BLEEDING SILVER

Chapter 15

Saturday morning's news features the enlarged rallying crowd in the north. The government responded to such extent that the eastern and western regions of Tellus sent aid to suppress the humans. Alina, bothered by this, rings her mother. After a couple of beeps, Ellen finally picks up. "Hello honey. Is everything okay?"

Alina, suddenly hit by the guilt as she was disturbing her mother on a possibly busy start of the day, takes a brief pause before replying, "I should be asking you that question, mom. I was waiting for you to at least send me a text on how things are going. You haven't contacted me since."

Ellen caught a glimpse of Alina's unstable voice at the end of the line. She displayed a weak smile, mindful of her daughter's worries for the couple. "Sorry for not doing so, pumpkin. Things are getting rowdy up here, as you might have already heard in the news. Truthfully, we have been asked by the management for a work extension. Although, things will settle down soon," Ellen softens her tone for reassurance. "How are things there?"

"Everything here is fine," Alina responded shortly as she attempts to return to their original topic. "When will you be able to come home?"

Ellen couldn't help but to release a slight sigh. At this point, she felt pained to inform her daughter of the supposed overtime. "Probably after three weeks or so." There was silence. Ellen then tried to brighten up the mood by following up, "Don't worry sweetheart, we'll finish everything else and get back to you as soon as we can."

"Alright," Alina replied with a monotonous voice. "Make sure to take extra care, mom. Tell dad I said hi." Then she hang up on her.

Alina was intensely staring at the television as it flashes video clips of the rebellion. The reporter who is at the scene tells the audience that there have been road blockages since yesterday's event and that it is almost unlikely to pass by the gate tolls at the moment. The journalist estimates that this disciplinary action will probably be extended for at least a week. She finally turns off the television as she sets her warm mug on the sink. She fixes her light gray slacks and her ivory white blouse. This time, she wore Lucian's gift on her wrist. On her ride, she could not help but think about the recent shock she had. Despite her personal issues however, she is forced to stay professional hence just come to work. She finally reaches the office where she was hailed by Lilith who wears a stylish navy blue semi-formal cocktail dress.

"Good morning, Ms. Fawn," Alina greeted.

"Greetings," Lilith replied. After a few seconds of eye contact, she started working on her computer. "Can you drop these by Mr. Hendrix's office?" Lilith then handed Alina a long folder with files clipped inside.

Alina involuntarily jolted at the thought. She hesitantly took the folder and marched to her boss's. As she enters, she greets the man in his teal tuxedo set whose eyes were fixed on the papers at his desk. "Good morning Sir. I was asked to give you this." She then cautiously approached the guy then placed the folder on his table.

As she was about to exit the room, she was suddenly halted by Altair's deep tone. "Ms. Strider."

She almost audibly gasp before she replied. She slowly turned towards the still reading man, "Yes Sir?"

Altair continued to talk without diverting his gaze. "You forgot to knock."

This time, Alina's knees are beginning to weaken but she immediately built her composure back. "I am sorry Sir. I will fix that next time." She then finally took the moment to redeem freedom of Altair's heavy aura.

Upon settling on her table, Alina took some time to calm her nerves down before finally starting with the paperwork. The day carried on as if nothing happened between them. Everything in the office seemed normal, and that includes Altair's rough attitude towards Alina—or so she describes anyway. And she was bothered by this. Alina's mindset came to conclude after a deep reflection that she wanted an apology from Altair. By their occasional encounters however, she never heard of it. This time, Alina noticed that Lilith barely left her table. She asked for her superior to have a break with her during lunch but she refused to. By Alina's count, Lilith only took two restroom breaks and that was it.

The working hours are almost over so Alina started fixing her things. Suddenly, Lilith's phone rang. She peeks at the caller's ID and instantly picks it up. "Yes Sir?" The conversation was almost inaudible on Alina's view. Not like she cared anyway. After she hangs up, Lilith calls her, "Ms. Strider."

"Yes, Ma'am?"

"Mr. Hendrix told me relay to you to just hand over your report on his desk."

"Okay, Ma'am," Alina replied. She was, at the moment, somehow relieved to not see Altair but somehow still pissed because she has not yet heard the word she wants from Altair's mouth. She then noticed a conflicted look on Lilith's face. "Is there anything else I can help you with?"

Lilith finally gave up on her thoughts. "You see, I am still at momentum on the finalization of the drafts due today. I cannot get up on my chair and do what I was told. I see that you are done with today's work." Lilith then hinted Alina with her gaze.

Alina thought that she would be requested for a favor so she cut the chase off instead. "I'll do it."

"Thank you, Ms. Strider. You are such a darling," Lilith smiled at the lady. "There is a leather handbag by the chair in Mr. Hendrix's office. He told me to bring it in his dwelling. It is just one floor up anyway. If you could please do it for me?" Lilith almost displayed a set of puppy eyes.

Alina sighed, noting the laziness of Altair. 'He can do it himself', she thought. "Alright. Have a nice day, Ms. Fawn," Alina said as she sets off to accomplish the order.

"And oh, do not stay there for too long. There is no telling as to what he might do if he catches you. The boss is quite strict as to who enters or not," she finally reminded.

She enters the plain floor hallway with just one door. First thing she did was ring the doorbell but after waiting a couple of minutes, none answered. She reminisced Lilith's words 'He told me to bring it IN his dwelling' and finally made up her mind to turn the door knob. To her surprise, it is unlocked. She originally plans to just enter, quickly put the bag somewhere inside and immediately set her way out. And it did not happen. Alina's mind still stubbornly insists on hearing an apology so she subconsciously slowed her pace. Her view was hailed by a typical luxurious large unit. The entrance was equipped with a sensor light and nearly empty cabinets to set the shoes on. Adjacent to it is a guest area with wide flat-screened television set in front of a deluxe L-shaped leather sofa. On a far end sit two fully-equipped bookshelves right beside a door. Alina immediately tensed when she reviewed the flat's layout. There sits a familiar clothing on the sofa. It's the scarf from 'that' particular evening. She then finally noticed the scent spreading across the room once again. Casablanca lily. And lastly, a deep familiar voice of a freshly-showered man who just entered the guest room with a towel tied on his waist, "Well, well, what do we have here?"