: I'm beyond annoyed, once again the interview went fantastic but it turns out they're suddenly not hiring anymore.. such bullshit.

: I'm sorry, doll. You'll find something. Are you on the jet now?

: I guess... and yep, I am. It feels strange being here without you.

: I'm sure :-) Tell Ben I say hi.

I looked up from the screen of my new phone at Ben, who was sitting opposite me on the couches at the sides of the jet.

I felt hot all of a sudden, since his dark gaze had been trained on me before I had even looked up at him.

He was yet again wearing a dark suit, his body very tensed up and delicious looking. Gosh, I really needed to calm down.

"Your father says hi," I squeaked out, and cleared my throat immediately after.

Not bothering to hide the fact that he had been watching me, Ben nodded and continued.

I forced myself to look down at the texts, trying to think of anything but his stunning dark eyes on me.

: He nodded in reply..

: Typical. I've got to go now, I have a date!

: Ahh, so exciting! Tell me everything after!!

: Totally. Stay safe, Sofia.

I smiled to myself and slipped my phone onto the empty couch beside me. I breathed out a small sigh and turned to look out of the window at the setting sun.

"It's getting late," I spoke up, aware that only Ben Capra and I were in the main area of the jet, and that silence wasn't really my kind of thing.

I met his gaze and offered him a small smile, hoping he'd relax. His naturally slightly furrowed brows made him look more threatening than he really was, I had come to realise.

Again, he gave me a simple nod in recognition and checked the time from the expensive watch on his wrist.

"You'll need to change here so you can go straight to meet Ryan Ford," he told me.

I had pushed back the strange encounter I'd had with him this morning in his office, believing there was no way he could know. His father would never have told him.

I tried to make small talk a bit more, but since he seemed to not feel it too much, I decided to just go change into the gown I had for tonight.

Ryan Ford was a relatively well-known businessman, residing in Brussels. His funding was competing with Capra Corps', when it came to supplying the European Union.

Of course, these were all kept under wraps. It wouldn't be good for people to begin finding out that Capra Corp has people everywhere, running everybody's lives without anyone suspecting anything.

I changed quickly in the bedroom at the back of the jet into the burgundy Balmain gown I had brought for tonight. It was sleek and simple, extenuating my curves. I couldn't wear a bra with its plunging v-neck, and knew tonight with Mr Ford would go fine. He was like all men; ready to drool over whatever skin I showed.

"When are we landing?" I made my way back into the main area of the jet, where Ben Capra was holding a glass of champagne and scrolling down his phone.

I had my heels in my hand as I situated myself in the seat I had had opposite him on the beige leather couch.

He looked up at me, and something flashed in his eyes when he took me in. He didn't bother hiding his attraction towards me, which immediately made me feel hotter than before.

"Balmain?" His voice seemed lower and his eyes finally met mine, darker than before.

"Yes," I managed a small smile.

"You look gorgeous," Ben resumed his collected state.

"Thanks," my smile widened a little, "is everything alright?"

"What do you mean?" His brows furrowed. A part of me suddenly wanted him to pin me against a wall and kiss me. The sudden and powerful pull scared me a little, not understanding why I was feeling these things towards him.

He was attractive, incredibly so, but that was just looks. His personality seemed to fluctuate from kind to threatening too often, though, and was too much for me to handle.

"You seem tense," I shrugged lightly and ruffled my curled hair a bit, making sure it stayed bouncy and natural looking.

"I'm not a big fan of flying," Ben looked away and finished his glass of champagne.

"You're afraid of flying?" My brows furrowed.

"I'm not afraid," he shook his head, scoffing at the word, "I just don't like it."

I smiled to myself and decided to do something rather scandalous.

I got up and took a few steps towards him. He looked up at me, the sudden curiosity in his eyes of what I was doing making my smile widen even more. I sat down next to him, closer than some might consider appropriate. He didn't move, his eyes staying locked on me.

"What are you scared about?" I continued gently, sitting sideways so I could face his side.

I felt an incredible pull to him. Maybe it was the champagne I had had, or maybe it was just everything that had built up since Mr Capra Sr. retired.

"I'm not scared, sweetheart," a smug smile tugged at the sides of his lips, his dark gaze flickering down to my lips for a fraction of a second, "heights just aren't my thing."

A small giggle left my lips and I gently nudged his upper arm, feeling the firmness of his muscles underneath the suit, "yet you have an office at the highest floor of the highest building in the city?"

He shrugged and reached over to place his empty champagne glass on a small table nearby, before returning his full attention to me.

"Not from my own choosing," he told me, seeming to slowly relax, "I feel dizzy looking out of the window."

I laughed. One of those loud laughs that makes you cover your mouth with your hand. I could tell he was trying to hold back his widening smile, but soon failed.

"Are you okay?" He chuckled lightly, brows raising at me.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to laugh," I shook my head after calming down, "it's just cute."

"Cute?" He gave me a challenging expression, tone lighthearted, "you think it's cute that I don't like heights?"

"Kind of..." I shrugged, sending him a teasing grin, "I don't like the ocean, if that makes you feel better."

"Are you scared of drowning, or?" He wondered, still casually situated on the couch, his tense shoulders now much more relaxed than before.

I shook my head with a faint smile, "I'm scared of what's in the ocean. The really deep parts that haven't been studied yet, you know?"

He nodded, "that is a pretty freaky thought..."

"Right?" I shifted closer almost unknowingly, "way scarier than a little bit of height."

"You're being feisty tonight, Sofia," he commented, slipping his phone into the pocket of his suit jacket.

"It's just the champagne," I shrugged it off and motioned around with my hand carelessly.

"Is it?" His tone lowered.

I blinked slowly and registered his dark and heated gaze. It sent a shiver down my spine, and for a moment I felt like I wanted to kiss him.

This was so wrong. I quickly shook my head to rid myself of further thoughts, not quite understanding myself why I wanted him but was terrified to have anything happen between us.

"I have a client for you tomorrow evening as well," Ben cleared his throat, breaking himself away from whatever bubble had suddenly formed around us.

"Oh? I only have this one gown..."

"It'll be fine. It's perfect," he cleared his throat and looked away, jaw clenching again for a moment.

I frowned and placed my hand on his thigh, throwing all caution into the wind. His head snapped back towards me, but I remained calm.

"Why do you seem so stressed?" I shook my head carefully, "is something going on?"

"Nothing's going on—"

"Then why are you so stressed?" I tilted my head and lowered my voice just a hint, enough to know it had any man doing anything I wanted him to do, "is your father okay? Is there something he hasn't told me?"

"No, no, he's fine," Ben chuckled uncomfortably and shifted in his seat, causing my hand to slip away from his thigh as he looked away again.

He sighed and ran a hand through his hair, seeming frustrated with himself. My brows furrowed as I studied the side of his face while waiting for him to continue.

"Sofia, I need you to stay working for us," was what he then said.

Once his words registered, I let out an exhausted breath and moved to sit as he was sitting; with my back against the couch instead of facing his side.

Ben continued before I could begin protesting, "I'll lessen your work load, I'll triple your pay, I'll do whatever bloody thing you need me to do. As long as you just stay with us."

I looked down at my lap and began shaking my head, "it's not that simple... I can't, I'm sorry..."

My voice was barely above a whisper, feeling truly sorry that I had to turn down his more than generous offer.

After my reply, Ben Capra remained silent.