Mark

Julia let go of the matter about the detective and invited him to sit on the couch in her office meeting area and offered him refreshments.

After a while, she again asked, "Really, how did no one saw you when you entered? I mean, we pretty much keep a tight check on our security. Not to mention you were able to access the CEO's office."

Mark winked at her and said, "I guess I got lucky then".

'As its not easy to hack your company's server. Oh, you are so dead Mark, if she ever finds out about the hacking' further said to himself.

Julia was a bit worried but she didn't brood on it for long. Then she suddenly remembered something and asked, "You told me that you will give me your name the next time we meet. So are you going to say it this time?"

Mark looked at her in amusement but stretched his hand and said, "Hello, my name's Mark, Ms Julia. Its nice to meet you".

Julia shook his hand and asked in confusion, "Mark? As in, only Mark?"

Mark lightly laughed and said, "What's the hurry? I'll give you my full name when we meet next time. Okay?"

Julia pouted and faked a hurt expression while saying, "Do you like to play mystery games each time we meet?

And that's not fair! You must already know everything about me since you are already here. But I don't know anything about you!"

Mark's aloof heart skipped a beat when he saw the cute pouting expression on her face, as his gaze lowered to her lips and suddenly remembered the feeling of her kissable lips on his.

'Oh god! What are you thinking Mark? You don't want to get labeled as a pervert right off the bat!' Mark scolded himself.

He cleared his throat and said, "Come on, where's the fun in that? Let's get to know each other gradually. I mean, if you don't mind".

'Will she think I'm being to forward with my approach? Gosh! Why is it so hard for me to talk to this woman without getting nervous? Am I already that rusty?' Mark mused to himself.

"Mr. Mark, what are you suggesting here exactly?" commented Julia bashfully. She couldn't understand why she was feeling like a teenager while talking to the man in front of her.

She has never experienced anything like this before while talking to any male friend or colleague. 'What is this tingling feeling in my chest?' she thought.

Mark said, "I'm not suggesting anything. I mean can we be friends atleast?"

Julia thought about it before smiling and said, "Of course. Why not? I'd love to be friends with you" 'And much more as well.' last sentence she kept to herself.

Then she breached the topic that they both were avoiding, "Why do you think w...we ki...ki....kissed that day?" stuttered Julia.

She noticed Mark's ears reddened due to embarrassment and thought 'He's cute!'

Mark coughed lightly to compose himself and teased her, "A young handsome man with a beautiful young lady alongwith romantic atmosphere. What was supposed to happen? Besides, I don't know if you felt the same at that time, but I felt something like a magnetic pull which forced me towards you".

Hearing his words Julia blushed furiously and said to herself, 'How shameless!'

"Oh", that was the only thing she could say in response to Mark's blatant flirting.

But surprisingly she couldn't feel any repulsion from him, as what she felt when other men did the same thing. In fact, she was kind of feeling butterflies in her stomach.

"So, Mr. Mark, what do you do for a living?" she asked after noticing the branded custom made clothes and costly watch he was wearing.

She was certain that he was not a simple figure and also had a mysterious personality which would draw people near him but also kept them a certain distance away.

Mark gave it some thought and answered, "I have a business of my own which currently I have left to be run by my family".

Julia understood by the vague answer that he was not going to elaborate further about it, so she dropped it.

"Also, please call me just Mark. Mr. Mark sounds too formal" said Mark.

Julia laughed and nodded her head in agreement. She thought it felt great to hear his deep, mesmerizing voice.

Mark further said, "I heard you have been trying to collaborate with the SM Investment Group. You know what? I know some people there and I can help you set a meeting with there CEO".

Hearing this Julia's eyes lit up with excitement and she nodded her head saying, "Ofcourse, I've been trying to meet them but they didn't respond. Are you sure you can help me with it?

Previously, I heard that they themselves choose the parties to collaborate with and very rarely does they accept other people's request".

She was doubtful about it because of the rumors circulating about them.

But Mark agreed without any hesitation saying, "Don't worry about it and just clear your schedule for the day after three days from today".

After hearing such straight forward answer, she stopped fussing about it and ordered a simple takeout from a nearby restaurant for their lunch.

Both the people present enjoyed their lunch happily as they exchanged contacts and Mark left the office going towards his condo unit.

In a distant office,

A person was sitting and tapping the table with his fingers as he listened to the report being delivered by 'Eagle-eye'.

"So, you are reporting me now that those scums have successfully infiltrated our country two days ago?" said the man angrily.

"I'm sorry sir. But after that incident a few months ago, we are still lacking on skilled personnel on the team. Its getting difficult to keep track of every anomaly happening around us" responded Eagle-eye.

The man sitting in front thought about it for a moment and then ordered, "I am putting all our unimportant operations on hold and transferring some key individuals to help you. Put this issue on our top priority and stop following Predator. He is not important for now. Understood?"

As soon as he heard the orders about Predator, Eagle-eye felt his blood boil and clenched his fists but kept is cool and replied his agreement.