The Love Assignment

Chapter 27

I gawked at Daniel. Dressed in black trousers and black suit he looked every bit professional. He was holding a suit case in his left hand and his right was placed very casually inside his pant pockets. His face looked handsome as always with hair combed neatly with few strands falling across his face, his eyes looked tired and the lips that once crowned mine seemed to be calling me in. I blinked at my sudden train of thought. I couldn't now think about kissing this man I loved. For a second I thought I wasn't where I was supposed to be. For a second I thought Daniel and I never broke up.

At first I thought I saw a small glint of happiness but that changed so fast that I wondered if I dreamed it.

Daniel on the other hand seemed to have recovered from his shock. He turned his body away from me and continuing the conversation he had before I leapt out of the elevator.

I stood still trying to figure out his presence at the Angels. Had he come to see me?

'Like hell he would', sounded the smart side of my brain. I winced slightly at this realisation but kept my demeanor straight. I didn't need another melt down. My body and mind was too exhausted to handle anything right now.

I leaned slightly to get a glimpse of the man Daniel was interested in. Standing a few feet away from Daniel, listening intently to him was the legal advisor Tim. I had only known him because he had this huge crush on Stacey.

While my brain was clogged by the sight of Daniel, Alex had moved ahead, his hands snaking around my waist. For some reason I felt strength when he held me that way.

"I won't fall", I whispered at Alex who simply smiled shaking his head.

"Hmmm", he replied still smiling. Alex's face hinted mischief. By then Tim noticed us, a red head in his late thirties, freckles covering his soft features. He looked like a teenage boy wearing extra large clothes pretending to be an adult. One of the reasons Stacey didn't want to go out on dates with him is because he made her feel older. She felt more like a elder sister rather than his date around him. His brown suit was ironed to perfection and he smiled gleefully at us.

"Oh well, the love birds are here", he said pointing at Alex and me. Daniel turned slowly his face reading nothing. Completely expressionless. But the second his eyes caught Alex's hand around my waist a hint of anger passed across his face, he was angry and I could sense it coming off his body. No sooner had he been angry than it was gone.

Tim introduced us to Daniel like that was even needed.

"You must be knowing them. Very popular now a days", Tim said standing between Daniel and us.

"Yes. Very popular indeed. Pretty much ruined everyone's life's, haven't they?", Daniel replied. Even though he covered up his expression his words sent out the daggers.

Tim laughed uncomfortable at this statement. I didn't know how to react to it while Alex smirked looking at Daniel.

"Let's just get on with this Tim?", Alex said his hands now leaving my waist. He wore an expression of accomplishment and I looked between the two men confused.

"Oh, I'll explain it." Tim replied seeing as how lost I looked. He seemed to be the only person paying me attention at this point. Alex and Daniel on the other hand looked like they were having their own war, each glaring at the other.

I walked away from the two glaring men following Tim towards an empty conference room. Awkward silence followed us as we took our seats in the empty room. A huge teak wood table with chairs adorned the room. At the far end, was a flat screen attached to the wall with projectors placed directly opposite it. Microphones were placed equidistantly across the table. With only the four of us in the room, I knew we wouldn't be using the microphone. Tim sat at the head position while Alex and me took one side Daniel placed himself at the other. Another man with pepper salt hair, somewhere in his late forties sat next to Daniel. Somewhere in the mele I missed his existence among us. I smiled at him and he smiled back awkwardly not meeting my eye.