Subtle Endearment

22. Bad Liars

Kira

"I'll give the files to Lyla," I say collecting documents from my colleagues sitting in the office. "I'm so glad we finished early, we can finally begin planning for the ball this week," Alice says stretching her arms from her seat. "Yeah, or at least helping with what's already done. The planning department probably has everything planned already," Daniel says poking his head around the cubicle wall. I finish collecting the documents and whisk them off to Lyla's office.

"Well, it looks like we're ahead of schedule. We shouldn't have any more work for a while now. Speaking of, what do you plan on doing on your vacation, I see that you have a week scheduled off starting this Saturday," Lyla pries as I place the documents on her desk. "My brother is off for break too and I told him we'd take a vacation to Hawaii this year," I say proud to be able to uphold my promise. "Really? You've been a bright light in this dull office ever since you arrived. Even Mr. Dewan's changed recently. If it wasn't for your circumstances I would've guessed that you and Mr. Dewan are dating." Lyla jokes.

"What? Mr. Dewan? No, we're not dating I'm just really happy to be working here at FixedTech," I say letting out a laugh that I hope to not be too obvious. "I know, I'm just playing with you Kira. Lighten up a little," she laughs. "Speaking of Mr. Dewan, can you go to his office and see if there's anything needed for the ball. He's in charge of it and since you all wrapped up so early I'm sure he could use a hand," she states. "Yeah, sure. I'm on it," I respond.

As I walk down the hall I can't help but be reluctant to see him in his office. Of course I couldn't say no to Lyla since she's my boss but what excuse would I use? 'Sorry, I can't go to his office because the mafia might see us together and try to kill me.' I knock on the door and wait for Violet to open it. I'd poured my heart out to her just yesterday but had sort of forgotten to tell her about our meetup, not that I really intended on telling her.

"Kira, is there anything you need?" she asks in her business voice waving for me to step inside the room. I follow her into the office and Ian sits at his desk scrolling through something on his computer. I can't tell if Ian's told Violet that we've made up so I sit in the chair in front of him waiting for to give some sort of sign. "Don't worry Kira, I already gave Ian a good scolding," Kira says patting my back before moving to the seat on the other side of me. Ian rolls his eyes before taking a breath. "Even if we're not together we can still have a civilized conversation," Ian says nearly convincing me too. "Yeah, I just came to ask if there's anything my department can do for the ball. We're caught up on work and have time," I say. My hands sweat and I stick them in the pockets of my cardigan.

"You two are pitiful, if you can't even convince me what makes you think that you're going to convince Madam Melanie or any of the agents she probably has spying on you guys?" Violet says crossing her arms. "I wasn't convincing," Ian asks touching back in his chair. "Not at all but Kira's worse. Your words might say one thing but your face gives it away completely," she tells me. "I'm not going to tell you two that you can't be together but I'm also not going to sit by and watch as you both get hurt," Kira says her expression softening as she speaks. "When Madam Melanie wants something she gets it regardless of what she has to do to get it. She's going to be at the ball this Friday and what then? Why do you think she's going to be at this ball when she's never showed face at any other company event?" Kira asks.

"She's sick, she's probably just going to send a final message to the stock owners. To let them know that the Stubborn Elites will be under a new head," Ian explains. Even though his words are calm I can see that he's shaken by what he says as he sits up on the edge of his seat. "Who do you think she'll name as head?" Violet asks coking her head. There's silence in the room and no matter how I think about it I come to the same conclusion. "Are you saying Ian is going to be the head of the Stubborn Elites?" I ask.

"I won't do it," Ian states through gritted teeth. "Do you think you have a choice?" Violet shouts. "You doing all this probably sped up her decision. Even Landon is scared he'll be stuck in this mess forever. When he called me he said that he'd planned on accepting the head role of the mafia in your stead. Do you know why," Violet cries. "He said he'd never seen you this serious about someone, that you didn't need to be there anymore. It's either you or him and Madam Melanie knows this, she's forcing your hand and either way someone ends up stuck. Call me selfish, I don't care but I don't want to see Landon up there corrupt and detached like Madam Melanie," Violet says shaking her head.

"I'll fix it. I've said it once and I'll say it again, I'll fix it," Ian says. "Clear my schedule. The ball is in two days, I'll be back then," he says grabbing his coat off the singular rack to the left of his chair. "Stay with Violet tonight. I'll be back tomorrow," Ian says to me. He places a warm kiss on my forehead before racing out the door. I'm too stunned to even utter a word. I sit in silence in an attempt to process the exchange of words from just moments ago. It isn't until I hear Violet sniffling that I come back to my senses. "It's gonna be okay," I tell Violet rubbing her back as she sobs loudly into my cardigan. "It's gonna be okay," I repeat more for myself than her.