Chapter 9

Chapter Nine

M y morning was cut short and I’m not thrilled about it. The weather has been unpredictable which isn’t good for work today. There’s no rain, but a lightning storm has been reported. Hopefully it passes over Oakbrook Terrace, because that is where I have to be. As I drive into the gated community, I admire the condos that all rely on this system. The owners conduct about eighty-five percent of their business on this system. The outage inconvenienced the customer, who had to conduct business manually with paper transactions. When I arrive a staff member is waiting so that they can escort me to their server room.

“Hi, I’m Enya from D.I.C.” I say shaking the tiny woman’s hand.

“I’m Jordie, nice to meet you. I’ll show you where the server room is, and I’ll be getting out of your way. How long do you think this will take?”

“Not too long, it really depends on the system. It could take twenty minutes; it could take two hours. Also, this lighting storm is now accompanied by the wind so I’m not sure.”

“Well the doors automatically lock on the outside, after hours. You can leave out with no problem when you’re done. We manually set the internal alarm to activate four hours after closing, so you should have time to do what needs to be done.”

“Okay, I will be done, but in the even that I’m not, what will happen?”

“The alarms will be going off and Oak Brook police will be dispatched.”

“Oh, wow.” I say on a chuckle.

“Fun, right?”

“Enya doesn’t do fun in that way.” A deep voiced man says from behind me.

“Julian startles me and Jordy. So much so Jordy, pulls her keychain pepper spray from her back pocket.

“No, Jordy, he’s my co-worker.” I say blocking Jordy from spraying Julian.

“I’m so sorry, the doors should be locked.” Jordy admits holding her chest as if she’s scared. Julian is intimidating, but in a way that’s different from violent. He holds up a key fob and Jordy connects the access. “Oh you’re a resident.”

“Yes,” he confirms.

I scoff, because I could be at home, and he could be repairing this system. “Seriously, why aren’t you doing this, if you live this close?”

“It was assigned to you,”

“So, why are you here?”

“I left my bag at the office last night and went back to get it. I was on my way in when I saw that you pulled up and wanted to see if you needed any help.”

“I don’t, you can leave.”

“May I leave,” Jordy’s soft voice asks. I forgot for a second she was still here.

“Yes, I’m sorry. I’ll be fine.” I tell her as I set my laptops up. Jordy says goodbye and disappears down the hall. Julian does not. I work in silence for about fifteen minutes before Julian speaks.

“Are re-patching or–,”

“Neither, I’m uninstalling, reinstalling with the new add-on patch.”

Julian nods, “Brilliant, why didn’t you suggest this option for Murray’s.”

I don’t say anything, and Julian creates an uncomfortable space for me. He steps closer and leans to get my attention.

“What? Don’t you see I’m trying to work?”

“An ignore the fact that I’m here.”

“I didn’t ask you to be. Like I said, you can leave.”

“And pass on a moment to learn from you. I’ll stay.”

“You know damn well, that I would use this option.”

“So you’re cursing now?”

“Can you leave?”

“Why?”

“Let me make this clear Julian, I don’t want you here.”

“I hear you, but I don’t believe you.”

The wind howls and the lights in the room flicker. I began a backup so that I don’t lose my progress in case the power goes out. Julian looks up at the ceiling observing the access points. At least that’s what I think he’s doing, because that’s what I did as soon as I stepped into the room.

“Have you started?–,”

“Yep,” I answer not wanting him to ask anything. “I know what I’m doing, Julian.”

“I didn’t say you didn’t.”

“You don’t have to say it. I think you should leave before the storm starts.”

“And leave you here?”

“I’ll be fine, I’m fifty percent done. I’ll be done in thirty minutes.”

“I’ll leave in thirty minutes.”

I’m so irritated by this man I wish he would leave. I can feel him staring at me.

“Julian?”

“What’s up? ”

“Can you please leave?”

“Why? Give me a reason to leave.”

“Because I do not like you.” I say this with my whole chest while making eye contact. This man smiles at my admission and is not affected in any way. I on the other hand, am affected. My body heat started at my neck and is moving south, and Julian knows it.

“Still, you’re not convincing.” The lights flicker again, but there’s thunder associated with it. I close my eyes, silently praying to God and St. Patrick that I complete this install without any problems.

“Amen.” We both say in unison making eye contact. There’s something there, I don’t know what, but the energy surrounding us is evident.