Chapter 39 - The Soft Touch

Chapter - 39

Soon the two of them reached the parking lot. Karen reluctantly followed behind Alex only to see him getting on a bike. Imagining herself sitting behind her subordinate, she felt a bit disconcerted about it.

'What if the other employees or department heads saw her? It won't take long for the news to spread in the company. The one thing Karen kept herself away from was scandals, and she didn't want to be a part of any gossip.'

"Alex, I think I will just get a cab home. There is no need for you to trouble yourself," Karen said as she turned around to walk back to the elevator.

"Why? You were okay with the idea of me dropping you home moments ago. What happened?" Alex asked, confused.

"Nothing, I just don't feel comfortable about it now," Karen said.

"You don't feel comfortable with me?" Alex asked with an amused as well as an afflicted expression, 'Did I do something to make her feel uncomfortable around me?' Alex thought, but as far as he could remember, there was no such incident that he could think of.

"No---no--- not you, but the situation makes me feel a bit awkward," Karen hurriedly explained.

"Oh--- C'mon chief. I am a good guy. I am just taking you home. I won't make a right if you tell me to go left. Believe me, and hop on before we get too late," Alex said as he stopped his bike near her and patted his back seat.

Looking at him smiling at her, Karen hesitated for a while before she finally gave in and sat behind him.

"Hold me tight," Alex said, and before waiting for her response, the bike zoomed past other vehicles in the parking.

"Ahh...." Karen let out a high pitched shrill, and involuntarily she wrapped her arms around him tightly.

After leaving the parking lot, Alex slowed down a bit, but Karen was still holding on to him very tightly. Alex could feel something soft on his back, and her warmth conveying to him, despite the two pieces of fabric between them. It made him feel a little tingly in his stomach, and his heart began to pound like crazy.

"Chief, you can loosen your hold now. It's fine," Alex said, trying to sound as natural as possible.

Karen, listening to Alex, opened her eyes and looked around. They were indeed moving at a steady speed.

"What was that just now, Alex? How could you suddenly accelerate the bike so fast?" Karen complained as she smacked his shoulder.

"Sorry, I just thought it would be fun. Don't tell me it's your first time riding a bike in thirty-three years of your life," Alex looked pleased and started teasing her.

"Of---of course, it's not the first time," Karen stuttered as she replied.

"Ooohoo... liar... liar... pants on...," Alex said out of nowhere but stopped mid-way, 'What am I doing? Are you a grade-schooler? Keep your shit together, man.'

"Ahem... You can tell me. I can feel it in your voice that it's your first time. Don't worry, I am not the type to make fun of people," Alex further pried into the matter.

"Fine! It's my first time riding a bike, you happy now? And so what if it's my first time?" Karen said as she turned her face away in irritation.

"See... I told you I could feel it. But all jokes apart, since this is your first time. Let's make it worth it. Just relax, hold on to me and enjoy the ride," Alex said and again, without any warning, accelerated the bike. Karen had no other choice but to wrap her arms around Alex again. But this time, she was more cautious about it.

It took some time, but Karen slowly adjusted herself at the back. Now she was no longer holding onto him, and soon, they were out of the rushing, bustling roads and were on the outskirts of the city. Karen could feel the cool breeze blowing past her, gently caressing her cheeks. She untied her hair to let them blow along with the wind. She spread her arms out wide and felt like being one with the wind, free and without any worries.

Alex, who was looking at Karen through his mirror, could hardly keep his eyes on the road. Alex was grateful to his mom for being stubborn and not letting him remove the rearview mirrors when he felt they looked uncool. Karen's every action was being imprinted in his memory. He didn't want to miss anything. Alex may not have the chance to witness this again in the future. This will become a beautiful memory for both of them. Well, at least for Alex, it will be an unforgettable memory.

Following the directions from Karen, Alex rode the bike to an apartment complex.

"Right there, next to that car, drop me right there," Karen said as she pointed towards a car.

"So, you live here?" Alex said as he stopped the bike and looked around. The tall buildings with hundreds of apartments stood all around.

"Yes, mister, I do," Karen said as she got off the bike, "Thank you, Alex. I really enjoyed the ride," Karen said, smiling at Alex.

Alex felt he had never seen someone smile so beautifully. He wanted to keep looking at her, smiling.

"Ummh..." Shaking his head, Alex tried to drive away these thoughts, "Which one's your apartment?" He asked.

"Why do you want to know that kid?" Karen asked, raising her brows, looking at Alex suspiciously.

"Just asking. What if you end up wasted at a party, and I have to drop you home?" Alex said, shrugging.

"As if... Well, since I know you won't come robbing my house, let me tell you. Do you see that window on the fourth floor with the lights on? That's my apa...rt...me...," Karen said as she looked up, pointing towards her apartment. But she felt something soft on her cheek, and before she could even understand what was going on, Alex zoomed away on his bike.

Karen stood there dazed by the unexpected turn of events. Her hand slowly reached out for her cheek as she gently caressed the place where Alex had just kissed her.

She felt multiple emotions in her heart, but what she felt most was sadness. She looked in the direction Alex let and then towards her apartment. After standing there for a while in thought, she finally went up. Karen didn't know if someone saw them, but she was not in the mood to think about it.

* * * * *