China Doll

 

Amy Chan's eyes rarely settled on any one thing at a time. Alone in the control room, she let her eyes flick from one screen to the next, as she monitored the performance of the servers and computerized systems under her care.

She was especially alert to the ongoing threats coming from hackers and saboteurs, which her security screens would (hopefully) alert her to. Then, depending on the type of attack, she would set in motion various responses and notify different people.

It was an important job. Though much of the responses were automated you needed to get a quick handle on whether it was some loner in their mom's basement, a 'professional' hacker group looking to steal credit card information or lock the system down for ransom-ware, or something from a governmental agency.

She only had a BA in computer engineering, which was why she was in such an undesirable (to some) job, but she was working on her masters. Besides, the place suited her mood. It was quiet, which she found relaxing. Being alone let her play music on the speakers, not in headphones, and it was dimly lit (She had turned the overhead lights off), without the bright fluorescent lights most offices preferred.

Only her work station was lit with warm yellow light from a pair of small lamps that reflected off her large round glasses. The music playing from the overhead speakers was Clair de lune by Claude Debussy. She had always adored classical music, and she sometimes brought her violin to work to practice. Though only on her break, of course. Amy was an extremely responsible young woman.

Working midnights alone also let her dress as she pleased. Tonight she wore black tights and a very short black dress as light of weight as silk, but under a black sweater for warmth. It was a quixotic outfit. The dress was far too short and thin for work, but the tights and sweater mostly nullified the effect - mostly.

She wore high, stiletto heels not because she was trying to impress anyone, but because she liked them and they made her feel sexy. Amy wasn't a tall girl, and liked high heels. And besides, it wasn't like she had to do much walking.

She gave the six monitors on her desk a final, quick scan, then pushed her expensive wheeled chair back, stood up, and walked quickly across the tiled floor toward the kitchen. Her heels clicked rapidly as she moved. She was straight-backed, purposeful and focused. Her long dark hair floated a little as she moved. It hung almost to her waist in back, though it was only a little below her shoulders on the sides, and with thick bangs cutting across her forehead.

She flicked on the light to the kitchen and went to the machine in the corner to make tea. She was startled at a sudden sound from without, her head jerking around. It was the sound of the main door closing. She felt a momentary pang of alarm. This was a secure building (very), and highly restricted. She did not get much in the way of visitors except for - .

A very large, very black man came around the corner and she felt her chest tighten as he looked at her. He was wearing a black suit, with a crest on the breast pocket for the security company which monitored the physical security of the building.

"Hey, baby," he said.

Amy gulped and her head gave a jerky nod as she quickly turned back to the tea she was making. She hoped he would pass on by, though very much feared he would not.

Sure enough he came into the room, and she felt his presence behind her.

"Black is beautiful," he said in a soft, deep voice.

She blinked in confusion, then his fingers slid through her hair and along her shoulder. She turned around with a gasp and he grinned down at her.

"You're all in black tonight, babe."

"I... yes, I uhm, yes," she said, floundering.

She never really knew how to talk to men. Her parents had come to America when she was three years old. She had grown up here. But she'd grown up to traditional Chinese parents with their traditional view of what was and was not appropriate for girls. Her upbringing had been a mix of old and new world, but her new world experience was influenced by her shyness and, she would admit to herself, her being something of a nerd.

This... man, this Black man, this security guard - his name was Zion, she remembered - made her extremely uncomfortable whenever she saw him. He didn't act properly! He was... forward, too familiar, which in her culture was extremely rude. She didn't think he meant to be, however. She knew his own culture - not just American but Black American - was far less formal than hers.

And he made no secret of his interest in her, an interest which was, of course, completely impossible! Not only would her parents be furious at her getting involved with any boy not Chinese, but Chinese people (those from China) were, she knew, appallingly racist about Blacks. And perhaps even worse, he was uneducated! Her parents would be horrified if she got involved with anyone without at least a university degree! And from a good university too!

But Amy herself had, on the few occasions they had talked, found herself strangely fascinated with him. He was so big and strong looking, so masculine, with such wide shoulders and thick chest! He also had a look on his face, the look of a man who could be... dangerous! It wasn't that Amy feared him, but rather that she found him to be very, very... sexy.