Chapter 24 The Little Mermaid

Kathleen walked away and went across the Department of Design. There, when she saw Lyla, her brows furrowed together and she gave her a glare before she left. Lily Aldrin was with Lyla at that moment and she saw the glare from Kathleen. She furrowed her eyebrows and asked, “What’s going on? What happened?” Lyla, annoyed, furrowed her eyebrows as well. “I accidentally blue balled her,” she said, helplessly. Lily was surprised. Her lips parted, wanting to say something. However, she could not stop her own curiosity from pouring out. She turned to her and asked, “Has it something to do with a certain activity?” “They couldn’t reach that point.” “Then it’s nothing interesting!” said Lily, feeling a little disappointed. Lyla was liking the woman more and more. She was direct yet cheerful at the same time. It was fun being around her. At that moment, someone came over to her desk. “Lowe, I’ve finished these documents. All that’s left is President Pattinson’s signature and it’s all done.” Lyla took over the documents and looked over them. “Alright,” she said as she nodded. After the man left, only then did Lyla realize something. She was going to meet Mark Pattinson to ask for his signature. She had accidentally ruined their time and now she was supposed to go look for him to ask for his signature? Wouldn’t that be… She peeked her head out and scouted around. Everyone was busy with their own work. It was her own project and to ask for someone else to take the president's signature in her stead would be inappropriate. She thought for a while and in the end… She decided to do it on her own. It’s not like he would swallow her whole… As she reached the decision, she stood up, grabbed the documents, and went straight to Mark Pattinson’s office. With utmost politeness, she knocked on the door. Mark voice’s rang in response. “Come in!” Lyla pushed the door inward and entered the office. Mark was sitting in his chair, writing something on his desk. He looked like he was in deep focus with his black shirt and half rolled up sleeves. It was a sight that was hard to break off. A hardworking woman might look beautiful but a man in focus was just as charming. Moreover, there was something indescribable about him. The longer she looked, the more her heart raced. No wonder Kathleen always lunged herself at him! The man had every characteristic for a woman to throw herself at! As she thought about it, her mind drifted to how her son, Hansel, would grow up to be like that. She prayed hard, for Mark Pattinson not to be her children’s father. He did not want her son to be as adulterous as Mark Pattinson. Mark Pattinson raised his gaze after he noticed how Lyla was not making any sound. When he was looking at her, he stopped writing. “Can I help you?” said Mark. His all-serious behavior was just too normal, as if nothing had happened. There was hardly a trace from the previous encounter left on his face! Lyla snapped herself back to reality. Her eyes focused and she discarded the awkwardness. She smiled and walked closer. “President Pattinson, I need your signature on these documents.” Mark took the stack of paper and had a look. He signed them and returned the documents to her. “I’ll leave now if you’ve nothing for me,” said Lyla as she grabbed the documents. “Wait!” Lyla held her steps. She turned around. “Yes, President Pattinson?” “Do you have anything going on around afternoon?” “I don’t…” “Good, I’m going out for a bit and you’re coming with me,” said Mark as he closed the folder on his desk. “What’s… going on?” Lyla asked. “I need your help for something… personal.” The moment he mentioned it was about something personal, Lyla was not happy. Mark Pattinson grabbed the coat and walked out of the office. He turned to her and asked, “What’s wrong? You don’t want to?” As an employee, how could she decline? A smile formed on her face and said, “No! I’m not… It’s just… We’re still on the clock…” “Do you think others would think you’re slacking off if you go out with me?” Mark answered her with a question. Lyla blinked as she looked at him. It was only then did she realize that he had misunderstood her meaning. She did not want to go but since the conversation had reached that point, could she decline his invitation still? She then obediently complied and nodded. “That’s good then.” “Come.” Mark, in the front, took the lead. Lyla followed him from behind. Mark drove on his own and Lyla sat in the co-driver’s seat. There was a scent lingering in the car. A kind of faint sweet smell that was pleasant and somewhat relaxing, calming for one’s nerves. Lyla snuck a glance at Mark and asked, “President Pattinson, what are we doing?” “You know when we get there,” said Mark vaguely and without looking at her as he was focused on driving. Lyla rolled her eyes. It was him that dragged her out of the office and now he was still teasing her. She did not ask anything more. She sat there, quiet. Soon, they arrived at a shopping mall and Mark parked his car. Lyla glanced around and said, “You want me to accompany you shopping?” “I want to pick a present and I don’t know how and what to buy. There’s where you come in!” “Me?” said Lyla, feeling a little doubtful. He was the kind of person that would have a better judgement than her. The two got down the car at the same time and headed inside. “President Pattinson, don’t you think it’s a little inappropriate for me to pick the present?” Lyla asked. “No. Not at all. Go ahead, pick one,” he said. Lyla was speechless for a moment. She looked around for a while when the curiosity got the better of her. “Is it for Kathleen?” At that instant, Mark Pattinson’s eyes glared at her. The curiosity inside Lyla was obliterated instantly. “I needed to know if I’m going to pick something!” Unexpectedly, he said, “No. It’s not for her.” “Oh?” Lyla nodded. “Well then, please tell me, President Pattinson. Who is it for? How old is the recipient? Is it for a man or a woman?” Mark dwelled in his thoughts for a while before he answered, “It’s for children.” “Boy or girl?” “A girl. She’s about six and seven years old.” Subconsciously, she arched an eyebrow and asked, “Is it for your daughter?” Strange since she had not heard about him being married. Mark’s gaze lowered towards her. The two of them locked eyes and Lyla felt she had made a mistake for letting her mouth run. She started to think and immediately apologized. “I was just asking…” Mark did not want to make things harder. Thus, he said, “No. It’s for… I just met this little girl…” At that moment, the image of the little girl, who was mature-thinking, funny, and delightful, appeared in his mind. In that instant, his eyes softened up as it became warmer. Lyla was thrown. She had just witnessed that moment where Mark Pattinson actually revealed emotions! What was that? Was it warmth? How could someone as cold as he could have a warmer side? “President Pattinson! Let’s go pick us a present!” said Lyla before she shot ahead. Mark Pattinson followed. His eyebrows twitched a little as he walked along. It was rare for Mark Pattinson to make his appearance in public, much less in places like a mall. Whatever he needs, like his clothes, would be delivered straight to his abode. That was why he rarely finds the need to come out. When they walked together, the two attracted many intrigued eyes. The aura they gave off was too strong, the kind that belonged to the wealthy. On the one hand, Lyla was laser focused into doing her task. In all seriousness, when she picks out things to buy, she said, “To be honest, when you’re choosing a present for someone, it’s the thought that counts, not the value of the item.” Mark listened. His lips sealed together; not talking, but merely following close. Lyla was looking around, left and right, but fail to find one that was suitable. Mark Pattinson was obviously not a man of patience. He turned to her and said, “Haven’t you found one yet?” Lyla was ahead of him and suddenly, she had a thought. Mark was walking from behind her and when she suddenly stopped and turned around, the two bumped into each other. Mark lowered his gaze. He was a least a foot taller than she was. Lyla raised her head and the distance between the two was merely a hair’s width. Lyla was stunned. Her thick, long eyelashes fluttered for a little. Being that close, the faint, sweet scent on her was easily picked up. That smell… where had he smell it before… “I’m sorry…” Lyla was so shocked that she immediately took a step back. Her cheeks, involuntarily, flushed pink. Just now, when she was so close to him, she could hear his heartbeats. It was just an instant and she was already feeling lost. When Mark was recalling his memory, Lyla retreated away. The scent, along with her, was gone. Immediately, Mark Pattinson snapped back to reality. His gaze, plain yet deep at the same time. “It’s alright,” he said before he asked, “What was it you were asking?” “Oh, I wanted to know if you want to buy the little girl a toy?” Lyla asked as soon as she calmed herself. “A toy?” Mark said, furrowing his brow. “Yes!” Lyla nodded. Lyla remembered about the little princess at home, Gretel. When she was very young, she remembered telling Gretel about the story of the Little Mermaid. After that the little girl always wanted to be a mermaid princess herself. Thus, she had developed a liking into mermaid related toys. “What…?” “Follow me!” said Lyla, smiling, as she gestured to follow her to another place. Mark Pattinson did not know what she was going to do but he followed either way.