Felix pinched the bridge of his nose, exhaling slowly as the familiar skyline passed by the car window. He had hoped, truly hoped, that once he left the hotel earlier, this little ss called Lara Johanssen would stay exactly where he left her.
But nope. That would’ve been too easy.
As soon as he stepped out of his car in front of his office headquarters, there she was. Standing right on the pavent. Her pastel pink dress swayed in the wind, a pair of oversized sunglasses perched on her nose, and a dazzling smile that made it look like she’d just won a lottery.
"Why... are you following ?" Felix asked, dragging a hand down his face, his voice edged with disbelief, exhaustion, and a touch of panic.
Lara pushed the sunglasses up to her head, letting her honey-blonde waves fall perfectly around her shoulders. "Oh, co on. Don’t be so dramatic," she chirped, stepping up beside him like they were old friends—or worse—a couple.
Felix glanced around quickly, praying none of his employees had noticed yet. His lips tightened into a line. "Miss Johanssen..." He tried to keep his tone even, diplomatic even. "I ca to your hotel earlier to talk. We talked. I made things very clear. Why are you here?"
She shrugged casually, her smile never faltering. "Well... I figured I should get to know you more. Like, where you work. What your day looks like. Basic fiancé research, you know?"
Felix stopped mid-step, whipping his head toward her. "Fiancé—" He clamped his mouth shut, took a deep breath, and exhaled slowly through his teeth. "Isn’t there... I don’t know... anything else you should be doing right now?"
Felix pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling the beginnings of a migraine throb right between his eyes. God... she really was one of those high-maintenance types, wasn’t she? The designer heels, the makeup at six in the morning, that perfu so strong it practically slapped him from across the lobby—yeah, she scread high-maintenance from a mile away.
Shouldn’t won like her be... I don’t know... at so overpriced nail salon? Booking spa treatnts? His eye twitched as he glanced at her again. Nope. No such luck.
Instead, here she was. In his office. In his territory. With that grin that was equal parts charming and infuriating.
"Yup," Lara said sweetly, popping the ’p.’ "You."
Felix nearly tripped over his own feet. He stared at her, blinking, half in disbelief, half wondering if karma was finally catching up to him for sothing he must have done in a past life.
"Look... Miss Johanssen... I am serious." He pinched the bridge of his nose again, squeezing his eyes shut. "I have work. Real, actual, adult work. I don’t have ti to babysit... you."
Lara gasped theatrically, placing a hand over her chest. "Babysit? Oh, Felix, that hurts." Her lips twitched upward. "But okay, fine. I promise. I won’t bother you. I’ll just sit quietly in the corner of your office. You won’t even know I’m there."
Felix’s mouth dropped open. "Are you—Are you serious right now?"
She tilted her head, pretending to think. "Hmm... Nah. I’m kidding." She grinned like it was the funniest joke in the world. "I’m heading back to the hotel. Just wanted to see your work kingdom."
Before Felix could breathe a sigh of relief, she stepped forward, tiptoed, and planted a kiss—soft but loud—right on his cheek. "See you later, my soon-to-be fiancé," she winked.
Felix stood frozen, stiff as a statue. His eyes widened. His mouth opened. No words ca out.
By the ti he finally regained so motor function, Lara was already halfway to the exit, waving cheerily.
Then realization hit.
Oh. No.
He slowly turned his head, scanning the reception area. Several heads jerked away, pretending not to look. But the hushed whispers, the quickly averted eyes, and the sneaky side-glances told him everything.
Oh God. They saw.
Felix practically power-walked toward the elevator, muttering under his breath, "I am going to lose my mind. I am absolutely going to lose my mind."
As soon as he stepped inside the elevator, he pressed the button for his floor, leaning back and sighing—until a voice interrupted.
"Morning, Boss."
He turned. Great.
Ramon. One of his managers from the marketing departnt. Casual, laid-back, and unfortunately the type of employee who wasn’t afraid of him—and who had zero filter.
"Ramon," Felix greeted, adjusting his suit jacket and trying to compose himself. "Morning."
Silence filled the elevator for a beat. Just one beat.
Then Ramon smirked. "Sooo... the blonde bombshell from the lobby...?"
Felix groaned, head thunking lightly against the mirrored wall. "She’s... an acquaintance."
"An acquaintance who kisses you on the cheek?" Ramon raised a brow, amused. "Sir, I’ve been in marketing for years. I know chemistry when I see it."
Felix dragged a hand down his face. "Ramon, no. It’s not like that. I have nothing going on with her."
"Oh yeah?" Ramon rocked back on his heels. "That’s not what it looked like from... oh, pretty much every single person in the lobby."
Felix shot him a look. "You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?"
Ramon grinned unapologetically. "A little." He shoved his hands into his pockets. "Though... between you and ... I always thought you and Miss Anderson had... sothing. You know. That thing. The unspoken ’thing.’"
Felix’s mouth pressed into a firm line. "Ramon..." His tone was a warning.
Ramon lifted both hands in mock surrender. "Hey, hey. No judgnt. I’m rooting for you, man. But... you’ve just fed the office gossip mill for the next month. Congrats."
The elevator dinged. Ramon stepped out onto his floor, tossing a lazy wave over his shoulder. "See ya, Boss. Good luck surviving."
The doors slid shut.
Felix stood alone, staring at his reflection. He loosened his tie a little, sighed, and then...
Squatted.
Right there in the empty elevator, he crouched down, burying his face in his hands.
"Why..." he muttered into his palms. "Why is everything a disaster this week?"
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