Suits and Scars

Chapter Twelve: Plans

Taylor's Point of View

My phone went off with the fourth call from Chris and I watched it until after the third ring. With a long sigh I accepted the call but didn't say anything. I was at least dressed now. I decided today was a good day to go with the dress code, but more relaxed.

Chris hadn't said anything yet either but I could hear him talking to someone even though I couldn't really make out the words, but it was about something needing protection. I figured I may as well go into the office and actually do my job so I grabbed my purse and walked to the door. It wasn't until I was in the elevator that Chris finally realized I answered the phone.

"Taylor, why aren't you here yet?" fuck he's mad, "What's wrong?"

I hadn't used my voice to do anything other than cry for the last five or so hours so I wasn't surprised when it came out shaky. "Sorry, I slept in." I cleared my throat, "I'm leaving my place now. I'll grab a cab and be there in about fifteen or twenty minutes. I'm sorry. I swear I'm never late."

"Tot, I don't care that you're late. Also Enzo is still waiting for you, he can give you a ride. I told you you won't be taking cabs anymore, beautiful."

I did everything I could not to start crying again. "If you don't care that I'm late, why did you call me Taylor? You only do that when you're mad."

The elevator opened up into the lobby and it was the first time I realized just how bright it was. I squinted as I walked out onto the street, happy that I went with all black low top Chuck Taylor's as I literally stumbled out of the door. My knees hit the cement and I yelped at the sting. Before I could even react, a pair of large hands grabbed me, one around my arm and the other at my back.

"Are you okay ma'am?" an older gentleman with a thick Italian accent asked.

"Yeah, thank you. Are you Enzo?"

He nodded, bending down for my phone and purse before ushering me to the black SUV. I slid into the back seat and put my phone back to my ear. Only to hear Chris frantically saying my name.

"I'm fine Chris Cross, just tripped. If you aren't mad then why did you call me Taylor?" I tried bringing us back to our conversation.

I looked down at my now bleeding knee and realized that I probably should have picked a different skirt and not one that stopped mid-thigh.

"I also do it when I'm worried or stressed about you, and I'm worried about you Tot. Like you said you're never late. In fact, you've never been late to anything since the day I met you." Then his voice got a little quieter, "I thought we had a great night last night but then Matt said you practically ran out of his car. Then you ignored both of us this morning and I was worried something had happened. But if you say you were just sleeping then I believe you." His voice was like a fire that warmed me from the inside out and I wasn't even with him.

I didn't have anything else to say to him but he refused to hang up until I was in the lobby on my way up to him. We sat in silence even though I could hear him continue working and talking about things needing to be handled delicately and at the right time. Enzo took me into the parking garage rather than just dropping me out front. I didn't mind either way but I did like that I wouldn't have to see Heather's face this morning.

I got in the elevator and hung up on Chris. Unfortunately when the doors opened I remembered there was still one annoyance between the seclusion of the elevator and my office. Luckily Sophia only looked at me from head to toe before rolling her eyes and going back to work. I didn't have the energy to deal with her attitude so I just walked to my office to discard my purse before checking in with the boss.