Kill Me Quick

Chapter 11

We had landed in Seoul about three to four hours ago. We had a meeting immediately with some investors and company suppliers.

The meeting took a few minutes short to three hours, and to say I'm exhausted would be an understatement. I just need to lay down for an hour.

I walk next to my boss as he talks to the South Korean division director.

I look down at the new ipad as I check the schedule. Without looking ahead, I bump into something, making me lose my balance and fall down. The ipad falls next to me, and I look at it as my cheeks turn red. I can already feel the stares doring into my skin.

I see a hand stretched next to me, picking up the tablet before being offered to me. "Oh God." I whisper as I take the hand and push myself up from the floor.

"Thank you." I clear my throat as I try to take back the ipad. Mr. Kim gives me a kind smile and hands it over.

"Ms. Farrah." Mr. Lauder calls. Oh no!

"I'm sorry, sir. I wasn't looking where I was going."

"Do you see me falling?" He asks, a bit irritated. I blush even harder at the question.

"Seems like someone's tired here. Let's call it a night." Mr. Lauder tells Mr. Kim, offering him a handshake. They say their goodnights as I stand awkwardly. Most people have already gone back to their business, but the nosy ones are still giving me some glances. I try to let out a small smile and look up ahead, unaffected. Oh my God!

"Are you hurt?" My boss asks as soon as we start walking. I might have a bruise on my knees, but it's not that bad.

"Nothing I can't handle." I answer as I press the elevator's button. The doors open immediately, and we get in. I search for the PH (pent house) button, and  I press it immediately. It's almost two a.m. No wonder I'm so tired and sleepy. I let out a small yawn before leaning against one of the walls.

For some reason, there's tension between us. Might it be because...

"I'm sorry for embarrassing you out there. I'll really try to be careful next time."

Mr. Lauder doesn't say anything.

"What time is the first meeting tomorrow?"

"At noon." I answer.

"Have some sleep. We'll have breakfast at ten." He says just before the elevator doors open with a ding. We get out, and I tell him the door is straight ahead. After about ten steps, we get to the door where I swipe the room card before getting in.

The 'room' is a whole apartment. Mr. Lauder gets in, and I shut the door behind him.

"Do you want me to direct you to your room?" I ask.

"No." His answer is sharp.

"Okay." I drag the a. "I'll take out your clothes then."

"The room comes with house cleaning. I'm sure they already did that." Why is he being weird?

"Fine then. I'll head to the other room." I see two doors leading to what I assume are the rooms. I open one of them to see a large room, and I assume this is his. I open the other to find a similar room.

"Which one is..." My question is cut when I feel him behind me.

"This is mine." He says, his breath hiting the back of my neck. A shiver runs down my spine as I turn to him. Big mistake. His face is closer than I expected.

"Then I'll... go to the other." My voice is suddenly raspy.

"Find me a shirt." He says, and I nod as I try to bring myself back to earth. I move behind, giving myself some space, then walk to the closet.

The closet is quite smaller than I expected, given the room. But it's perfect for a hotel since one would be here for a short period of time. I take one of the few tees I packed, then walk back to the room where I find Mr. Lauder talking on his phone.

"When will this be?" He asks and hums a few times before ending the call.

"What's up?" I ask as I see his furrowed eyebrows. I walk to his side and hand him the shirt.

"Could you hand me a water bottle and my meds?" He asks with a sigh. I walk to a mini fridge on the corner of his room to find it stacked with water bottles and some chocolates. I take one of the bottles and then take his pills from the bedside table.

"Here." I say. He puts on the new tee before taking  the items from my hands. I take the dirty shirt from his side and take it across the room to the dirty laundry basket. The urge to smell it overwhelms me, but I try so hard to resist it.

I go back to his side. He seems a bit stressed.

"I'll be going now." I announce. He lets out a breath before he gets up and stretches. For some reason, I feel like we are already comfortable around each other.

"Goodnight." He says before taking his cane and walking to the bathroom as I had directed earlier.

I walk to his bed and get it ready for him when he gets back. Just as soon as I'm done with the small task, I start heading towards the door but immediately stop when I hear glass break.

I don't think twice.

I find him there, his hand red and the mirror broken.

"Oh my God!" I rush to take a wash cloth and wet it  immediately, but I'm stopped in my tracks.

"Get the fuck out!" His voice has never been this loud. Not to me at least. I look at him in shock. Luka Lauder has tears running down his cheeks. The sight makes my heart break.

"Sir."

"Get out!" He repeats,louder but I don't have the heart to do as he says boss or not. I notice the broken glass on the counter and his bleeding hand. I don't know where the first aid kit is put, so I'll have to call room service and ask if I don't find it.

His face shows the most emotions I've ever seen on him. Pain and anger. He also seems hurt. I slowly walk up to him and take his hand but he pushes me away.

"Listen to me Lily. If you want your job to stay as it is. Leave me the fuck alone."

"And I will. As soon as I make sure you won't hurt yourself anymore.  There's glass everywhere." Where do I get this courage? "Follow me and I'll deal with this later."

I take his hand and lead him to the bed where he sits. I take the bloody hand and clean it with the damp cloth until I can see the cuts. I walk back to the bathroom and try to open some cabinets as I mind the glass until I see a small red box. I take it and rush back where I find my boss sitting with his head in between his hands.

"Gimme your hand." I say when I get in front of him. We don't talk as I disinfect his cuts and put two bandages. His mind seems far away, while mine is still trying to understand whatever just happened. 

I go back to the bathroom and try to clean the broken pieces and throw them away.

"Lily." He calls as soon as I get back into the room. The call doesn't sound like his normal calls when he wants something. His voice is low. Vulnerable. I walk to him. He's still sitting in the same position I left him.

"You should sleep."

"But I won't be able to."

"Lay down." I say. "I'll give you a massage after I change my clothes."