5. LARA: A SURPRISE INVITATION

He was serious? I blinked up at him as his question flashed through my mind. Licking my lips, I gave him an awkward smile.

“I would love to, but I can’t,” I sighed. “No matter how badly I want to. I have to stay until the function is over.”

“You work two jobs?” he asked.

Before I could answer the elevator stopped and the doors slowly slid open. With one last lingering glance at him, I hurried out of the elevator and toward the kitchen. Upon entering, I was directed in the right direction. I would be serving the drinks.

From what I picked up from the chatter, I got to know that the last girl was fired because she spilled some whine onto the dress of a very important woman. But how could anyone here be important tonight? Although I’ve lived here for a few months now, I barely mingled with any of the townspeople. I didn’t know any of them by their faces or their names. They were strangers to me and that was the way I liked things.

“Serve the champagne,” one of the other girls’ ordered. “When the tray is finished, there are some more glasses. If that’s finished, ask Claire what you need to serve.”

“Got it,” I muttered with a nod.

Two hours later I was ready to call it a night. More people arrived with every passing minute. The champagne was finished so we were serving whiskey for the gentlemen and wine for the elegantly dressed ladies. Some women actually made me feel jealous. They were dressed in skin-tight dresses that showed off their slim and tanned bodies.

All the while serving the ‘important’ guests, I was aware of a peculiar pair of eyes following my every move. Excitement raced through me every time our eyes met each others from across the room. He was watching me, not any of the other beautiful, elegant and slim bodied women surrounding him. His attention was focused entirely on me even when he had men greeting him and demanding his attention.

Why did he appear to be so interested in me? Why was I feeling attracted to him? Why was he the only man that has the power to leave me awkward and speechless?

“Ladies and gentlemen, may I please have your attention?” a voice called from the front of the room where a stage had been set up.

Silence filled the room almost immediately. Everyone turned toward the speaking woman on the stage which gave me the perfect opportunity to slip away. I dropped the tray off in the kitchen. Claire was nowhere to be seen so I had no choice but to inform one of the other girls where I was heading.

I used the toilet and washed my hands. My reflection in the mirror above the basin caught my attention. Some strands of my hair had slipped from the tight bun, framing my face. My cheeks were flushed and my eyes shining with some unknown emotions. I stared at myself for a few more seconds before dropping my eyes to my hands.

Splashing cold water on my wrist, I wiped my hands on the towel and then exit the bathroom. My attention was focused on my shoes so I didn’t see the person approaching until it was too late. I slammed right into a hard body.

“I’m so s-sorry!” I exclaimed as I stepped back. My eyes shot up and my words instantly died down.

“It’s okay,” Silas said softly. “I wasn’t looking where I was going.”

I swallowed and took another step away from him. “Right, I should get back to work.”

“My offer still stands,” he reminded me as I walked past him.

Stopping, I turned to frown at him. It took a few minutes for me to remember his questions from earlier about getting something to eat. I wanted to, but I couldn’t. Leaving now would mean no payment. Nibbling my lip, I stared up at him as I debated my answer.

“I would love to, but—”

“Great!” Silas interrupted and smiled at me. “I’ll come get you in a few minutes.”

With that he turned and continued on his way to the bathroom. I stared at the closed door for a few seconds before I hurried back to the kitchen. He seriously wanted to take me out to eat. I grinned as a strong feeling of happiness and satisfaction grew in my heart. The smile stayed in place even when Claire yelled at me for disappearing.

I was busy collecting the empty glasses when Silas entered the room again.

“Hey Claire, do you need Lara for anything else?”

My eyes widened and surprise flashed through me. I glanced between them as I waited for her answer. She gave me a disapproving look before focusing on the man standing a few feet in front of her.

“I don’t suppose so,” she muttered.

“Great, so you won’t mind if I steal her away?”

Claire shook her head. I snapped my mouth closed when his eyes darted over to me. I actually thought that he was joking. He wouldn’t really want to go out and get something to eat with me, would he? Claire said something to him, making his eyes snap over to her. She turned; ready to walk away, but he gripped her arm. Leaning down, he whispered harshly against her ear. Whatever he said made the colour drain from her face.

Claire’s mouth opened and closed a few times before snapping shut. She gave him a nod, making his hand drop from her arm. Without a backwards glance, she hurried away.

I frowned as confusion filled me. What had he said to her that made her run off?

Silas walked closer and stopped in front of me. His lips pulled up into a smile. “Let’s go.”

“I’m n-not dressed for dinner,” I hesitated.

His eyes slowly trailed down my body and then back up. I bit my lips as heat washed through my body and settled between my thighs. I’ve never felt like that before. Shifting from foot to foot, I risked a glance around us.

Nobody was really paying us any attention. I wasn’t really in the mood for facing other people either. My legs and feet ached. Licking my lips, I turned back towards him. The smile had faded from his face. I saw the pain flashing through his eyes before he looked away and hid his expression.

“I’ll walk you home then.”

For some reason the pain I saw in his eyes affected me a lot. “Why don’t I cook us something?” I offered

His eyes shot up to mine in surprise. Shaking his head, he gripped my elbow and steered me towards the elevator. We were silent all the way down until we reached the exit. Silas opened the door for me and then followed me outside. I paused and turned towards him in question.

“You must be dead on your feet,” he said softly. “The last thing you need to do now is cook.”

“Aren’t you hungry?”

“I’m starving,” he admitted, giving me a small smile. “How about we pick something up on the way to your apartment then?”

I hesitated. Was it wise to allow him to come over to my apartment? Once he knew where I lived there was no going back. Indecision flashed through me. In the end I gave him a nod.

“Okay.”