Encoding Love (BWWM)

///THREE

There was immense pressure sitting on her chest. Zora was nearly hyperventilating on her way to the boardroom. 9 o'clock – She was sure she confirmed a meeting for that time. Zora should've had an hour to prepare for him. But, instead, she was speeding down the corridor because Nathan Klein had arrived early.

When she turned down the corridor, Helena stood across the hall as if waiting for her. Zora noted that she certainly looked smug for a woman dismissed from her project.

"Don't mind me. I'm only here to see this entire thing blow up in your face," Helena uttered arrogantly.

Zora attempted not to bristle under her words. "Keep it up, Helena. I'm starting to think your nasty little attitude is the reason Mr. Klein isn't waiting for you." She bit out vehemently. "But please continue to stand out here alone. While I secure this company's greatest partnership."

She watched as Helena's expression soured before she walked into the room, closing the door with more force than needed.

Good riddance.

Zora did not have the time or patience to deal with her scathing comments and painted red smirk any further this morning.

Wasting enough time on the woman, she turned to find the tall and impenetrable man that was Nathan Klein. He was dressed smartly in an all-black ensemble while his obsidian hair was styled into a clean cut.

It was almost as if she intruded on his privacy. His presence commanded acknowledgment and submission. He stood at the front of the table like a beacon. And she was drawn to him like a moth to a flame.

Zora knew a man like Mr. Klein didn't travel to Brooklyn often. Why would he when his headquarters was a sleek skyscraper on 5th Ave? Or when Nathan lived in a luxurious penthouse in the Upper East Side. Crossing the bridge and leaving Manhattan to visit one of the less grand boroughs of the city didn't seem like something he often did – or at all.

"Mr. Klein, good morning. I apologize for my tardiness. I must've been mistaken about our meeting time." She addressed as she approached him.

As with their first encounter, he regarded her with little importance. Zora figured she would have to get used to his standoffish behavior. After all, she was no one to him. She was a small-time software developer. In contrast, he was the single greatest thing to ever happen to technology.

"You have not made a mistake, Ms. Rhodes." He expressed in an apathetic tone.

The room turned silent. Zora looked at him expectantly. But if she thought Mr. Klein was going to explain his early arrival, she wasn't going to receive one.

"Right. Well, if you would like to take a seat, we can get started."

Zora glanced at him warily as he moved to take a seat. She felt intimidated. Zora went to task getting all the necessary items for her presentation. She usually handled her arrangements digitally. Like on a computer and projector, but today Zora was going old-fashioned. She had flow charts, diagrams, and drawings written out and printed on paper.

Frankly, she was nervous, and she was sure that Mr. Klein could tell. To make matters worse, her design was incomplete. Even though it was well thought out, Zora felt uneasy presenting alone. Without the help of her over-the-top but results-guaranteed co-worker Helena. Not to mention that even though this was a business dealing, Zora was still a woman. And it did not pass her that she was in a confined space with a devilishly handsome man.

"Firstly, I wanted to apologize for my misconduct earlier," she started. "It was not my intention—"

Nathan held up his hand to silence her. "I am not concerned with things of the past, Ms. Rhodes."