Runaway

Back Down To Earth

After we finish our lunch I quickly move away from Kaylex back to my seat. I feel it would be best to put some distance between us. I can't trust myself around him right now. It has been a year since my divorce and I think the loneliness is finally getting to me. Otherwise, I wouldn't be lusting after my boss like this. I pride myself on being professional and my career is currently the most important thing in my life. It's what kept me from wallowing in self pity when my life fell apart. I can't let a little attraction to a handsome man derail me from my future. Anyhow, women come a dime a dozen to men like him. Not that I think his is a player, but he has nothing to lose in this scenario, where it could cost me everything.

Flashback

"Dammit Liz! Don't you dare act ignorant or surprised by any of this! YOU pulled away from me! YOU shut me out! When you lost control of the situation, of your life, you only cared about your career. The one thing you could control!". Drew yelled from across the room.

"No! You don't get to pass the blame onto me! For once in your sorry life take responsibility for your actions!" I screamed as tears rolled down my cheeks.

"I'm not claiming to be perfect or without blame in this situation , but you know damn good and well you have buried yourself in your work to avoid dealing with this, to avoid dealing with us." he replied passionately.

"I turned to my job because it was the only area of my personal life were people didn't look at me with disappointment or pity. Didn't ask me stupid question like "Why can't you just move on?" At least I stayed faithful." I said as I finally lowered myself onto the couch and lowered my head into my hands. The anger finally giving way to the pain.

"What are we doing Drew? What do you want? Because, I can't keep going on like this." I finally said.

:I don't know Liz." he replied.

"Well, while you figure it out I'll be staying at a friends house tonight. I have to work in the morning and I don't have the energy for this. At least work is something I can count on." I replied as I got up and started towards the door.

"Really Liz. That's how you're going to leave this ? Just runaway from the problem like always." he yelled as the screen door slammed behind me.

-End Flashback-

"Mr. Alston, we will landing within the half hour." Betty stated bringing me out of my thoughts.

"Thank you Betty." Kaylex said in acknowledgment.

"Hey, are you ok. You've kind of been in your own little world for the better part of the last hour?" Kaylex ask me.

"Yeah, I've just been thinking about some things. Excuse me, but I think I am going to go freshen up before we land." I said as I got up and made my way to the back of the plane.

I needed to escape to the bathroom momentarily to splash some water on my face and clear my mind. Thinking of the past like that always pulls me into a depressive state, and that's not where I want to be right now. After a quick splash of cool water I pat my face dry with the towel on the vanity. I brace myself against the vanity and take a deep cleansing breath and try to mentally prepare myself for the rest of this trip. After a few minutes I pulled myself together and exited the bathroom and returned to my seat. I bucked myself in to get ready for descent. Alex sat down next to me and offered his hand to hold again.

"No thank you, I should be fine this go around." I said.

"Well, I'm here just in case." he said with a smirk.

I started to notice the steady pitch of the plane tilting forward as we began our descent. Instinctively, I reached out and grabbed Kaylex's hand. As usual, I felt the static discharge from our contact. I looked at him out of the corner of my eye and he smiled slightly and gave my hand a gentle squeeze. I tried to pull away from the contact, but he kept my hand trapped in his. I don't try to pull away again and just allow him to continue holding my hand while we land. Luckily, I was so focused on our hands that I hardly noticed we had finally landed. Not until he turned to face me and asked if I was ready to get off the plane did I register that we had finally come to a complete stop on the runway.

He released my hand from his grasp and unbuckled his seatbelt as I undid mine. I started to gather all of my belongings and place them into my carry-on bag. I stood up and slung my bag over my shoulder and was giving the area a last little once over to make sure I wasn't forgetting anything. I felt Kaylex's hand slide in around my back as he carefully lifted my bag from my shoulder.

"Oh, I can carry that." I looked at him and said.

"Nonsense, it isn't that heavy and a lady shouldn't have to be bothered with carrying things unnecessarily" he replied.

"Exactly, it isn't heavy and therefore I am more than capable of carrying it. Especially since I am far from a Lady." I replied with an eye roll.

"Don't roll your eyes at me Liz, that's one behavior I do not tolerate well." he said in a deep warning tone. It made me nervous, but also made my lower abdomen clinch in a good way. I just nodded my head and quickly slide past him. I didn't want to reply for fear of what I might say. This man is walking temptation and I am finding it hard to resist.

As we de-board the plane a black car is waiting with a driving holding the door. The man is smartly dressed in a well tailored suit and just nods to greet us as we walk up. I notice there are two other vehicles parked near by.

"Is someone joining us?" I ask Kaylex while looking towards the other parked vehicles.

"No, that is our security team. They will be escorting us to the estate." he replied nonchalantly.

"Security Team? Why would we need security? This is an acquisition, not a hostile take over", I said.

"It's just a precaution, just pretend they aren't there." Kaylex replied tightly,

From his tone I got the impression that the subject was to be dropped, so I didn't ask anymore questions. But I was burning with curiosity. Why on earth could we possibly need security. He gently placed his hand at the small of my back in a gesture for me to slide into the back of the car first. I slid in and all the way to the other side and buckled myself in. Kaylex got in next to me and also buckled himself in and requested that the driver take us directly to the estate.

The drive to the estate took roughly about a half hour. The house was located in the countryside. As we wound our way down an old road through a small English village. The area was surrounded by dewy wet pasture lands and the overcast sky made it difficult to make out the sun setting over the hills. The scene was like something straight out of a movie. It had a beautiful melancholy to it. The kind of atmosphere that begs for a warm blanket and fireplace. Soon enough we pulled down a cobbled drive up to a large gate flanked by a row of large trees and a few men stationed around the boundary. I became nervous by the guards walking the boundary. What on earth could possibly be going on with this business to require this level of security on the home. The area certainly didn't give the appearance of a high crime area.

We pulled down the drive in front of a large home. A butler and some footmen stood out front to great us and gather our bags from one of the security vehicles. Before exiting the vehicle, Kaylex turned to me and offered me a warm smile and asked.

"When we exit the vehicle, the staff will treat you formally as etiquette and tradition dictates. Please do not be bothered by it. It would be upsetting to them if you were bothered or constantly corrected them. The etiquette observed doesn't come from a place of subservience, but rather respect," Kaylex said as the footman approached the vehicle. I nodded my head in understanding just as the gentleman opened the door. Kaylex replied with a silent nod as well before exiting the car.

As expected, based on Kaylex's little speech, all present bowed as we exited the car. When they returned to an upright position none would make eye contact as we passed through the entrance into the foyer. They simply dispersed and went to the areas of the home where I assumed they carried out their daily chores. The butler, a stern looking tall straight backed individual with a handsome older face greeted us in the foyer before the grand staircase.

"Good evening Percival." Kaylex greeted him.

"Good evening young master. I hope your flight was enjoyable. We will serve dinner in the family dining room at 7pm as requested. The reception dinner will be tomorrow in the grand dining hall. Your mother phoned ahead of your arrival and insisted upon it." the butler, Percival, answered.

"Of course she did." Kaylex replied tightly. I got the impression he was none to pleased with this request.

Instinctually, I reached out and placed my hand on Kaylex's upper arm in an attempt to sooth his frustration that was radiating from him. "Is everything ok Kaylex?" I asked, concerned.

"Yes, Liz, it's fine. My mother is just being a busy body as usual. I hope you don't mind the change in plans for tomorrow evening. I was hoping you would get a day to rest before we got to business" Kaylex replied sympathetically.

"Oh, I'm sure it won't be that bad." I said optimistically.

"If only" he replied with a shake of his head. "Unfortunately, that isn't my mother's style."

"Sir, your rooms are ready and your bags have been taken to them. Would you like to rest and change before dinner?" Percival asked

"Yes Percy, I'll escort Ms. Elizabeth to her room." Kaylex replied.

Kaylex extended his arm for me to hold at his elbow as he lead me up the stairs. "We will be staying in the suites on the third floor. I had them put you on the same floor as myself so if you need anything, I will be available to you. We will take a tour of the house tomorrow so you will be able to find your way around more easily. But if you get lost any of the staff can help you." Kaylex tells me as we slowly make our way up the stairs.

Finally we reached the third landing of the stair case which was essentially another foyer. It was a circular room with a round table in the center with a beautiful bouquet of flower in a crystal vase in the center of the table. Across from the table was two large heavy wooden doors. "Is this a private floor?" I asked.

"Yes, its set up almost like an apartment. We will have dinner on this floor as well tonight. It's more convenient than having the entire dinning room set up for just two people." he replied.

Kaylex then opened the doors opposite of us and lead me into a cozy room with beautiful dark wood paneling and a beautiful fireplace with a large hearth. There were large comfy-looking overstuffed couches and chairs in the room. To each end of the room was a set of large wooden doors leading to other areas of the apartment. Kaylex headed to the right and opened a set of doors that led to what appeared to be a large master bedroom.

"This will be your room while we stay here. I will be staying down the hall in a guest room." he said, pointing at the other set of doors across the living area.

"Absolutely not. I will sleep in the guest room. The master belongs to you. I refuse to put you out." I replied adamantly.

"No Elizabeth. I insist you stay in this room. Anyhow, I promise the guest room is more than suitable. Its the same room I stayed in when I was younger and came here with my parents. Now follow me and I will give you a quick tour of your room and show you where mine is so you can find me if you need anything," he stated as he stepped into the room.

The master was similar to the living room with the dark cozy wood paneling. There was a small sitting area in front of the bed with a fireplace. A beautiful writing desk stationed in front of a large window and across the room a large four poster bed with deep burgundy and gold bed spread. It had a very masculine feel to it, but not in an overwhelming way. Kaylex walked past me and opened a door to the left of the bed and it lead into an extravagant master bath.

"Everything you should require is in here. Various body washes, perfumes and hair care products are kept in this cabinet here to the right on the sinks. Then through the door to the left of the sinks in the second entrance to the closet." Kaylex said as he walked through the door into the closet. Inside the closet was rows of clothing and shoe racks. One side was filled with men's shirts, ties, shoes and pants. The other side of the closet remained empty. In the center was a large cabinet with several drawers holding cufflinks, watches and other men's accessories. Then at the end in front of a large window was a beautiful vanity with various bottles and perfumes on beautiful ornate trays. At the other end was another door that lead back out into the master suite.

"Kaylex, all of your belongings are already in the closet. It simply makes more sense for you to stay in the master suite. It just isn't right for me to invade that space." I say.

"Liz, I refuse to speak about it any more. I've already told you that you were to stay in the master and I'll hear no more argument on the matter." he replied.

"Ugh, Fine. If you insist" I say rolling my eyes.

"Liz, I've warned you once already about that." he says sternly.

I can't help but chew on my bottom lip and look down at his admonishment. "I'm sorry." I say.

"Oh Liz, you will be the death of me" he says in an exasperated manner.

I can't help but scrunch my nose up and furrow my brow when I look at him. "Why is that" I ask.

"No reason, Liz. Lets get settled in and rested up before dinner" he replies.

"Ok. Where are my bags, I'd like to freshen up a bit from the plane ride" I say.

"They are in the foyer" he says.

"Since when, they weren't when we arrived and I haven't heard anyone enter?"

"Oh they came in while we were in the closet, you must not have been able to hear them from there."

"Wow, you must have amazing hearing then" I say with raised brows.

Sure enough when I walk into the foyer, there sat my bags.

"Here, let me help you get them into your room" Kaylex offers.

"Thanks. It'll be nice to shower and relax a little." I reply as he starts carrying my things into the room. It's only a few hours until dinner is to be served, so I'll try to unpack and settle in until then.