Chapter Four

"Ro Ro, that's pretty cool.", Helly hums, twirling Daisy around by the tips of her fingers.

I chuckle, "Thanks. I'm very tired."

"You should become an investigator, ratting evil people and stuff.", Daisy chimes in, twirling again.

After missing Friday dinner, my girls called an emergency meeting at Helly's place. Unfortunately, Eva couldn't make it, she's on a hot date with her boyfriend of the week.

"You'd make a great cop.", Helly laughs, shimmying her hips to the music.

I faux glare at her, "Now, what's that supposed to mean?"

[] [] []

"Aurora.", Ms. Bailey greets standing from my desk as I enter our floor.

"Good morning Ms.Bailey,", I reply, handing her a coffee, "Did you sleep well?"

"Yes. Thank you,", She says, taking it and placing it down. She takes a breath.

"Aurora. I reviewed your findings on the lost shipments and brought it to the attention our insurance staff. We're scheduled to meet them in an hour. Please prepare a presentation."

Four men sit in front of me, including Mr. Scott.

One of them starts a tape recorder after assuring me not to stress, "Wednesday, Miss. Flores let's review your findings.", He then says.

The meeting doesn't take long, and they don't give me any information about Mr. Menni that I don't already know. The only thing they ask is of me is to make an official statement on my information and how I gathered it. Mr. Scott doesn't take his eyes off me, studying my face as I speak and when I don't

As we're finishing, the three men thank me, and I thank them before leaving. Ms. Bailey lets out a breath as we walk out, straightening her skirt and clasping her hands together.

"All done, then?"

I nod to her.

As we're waiting for the lift, I turn my head slightly to the sound of hushed tones. The room I sat in only moments ago holds the three men and their secrets. I want to know what they're saying, but Ms. Bailey enters the elevator and I follow suit.

I spend the day reviewing my words in amongst doing my work. I didn't have any time to prepare what I was going to say, but I only spoke the truth and of things that are factual, so I assume I did alright. The fact I haven't got any council from Ms. Bailey helps my case as well. She's a fascinating woman, I can't help but admire her.

In the late afternoon, when I'm packing away my bag and wiping down the desk areas, Ms. Bailey speaks.

"Aurora, tell me. What are your thoughts on the situation with Mr. Menni?", she says from her chair.

I look down to her. She wants to know my opinion? I clear my throat, "Well,", I start, thinking my way through my words, "To be frank, I feel that Mr. Menni is involved with the missing shipping containers. He is head of the reports department, but very adamant on dismissing me and any need of other reports than as his own,", I then refer to my findings, "The three missing containers that I located were all shipped from the same place, travelling together. Say that the video was wrong, which of course it isn't, it's still a strange coincidence that the three shipping containers that were 'lost at sea' are so closely connected."

Ms. Bailey locks eyes with me. She huffs a small chuckle, "You have suspicions that he is involved with smuggling."

"Yes."

She nods and dismisses me with a 'thank you'.

On my way out, I hesitate at the lift wishing I could hear discussion from the floor above. I want to know more. I sigh and click for down.

"Miss Flores.", a voice says from behind me.

I gasp and turn around. It's Mr. Scott.

"Oh,", I laugh, smothering my fright. He's as silent as a ghost, "Hello Mr. Scott."

"Hello.", he chimes, taking a step next to me, pressing for down on his elevator.

My heart squeezes. The air seems to darken with him around.

We wait in silence for a moment. He doesn't say anything, and I'm inferior to him so I don't start a conversation. We are not on casual terms.

Mr. Scott's elevator arrives first, I nod him goodbye as he steps in. As he presses a button for ground, he looks back up, "Come in. Your elevator will be a while.".

... Am I allowed- "Okay. Thank you.", I say stepping in.

Mr. Scott is a tall man. I'm a tall woman, but he towers over me even in my heels. I straighten up as I stand beside him, it's humbling to feel small.

As we stand, Mr. Scott lifts a hand to my shirt, feeling the fabric, "What material is this?", he purrs.

Girlfriend material- "It's linen.", I say, looking up to him.

He catches my eye, "Very nice, the colour is well suited."

It's white, "Th- thank you.", I stumble out, trying to push aside the feeling of his fingers on my skin.

Thankfully, he retracts his hand, "What have you got on this weekend?", he asks out of the blue, placing his hands behind his back.

"I- ", I stumble. This is embarrassing. I didn't expect him to make small talk. I didn't expect any of this! What do I have on? My brain! "I'm... catching up with friends. One of them was a singer for your last charity event."

"... Daisy?"

I smile to him, "Yes. Daisy.", I wonder how he remembered that.

He looks to the elevator door, "She sang well."

I nod to him, following his sight, "She did."

As we land, Mr. Scott waits for me to exit first.

"Miss Flores.", he calls again, holding the door as I'm walking out.

"Yes?", I smile, turning back.

He holds my eye, "What restaurant did you say you were going to?"

"The sushi restaurant on East Street."

He nods then he presses to button to go back up a floor, "I'm sure you'll enjoy."

[] [] []

"He what?", Eva giggles from the kitchen bench.

"It's not big news,", I chide, stirring my curry. I brush a lock of hair behind my ear.

"Aurora. Mr. Scott taking you with him in his super-duper special elevator is hella' special. Do you think he likes you- "?

"Of course, he likes her!", Daisy interrupts, gesturing wildly, "Look at her, come on."

I roll my eyes and smile. Helly stays quiet.

The girls keep chatting together and I continue cooking. To make up for missing Friday Dinner, I said that I'd cook them supper. They brought the drinks.

Eva brings up her latest boyfriend, on how she's not sure if she likes him or not, but how cute he his. I fight to peel my mind off my latest encounter with Mr. Scott.

Eva mid-sentence is interrupted by Helly,

"Did you say that Scott left the elevator with you?", She asks.

I turn to her, Mr. Scott? "No, he didn't.", I answer, furrowing my brow.

She grins, "So he walked you out?"

I blush.

[] [] []

"Dad... Please listen.", I sigh. He's always been a stubborn man.

He sighs in the same way. Maybe we wouldn't argue so much if we weren't so alike.

"The job is going well, it's good for me. So, I... I can't get Uncle Will another job."

I know that he is clenching his jaw, "It's your uncle- "

"No! You know what he's like! He's greedy and dishonest. He blows it for me every time. No- "

"Yes- "

"Where's mum?"

"No, I'm talking! Aurora- "

I hang up.

[] [] []

I don't hear any more of Mr. Menni for the rest of the week. The fact that everyone is so tight lipped makes my curiosity burn more. Still, out of loyalty to the company, I don't prod.

Friday night, my friends and I decide to hit up a sushi restaurant. Helly shows up shimmering with jewellery, Eva shows up with her bi-weekly boyfriend, and Daisy shows up late.

"So...", Helly drawls, picking at her food, "Do you like movies?"

Eva's boytoy undoes another button, shooting an odd glance to Eva, "Only the cult classics... I don't like your usual kind of movies."

Helly nods and looks down to her food, scratching her brow as she shoots me a look.

I know girlfriend, I know.

The restaurant adds to the awkward atmosphere. Say the night was going well, the soft light and calming music would ease us into conversation, but since it was awkward, we all wished it was darker and louder.

We all pretend to be much more interested than we are when the door chimes, and whip towards it. Though when I do, I quickly regret it. It's Mr. Scott, accompanied by a friend, and he's looking handsome.

I spin back around white faced as he's taken to his seat. Daisy, the only one who knows what he looks like, gasps at me.

"I-... I'm going to the bathroom."

I'm responded with a chorus of 'me too's.

"Guys, that one was Mr. Scott!", Daisy shouts as we bustle through the door.

"Shush!", I hiss, clamping a hand over her mouth.

"No way, which one?", Eva squeals, rushing out the door. Quickly, I trip her with my foot.

"No, stop!", I whine as she crashes to the floor, "Just- Just wait a second! Stop panicking!"

And when they all freeze, I realise that I'm the only one panicking. I let go of everyone and straighten up, stroking back my hair, "Thank you... Yes, Mr. Scott is outside- "

Eva squeals again but I shoot a firm finger across her mouth.

I sigh as we lock eyes. She understands and I lower my hand, "Yes...", I drawl again, "Mr. Scott is outside. He's in a brown button up shirt. You can subtly look if you wish- "

They rush out.

Helly, who has been reasonable the whole time, walks up to me and pats my back.

"Show me."

I lead Helly back to the restaurant again, walking past Eva and Daisy who are looking in the wrong direction.

"There.", I mutter, casually pointing to him. Quickly, I turn around so that he doesn't spot me.

I watch as Helly lays his eyes on him, "The one with dark hair?", she asks, looking him up and down.

"That's Mr. Scott. Yes."

She smirks, "Yummy."

I smack her arm, giggling, "Shut up."

She doesn't take her eyes off him, poking her tongue into the corner of her lip,

"Better not show me again, I'll have to steal him from you- oh no.", Her face drops.

"Oh, no?", I whisper, going white also.

Slowly, her eyes slide back to mine. She looks mortified.

"What's the matter with you?", I chuckle, about to turn around-

"Don't look.", she squeaks, squeezing my hand. I turn to her. She flicks him another glance before smiling my way as if nothing happened.

I lean against the side of the wall and raise an eyebrow at her, "He's cute Helly...

I understand... Are you- "

"Miss Flores."

My face pales. Helly and I lock eyes. She nods as if to say, 'this is what I was worried about'.

I inch back to him, rising off the wall, "Mr. Scott.", I abashedly greet. Had he seen Helly's look? - Does he know we're talking about him?!

He nods to me and Helly, before turning to me, "What a coincidence to see you here."

I told him I was going for dinner... Did he- I blink. "Oh... Wow, well I'm having dinner... with friends.", I squeak. Do I have to sound so dumb?! What's wrong with me?! Why does he have to look so good?!

He nods, and looks to Helly, "Scott.", He greets, holding a hand to her.

"Helly.", She smiles to him, taking his hand.

Ugh, he even smells good.

Mr. Scott is wearing a beautifully cut brown shirt, the colour enrichening his olive skin and chocolate eyes. His hair is curlier than it is at work, perhaps he hasn't gelled it as much. All in all, he looks gorgeous.

"Miss Flores?", He interrupts.

I look back to his eyes. He's smirking at me. I clear my throat, "S- Sorry?" This is it. I have never been so flustered in my life.

"I said that your friend is charming."

I look to her. She's disappeared and when I find her eyes, she grins at me from our table. I glare at her, "Yes... very.", I mutter.

Mr. Scott leans against the wall, and eyes my outfit. I keep in mind that he's only seen me in a dress. I almost feel embarrassed to be wearing jeans in front of him.

"Tell me, Miss Flores...", He starts, not bothering to lift his eyes, "Where is your companion tonight?"

I choke. "My companion?", I splutter. I cover my mouth, "I apologise... I-... do not have a companion."

He looks to me through dark eyelashes. I catch a perk on the side of his lip. He crosses his arms and leans back further, rolling his neck. I hold my breath.

"Well, why not?", he whispers, lolling his head to the side as he slowly lifts his eyes to mine. The air sizzles between us.

I lower my eyes. Why not? I furrow my brow, "That's...", I fade out, "Those... are secrets.", I say, before straightening up and firmly looking him in the eye. I hadn't realised I'd curled into myself. "Mr. Scott.", I bid, as I turn around.

"Miss Flores.", he purrs from behind.