The drive was silent and we stopped at his office. Elvis Empire, this place never ceases to intimidate me but having him by my side, I am fine. It's been a while since I came here. He opened the door for me, he held my hand, my cheeks heat up as we walked inside. People looked at us, their stares were at our hands. Just like the last time, his whole being was protective over mine.
The lift was filled with too many people- again.
"Let's take the stairs." I whispered tugging on his sleeves.
"You know on what floor my cabin is? Can you walk that much?" He inquired.
"I just don't want to go in a cramped place." I whispered again.
He looked at me, my gaze was fixed on the ground but I can feel the looks of people.
"Fine." He sighed.
We are standing at the stairs,
"It's on the 45th floor. You sure you can walk that much?" He asked again.
"Let see. If I got tired, then we can take the lift." I recommended. He nodded as we began to climb stairs.
I looked at his back and somehow, I felt so proud. His broad back and a perfect dominating aura, made to rule this Empire he made on his own. A feeling of benediction filled me. He is an embodiment of a dream guy of every girl. I feel blessed to have a husband like him.
'A knight will descend for you..' I don't know about your Knight, Aunt but the person in front of me is my Knight, who has protect me from the abomination of this word.
An involuntary smile was formed on my lips as I walked. My breath became heavy at the 10th floor but I kept walking and finally at 20th floor, I was panting heavily and my legs lost their strength.
"Tired already?" Christian asked with a smirk. I just gave him a nod. I put a hand over my chest, trying to regain my breath.
"Let's take the lift." He suggested. I nodded and once again the lift was filled with people,
"Why do you have that many people." I complained.
"It's not my fault."
"Yeah, just like that lizard wasn't your fault." I scoffed.
"It truly wasn't my fault." He said defending himself. I sighed and we again took the stairs. We took a 10 minutes break after every 5 to 7 floor. I was leaning on the wall, sweat rolled down even though the building was air conditioned. And struggling for a while, we're finally at 35th floor. People kept looking at us but we ignored their looks.
"It almost an hour since we came here and I am still not in my cabin." He said narrowing his eyes at me.
"Then leave me behind." I said angrily. I am so tired, I can't walk and he is saying that it's my fault, yeah it is but I feel scared, it's not my fault. Dread took over me whenever I am in a cramped place now.
"You know that's never an option." He sighed. I continued to regain my breath but seems like he can't wait. I don't know that he is that impatient, he threw me over his shoulder, I let out a squeak,
"You are taking too much time." He said monotonously as he began to climb the stair with me over his shoulder. People kept looking at us and I felt embarrassed. A sudden feeling of shame took over me- even though he is my husband but I couldn't take it. I held his coat as I whispered, "Please.. Christian.. put me down." My voice was hoarse. I am trying to control myself but it's so hard. I just couldn't shake this feeling and I don't know why this somehow evoked the dread inside me. My grip on his coat tightened as I bit my lips to prevent myself from crying- the look of people, that's what provoked this feeling.
He stopped as he put me down. I sniffed to not to cry as I kept looking down, he stroke my cheek as he asked gently, "Hey, I'm sorry. You okay?"
I kept looking at the ground as I didn't reply to him. He continued to soothe me as I remained stilled.
"I'm sorry, I won't do it again."He said with such tenderness in his voice that it made me to slowly raise my gaze and met his. I passed him a vague smile with my trembling lips but then I curved my lips downwards as I spoke in a barely audible tone, "The.. looks.. of people." It took him some seconds to register what happened as he unexpectedly pulled me in a hug- once again in front of everyone as he run his hands in my hands in a loving manner as he whispered to me, "In my presence, Nothing can degrade you. And if anyone tried to do anything, they better be prepared for the consequences of scaring my wife." His voice was so sincere as it held deep meanings. I gave him a hesitant nod as we pulled away. Christian sent a glare to all the people who were looking at us and they quickly turned their gaze away.
"Let's go." He smiled offering me his hand. I pass him a feeble smile as I took his hand and we went to his cabin. We saw Henley on our way, she seemed happy me see me here. I passed her a faint smile as we went to his cabin.
"You take a seat, I'll do some work." He said when we reached his cabin. I nodded and took a seat.
I began to look around and stood up and looked out of the window and smiled. I feel so high, things seem so small. I then turned and saw Christian working. I kept looking around, It was quite big, there are two big sofas in the middle, A book shelf in on the right to his table. And some decorative stuff and furniture. As I was reading the book, the door knocked and Henley entered and said nervously,
"Sir, You have a meeting.. with Mr Houston.."
"Of course, I have to deal with your idiocy." He said bitterly and stood up.
He was about to leave with Henley but stopped,
"Richard, stay here with Sophie, if she calls my name even once, you're gonna tell me the very moment, understood?" He ordered.
"But Sir, You haven't read the file yet, You-"
"Don't worry about it. You stay here with her." He said professionally. I opened my mouth to say 'Good Luck' but he was about to leave without acknowledging my existence so I shut my mouth, maybe he forgot that I am here. He opened the door, he was about to leave but he stood there for a moment. He turned to me and walked towards me, I looked at him, he cupped my cheek and smile, he bend on his knees and said,
"I'll be back soon. Wait for me."
"That's why I told you, I can wait at home for you." I reasoned.
"I told you, I can't leave you in anyone's care. I'm in the conference room, if you need me, tell Henley, she'll call me, okay?" He explained and I gave him a nod.
"Good Luck." I said looking down. He kissed my cheek, "Thanks." He grinned.
"Make sure not to take your eyes off from her." He said and left. My lips formed a thin line as I kept looking down.
"Are you alright, Ma'am?" Henley asked sitting beside me.
"Yeah.. somehow.." I whisper. A silence broke out between us and after a while, she asked,
"Ma'am, if you don't mind.. May I ask something?" I hummed in response.
"When we first met you're so confidant and sarcastic.. and now.. you're so different.. Sir told me you were missing.. is everything fine?" She asked hesitantly.
"You knew.." I said looking down.
"Only I know. No one else here, I've been working for Sir for 7 years, I can be trusted.. I know it must be difficult for you to believe that since our first meeting wasn't good.. I am so sorry about it.. My engagement called off and I was send to shop for someone else wedding so... I am sorry I shouldn't have done that.." She trailed off.
"Oh, No, it's okay.. It must be hard for you.." I said sadly. She passed me a sad smile.
"It been a while since I have seen Sir smiled." She said.
"Henley.. if you have known Christian for seven years.. then tell me about him.." I asked intrigued. I want to know about about him.
"Sure... So.. Sir got married at the age of 23 with Ma'am Merlin, they're a cute couple- Oh, I shouldn't talk about her.." She said apologetically.
"No, it's okay, tell me whatever you can."
"So, I have been working for him since the very beginning, When Elvis Empire was nothing but a dusty building, Sir worked very hard to make it grow. Ma'am Merlin was always by his side supporting him, he used to say that he'll twist fate and settle with her, I never understand that and I still don't. And then he took a lot of risks to grow his business and at 23 he got married to her and at 25, he became what he is today. He progressed at an inhumane speed. And at that age, I can remember, there's was the party to celebrate this achievement of his and his mother had an accident." Accident? Didn't she attempt suicide?