The elevator zoomed up past all the floors. Sweat perspired down the sides of my face. My hands were locked to each other and I couldn't unravel them. Act normal, Lilly. It's just your father.
Kellan was no doubt used to doing things like this but for me, this was my first time. I took a couple deep breaths as the elevator dinged and the doors opened.
My father's secretary sat at her desk, painting her nails. “Ms. Spencer, what are you doing here so late?”
Oh fuck. The secretary was supposed to be gone by now.
Even if I was able to get my father downstairs, how would Kellan get past the secretary?
My father came out of his office when he heard the commotion. Anger flooded my veins. I'd never forgive him for what he did to Kellan. “Lilly? I didn't expect to see you so soon.”
I fought every urge to punch him right in the face. “I need to talk to you.”
My father turned to his secretary. “I won't be needing you anymore.”
She nodded quietly and walked by me to the elevator, her perfume lingering in the air. I breathed a big sigh of relief. The whole plan could have been jeopardized if she stuck around.
“I was hoping we'd get to have another conversation,” my father said.
“Not here. Can we go somewhere?”
My dad smiled. “Sure, honey. Let me just get my things.”
I waited for my father to get his briefcase and we took the elevator down together. My father was done working for the night so Kellan had all the time in the world to get the hard drive. So far so good, Lilly. Keep it up.
We rode down in silence. I didn't even know what to say to him. All my planning had only gotten me to this point. What was I supposed to do next?
The elevator hit the bottom floor and I quickly glanced at the supply closet. It was closed. Good luck, Kellan.
My father and I walked outside of his building into the cold night air. “I'm truly sorry about what happened, Lilly.”
I couldn't hold back the rage anymore. “Are you? Are you really sorry or are you just saying that?”
“You're right, Lilly. I'm not sorry for what I did. Kellan isn't the right man for you. I'd do it again if I had the chance.”
How could my father be so cruel? When I was a kid, he used to read me Winnie-the-Pooh and sing me a lullaby to put me to sleep every night. What happened to that man? “I love him. That won't change no matter how much you try to stop it.”
“You're stronger than I ever gave you credit for, Lilly. You remind me a lot of myself.”
That was the greatest insult. “I'll never be like you,” I seethed.
My father looked concerned and started checking his coat pockets. “I think I forgot my phone. Let's go back upstairs and we can talk some more.”
My heart jumped out of my throat. Kellan didn't have enough time. I reached out my hand to stop my dad. “No stop! We need to talk outside. You're phone can wait. I'm what's important right now.”
My father shrugged me off. “Don't be ridiculous, Lilly. We can talk in my office while I search for my phone.”
I had no choice. I quickly took out my phone and sent Kellan a quick text:
On our way.
He wouldn't have time to go back down the elevator. He'd have to hide and ride it down while we were in my father's office.
We walked back into the building and to the elevator. My palms were sweaty as we waited for it to descend to the ground level.
“We can work this out,” my father said. “I only wanted the best for you.”
I couldn't concentrate enough to argue with him anymore. All my brainpower was focused on Kellan. Did he even get my text?
It would be all over if my father found him. Kellan would go back to prison. My father might even prosecute me when he finds out I was the one that betrayed him.
The elevator opened and we stepped inside. We're coming, Kellan.