Chapter 6

Chapter Six

On the walk back to the office Mr. Blackwell, no I needed to start thinking of him as Marcus, grabbed my hand and placed it in the crook of his elbow.  The gesture was so old fashioned and gentlemanly that it took me to a time I was unfamiliar with, aside from the exception of books and movies.  I had seen plenty of episodes of Downton Abbey, but it was still an unusual gesture for me.

I smiled to myself as I looked down, we had a date tonight and here we were walking back to the office.  I could sneak another glance over at Marcus and bit my lower lip trying to hide my grin as I looked away again.

It made me feel like we were a courting couple.  I couldn’t help but feel like I would wake up at any moment and this would all have been an elaborate dream.

We walked into the lobby and I could feel eyes on me, I nervously glanced around the brightly lit room, the white and chrome interior catching the sunlight through the big windows making it look airy.  

My eyes finally met Boston’s grey-green glare.

She sat behind the front receptionist’s sleek chrome desk, her almond shaped eyes jumped from me to Mr. Blackwell and I could see the flash of anger before she quickly covered it up pasting on a simpering, sweet smile as she stood up pushing her sleek black hair over her shoulder she rushed forward.  

“Mr. Blackwell, what are you doing Sir?”  She asked touching his other arm trying to pull him forward, I didn’t like how I felt watching her touching his arm, as if he was her lifeline.

I frowned as I watched him look down at Boston, then his lip curled up and I felt my eyes widen.

Oh no, I knew that look.  I had seen that look flitting across his face in the boardroom more times than I could count.  Before he went in for the kill, if Boston wasn’t careful she was bound to find herself crying in a corner.  I let out a sigh, decided to save her.  

“Boston, was there something you needed?”  I asked in an overly sweet voice, I’d kill her with kindness.  If she didn’t move her hand from his arm, I’d make it look like an accident.

“Oh Amelia, yes there was.”  She said glaring at me as Mr. Blackwell moved her hand off of his arm.  “You’re meeting for this evening has been moved up.  Your guests are already waiting for you in your office.”

“Damn,” he swore and I glanced up at him, maybe he was more worried about this meeting than he was letting on.  

We moved towards the elevator and I looked up, Mr. Blackwell was clenching his jaw and I could feel the tension in his arm beneath my fingertips.

“I’ll go check with Louis, if the item’s are ready and meet you up stairs Sir.”  I said already taking my hand off his arm to press the elevator buttons, up for him.  Down for me, I worried my lower lip with my teeth.  Should I tell Louis about Marcus and our date tonight?

“Amelia,” Marcus said.

“Yes Sir,” I said as I turned back to look at him.

“Be careful.”  He said softly as he brought his hand up, his fingertips barely touching my face.  I fought the urge to frown, I wasn’t doing anything that would put me in danger. 

“There is nothing to worry about Sir,” I said looking up at him as he moved his hand from my face to my arm giving it a gentle squeeze, the heat of his palm penetrating my blouse.

The elevator chimed and I stepped forward, Mr. Blackwell leaned inside the small space and pressed the button for the basement, before winking at me.  I couldn’t help the smile that his wink brought to my lips, as he turned away heading towards the stairs.  

I looked down at my feet as the elevator took me down, what was I going to wear tonight?

I hadn’t asked him where we were going, I guess I should have.  I frowned, maybe I would get the chance to ask him later?  I hoped I would get a moment to do so after his meeting, excitement bubbled out of me as I stepped out of the elevator and I smiled at Louis.

“Hey little one,” He said greeting me with a smile of his own, he had a box clutched in his arms, “I was just coming to see you.”

“Mr. Blackwell’s guests are here early, so I’m here to pick up the items he wanted.”  I said, I wanted to tell him about tonight.  He was my best friend in the company and but something stopped me.

“I’ll take them up with you, I should greet them as well.”  He said frowning slightly.

“Thank you Louis, but why would you need to greet them too?”  I asked curiosity flaring to life inside of me, I’ve always loved a good mystery and this was starting to look like a good one.

“There my elders as well,” Louis answered his frown deepening.

“Oh, I didn’t know that.”  I said as I followed him into the small elevator, his back was straight as if he was struggling with something, tense same as Mr. Blackwell, and I began to wonder if something was going on with our guests.  Were Marcus and Louis related somehow? 

 I wanted to ask him to see how they were connected, but I could tell he was worried, instead I reached over and squeezed his arm trying to offer him some comfort.

“It’ll be okay,” I said with a shy smile.

“Will it?”  he asked, his eyes glued to my hand as it rested on his arm.