suit moulds his tall frame like a GQ model any woman will be lucky to have him, not that she is looking for a man. She no more wanted another man in her life than she wanted to fly over the moon. Especially not this man. Impressive, too powerful, too much. A slight shiver feathered the length of her spine. Way too much on a personal level. Why not call it as it was? This man exuded a magnetic sexuality that verged close to the primitive. The sensual promise was there, almost a tangible entity, and for one wild moment she wondered what it would be like to be ravished beneath his hands, his mouth…dear God, his possession. The scar on his face only added to his personality, as he turned in her direction.

His eyes narrowed a little as he took in the bandage gown, hugging her curves, the low heels, the upswept hair, and his fingers itched to loosen the clip holding the elegantly contrived knot in place.

"How are you?" Crossing the room back to his seat. Masking his emotion.

"Very well your highness, how was your trip?" She replied.

"It was successful. So for how long are you planning to ignore me exactly?" Alexander demanded, sounding anything but casual. Locking his gaze with her, enjoying her discomfort. It was obvious she was not expecting him to be direct about it.

"I didn't know you are back—"

"Liar" He watch with amusement, as she stuck out her chin, and straightened her back.

"Fine, I heard. I presume you did not want me to know Sir."

"It's nothing personal, that being said, don't ignore me ever again."

She almost scoffed at him, Pamilerin could not help but think Alexander is too arrogant for his own good. "With all due respect, your highness, I may be your temporary secretary, but I think it's only right for me to know when you're not going to be around, so I will know what to say when you have appointments and be able manage your schedule better. Like you said, it's nothing personal." It was like her mouth had a mind of its own. She is sure he will fire her after this, taking a step back when he left his seat and walk towards where she was standing, crowding her. She is not short by any standard, at 5'7 but he is 6ft and he towered over her. She moved back to allow herself some room to breathe, but it only caused him to advance closer to her until she was cornered.

"Where do you get off speaking to me like that uh?" Glowering at her.

Pamilerin's heart was suddenly racing a mile per minute, but she held his gaze. She will not be bullied. Something moved in her eyes, then was quickly gone. Alexander’ gaze narrowed as he glimpsed the fine hold she had on her emotions, and how unaware she was that he could so easily read them.

"I think you need to be taught some manners on how to address your King" he said with a growl, causing her to shiver.

He did not intend to kiss her but seeing how she stuck out her stubborn chin at him, aroused something in him—something he had not felt in a while. The first thing that cross her mind when his lips crushed hers was—primitive, highly sensual, and infinitely dangerous. Pamilerin did not see it coming, despite fantasizing about it few minutes ago. It's true about what they say, about being careful of what you wish for. she clutched his suit for balance. Her breath came out in a rush as heat flared between them.

A desire and driving need to possess her clawed through him, making a mockery of him, of the control he thought he had. The kiss may have started as a bid to put her in her place, but it had taken a course of its own. A moan escape from her, bringing Alexander back to reality. He was visibly shaken too, not only because of the kiss, but by the fact that, he felt something. He did not want to give himself false hope, but it is worth the short of trying, to see if something is truly there. One thing he was sure of now was that Pamilerin was attracted to him.

He cleared his throat and stepped back from her. "Considered that, your first lesson" he said without battling an eye lid, any trace of the desire she thought, she saw earlier gone. "I called you here in the first place to let you know that you will be working late today. I want you around to take minutes for the meeting I have this evening." Sauntering to his seat.

" uhm—sure" using all her control not to reach for her Lips, to confirm that what just happened was not her imagination. "I will just get the conference room ready Sir, excuse me" dashing out of his office.

"Did the king just kiss me?" She whispered to herself in the sanctuary of her office. Finally, she traced her lips with her hand, a bit swollen and tender, evidence of how he had crushed his lips on hers. "I can't believe he did that—I can't believe I let him! Just to punish me. What kind of arrogant jerk does that?" She was seething inside.

But you have to admit that he is a good kisser, and you liked it.

"God, what am I going to do with all these?" she mutters with a groan, pressing the heels of her left hand on her left eyes. "I can't even resign! It will be like a coward way out, have to pretend like it does not bother me, and play it cool, like he is doing" muttering to herself.

She made the necessary arrangement, for the meeting as Alexander directed. Waiting in her office for when the meeting will start, it was already past five in the evening before the dignitaries he was expecting starts arriving, she ushered them in to the meeting room, and later inform the king about their arrival. She took the minute of the meeting, and by the time they finished it was already past eight in the night.

Pamilerin waited dutifully until all the dignitaries had left before biding Alexander a good night.

"Good night Sir" has she carried her bag, prepared to leave.

"Wait, how are you getting home, it is late, I will call one of drivers to drop you home" he told her.

"Oh it's alright, I drove my car to work today so I can find my way home, thank you Sir"

"Then leave your car here it is late already" he replied, with finality, summoning the man, that Pamilerin already know as her designated chauffeur.

"Your highness I will need my car tomorrow, to get to work" Trying to let him see reason.

"Don't worry it will get to you."

The man is stubborn as a mule, she may be strong willed, but she knows when she has met her match. Pamilerin did not want a repeat performance of what happened earlier. He is a dangerous man, she knows that for certain. " Good night your Highness" she mutters stiffly, following the driver.

Pamilerin is certain now that she has bitten more than she can chew the moment she accepted to work at the Palace. It was becoming obvious by her parents' behaviour that something was fishy, but she couldn't place her finger on it. They are acting weird, like something is up their sleeveless. She had decided not to mention anything about the kiss to her exasperating mother, no need to fan the flames.

She switched off her bedside lamp, but sleep eludes her. It was like someone was playing the kiss over and over for her to see on screen. "God! I don't even like the arrogant man," she muttered to herself in the dark. Pamilerin could not say specifically why Alexander always rubbed her the wrong way, drove her crazy. It wasn't like he had done anything mortally threatening to her, other than be his arrogant self. Thinking about him now, when she was meant to be resting is a serious sign that he affects her in a way no other man has, not that she's had many.