Ch. 10 Escorted

After the whole lunch fiasco Lila and Mr. Keliel, got along smoothly. They continued working until late as she helped him with a presentation. Soon it was dark and the only thing that interrupted them was the crack of thunder booming through the empty building and the flash of lightning through the windows. Jumping, scared out of her wits, Lila accidentally dropped the stack of papers in her hand. Mr. Keliel looked up from his absorbing work with an amused expression. Collecting herself quickly, she dropped to the floor, scrambling to gather the papers and re-stack them.

"Afraid of thunder?" Mr. Keliel's smooth voice interjected. Lila paused mid- scramble and nodded her head gently, then realizing he couldn't see her over the edge of the desk she responded lightly,

"Yes. Ever since I was a little girl." Nodding thoughtfully Mr. Keliel stood and exited the website that he was building his graphs on and tucked in his chair. Grabbing his jacket he walked over to her and casually offered his hand. Lila took it and allowed him to pull her up gently. She set the stack of papers on the corner of his desk, and smoothed her skirt. Looking up she saw him patiently looking at her. Caught staring, he looked forward and continued his fast pace out of the office. Lila followed him hurriedly. Grabbing her jacket and purse she asked him, "Where are we going?"

"I'm escorting you to your car Ms. Peaks. Ladies should never be left alone in the night, especially in the rain." He responded pressing the elevator button. The whirring sound of the elevator approaching from below was the only sound in the calm silence between them. They entered the elevator together, one after another and he gestured to the button panel. She quickly smashed the 4th floor garage button and stepped back. A foot of space between them was strategically lessened as Mr. Keliel shifted towards her. Not wanting to be too close Lila easily countered his shift by shifting in the other direction. Moments passed before... He shifted towards her again. He moved closer towards her this time and uncomfortably Lila counter shifted farther away once more.

Disturbed by her abrupt movements, Mr. Keliel's eye moved to look at her. Blushing awkwardly she hastily explained, "Sorry sir, I just thought you would like your space." She smiled crookedly and looked away.

"But isn't it cold over there?" He pointed upwards toward the ceiling where a vent was releasing hot air. Lila looked up and realized she had just accused him of scooting closer to her because he wanted to be near her. She never thought he would just be trying to get under the heated airflow. Embarrassed at her illogicality she responded,

"Oh, yes." As she shifted towards him he didn't shift away. Holding his ground he looked straight ahead at the metal doors ignoring her. The elevator ride down was long, but finally the elevator ping and the whooshing sound of the doors sliding apart released her from the tense silence. She stepped out of the elevator and walked a few paces before turning to thank him. Before she could open her mouth she quickly noticed he was outside the elevator. With he head cocked and his eyes narrowed in slight annoyance he asked,

"Is there something wrong, Mr. Peaks? You're acting odd."

Dropping the arm she had raised to wave good bye she hastily responded, "Oh, no sir, I just didn't expect you to walk me all the way to my car. It's quite a long walk. Wouldn't it be faster to just continue on your way to your own vehicle?"

The small patch of skin between his dark brows scrunched up in confusion. "And why would I do that? To leave you alone at this time of night would be foolish and ungentlemanly of me, so how could I?" Shocked into silence Lila closed her mouth and turned back around, starting the long silent walk to her car with Mr. Keliel walking just a few paces behind her. If you had told her weeks ago that right now she'd have the CEO and creater of Pro-tech industries following her like a puppy dog she would have responded laughing,

"Not even in my dreams"