Chapter 29

**James POV **

Philip entered just as James sent the mail. That would teach her. He took long breaths to calm his racing heart otherwise Philip may burn the consequences of her words. He never punishes someone for others' crimes. But this girl will make him a sinner today if he allows it. A hoax bomb threat couldn't do it and this girl with a few words has raised his blood pressure like anything.

"Mr. McKenzie, I know why you called me sir. And I understand completely. I should have been more vigilant. Know the full facts before it reaches the public. All that mayhem could have been avoided if I had controlled my staff properly. I will clear the office today. It was nice working with you sir", Philip said stone-faced.

"Philip. If you must be fired then I as your boss too must be. Because I too didn't train my staff properly. And it must fall on me. So stop with the guilt trip and include the training lessons every week in the schedule from now on. We couldn't prepare for everything, but we very well can try to avoid it. I hope you can handle this matter here?", James said once again calmly reigning his demeanor.

"Yes, yes, of course, Mr. McKenzie. Thank you, sir. Thank you so much", Philip displays gratitude.

"Make no mistake, Philip, I will be keeping a close eye on this branch for a while. One more strike and I will take what you willingly gave me just now. And this time, there won't be any more warnings", James made his final threat.

After that, things happened at a much faster pace. Tank came back with the news that the jet is ready for takeoff. Once boarded, James concentrated on his work during the time it took them to reach Atlanta. Due to the traffic, it was 4 pm before he could reach the hospital. Though James slept heavily last night, he still felt the tiredness seeping into his bones. However, he projected the tranquility meticulously.

James thought he would get to meet the discerning Bella-Rose James if the report the doctor gave is to go by. Well, let's see how well her manners are in person, James mused. He felt a certain lightness, he never had before. Like with his lavender girl. It has been years since he talked with someone who won't cower or covet because of his position.

James is looking forward to clashing with this girl. How will she react when she faces him? Will she blabber and apologize or be the firecracker he saw in her mail? Or will she fawn all over him? James thought what a disappointment it would be if she was to fawn over him!

James ordered his other bodyguards to return home, but Tank refused to leave him alone. So, here he was at the entrance of the hospital with Tank. James entered Agatha's room after asking a passing nurse about it.
He immediately noticed her asleep on her bed with an air of fragility. Not wanting to disturb her, he asked the nurse about Dr. Grey.

James was almost to the door when he noticed the flowers. He glanced at Agatha to assure himself she is still sleeping and slowly opened the card.

"To my aunt Agatha,
Hope you get well soon. Many caring, loving thoughts are with you as you recover. Mine and... James.

Your favourite niece,
Bella."

James felt his interest increase with each glimpse of her. Who is she? He never felt these many shades from a human being before. He is getting whiplash with her characteristics. James felt disappointed that he wouldn't be able to meet the mail girl after all. What a shame! He was looking forward to it. James didn't dwell on the disappointment long enough though. He was used to it. What's one more in the long list of them?

He tucked the thoughts of the mail-girl in a corner of his mind to go through them later. First, he needs to find that doctor and know about how Agatha is fairing.

James asked the floor nurse who is at the far end of the corridor for the doctor's office.

"It is on the ground floor. Shall I call the nurse over there to ask him to come up?", the nurse asked, knowing the identity of the person before her.

"Don't bother", James said as he went to the stand for the elevator.

The elevator was almost crowded. James stepped into it absent-minded, his thoughts on which of his places are comfortable enough to shift Agatha in it.

"Wait for me!", came a melodic voice just as the elevator doors are shutting.

James couldn't see the person because of the crowd in the elevator. However, once the crowd settled in the elevator, he could feel her. That smell... could it be?

James tried to peek through her hair but she was busy looking at something on her phone. Her waist-length hair looks brunette, but when inspected closely like him, it has shades of red in it. Little red. She is so short...barely reaching to his neck, yet the smell of her...the nearness is doing wild things to him. She wore jeans that hugged her ass very lovingly. It has a sweetheart shape to it, that James struggled not to grab on to.

James felt the rush in his groin like never before. He was sure she was the lavender girl. This kind of reaction from his body has been enticed only by her. His body tightened with heat. He wanted to grab her from behind and hold her there forever. Their bodies were almost touching but not enough.

Suddenly the girl stiffened when she felt the heat coming off from him. Her body tensed in anticipation. He could feel it in his bones. She leaned slightly...very slightly towards his warmth. Her body swaying towards him like a magnet with no control over it.

He sensed the quickening of her breath...her struggle to understand the new happenings to her body. Her fingers shivering as she tucked her hair behind her ear. Innocent...she is innocent. James felt the satisfaction from learning that fact like no other. They were like that in their own bubble among the crowd. Touching...but almost not.

James's hands itched to touch her hair...lean into her...lick her neck.... to turn her around and drown in her eyes. He raised his hand to do just that when the familiar sound of 'ding' of the elevator sounded loudly breaking their oasis. It all happened in seconds. His attraction, her Lavender girl ran from the elevator before the doors could be opened fully.

James tried to chase the girl, but he couldn't find her in any direction. A deep sense of longing pierced his heart. James felt like all his energy had been drained. Shaking the feeling of loneliness, James went in search of the doctor's room.

James returned to Agatha's room just as a nurse was leaving it.

"Wait!"

"Yes sir?", the nurse asked.

"The girl...her niece", James said pointing towards Agatha, "when did she leave?", James asked absent-mindedly, his thoughts wrapped up on the lavender girl.

"She just left sir. Why I just saw you both entering the elevator at the same time. I thought you would recognise her niece", the nurse said confused with his questioning.

"At the same time?", James asked stunned.

"Yes sir. If that's all...", James stepped aside to let her leave the room. Well...well. His lavender girl and the mail girl are the same. James tested her name by speaking loudly- "Bella-Rose James". The girl who gave him sass. The girl who left him breathless. HIS...lavender girl.

James grinned like a Cheshire Cat who got the cream. Run, little red, run. This wolf has caught your scent. The hunt is on!