She took a deep breath, trying to think of a convincing excuse, But before she could come up with anything, Lexi saw her chance. Jackson's grip on her arms had loosened slightly, and she knew she could break free.
With a surge of adrenaline, Lexi wrenched her arms free from Jackson's grasp. She took off at a sprint, her feet pounding the carpet as she raced towards the elevator into the midst of a group of people about to board the elevator.
"Hey, wait!" Jackson shouted behind her, his footsteps echoing off the walls.
But Lexi didn't look back. She kept her eyes fixed on the elevator, her heart pounding in her chest. She could hear Jackson closing in behind her, but she didn't dare look back.
Finally, she reached the elevator and yanked open the door. Lexi dove inside just as Jackson was about to grab her. She slammed the door shut behind her, her chest heaving with exertion, as the elevator doors slid shut, Lexi let out a sigh of relief not minding the pairs of eyes on her.
Jackson's eyes scanned the crowd, searching for Lexi's familiar face. But she was gone, vanished into the sea of strangers.
He muttered a curse under his breath, his mind racing with questions. What was she doing, sneaking around the hotel? And why was she so desperate to avoid him?
Jackson took a step forward, his eyes scanning the corridor. He knew he had to find her but as he turned to follow the crowd, he felt a hand on his arm. He turned to see a hotel staff member, with a polite smile on his face.
The staff member's eyes dropped, his lips suddenly quivering "I'm so sorry Mr reed, Ii... Ii..."
"You don't have to be, I'm looking for someone," Jackson said finally, his eyes scanning the corridor. "A young woman, about 5'8" with long brown hair."
The staff member nodded, his eyes sparkling with excitement to get one of the tycoon businessmen in LA to talk to him. "Sir, I think I might have seen her," he said. "She got into the elevator just a minute ago sir."
Jackson's heart leapt with excitement, and he frown at himself for thinking this way."Which elevator?" Jackson asked, his voice urgent.
The staff member pointed down the corridor to a bank of elevators. "The one on the far left sir," he said.
Jackson nodded, his eyes locked on the elevator. He took off at a sprint shocking the staff member who was about to introduce himself, Jackson stopped his heart pounding in his chest and started again down the corridor, his eyes fixed on the elevator. He could see the doors sliding shut, and he knew he had to move fast, He quickly scanned the area as soon as he got off the elevator his eyes searching for any sign of her.
That's when he saw her, standing outside the hotel entrance, her arm raised as she hailed a taxi.
Jackson took off after her, his long strides eating up the distance. But he was too late. The taxi screeched to a halt in front of Lexi, and she quickly jumped in, slamming the door shut behind her.
The taxi took off with a squeal of tires, leaving Jackson standing alone on the sidewalk, his chest heaving with exertion. He watched as the taxi disappeared into the traffic, feeling a sense of frustration and defeat wash over him, he gloated and turned to leave.
All of a sudden, a chorus of shouts and camera clicks erupted from the crowd of paparazzi gathered outside the entrance.
"Mr Reeds! Mr Reed's! Over here!" one of the paparazzi shouted, shoving a microphone in his face.
Jackson's eyes narrowed as he pushed his way through the crowd. He was used to dealing with the paparazzi, but tonight he was in no mood for their games.
"Mr Reed's, what brings you to the hotel tonight?" another paparazzo asked, snapping a photo of Jackson's scowling face.
Jackson didn't bother to respond. He just kept pushing forward, his eyes fixed on the hotel entrance, But the paparazzi were relentless. They swarmed around him, asking questions and snapping photos.
Just when it seemed like Jackson was going to lose his temper, a sleek black SUV pulled up to the curb. The door slid open, and Jackson's P. A (Personal Assistant) Robin, stepped out, followed by three burly security guards.
"I'm sorry I'm late sir" Robin apologized, his voice firm but calm.
The security guard stepped forward, using his bulk to push the paparazzi back.
"You don't have to be Robin "Jackson said, grateful for the rescue. He climbed into the SUV, followed by Robin and his security guard men.
As the vehicle pulled away from the curb, Jackson let out a sigh of relief. He was glad to be away from the paparazzi, but he couldn't shake the feeling that he had just missed something important.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Lexi sat down comfortably in the taxi, her heart racing in her chest as she remembered herself bursting through the hotel doors, the cool night air hitting her like a slap in the face, she didn't hesitate as her feet pounded the pavement as she sprinted towards the taxi rank.
She could hear Jackson shouting behind her, his voice echoing off the buildings. Lexi didn't dare look back, her eyes fixed on the row of taxis ahead.
She reached the first taxi and yanked open the door, diving inside just as Jackson was about to grab her. Lexi slammed the door shut behind her, her chest heaving with exertion.
"Go!" she shouted at the taxi driver, who looked at her in surprise before hitting the gas.
The taxi screeched away from the curb, leaving Jackson standing alone on the sidewalk, his eyes fixed on the disappearing taxi.
Now in....she thought of her boss, her argument with Suzie the other day rang in her head along with the worries, but who cares She needed this peace, this peace.
********************
"Where's the girl Robin?" Jackson asked, his eyes scanning the crowded streets.
Robin shook his head. "I don't know, sir, wasn't able to track her."
Jackson nodded, but he couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled in the pit of his stomach. He knew that the girl was familiar and now it was confirmed because why would she just run away?
"Should I call the agency sir?"
"Not yet Robin, Not yet"