Piper's POV

I forced a smile as I looked on at my reflection in the mirror as I stood in the hall applying my nude lip gloss. I sighed. It had been a chaotic week as I've been trying to stay on top of things and manage the entire company while Larry was handling so called business meetings. It didn't help that so much had to be done before he left for his stupid business trip which was 'compulsory' and he left the majority of it for me to work through. It really was weighing down on my little shoulders and it quite honestly pissed me off. I think he forgets it isn't my company to run, it's his therefore his own responsibility.

I released a long, slow sigh and rolled my neck and shoulders in an attempt to release some of the built up tension from my body. I walked back into my room and sat in front of my dressing table once I had plugged in my curling tongs. As I waited for them to heat up I allowed my thoughts to wonder to Alex, which immediately made me feel apprehensive about tonight. I mean, this was Alex Vause for crying out loud.

Alex is a very prestigious woman in her own right. Anyone with a corporate company like hers desired power and experience like hers and idolised her in some kind of goddess way. Even then, people who didn't have a corporate company wanted to be her - that or they wanted to sleep with her. At times her presence was intimidating, she had the power to make a grown man tremble in his boots from just one look. But looking at it from a business point of view, it's an amazing quality to have even if it means it means everyone is constantly running scared. Despite the fact many people dislike her, there was something about her that I found genuinely alluring.

My phone vibrated indicating I received a message. As I unlocked the screen Alex's name popped up with a text alert. Speaking of the devil.

'Alex: Remember our date, I'll be there to pick you up in 15 minutes. X'

I grasped the curling irons and started to loosely curl the ends of my hair as I allowed my thoughts to run free once again.

It made me a little uncomfortable that she continued to refer to our impromptu meet up as a date, but nowhere near as much as the little kiss at the end of the message did. Thinking about the text message immediately caused a shiver to run down the length of my spine as I once again grew nervous at visiting Alex's home. A steady stream of questions ran through my head.

Does Alex still live with her family? Does she have a big family? Does she have any pets? Does anyone live with her? What is her home like? Where does she live? Is it homely and traditional or expensive and like some sort of show home?

My thoughts then darted to dinner. I wondered if Alex would really have taken the time and effort to cook or would she leave the decision of take out to me? I became anxious as the thought of awkward conversations came to the fore front of my mind because I was sure to make an absolute fool out of myself within the first five minutes. I wouldn't even have a bathroom to run and hide in whilst I'm swallowed by a pit of embarrassment. Instead I'd have to sit in her car and somehow cope with it.

I finished curling my hair and turned off the appliance as I walked down the stairs and threw my house keys, mobile and some cash (just in case it was needed) in my handbag. Then yet another thought crossed my mind. I wonder how Larry would react to this. I remember the first time we went for coffee and he blew up when we got back, talking about how forming alliances with such competitors would cause great threat to the business.

I had no time to proceed with my trail of thought as there was a knock on the door. I took one quick glance in the mirror in the hall to assure my hair and make-up was still okay and I smoothed down my dress and grabbed my bag before walking to the front door and opening it.

"Hello Piper," Alex greeted with a warm smile.

"Alex," I replied, mirroring her smile. All my nervousness was completely abolished and her presence engulfed me in waves of comfort which were seemingly rolling off her with ease.

Alex smirked, eyeing me from head to toe, "you look great Pipes."

A blush rushed to my face as I felt blood cursing through every vein in my body. I looked at my small black wedges before muttering a small "thank you".

I took a moment to look at Alex's attire. Clearly my choice to go with business casual attire was the correct decision as Alex also wore smart but casual clothing. Her blazer jacket was black and had three quarter length sleeves adorning her arms with a button fastening in the middle which perfectly showcased a straight black and white stripe shirt, which was buttoned fully. A pair of smart, skinny jeans were rolled above her ankles - which hugged her figure deliciously. She towered over me as she added a few extra inches with shiny heels - overall an outfit which greatly complimented my black shoulder dress. Her smirk grew tight once more as she noticed me checking her out.

"Shall we head out?" She asked to which I nodded in approval before locking my door and following her to her car.

"Upstairs?" Alex questioned before holding the door open for me ushering us in off the noisy street.

Inside the apartment complex my envisions were rendered as incorrect as sleek, shiny, grey tiles lined the floor which contrasted with white walls and black hand rails and stairs. The silver elevator doors opened to show the small mirrored room. Alex pressed the top button - she lived in the penthouse. Once the familiar elevator bling had sounded, the doors opened to a small hall which showed an uncanny similarity to those downstairs. A heavy oak door with the number 34 on it stood in front of us. What lay behind the door left me speechless.

The traditional family home I had pictured Alex living in with her mother was completely outcast. Instead I was presented with a modern, high end, city apartment. My feet automatically took me to the glass wall on the north side of the building, taking in the décor of the penthouse as I went. Alex had great taste and the place was furnished to the highest standard. Clean black and white modern décor suited her more than any picture I could conjure up in my minds eye. I stood looking out on to the busy New York streets below - it presented a breath taking view. I sighed.

"It's beautiful."

I felt a firm hand on the small of my back, something which made my heart race a little bit, "I am most fond of it myself," Alex beamed with pride. And rightly so, I could easily see that she was very proud of what she had done with the place. A quiet alarm coming from a divided part of the room tore my attention away from the scenes below.

"Dinner is ready," Alex informed. Also telling me that she had made the effort to cook instead of taking the easy way out with a take away.

I sat at the small dining table, looking on into the open planned kitchen which was finished to the same black and white, high standard as the rest of the apartment whilst watching Alex plate up our food. Two steaks, fillets I presumed, with sweet potato chips, pepper sauce and green beans. A bottle of wine already sat at the table in front of me with cutlery and place mats. I watched how she effortlessly danced around the kitchen with no haste to plate up the meal she had cooked to perfection. She would push her black frames up her nose every so often and her long black hair behind her ear. Finally, she lifted both plates and sat at the table opposite me.

"Bon appetite," she said sarcastically, pouring us both a generous glass of wine before lifting her utensils.

I smiled and thanked her for the food she had cooked for me and copied her actions. I pulled the knife through my steak with ease. The succulent meat fell apart in my mouth and the flavour of the pepper sauce was rich. We continued to eat in silence as I enjoyed my food. The silence was comfortable.

"Mmmm," a long moan escaped my lips as the beautiful flavours of the last mouthful of steak danced with my taste buds. This caused Alex to stifle a chuckle.

"You know Piper, I thought it would be a while before I got you moaning like that," she immaturely joked at my expense. I was took back by her bold remark but I figured she was just messing around.

"And it will be a long time before it happens again Miss Vause," I bit back, the same playful tone in my voice as she had. My statement made her raise a single eyebrow before she took off her black frames.

"Are you suggesting there will be other chances?" Alex quizzed.

"Well," I thought, "on the contrary to what Larry thinks, I quite enjoy your company so I don't see why we shouldn't spend some time together. Only if you'd like to of course." My statement sounded more like a question, however Alex didn't reply. Instead she stood up and took our dishes to the kitchen. I followed her with my half empty glass of wine.

"Larry doesn't like me," Alex pointed out as she scraped what little was left off the plates and into the food bin.

"Larry doesn't like anybody," I assured. I saw the cogs turning in Alex's head as she decided how to approach what was running through her magnificent mind. She closed the dishwasher door and pulled another bottle from the wine fridge beside it, topping up both our glasses before ushering us to her lush, white corner sofa which looked out onto the city view.

"Is he always so hostile?" She wondered.

"Yeah, work makes him like that," I revealed. Somehow I don't think that was quite the answer she was looking for.

"I meant, towards you," Alex continued to pry. "It makes you unhappy."

Her question had really stunned me a little. I knew everyone could see how uptight work made Larry, and rightly so because his job was tough, but I didn't think anyone could see how unhappy it made me within our relationship, let alone Alex who was merely a stranger two weeks ago.

"Only sometimes," I shrugged.

We sat quietly listening to the dulcet tones emitting from the radio, gently sipping on our beverages. Alex had soon finished her third glass and retrieved a beer from the fridge this time.

"More my style," she said as she popped off the twist off cap. A few more moments passed in silence. I could tell by Alex's facial expressions she was thinking about something. Her brows were furrowed and tightly knit together. Whatever she was thinking about, it wasn't good. Something drew me towards her and I shuffled closer to her on the couch and slowly placed my hand on her thigh, this caused her to turn around.

"What are you thinking so hard about?" I asked in a soft tone.

"Piper," Alex breathed. "I know that it's not my place to say anything but... You deserve better than what Larry gives you, Pipes. I've seen, first hand, what happens when people can't see that they deserve better and it always ends badly. Don't let that happen to yourself Piper."

For the third time tonight, Alex had really shocked me. I couldn't quite work her out. I never knew what she was going to say next or how she was going to say it but what I did know was I was far too intrigued by her for my own good. She had let me see a different side to her tonight. Not the business Alex that everyone knew but the personal Alex. And whether she meant to or not she showed me something I rarely see anymore. She showed me that she cares. She was completely different to anyone I have ever met before. She's spontaneous, funny and there's something that draws me to her. I had this overwhelming feeling all of a sudden - it was probably the alcohol. I dropped my head in defeat, resulting in the pair of us becoming a little closer.

"You're right," I breathed lifting my head. "It's not your place to pry." Alex looked into my eyes. I was about to cry and I didn't really know why. As a tear escaped it's duct I felt Alex's soft hands either side of my face, she never spoke any words but her expression calmed me slightly. Only enough that I noticed her face moving closer to mine. I had seen this many times before, and it always happened like this. As I closed my eyes waiting for her lips on mine I felt them on my cheek before she pulled me into a tight embrace.

Then I started to sob - I was disappointed that Alex didn't kiss me.