The next morning, Lila walked into the office with a feeling she couldn't properly name.
Her steps were lighter.
Her posture was straighter.
Her chest felt… warm?
It was just dinner.
Just a walk home.
Just a… maybe-kind-of date.
She shook her head vigorously—earning confused looks from her coworkers—and headed straight to her desk.
But the office was unusually noisy today.
Whispers.
Chatter.
Snickering.
And every time she passed, someone looked at her with big, curious eyes.
She froze.
Don't tell me…
"Lila!" Mina from the adjacent department practically teleported to her.
Lila flinched. "…Yes?"
Mina leaned in, eyes sparkling. "Is it true?"
"…Is what true?"
"That you and Raven Hale had dinner last night?"
Lila's soul left her body.
"W-WHAT?! No! We just— we— it wasn't—"
"So it's true," Mina declared happily.
"It's NOT—"
"Oh my god, he walked you home too?"
"He DID but— it's NOT LIKE THAT!"
People were already whispering.
"Ohhh the demoness has a boyfriend."
"Raven? Seriously? That guy?"
"He likes her?!"
"A beauty and an angel? Damn…"
"Wait, weren't they fighting like a week ago?"
"This is getting INTERESTING!"
Lila covered her face with both hands.
Why does my entire life have to be a circus?
---
Enter Raven Hale… In Slow Motion (According to the Office Girls)
The elevator doors opened.
Raven stepped out, looking annoyingly good for someone who supposedly slept only four hours. His hair slightly tousled, tie loosely hanging, and expression the usual blend of smug confidence.
A group of female coworkers sighed like they were watching a drama scene.
"He's so handsome…"
"Is he glowing today or is it just me?"
"I bet he had a good night~"
"With WHO?!"
"You know who!"
Raven walked calmly—
Until he met Lila's panicked gaze.
He stopped.
Tilted his head.
Smiled.
A small, warm smile that only she got to see.
The office lost it.
---
Raven Approaches
He walked straight toward her desk. "Morning."
Lila stared at him like he was a bomb with pretty eyes.
"M-Morning…"
"You okay?" he asked, leaning closer. "You look tense."
"T-they're all looking at us—"
"Yeah," he said cheerfully. "I noticed."
"You DON'T MIND?!"
"No." He shrugged. "Let them look."
Her heart nearly escaped through her throat.
"Raven…"
"Hmm?"
"You can't just… SMILE at me like that in front of everybody!"
"Why not?"
"Because— because— because—"
"Because you'll get shy?"
She covered her face again. "Stop teasing me…"
He chuckled. "Never."
---
Jealousy Hits Unexpectedly
Just then, their coworker Liam walked by.
"Morning, Lila," Liam said with a friendly grin. "You look pretty today."
Lila blinked. "Oh— uh— thank you?"
Raven's smile vanished.
His eyes narrowed.
Jaw tightened.
Posture straightened.
Liam continued chatting, completely unaware of the murderous aura forming beside him.
"So, Lila… I was thinking maybe we could grab lunch together sometime? As coworkers, of course—"
"No," Raven said instantly.
Liam blinked. "Huh?"
"She's busy," Raven added sharply.
Lila stared at Raven, startled. "R-Raven—"
"She's working on reports. With me."
"Since when?" Liam asked.
"Since right now," Raven said, pulling a random folder from her desk.
"That's my trash file," Lila whispered.
"Not anymore," Raven said, glaring at Liam.
Liam held up his hands. "Alright, alright, I won't bother her."
He left.
Lila slowly turned to Raven.
"…What was THAT?"
"What was what?"
"You know EXACTLY what."
Raven clicked his tongue and looked away. "…The guy's annoying."
"He was just being friendly!"
"He was flirting."
"No, he wasn't—"
"Yes, he was." Raven leaned in slightly. "And I didn't like it."
Lila's heart stopped.
"You… sound jealous."
Raven froze.
Lila stared.
He stared.
For the first time ever, Raven Hale looked caught off guard.
Then he played it cool—too quickly.
"I'm not jealous."
"You glared daggers at him."
"No, I didn't."
"You stole a trash file just to chase him away."
"That file had potential."
"It literally said Draft Rejected."
"It's an ironic title."
"Raven…"
He looked away again.
"…I didn't like him talking to you."
Lila's breath hitched.
"…Why?"
Raven didn't answer immediately.
He took a slow breath.
Turned his eyes back to her—dark, focused, intense.
"Because I want to be the one you look at."
---
Explosion of Office Gossip
Before Lila could even respond—
"OH MY GOOOOOOOOOD!"
"HE SAID THAT?!"
"THE ANGEL IS POSSESSIVE?!"
"THIS IS SPICY!"
"SOMEONE RECORD THIS—"
Half the office was secretly watching.
Lila and Raven both whipped around.
Everyone scattered instantly, pretending to type.
Lila buried her face in her hands, wanting to evaporate.
Raven clicked his tongue, annoyed. "People have no shame."
"You literally said that in the middle of the office!"
"Not my fault they have big ears."
---
Later That Afternoon…
Raven refused to leave her side.
He sat near her desk.
Helped with reports (even the ones she didn't ask him to).
Glared at anyone who came too close.
Casually leaned close to ask questions he already knew the answers to.
Lila was dying inside from the embarrassment.
And something else too.
Warmth.
Happiness.
A fluttery feeling that refused to go away.
Every time their shoulders brushed…
Every time their eyes met…
Every time Raven smirked at her blushing…
Her heart raced uncontrollably.
---
The Chapter Ends With a Twist
As she headed home after work, Lila checked her notifications.
A new email.
From: HR Department
Subject: COMMUNICATION SKILLS EVALUATION — Mandatory Workshop
She clicked it.
Dear Lila Moreno,
Due to recent observations of workplace tension and communication challenges…
You are required to attend a 2-week interpersonal skills workshop starting Monday.
Lila froze.
"What… is this?"
Before she could react, a second email arrived.
From: Raven Hale
Subject: See you in workshop, partner.
Lila's eyes widened.
"Huh? WHY IS HE—"
"Because I volunteered," Raven said behind her.
She screamed and dropped her phone.
He caught it midair.
"Looking forward to spending more time with you," he said with a wink.
Lila nearly melted into the floor.
---End of Chapter 16---