His Brooding Stare.

part nine, his reputation.

After I finish lunch with Tyler we made sure to make plans to have lunch at least once a week at Panini's. I finished my submissions early at work, Mia told me she was going to stay late at the office and told me not to wait up. I smiled sweetly at her and made my way home.

I unlocked the door to the apartment and hung my jacket up. I put my keys in my purse and flung it onto the couch nearby, I looked at the clock and it read 4:00 pm. I yawned and soon became overwhelmed with exhaustion. I decided to take the opportunity to catch up on some sleep. I placed my phone on my bedside table and changed into a pair of joggers, a sports bra, a chunky white crewneck sweatshirt from college, and tossed my hair up into a ponytail. I sighed contently and buried my body underneath the copious amounts of unnecessary blankets and pillows that occupied my bed and drifted off to sleep.

I was awoken suddenly by the sound of someone calling my phone, with my eyes still shut I reached over to my phone, and answered lazily still half asleep,

"Hello?"

I was jolted awake instantly by the sound of his voice,

"Lena..did I wake you?"

I took the phone away from my ear and glanced at the time, it was 6 pm. I groaned while stretching my body and sat up. I put the phone back to my ear,

"Yes, but I needed to be up anyway"

Silence became apparent on the other line, until he asked with curiosity,

"Should I still expect to see you?"

I answered him back, remembering I told him we could talk at his place later,

"Yes"

His deep voice rang through my ear drum,

"I will send Harrison to pick you up. Is 6:30 too soon?"

I got out of bed, and made my way towards my closet. I looked down at my clothes and shrugged to myself,

"That's fine. See you later." and I hung up the phone.

I didn't bother to put anything different on and headed towards the kitchen to fix up something to eat before Harrison arrived. After eating I then grabbed my jacket, my purse, and put on a pair of slip on sneakers before heading downstairs towards the lobby.

Harrison was already waiting outside the car when I stepped outside the doors, he gave me a smile,

"Hello Ms. Darling"

I smiled in return,

"Hello Harrison"

He opened the backseat door for me and I slid right in as he closed it behind me. He jumped into the driver's seat and began to drive away. I leaned back into the black leather seats and closed my eyes letting out a large breath.

Harrison's voice brought me out of my thoughts,

"Something on your mind dear?"

Not wanting to further cause myself anymore unwanted stress I decided not to share details with him,

"Yes, a lot, but I'll be okay"

Harrison nodded at my response and gave me a warm smile, I could tell he knew what was on my mind by what he said next,

"Mr. Parker is very fond of you Ms. Darling. He's just not used to being this invested in someone, give him time."

I was taken back by his response, I thought to myself,

"Is he normally not invested in women for long?"

I shake the thought from my head as I notice the car was coming to a slow stop. I peer out my window and my breath catches. The building is so tall I have to crane my neck to see the very top, which looks so small from my view in the car. Harrison opens my door for me and I thank him.