Breathe.

In and out.

Breathe again.

Pick up your jaw which has hit the floor...no need to show dad you are shocked...but he knows that already probably.

He's looking at you right now.

With his serious as death expression.

Speak up, woman!!

"But Dad! Did you not understand all that I said right now?" She finally spoke almost like a teen trying to confirm as if she'd explained something to a kid and not her dad.

One of his brows perked up, looking at her wordlessly as if giving her the chance to rectify what she just said. It seemed more like he was gauging how his reserve and hardly speaking out daughter was so affected by the prospect of working with an outsider.

She cleared her throat as if instantly understanding she'd reacted out of character and then tried her best to explain.

"The meeting was odd, not to mention spooky, they shared plans which are crappy, they are after a project which they definitely don't need, they want us as partners even though they don't need, he was behaving differently yesterday, he behaved differently today, he wore clothes just like me, he offered food that I like, he made tea for me as I like, he....."

"Wow!!"

"I didn't know he had such an effect on you!" Her dad said with an almost humorous face.

Her face almost went pale. Scratching an imaginary itch on her brow she said,

"Nope! Am just being cautious!"

Her dad smiled the wise smile that elders give when they see and understand something but don't share just yet.

Then his expression grew serious again and he said, "Your brother called last night. There's been a breach of our servers."

She was stunned for the second time in a span of few minutes.

"But ..but we have the best cyber security in the western hemisphere. We don't need it if you ask me but still!" She sputtered.

"I know...which makes it even more serious. Someone is bringing guns to a knife fight! And we need to know who that person is and why from close quarters not afar."

"Rosey, always keep your friends close and enemies closer!" he said in a sage-like tone.

Oh dad..

Curiosity is going to kill this cat..

Up till this morning I would've jumped at the chance of learning more but now with all that I know I am wary....

Her brother, Roger Thomas Tyler, was a private army software contractor based in Silicon Valley. All cyber security at Helena Developers was personally designed and the set-up overseen by him. There was no need for it though. The real-estate market of Boston was not that cut-throat that people would go hacking up servers of a company which charges just enough for their work but it was his brother's way of looking after his family while he stayed where his work demanded.

Owing to his work, his personal as well as social details were hardly available and the family respected and followed that to the T. He travelled a lot and met them on occasion. But they communicated closely.

She was again lost in her world absorbing the implications her dad's decision was going to have.

Working with Moneybags...

Looking at him...

Day in day out....

Till the project was over...

Her thoughts were interrupted by the doorbell. She needed to get out of this room before her dad saw and grasped anything more than she wanted.

She almost ran to the door expecting a change in her high-strung mood.

Maybe it was Mrs. Walter bringing in her trademark almond cake, she swore she could smell some baking happening while getting in the house.

That would be heavenly...the way her cake crumbles and melts in your mouth all creamy and nutty. I have to get her recipe sooner than later. Mrs. Walter did promise to give it though.

But she couldn't stop her reflexive response when she opened the door without checking through the peep-hole,

"Fuck!!"

Author's Note:-

Who might that be??? A tyt hug and an air kiss to whoever guesses this right. :D

A hint: It's a character already introduced in the chapters above and he's starting to get on Rose's nerves!! Nuff said!

372 total reads this minute!! Am loving all this attention.

Votes and comments would be an icing on the cake!! :D