12. A kiss

The door to the washroom flew opened and Loren entered. His eyes were wide at me. I turned towards him with hair held in my hand and pin in my mouth. "Huh?"

Didn't I lock it?

"Well-well-well who's here." He said and closed the door behind him.

I dropped the pin from my mouth when those words contacted my ears. His words were different from his usual self. "It's Levy here," I replied calmly.

"I can see that." He leaned back on the door, shoved his hands into his trousers pocket and crossed his leg one over the other. This was an obvious response that he is not going to move at all.

"Look when I am using the washroom, you are not allowed and vice versa," I said.

"I don't mind." He said and his signature smirk was on.

I don't even consider whether you mind or not!

"I do. Now please leave."

He widened his smirk and spoke. "Don't mind, continue what you're doing. I will be glad to watch."

What? Did I hear correct? what's gotten into him?

Did he hit his head or something? He's acting strangely.

"Listen. Uncle Wilson is calling you." I pretend while pointing my finger at the door behind him.

He chuckled at my words, making his chest rise and fall. "Do you think I am a gullible man?"

He was acting strange, so I thought he would buy that.

No, I don't think so, but a gullible baby.  I wanted to say it out loud but didn't as I was captured in his cage right now. I sighed and turned my heels towards the mirror. Just tie your hair, grab your coat and you will be out. I tried two to three attempts but unable to tie, his stare was making me nervous and my hands were sweating. Taking my coat and glasses which I found folded beside the sink tap, I walked towards him. "Move."

"No." He replied. 
What? Is he taking revenge from yesterday?

"I said move." I sharpened my voice this time.

"No Miss. Troustkey. You are not supposed to go out like that."

"I don't care," I said and stamped my foot on his which made him move a little and quickly stepped out but his strong hand grabbed my waist and pulled me back. My heart raced at his action as if it wanted to jump out of my chest. Despite the fibers between us, I could feel his warm and hard chest on my back, my hands turned cold where cheeks turned warm. What is this cold and hot thing? He bends his head above my shoulder and spoke. "But I do."

"What?" Just came out of my mouth. You know my inner voice kicks out words without my permission.

"I don't want people to think my partner doesn't have a proper manner of dressing." He said in his low voice which brings chill all over my body. My heartbeat increased even further. I was unable to speak a word. He chuckled a little. "Rude Levy turned into a violent one." With that, he left and slammed the door.

I stood there for a moment, trying to comprehend the meaning behind his action. Slowly, I walked in front of the mirror, took a deep breath and dressed my self. Stepped out, I quickly walked towards my chair and sat there without even having a glance at him. My mind started picturing things. Quit it!

And he called me rude again.

Within some time uncle entered and informed that the meeting will be held after half an hour. He then turned towards Loren. "Better if you put on a tie." And walked into his cabin. I glanced at his collar. I didn't notice he never wore a tie. Good, now he doesn't have a proper manner of dressing. I was smiling on my thought but walked into the washroom took a tie from my extra suits, and kept it on the table in front of him. "Here." After all, he is my partner. He looked up at me and said. "Tie and give."

"Do it by yourself," I replied.

His eyes gazed at me. "Pay for your violence"

I sighed, took the tie and sat on my chair. When I was done, I placed it back on the table and spoke. "You don't know how to tie a tie." Tie a tie sounds weird. He cocked his head in my direction. "I know." I smiled. "You don't."

"I know, as you are serving me you must do my work." He said with a smirk.

Why don't you accept it?
Stubborn!

"Is that so?" Now I was the one smirking at him.

"Yes." He replied.

My smirk bewildered him.

We both glanced at the tie. Our eyes made to and fro moment from the tie to one another. We quickly ran to pick it up. I was quicker than him to get it.

"Don't Lev-" Before he could finish his sentence, I unknotted the tie holding it vertical from its one end.

"Oh, I did it," I said sarcastically and put it on the table long like a ribbon and turned to walk towards my chair. He grabbed me by my wrist and pulled me towards him with the tie in his other hand. I took a step back, unsuccessfully, I was sandwiched between him and the table.

"What?"

He did not respond to my 'what' instead moved closer wiping out all the space between us. My heart raced again. He is playing with my heartbeat. I could feel his hard chest on my soft one. My hands were turning sweaty and cold. He raised the tie in front of me. "Tie it now," and unfolded his collar. My heart feels like it may jump out and will bounce from floor to roof. "What?" I tried to resolute my voice whilst my heart was stirred. He bends too close that his nose was touching mine and my cheeks turned warm. "Do I always need to repeat myself, thick head." His words were normal but his actions were the complete opposite.

"I will not do it again." I snapped,  trying to show his actions doesn't affect me.

"Fine then. Handle this meeting alone." He said. No! I don't know what this meeting is about.

"I...why..don't you take a seat, sir. I will tie and give it to you." I tried to make up something that he may move, but he didn't. His eyes were freezing my brain.

Breathe Levy. Breathe.

"Ok. Will you move back a bit I can not tie it this way," I said keeping myself steady. He did what I asked and took a step back. I exhale a deep breath and put my hand around his neck and started tying. I could feel my cold fingers were touching his warm chest and was trying not to wet the tie by sweaty hands. My heart doesn't want to stop its race, it was accelerating by each passing second. Clearing my throat, I spoke to break this complete silence. "You know, employees get rejected in their interview if they don't know how to tie a necktie." Necktie sounds better. "I am an employer." He replied and again silence took over. I was messing a little which happens when he gazed me with those eyes. Don't look into his eyes, Levy. My inner voice is a good adviser. Done. Finally, but he didn't move and said. "Complete properly." Now what? Oh! The Collar. I put my hand around his neck again and started folding his collar. He hunched his shoulders on me making my heart jump out of my chest and cheeks were burning red. My hands automatically reacted to his action, they slid down and rested on his chest and eyes were staring into his. I kept staring into his eyes.

Like a lost soul either drown in the deep green sea or flew up into the bright blue sky for sure I was lost in his blue-green eyes.

Don't look at him, Levy.

Yeah, my inner voice is right. I cocked my head aside but he quickly caught my chin placing his fingers beneath it and turned my head to meet his eyes. With each passing second, the proximity increased. I could feel his warm breath against my lips, he slid his free hand up until it reached my eyes and removed my fake glasses. I was again lost until he bends further while tilting my head and brushed his soft lips on my jawline giving a warm kiss. He kissed me!! I froze and my legs were losing its steadiness. My hands rested on the table on either side for support. He reached my ear while smoothly stroking his finger on the other side of my face and whispered in a low voice. "A reward for your work." I stood there frozen, grokking his action with my frosty brain. He took a step back and walked away leaving me with my sentiments floating around.

I don't know how long I stood there until a voice called me.

"Miss. Troustkey?" Uncle said.

"Huh!" I turned in the direction of the voice. "Yes."

"Where are you? I have been calling you." He said in worry.

"I am. Yes, I am here. I mean sorry, I didn't hear your voice." Stop stammering.

"Are you alright." He asked.

"Yes, I am," I said.

"She is spacing out." Another voice said. How dare he say such a thing after what he did.

"I am not." I did not even look at him just snapped these words and sat on my chair.

Two men entered and the meeting started. I was lost in my thoughts when Loren spoke.

"What do you say about this Miss. Troustkey?"

"What?" Again what, as if it becomes my common word.

"Are you with us?" He asked.

"Yes," I replied.

"So they want their wages to increase or else will leave our company" he explained on my unobservant behavior.

"What do you people do for our company?" I asked to know what this meeting was about but make it sound like: 'what you have done for us?'

"We polish diamonds." One of them replied.

I turned towards Loren with a face. 'Where these diamonds came from?'

He sighed and turned towards them. "Your work alone is not worthy."

"But it is. These diamonds are famous for it's better polishing." They said.

"I know. After your work, we do a final touch to it. Even if you leave, our business will continue but your work will not. You will lose a well-maintained name." They were quiet after his words. After some discussion, the meeting ended and they left.

I asked uncle about the diamonds thing. He said we buy the raw diamonds and sell them after purification.

"What was the final touch?" I asked.

"Nothing," Loren replied.

"But you told."

"Yes, so that they should not think they have full control over this work."

"Why don't you increase their wages to make them stay?"

"And when next month comes they will demand again and we keep on increasing." I was quiet with his reply. He is right.

He spoke again. "We pay as they work. It's a business not charity"

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LOCKHART.