The Seduction of Suki

Suki was getting tired of the way the new guy kept looking at her. It was creeping her out. It had made her uncomfortable and nervous at first, but now she was beginning to feel those emotions morph into anger. She had studied for years and worked her ass off to get to where she was now, and she wasn’t going to have any pervert rain on her parade. He obviously wasn’t going to take the hint, and therefore, she would have to set him straight. When they both ended up in the break room, she finally got the opportunity. Well, almost. Someone had to take the honors for her. Agent Hughes—unsurprisingly—stepped in. She had arrived first and was about to leave with the tea and granola bar she had gotten. Suki didn’t see the point in sitting in an empty room, staring at the wall or her phone while she ate and sipped her drink, risking an unwanted encounter with Agent Hughes. However, she would much rather run into Hughes than Ted at this point. Unfortunately, she would have to deal with both of them that day. No sooner had she stepped outside the break room and into the hall than Ted accosted her. “What am I, Suki? Too good for you that you won’t even go out on a date with me? It’s only to the movies, and we would be in public, and—” “I don’t care where we would be, Ted,” Suki said, almost wishing she were empty-handed so she could smack some sense into him. “I’m not interested in dating right now, no matter who it is or where it is. What part of that don’t you understand?” “Well, you just act like you’re too good for me.” “How I act is my concern, and if you don’t like it, then why ask me out?” “Hey, hey, hey,” said Agent Hughes, just as she rounded the corner and headed toward them. “What’s going on here?” She stood next to Ted in a way that was meant to be overbearing. They were about the same height, but Ted was thin and wiry, whereas Hughes was not overweight, but big-boned and solid. “Oh, Ted seems to be having problems with the English language today,” Suki said before he could run his mouth about her supposed attitude. “Doesn’t seem to get that I’m not interested in dating anyone at the moment.” Ted seemed embarrassed and stared down at his shoes like a child being scolded. “Well, you heard her,” said Hughes. “I would also appreciate it if you didn’t undress me with your eyes every time I’m within your range of vision. I’m here to work—not make friends or seek out dating partners.” Ted said nothing, still staring at the floor. “Got it, buddy?” Hughes asked him. Ted nodded and quickly stormed down the hall, shoulders hunched, hands shoved in his pockets. “You okay?” Hughes asked once he was gone. Suki nodded. “Thanks.” “Hey, wait a minute,” Hughes said as Suki began to head back to the computer division. “Yes?” “If he bothers you again, you let me know, okay?” “Okay. I will.” “I should be leaving around the same time you do, so if you don’t feel comfortable riding your bike on your own or anything like that, just give me a ring on the private cell number I gave you, and I’ll get you home.” “Thank you very much for the offer,” Suki said with sincerity. “I should be okay, though. I don’t want to let him control me like that.” “I get you on that one. Just be careful.” “I will.” Suki finished the rest of the workday without issue. Ted left her alone as agreed. If anything, he actually seemed afraid to look in her direction whenever they were working in the same room—which, luckily, wasn’t too often. Grateful for the weather being a little cooler once she left the building, she unlocked her bike and pedaled home without incident. The only part she didn’t like was lugging her bike up to the second floor, through her apartment, and onto her balcony. There simply wasn’t any other place to put it. Even though it was on the second floor, she always took precautions and locked it to the balcony’s railing. No one would steal it unless they were desperate, but the world truly was full of desperate people. All a person had to do was stand on someone else’s shoulder, and they could grab it. That’s why she and her roommate always made sure the slider was locked. Breaking in or stealing the bike would be foolish on a somewhat well-traveled and well-lit street—but people had done far bolder, more daring things before. Suki thought she would feel relieved to be in the comfort of home, locked in securely, and glad not to be on the first floor. But she didn’t. She found herself wishing her roommate were home. She wasn’t sure what was bothering her. It didn’t seem like the encounter with Ted should be serious enough to make her feel as on edge as she did but that was how she felt. Something felt off. Something just wasn’t quite right, but she wasn’t sure what it was. Ted didn’t seem like the type who would go so far as to actually harm a woman who rejected him but she didn’t know the guy, so who was she to say for sure? Or maybe it had nothing to do with him. Ever since she saw what she could have sworn was Agent Hughes gazing up at her window from the street, she had been having strange sensations of being watched. But Suki wasn’t about to confront the agent and ask, “Hey, have you been staring up at my bedroom lately?” She decided to try to push it out of her mind and fix herself some comfort food. She felt a little better after she ate. It was when a sharp, loud knock sounded on the door that any tranquility she was starting to feel quickly vanished.