Edited by: @RomanticZiggy

Layna sat down, taking out her pad and dumping it on her lap. She was angry, no, she was furious but for now she would control her temper and listen to the rude man.

She berated herself for not recognizing him. He was someone whom she admired, no, had admired and yet couldn't pin-point when he had been barely a breath away.

Layna wanted to kill herself or better yet Alan. He must have known that fool. In her defense, all she had was that she had literally begged Aunt Mary to invite the stupid man- Thomas Conrad to the party but had she divulged her any details. No, she had simply smiled and shook her head.

What a mess. Layna huffed and decided, she hated Aunt Mary. She hated Alan and she shot a glare at the man giving the speech. She definitely hated him.

With an applause that resounded throughout the room, Thomas stood straight with what could be termed as a grace of a panther; quietly, stealthily, taking what he wanted without any trepidation.

Why...why did that pure male voice fought and penetrate her well put up defenses?

He looked at everyone and smiled. Power and authority oozed out his persona. Damn! The man made a statement simply by existing. Thomas cleared his throat, and straight away shot from the hip “ Diplomacy…” within seconds he managed to groom in all the attention to him.

“It is not something that is static but an amalgamation of current usage weighing the national correct analysis of the past events....."

She was shimmering under her thinly controlled fury, and with an exaggerated force that left blots on her paper took notes while battling with an urge to bolt out.

The nerve of the man, one thing she hated with a passion was to be laughed at and she had not an iota of doubt in her mind that he had not just made a fool out of her but must have had a fun time laughing at her.

An usher. My foot.

She pressed her pen furiously leaving a hole in the paper.

Hell! He played a game on her. She was made to look stupid. She cursed her brain, why couldn’t she recognize him.

What the hell? Wasn’t being a teacher meant keeping your eyes and ears open. And now look what had she done. Layna knew she would be ashamed of her lapse. It was a horrible mistake. She had pegged him as an usher.

Gosh! Asked him to do his duty. Now, she realized the instincts were never wrong. Her instincts had all but shouted at her, making her notice subtle things that did not gel with the job she had pegged him for. But, her brain, always managed to turn into mush when she most needed it.

God! What a blunder.

Now, she had no choice but to sit and listen to him.

As he explained the finer points of geo political and economic trade-off in International politics.

Darn it, she couldn't help but be in awe, she had encountered numerous speakers in her lifetime. She had given many speeches herself but the way Thomas managed to capture his audience with the simple thrill in his voice was something stimulating and energizing. You had no choice but to listen to him. He made sure of that. His voice spoke of controlled notion; letting all know he knew what he was talking about and the proposition that he was going to lay would benefit them all.

What a man!

She had forgotten her anger; she was lost in his discourse. He had a good grip on the subject and at times subtle touch showed he had experimented with the various theories. She wanted to desperately sit next to him and hear his ideas, with no one in the room save for the two.

Get a grip, Layna.

But she couldn’t help but be impressed.

The key was his eyes, they were dark and lured you in as if ensnaring his prey. His eyes told a man he would be dangerous. As he smiled at a joke he had cracked which earned him quite a few chuckles, Layna sighed; a woman could lose herself in evolving many fantasies that involved him in enchanting ways.

But, she sat up straight. She wasn't one of them. Nope. Never, she re- reassured herself.

Thomas was enjoying his appearance. He lived for it. The feeling of exclusive power that seeped on to the speaker was something he loved and relished. He knew the questions would be thundering and may be apt to take him down but he was prepared for them. He loved the confrontation that came in with a new idea, the awareness it created and the need to make other's understand without using too much pressure; the playing with the mind; the eye contact; small actions that left a lasting impact on the listener.

The explanation, the analysis went on for an hour.

Layna roused from her trance like state and when she looked up she met his cool stare with her own refusing to buckle down. His smug smile let her boil over once again.

And as he answered the questions, she drew a caricature of him being hit by a fast incoming bus.

She had loads of questions she wanted to ask, but she would be dammed before she asked them from that man.

Layna sat down trying to control her rage as people around her erupted in a huge applause, praising, fawning over his thoughts. She sat still and rolled her eyes. She did not want to be part of it; she wouldn’t be a part of it.

For all, she cared he could go and boil in hell. Nothing less than that would satisfy her bruised ego.

Ah! She hated him. No way would she ask this man for a personal interview. He could go to hell for all she cared.

As soon as he finished, Layna thrust her notepad in her hand and ruthlessly marched out of the room.

No sooner had she opened the door of her car, she found herself cornered by none other than Thomas Conrad.

"Excuse me," Layna narrowed her eyes at him.

Thomas smiled as he looked at her, the heat, and the anger made her truly alluring. She was challenging him and he had never backed down from one.

He tilted his head and studied the caricature she had drawn of him, "Great sketch, but the head could be a bit smaller. What say?" He asked genuinely interested as he gazed into her eyes.

She felt her stomach flutter but refusing to back down, she met his stare," I know I made you a lot more handsome than you are." She crossed her arms across her chest, raising her breasts temptingly.

God! She is beautiful. He was a gentleman, normally yes, but right now, standing next to her, he wanted to damn the proprietary. His eyes moved across her chest. Her breasts were what a man's fantasy was made of. They would fit rightly in his palms.

"Yeah, so you do think I am handsome?" He asked smirking at her.

Layna stuttered and nearly died of embarrassment. Could the day get any worse. She wanted to dig a hole for herself with her bare hands and stay buried in it forever.

Layna closed her eyes and said in a stony voice, “I don't want to speak with you."

She walked ahead, deciding fruitfully not to give in to the pleasure of speaking with him. She wouldn't speak with him. Silent treatment, yes that's the best course!

Thomas stood rooted on the spot and smiled. It was fascinating to see her deal with her control which she was losing fast. What would it be to see her in her pure, raw element without any self-imposed rigidity. He was sure, that would take his breath away.

"Is this how you treat your guest speaker?" His voice sounded almost amused.

She stopped and turned. For a second she lost her senses. He stood as if he belonged there; with weight evenly proportioned on both legs. His eyes arresting her as if calling her to lose herself in its depths.

Her head jerked up giving her a regal look," How dare you say that. Look at yourself. Look at how you behaved with me. You must had fun laughing at me."

Thomas put his hands in his pockets as he looked at her, badly smothering a laugh, “Just a chuckle or two."

Layna rolled her eyes, ah, no wonder she hated this man. She took a step forward towards him and pointing her index finger at him all but shouted, “You let me believe you were an usher, how could..."

He raised his own finger and with restraint fought the urge to tuck her hair behind her ears, he was sure that move would not be appreciated not at the moment at-least," Well, you presumed." He clarified.

"I presumed. Whatever. I don't care. But I know one thing, let me make it very clear to you; I don't like being laughed at." Layna blistered.

Thomas nodded," Point noted."

She flung her hands narrowly missing hitting," I could so kill you right now."

"Your sketch proved your honorable intention. I am grateful to be alive," He quipped.

"I tipped you ten dollars," Layna buried her face in her hands in mortification.

Thomas was charmed; he had never seen a woman display so many emotions in a matter of few minutes. No wonder he was completely captivated. He wanted to see more, learn more; everything about her, “I thank you for the benevolent gesture. If it would satisfy you, let me tell you I put those ten dollars to good use. I indulged it in tub of chocolate fudge ice- cream."

Layna shook her head. Her hair fanned her, loosening from her tight braid in response to her movements," Why don't you go back inside and bask in your glory, indulge in your fans."

"Well, I would but I have been informed by none other than the head convener, you're my number one fan."

Layna drew in a sharp breath, “If that was the case I certainly would have recognized you yesterday night."

He smiled," I am sure we can blame your narrow perception for that."

Layna tried hard to contain the venom that wanted to consume him, “Narrow perception…. Narrow perception. You never told me who you were."

"You never asked."

Layna crossed her arms again and refused to answer him.

Thomas raised his hands in mock surrender," Fine, I apologize; I take the blame for your mistaken identity. So, Layna..."

She narrowed her eyes at him, “That would be Miss Patt for you."

Thomas saw the head convener, Mrs. Sheila Ray walking towards them.

Dammit! Why did she have to come right now. He had been enjoying this brutal conversation with her. He clamped his lips shut as a huge grin threatened to engulf his lips, “Right, Miss Patt, did you like the lecture?" He asked cordially.

Layna had noticed her head walking in hearing distance, still she shot him a scathing look before she spoke in a polite tone," Oh yes, Mr. Conrad it was delightful and enriching to learn your views."

The head convener stopped near them," Oh good, you have met. I was coming down to introduce you two."

"That is so sweet of you but Miss Patt and I are fairly acquainted. We had been discerning my lecture. Isn't it, Miss Patt?"

Layna gave him an exaggerating warm smile and nodded her head, “Of course, Mr. Conrad"

"That's good, that's fantastic, especially since Miss Patt has to interview you for our magazine," Sheila babbled excitedly. It was a big deal for the magazine.

This man wasn't just intelligent but attractive. Having good looking men never hurt. They made sure the magazines sold like hot pancakes.

"So, Miss Patt will be interviewing me," Thomas's eyes twinkled.

"But Mrs. Sheila, I wanted a word with you." Layna spoke hastily.

Just then a man stopped near Mrs. Sheila wanting her attention and she excused herself for a minute.

Thomas shifted and looked at Layna," Why Miss Patt, are you scared of being alone with me?" He baited her knowing fully well she wouldn't resist a dare.

"Scared, my foot." Layna retorted, she knew when she was being played and right now, was one such circumstance.

"It certainly doesn't seem so."

"Miss Patt, you wanted to talk with me?" Mrs. Sheila asked as she once again joined them.

Layna jutted her chin forward and in a cool, crisp voice asked," I just wanted to know the time for the interview?" She looked at Thomas.

Thomas smiled," Will five pm, my office, suit you?"

Mrs. Sheila took off again nodding at her, profusely thanking Thomas Conrad for his time and left them to work the details.

Thomas raised his eyebrow as he waited for her answer.

"Yes. I will be there."

Thomas smiled and opened her car door for her, as she passed him and sat down. He leaned towards her. His scent of pure male engulfing her, she held her breath as her eyes moved over his eyes, nose and rested on her lips. A thin thread separated them; she would just have to move an inch to feel those lips on hers.

He looked at her. She looked so outrageously beautiful up close. He lost his breath, desire unheeded consumed him completely. He let a slow, long breath and murmured," Wear red. It will look fantastic on you."

Breathless but in control, Layna smiled," In your dreams." And slammed her car door in his face.