RC.

Ch10 .......... J

Read Slowly...

As we walk into the building, we come face to face with Lisa!

She stops dead and stares at us, her eyes wide open.

Lisa:"Tayla...?"

She notices at once that something's wrong. At the same time I can hardly look my best.

She glances briefly at Jake, before putting a hand on my shoulder.

Lisa:"Is everything all right, what happened?"

An accident...

Somebody tried to knock me over!

T:"I..."

I don't have the energy to answer. I'm too out of breath.

Jake:"Do you know each other?"

Lisa:"Of course! She's a friend!"

Jake:"Can I leave her with you a minute?"

Jake steps aside a moment to dial a number. As he puts his phone to his ear, he keeps an eye on us.

Jake:"Sir ... Miss White is downstairs, a car just tried to run her over. Yes ... Okay. Yes. No. Fine."

An icy chill runs down my spine as his words reach my ears.

Lisa:"What does he mean a car just tried to run you over?!"

Lisa is completely panicked! She's staring at me, leaning over me as one would with a wounded little animal.

(Tell her the truth. Reassure her.)

Before I have time to explain, Jake comes back up to us and speaks to my friend.

Jake:"She's still in shock, would you be so kind as to bring us something hot, a tea or a coffee?"

 Lisa:"Yes! Of course!!"

Lisa leaves quickly. The sound of her heels beating the ground, resonates in the vast silent hall.

The cleaning ladies have stopped what they were doing and I suddenly feel the centre of attention ...

Jake:"Come on, ladies, get back to work. There's nothing to see."

The ladies nod their heads, a little embarrassed, and get back to work.

Jake:"Come over here and sit down."

Jake helps me to a seat and I drop into it.

(Get a hold of myself.)

I inhale and exhale slowly to calm myself down.

Jake helps me breathe.

Suddenly I see HIM. Instantly my body relaxes and a powerful emotion comes over me. As if the only one who could calm my inner torment was here at last.

R:"Tayla!"

T:"Ryan!"

I get up and throw myself into his arms. Never mind the spectators all around us! To tell the truth, it doesn't matter any more to him or to me.

I bury myself in the hollow of his neck and I let myself cry. His reassuring arms rest on my back and his hand caresses my loose hair.

R:"Come on ... Come on ... I'm here now ... All is well ..."

When I stand up, I lose myself for a moment in his beautiful grey eyes and I let myself get overwhelmed by his reassuring smell and his welcome warmth.

I back away from him a little and I look over to Jake.

T:"Jake ... saved my life."

The latter stands beside us, impassive. Ryan looks at him for a moment.

I can't seem to analyse the nature of this silent exchange between the two men. There's tension in the air.

(This is unfair to Jake.)

Lisa comes back holding a small tray carrying cups of steaming tea. She freezes when Ryan looks towards her.

Lisa:"Uh ... I ... Here are the hot drinks ..."

If the situation wasn't so dramatic I would have burst out laughing at my friend's reaction.

I see that Carter also an effect on her. It's a wonder whether he ever happens not to destabilise a woman.

(Surely ... NOT.)

In thinking it over, it seems obvious to me that his charm doesn't leave any of us cold....

R:"Thank you, miss."

This time, she goes bright red.

Ryan motions for me to sit back down and kneels down to my level. He gently strokes my hand.

R:"Are you going to be ok?"

T:"Yes I think..."

R:"I'll take you home, Okay?"

Lisa moves slowly towards us. She points her finger up like a good student would in a classroom.

Lisa:"I ... I can bring her back."

Ryan looks at her again. His eyes are both kind and determined.

R:"It's very kind of you miss, but you can go home. I'll take care of Miss White."

Jake invites Lisa to move away and leave us alone with Ryan.

R:"Good god Tayla ... I'm sorry... "

T:"It's not your fault, Ryan."

R:"Of course it is! ... it's my fault if you're in danger."

T:"Ryan, we mus't doubt Jake ... if he hadn't been there ..."

The glimmer in his eyes darkens, becomes more metallic. Then they soften again.

R:"Let's not talk about that for now. I'll take you home and get you warm."

T:"I don't want to ... I don't want to go to your ... you know..."

R:"Yes..."

T:" I'd rather we go to mine."

R:"Of course."

Ryan gently puts his jacket over my wet shoulders and calls the elevator to take us to the building's basement.