CHAPTER 144: THIS IS NOT A DATE

~TYE~

The lady’s glare could’ve cut glass. Her finger stabbed at the intercom like she was declaring war. I leaned back on the desk, arms crossed, trying to hide the grin that slipped onto my face despite my irritation.

So this was the feisty beauty from the park. Didn’t expect to see her in Axel’s office, all fire and curves and righteous anger.

"Really?" I drawled. "Security? That’s a bit dramatic, don’t you think?"

"Dramatic?" She whirled on me, those eyes flashing. "You beat a kid half to death last night, and now you’re breaking into offices. Forgive me for not rolling out the welcome mat."

"I wasn’t breaking in. The front desk let me through."

"Because you probably lied to them."

"Or maybe," I said, pushing off the desk and taking a step closer, "I actually belong here."

"Right. And I’m the Queen of England."

"Pleasure to meet you, Your Majesty. Should I bow?"

Her jaw clenched. "You think this is funny?"

"A little. You’re cute when you’re angry."

"And you’re infuriating when you exist."

"Ouch. That’s cold."

"You deserve cold. And handcuffs. And maybe a psych evaluation."

"All on the first date? You move fast."

"This is not a date. This is me protecting my boss’ office from criminals."

"Criminal? That’s harsh for someone you barely know for five minutes. I think I prefer ’misunderstood gentleman.’"

"There’s nothing gentle about you."

"You wound me, sweetheart."

"Don’t call me that."

"What should I call you then? Feisty? Tiger? Little spitfire?"

"How about nothing? How about you just leave?"

Security burst through the door before I could respond, two guards, hands hovering near their belts, looking between us like they were trying to figure out who the threat was.

"Ma’am?" the taller one asked, addressing the woman. "Everything alright?"

"Him," she pointed at me like I was carrying a bomb. "Get him out of here."

I raised my hands in mock surrender, showing my palms. "Easy, tiger. I’m just visiting a friend."

"A friend who isn’t here," she shot back. "Which makes you a trespasser."

"That’s a strong word. I prefer ’early arrival.’"

"I prefer ’escorted out.’"

The guard grabbed my arm, not gently. I let him, but leaned close to her as they started pulling me toward the door. Close enough to catch a hint of her perfume; it was light and floral, nothing like her warrior-princess attitude.

"See you around, feisty," I said, keeping my voice low enough that only she could hear. "Next time, buy me a drink first before you get me arrested."

She tensed up, her entire body becoming stiff. "Not if I see you first."

"That’s the spirit. I like a woman with fight in her."

"I’m sure you do. Now get out before I have them drag you out."

"No need for violence. I’ll go peacefully." I paused at the door. "For now."

The guards dragged me toward the door, but I threw one last look over my shoulder. She was standing there, arms crossed, watching me leave with those furious eyes. Beautiful, even when she wanted to murder me.

Maybe especially then.

Downstairs, they shoved me out through the lobby doors with more force than necessary. I straightened my shirt, adjusted my collar, and pulled out my phone.

I dialled Axel, wiping the smirk off my face as it rang.

"Yeah?" he answered on the second ring.

"I don’t know who that lady is," I said, leaning against the building’s exterior wall, "but she’s something else. About five-seven, dark hair that falls just past her shoulders, eyes that could kill a man at fifty paces, and a mouth that could probably finish the job. Called security on me like I was robbing the place."

Axel sighed heavily. "Hold on, I’m wrapping up a meeting."

"Take your time. I’ll just be out here, banned from your building and questioning my life choices."

"You’re so dramatic."

"Says the man currently planning a grand romantic gesture involving champagne and roses."

He hung up without responding.

I waited outside for what felt like forever, but was probably only a couple of minutes. A few people passed by, giving me suspicious looks.

Apparently, getting thrown out by security made you memorable. I nodded at an older woman who clutched her purse tighter when she saw me. Real friendly crowd.

Axel finally came down, pushing through the lobby doors with an exasperated expression. "Get in, idiot," he said, jerking his head toward the entrance.

"Your security might have strong opinions about that."

"They work for me. Now move before I change my mind."

I followed him back inside, ignoring the guards’ glares. We headed for the elevator, and I could feel their eyes boring into my back.

"So," Axel said as the doors closed. "Helena. Layla’s assistant. What’d you do to her?"

"Beat a thief last night in the park after you left," I said, leaning against the elevator wall. "She was there with her brothers, two kids. Shielded them, yelled at me to stop. Called me drunk and violent." I chuckled at the memory. "Then she spots me in your office this morning and thinks I’m here to rob you or something. It was priceless."

"You didn’t explain who you were?"

"Where’s the fun in that? I played along. Let her call security and everything. She’s got spirit, I’ll give her that."

Axel shook his head. "You’re an asshole."

"But a charming one."

"Debatable."

"Come on, it was funny. You should’ve seen her face."

"I’m sure it was hilarious. For you."

"Did you get the champagne?" I asked as we stepped out on his floor.

"No, that’s why I called Helena to get it. It’s still in my office."

"Ah. That explains why she was there. Must’ve thought I was stealing your expensive liquor."

"Knowing you, not an unreasonable assumption."

We walked down the hall to his office. Axel opened the door and gestured for me to wait inside, then stepped back out into the hallway.

"Helena?" he called. "Can you come here for a minute?"

I heard footsteps, then she appeared in the doorway. Her expression shifted from professional to horrified when she saw me leaning against the desk again.

"You’ve got to be kidding me," she said flatly.

"Told you we’d meet again," I said with a grin. "Meaning you owe me that drink now."

"I owe you nothing except maybe a restraining order and an exorcism."

"Feisty and funny. I like it even more."

Axel cleared his throat loudly. "Tye, this is Helena, Layla’s assistant. Helena, this is Tye. He’s my friend."

Helena’s eyes widened like he’d just told her I was the president. "Sir... your friend?"

"Unfortunately," Axel said dryly. "I can’t seem to shake him."

"I’m like a bad penny," I added helpfully. "Always turning up when you least expect it."

Helena’s face had gone slightly red; whether from anger or embarrassment, I couldn’t tell. Both were equally entertaining.

"I... I apologise for being rash and calling security, Mr...?"

"Tye. Just Tye. And no last names necessary."

"Mr. Tye, then."

"Just Tye," I corrected, stepping closer. "Mr. makes me sound old."

"Fine. Mr Tye." She stubbornly said again. "I apologise for the misunderstanding."

"You don’t mean it one bit, do you?"

Her lips twitched, fighting a smile that wanted to break free. "That’s for you to decide... sir." The ’sir’ sounded like an afterthought, almost mocking.

I laughed. I couldn’t help it. This woman was going to be trouble, I could already tell. The best kind of trouble.

She turned to Axel, all business again, like I’d ceased to exist. "I’ve got everything ready, sir. The flowers, the breakfast, the note. It’s all set up in Mrs. O’Brien’s office."

"Perfect. Thank you, Helena."

"Hope it works," she said, her expression softening slightly. "She’s lucky to have someone who cares this much."

"Me too," Axel muttered, running a hand through his hair.

His phone buzzed. He pulled it out, glanced at the screen, and his face tightened immediately.

"What?" I asked.

"Security. Layla’s here. She’s getting into the elevator right now."

Helena’s eyes went wide. "Now? As in right now?"

"Right now."

"Should I...?" She gestured vaguely toward the door, clearly unsure what to do.

"Go," Axel said. "Make sure everything’s perfect in her office. I’ll intercept her if I need to."

Helena nodded and rushed out without another glance at me.

I watched her go, admiring the view. "She’s something."

"Don’t even think about it," Axel warned.

"Think about what?"

"Whatever you’re thinking. Helena’s off-limits."

"I wasn’t thinking anything," I said innocently. "Just making an observation."

"Tye."

"Fine, fine. I’ll behave."

"Since when?"

"Since never, but I can pretend for your sake."

Axel shook his head, but I caught the hint of a smile. "Come on. Let’s go make sure this grand gesture doesn’t blow up in my face."

"That’s the spirit. Optimism and positive thinking."

"With you around? I’m lucky if this building’s still standing by lunch."

"You love me anyway."

"Tolerate. There’s a significant difference."

We headed down the hall, but my mind kept drifting back to Helena. Those fierce eyes, that sharp tongue, the way she’d stood her ground even when she thought I was dangerous.

Yeah. She was definitely going to be trouble.