Lilac’s POV

‘Oh my God. Ryke?!” I gasped. “Wait, no, shit. I mean, Mr. Kolynsky. Shit, I am so, so sorry.” I was scrambling to gather myself and my thoughts.

As I stared into Ryke’s amused but intense forest gaze, I could not believe it. What. The. Fuck. What the hell do you mean I'd kissed and basically grinded all over to near oblivion was Bayview City’s hottest and richest bachelor?

Like I knew the man was definitely one of the upperclass wealthy men, Millie and I had already established that. But of all people, it was Ryke Kolynsky?! What sort of god did I please to have landed myself in such a situation, the situation being his lap?

This man had pulled ungodly sounds out of my lips. His hands, fuck, his mouth had been all over my body, and distinctly, all over my chest. I knew what his… what his… dick… felt like.

And now he was standing in front of me. Heat crept into my cheeks.

“Angel…” Ryke's voice was teasing and he stepped even closer now, fresh coffee breath alerting my senses. “Where did your mind go?”

“N-n-nowhere!” I had to tilt my head up to look at him. That's how close he was.

“Let me guess. You're thinking about how you…” He couldn't possibly know I'd been thinking about his dick… “Threw up all over me.”

Oh.

My eyes screwed shut and I groaned. How could I forget that? “Fuck. Ry- Mr. Kolynsky, I am so sorry. Were you okay? I hope I didn't ruin your clothes…”

“Not anymore than the coffee you poured the other day ruined my suit.”

Wow, there was no coming back from this. He was never going to let these two things go. I flung my eyes open to apologize again, grovel if need be, but my movements were halted when I saw his green eyes twinkle in the light.

He was just teasing me. Of course.

I huffed and looked away, not sure if I was pouting but not really wanting to fix my face. Ryke laughed, something beautiful and melodious that I had no choice but to look at him again.

Our eyes met and a silence fell between us. But one thought lingered in my mind.

Was he going to fire me now?

I recalled Silvercrest’s employee manual and remembered its content clear as day because it had only been this morning since I read it. According to the book, it was a rule that employer and employee relationships were strictly forbidden.

I knew what we'd done was before I got hired, but I couldn't be sure. The possibility of me losing this job before I'd even started, my plans for a ten thousand dollar account balance, both flashed before my eyes and immediately, I would have done anything to resolve the issue before it became too big of a problem.

“I understand what we did that night…” I blushed again, “...that was very unprofessional of me, Mr. Kolynsky, but I swear it won't happen again.”

I don't know what happened, but as soon as those words left my mouth, it was as if cold water had been doused over a fire. Ryke’s nose flared and his expression shifted, mouth tense and brows drawing tight. The sparkle in his eyes extinguished.

“Really. Ever again?” Ryke gritted his jaw. “Wow, Lilac, I really thought we, I mean, I was hoping…” He trailed off.

Hoping what? Ryke pulled away completely, putting some distance between us so it felt like I could breathe away. But the next second, I missed his presence sorely. He didn't seem to have the right words and I couldn't shake the feeling in my bones that there was something I was missing.

But Ryke didn't say anything else, merely leveling me with his now distant and cold gaze. I guess it was back to normal now.

“Sir, I fully understand Silvercrest's employer-employee policies regarding sexual- Uh… romantic relationships. You can rest assured, I'm only interested in maintaining a completely professional relationship.”

As though something just clicked in his head, Ryke stared at me, unblinking. The look of cool nonchalance was completely wiped away, replaced now by confusion. “Policies?”

“Yes? The one written in the employee manual. Miss. Helen shared it with me this morning and I'd have brought up this entire issue, but I swear I didn't remember and—”

Ryke sighed, cutting me off. “It's fine, Miss. Evans.” It was back to Miss. Evans once again. No more Lilac. No more Angel. Something disappointed sank in my chest, missing the way my name sounded on his lips. “It happened before you joined Silvercrest so we can put that all behind us, can't we?”

“Y-yes, sir!” I nodded frantically. So I wasn't going to get fired. Thank the fucking heavens!

“Good. And one more thing. Not a word of this to anyone. Not to any coworkers and certainly not to Helen. Let's just pretend it never happened.”

“What never happened?” I asked, following along and blinking innocently.

Ryke smirked, “Exactly.”

I smiled at him but he didn't reciprocate, instead turning around to move back to his chair and start typing away on his computer. The strange atmosphere that lingered in the chilled office seemed to clear up immediately after this.

“What's on my schedule this morning?” Ryke asked.

Snapping to attention, I took out my phone and pulled up the calendar that was shared with me. “You have a meeting in twenty seven minutes with Delhouse Electricity Providers regarding the finalization of the power supply contract.”

“Move it an hour forward. Something's come up right now.”

I did as Ryke requested and promptly left his office.

***

The meeting was interesting as much as it was a learning experience. I sat at the head of the table beside Ryke and made notes on decisions as well as scheduling further meetings.

“Mr. Rodrigo, I'd like to assume you're joking.” Ryke sniped, cutting off the other man who'd been speaking. “Nowhere in this contract was such a term outlined and you expect us to make plans to accommodate this request in the future. Yes, you must be joking. A clown who thinks this is a circus.”

“M-Mr. Kolynsky, I assure you this is only t-to be expected. It's implied by the language used—”

“Follow standard procedures when writing contracts or don't bother working with us at all. Redraft this and incorporate this particular clause. We'll readjust our compensation offer and look through it again. Meeting dismissed.”

The way he handled these meetings, yeah I could definitely see why everyone thought he was an asshole. But the authority and confidence he exuded, I couldn't help but think it was sexy.

Considering our history, I probably shouldn't have been having such thoughts about him, daydreaming throughout the entire meeting as he pushed and pulled terms and conditions with the other party, but it was just a fact. Ryke was hot and there was nothing I could do about it.

Once we were back in the office again, Ryke called me into his side of it. A stack of sheets sat on his desk. No, stack wasn't the right word. A tower of sheets. I felt sweat break out on my temples.

He wasn't going to do what I was thinking, was he?

“These are the feedbacks we got from an ad campaign run by the marketing team last month. Create an Excel sheet and enter all this information correctly. I want no mistakes whatsoever.”

Ah, hell. He did.

Here's the thing about my interview. I lied on my resume. In the ‘Skills’ section, I listed Microsoft Office proficiency because according to my research, it was one of the requirements for being a personal assistant.

I was desperate, and to be fair, I didn't even think I would ever be here. But now, my dishonesty had come back to nip me in the ass.

I had no idea how to use Microsoft Excel for data entry, but no way in hell was I telling Ryke that.

“Yes, Mr. Kolynsky. And when do you need it by?” I asked, smiling like nothing was wrong as I gently picked up one of the stacks of sheets.

“In two days.”

My smile faltered. Two days? Those were three entire stacks he was giving me, there was no way I could complete them in two days. But I dared not complain. “Okay, sir.”

I came back for the remaining stacks one by one and returned to my side of the office with them. A YouTube video helped me out on how to use the software for data entry and immediately, I got to work.

Really, this task wasn't so hard, but the sheer amount of papers I had to work through was insane. If this was just my first day, what was my future going to be like? Whatever. Anything for that paycheck, I guess.

Even with this mountain of work, Ryke did not relent in delegating other tasks to me throughout the rest of the day.

“Miss. Evans, deliver this to the Human Resources department.”

“Miss. Evans, make three photocopies of this. Black and white, color isn't necessary.”

“Miss. Evans, I need coffee right now.”

“There's a meeting slated for tomorrow, isn't there? Move it till today so my schedule is free then. I have other things to put on there.” This one irked me the most. I had to attend yet another meeting that day and pause the data entry task for four good hours.

Fucking hell.

By the end of the day, I was wrecked. I sat in my chair with my head buried in my hands and I willed myself not to burst into tears. I would have, I was an easy crier, but I couldn't risk Ryke finding me in such a state.

It was six PM and everyone was going home already. Even Ryke had stepped out of his office, phone in hand and suit jacket resting on his arm. His face held a smug smile as his gaze went from me, to the undented stack beside me, back to me again.

And he smiled. The fucker smiled. I thought we were on amicable terms, I'd certainly never experienced any of the things his past assistants used to complain about. But this, this was certainly something very evil to do to someone.

“See you tomorrow, Miss. Evans.”

I smiled sweetly, plotting his death in my heart. “Goodbye, Mr. Kolynsky.”

As soon as he left, I collapsed back on my desk again.

Okay. I had a few things to do before I continued working for at least an hour longer and then I could leave.

Me: Millie!!!

Millie: Sup, babe

Me: My life is a FUCKING lie

Millie: Whoa

Millie: It's not like you to curse so hard. What's the matter??

Me: The man that I met and made out with at the club

Me: You won't believe who it was

Millie: LOL

Millie: Is it Ryke Kolynsky?

Knowing Millie, she definitely mentioned him as a joke because she knew he was my boss. I just had to see her reaction when I let her know that indeed, it was Ryke.

Me: Yes

Millie: Haha, very funny.

Millie: Like Ryke would ever be at such a dingy club made for poor people like us

Me: I'm not joking, Millie

I narrated everything from how I found out to how we decided to agree it never happened for the sake of my job security and Millie's responses ranged from ‘WHAT??’ to ‘OH MY FUCKING GOD’.. Basically, what I'd expected.

Me: Well, now you've finally got your update on Mr. Charming

Millie: This is so crazy

Millie: Genuinely like what are the odds?

Millie: I expect updates on what's going on between you two EVERY HOURS

Me: What're you talking about?

Me: There's nothing between us. I don't think he's attracted to me or interested anymore

Me: He didn't hesitate to ask that we pretend it never happened :(

Millie: Oh sweetie

Me: It's okay, really

Me: I'm content with watching from afar. Like literally every other girl out there

Millie: Except the difference is you get the chance to seduce him ;)))

Me: Haha stop, I don't have the skills for that

We rounded off our conversation, promising to meet soon and talk. Next, I texted my mother and let her know I wouldn't be able to visit. That broke my heart so much and I couldn't help but feel a little bit of resentment towards Ryke.

But ultimately, the money from this job would pay for her surgery bills if I could hang on for a few months, enough to say every paycheck. It was all for the greater good.

So Ryke could throw whatever impossible task he wanted at me. I wasn't going to quit. Not when I'd gotten the chance to be here in the first place.

Lilac’s POV

By the end of my second day of work and entering the feedbacks into the computer, I knew I made a mistake — I should have completed at least one stack of sheets the day before, even if it would’ve meant staying at Silvercrest late into the night.

I came into work that morning, already having forgotten the task I left incomplete but was promptly reminded and horrified at the sight of white sheets waiting for me on my desk.

And so the torture went on.

This time, when evening came around, I didn’t make the same mistake again. I worked and worked till I literally could not hold my head up and eventually, against my gut feeling, took the papers home with me to continue them.

Tonight was one of the few times Benjamin made dinner down for me because I wasn’t home to do it for him. He was already asleep so I couldn’t thank him. But gratefully, I scarfed down the porridge and went to work on the old, nearly outdated computer in the living room that I had to clean because it had become dusty overtime from a lack of use.

I was a morning person, always asleep by at least nine PM because I loved being up to see the sunrise every day, but not tonight. It was three AM and I was still hunched over the last remaining half pile of papers, entering them diligently. Five AM. Six…

Once seven AM came around, I cracked my fingers and my neck. I was finally done.

I didn’t dare to sleep. I was required to be at work by seven thirty AM sharp before Ryke clocked in and so I really could not risk even the tiniest nap to ward off the fatigue that made my bones feel like lead.

Shoving all the documents back into my work bag, I rushed to take a shower, brushed my teeth and sped out of the house, barely managing a ‘Good morning!’ to my brother.

“Good morning, Mr. Kolynsky,” I greeted when I walked into his office late, just a few minutes past eight o’ clock and he nodded at me from where he stood by his window. I dropped one of the stacks of paper I’d picked up on my way in on his desk, feeling accomplished and hoping it would take his mind off my lateness.

“Morning, Miss. Evans…” He trailed off just looking weirdly at me. Did I have something on my face? I mean, I had some coffee and a small piece of donut I got before coming in. Surely there weren’t any crumbs on my face, right…?

“Are you okay?” Ryke asked in a murmur that broke me out of my thoughts. I hadn’t noticed how close he’d come and I gasped at the sudden proximity, the sandalwood and spice smell of his perfume clouding my senses and making my heart do a weird flip.

“S-sir?” I whispered.

His green eyes seemed to search mine and a hand came up to my face, nearly touching my cheeks when it halted mid-air, almost as if he didn’t even know when he made the action and had caught himself just in time.

“You look really tired. Did you not rest well?”

Huh? I frowned. Since when did he care about my health? He didn’t have the right to ask me that when he was the one who gave me such an evil, impossible task.

Gritting my teeth so I wouldn’t say my thoughts, I smiled tightly and responded, “I did, sir. There’s nothing to worry about.” Ryke didn’t look like he believed me, but he couldn’t press me further.

“Alright.” Sighing, he dropped his hand that had still been hanging. As he did so, I felt something brush my hip and upon looking down, it was his fingers. It was obviously by accident and I would have thought I imagined it, but I looked down just in time to see it happen with my own eyes.

I couldn’t suppress the shiver that ran down my spine after those soft fingers accidentally trailed down my hip bone, soft but still firm enough that I felt it through the fabric of my skirt.

Something hot and deep shifted in my gut causing me to swallow in an attempt to muffle the sound that nearly left my lips. And Ryke, as if what I was feeling was infectious, breathed harshly through his nose.

The attraction of that night weeks ago clearly still lingered, but I couldn’t be sure I wasn’t the only one feeling it. Besides, now that he knew I wasn’t in his class regarding wealth or social status, I would be a fool to think he still wanted anything to do with me.

Him looking affected by me right now was just my eyes playing tricks on me. That had to be it.

“S-sir…?”

Ryke cleared his throat, stepping back hastily and avoiding my eyes. A pang of disappointment went through me at the moment dissipating into thin air. But how could I mourn it?

“There’s a meeting this morning. Remind me a few minutes before.”

I didn’t respond for a few seconds, straightening an invisible rumple in my old shirt and trying to collect myself. Eventually, I breathed out a tiny breath and responded. “Yes, Mr. Kolynsky.”

The meeting started well. I was doing my job of taking important notes and marking things down, focusing as hard as I could.

And then, I wasn’t anymore, because I started dozing off.

My sleepless night was catching up to me, the coffee I had already worn off too soon. For God’s sake, it wasn’t even afternoon yet. The quality of caffeine in this country was getting ridiculous. This was the silly thing that was my last thought as I promptly fell asleep..

I don’t know how long I was out, but the sound of someone raising their voice angrily startled me out of my sleep, nearly making me jump.

Beside me, Ryke’s eyes narrowed into slits, directing a heated glare at the woman who dared raise her voice at him. “Who do you think you’re speaking to like that?”

“S-sorry. I didn’t mean to raise my voice at you. But that request is absolutely impossible, sir. The entire department worked their asses off under my…” I didn’t hear the rest of that woman’s sentence because once again, I’d dozed off, head leaning softly against the back of my chair.

The position was comfortable till it was not and I started to feel my neck cramping up even in my dream.

“Lilac,” My mother called. She was making orange juice for me and my baby brother who’d only just learned how to talk. Everything was perfect.

“Miss. Evans?” She said again and I hummed in response. Was it me she was referring to? She was Miss. Evans, not me, and even then, it was Mrs., not Miss.

“Miss. Evans!” I jolted from my sleep at my mother’s suddenly masculine voice calling me forcefully from somewhere beyond closed eyelids.

Wait. Closed eyelids? Fuck.

I pried my eyes open, unable to widen them in the glare of the light that filled the room. Sure enough, Ryke was staring at me from where he sat, face devoid of emotions and eyes filled with fury in a way that had my pulse pounding in fear.

Shit, I thought.

“Answer me, Miss. Evans.”

I furrowed my brows. “I… Uh… I’m sorry, I-” I shook my head, “I didn’t catch the question.”

“I didn’t realize I was paying you to catch up on sleep during important meetings. Perhaps you’d like to explain why my time—and the entire team’s—is so unimportant to you?”

My eyes widened at his lash out, not expecting it. “If you can’t stay awake and do your job, maybe we should revisit your responsibilities. I expect full attention next time—or I’ll find someone who can manage it. Am I clear?”

“Yes, Mr. Kolynsky. I’m sorry,” I whispered out, cheeks burning in shame.

It’s safe to say I didn’t fall asleep again after that, too terrified of Ryke to even blink. I’d gotten too used to him, too familiar, forgetting the strict boss he was known to be. It was a side he’d never shown to me for some reason, and I’d begun to take it for granted.

The rest of the meeting went by in a blur and once we were done, I bolted from my seat, not wanting to stay in the conference room that was beginning to feel choked up any longer. I needed a fucking break. I needed to sleep, my head was pounding like crazy. But these things were out of the question. I was just going to have to suck it up till it was time to go home.

Fuck, it was only my third day here and everything already sucked.

Ryke walked into the private elevator with me, a tense silence filling the space as we rode up together. I could tell he wanted to say something, but I didn’t want another scolding from him. I just wanted space between us as soon as possible.

As soon as the elevator dinged and slid open, I hurried out of it, gripping my notepad tightly in my hand.

“Miss. Evans, wait.”

The urge to keep walking like I hadn’t heard him was strong. Too strong, really. But I didn’t want to piss him off again. So I slowed down till he was walking beside me.

“You stayed up all night, didn’t you?”

Ah. So that’s what he wanted to talk about. Well, I couldn’t deny it anymore, I guess. I nodded my head, not trusting myself to speak.

“Was it the data entry?”

Now, I know I said I didn’t want to piss him off, but I couldn’t stop the deadpan, borderline annoyed stare I swung his way at that question. Really? He was going to pretend like he didn’t give me that task with that stupid deadline, knowing I was going to damn near exhaust myself to meet it?

“Yes, sir. I took the sheets home.”

“Was it really necessary? I gave you two whole days, you couldn’t complete it without pulling an all-nighter? Miss. Evans, I must have given you the impression that I’m a sloppy boss. Just because I didn’t say anything about your unpunctuality this morning doesn’t mean you can slack off.”

I frowned, controlling my rising anger. “I’m sorry sir, but two days would have been an impossible deadline to meet without doing what I did.”

Ryke’s eyes darkened, “Seriously, why did you even apply to be a personal assistant if you don’t know how to do the damn job?”

My eyes widened at his condescending tone. That was an insult. I felt tears well in my eyes. If it had been anyone else speaking to me like this, perhaps I could have taken it. But this was Ryke. Ryke who I thought… Frankly, I don’t know what I’d thought.

He’d treated me in a way I’d admittedly thought was special. I really thought those rumors about him were untrue. I’d believed him to be something he was not. And now I was getting hit with the reality.

Ryke continued, “I do not expect incompetence from my employees.” In a much softer tone, he added, “Keep up, so I don’t have to fire you.”

As we walked, I thanked whatever God was listening silently in my heart that he moved forward, because then he couldn’t see the tears finally fall down my cheeks.

It had been over a week since Lilac started working with Ryke, six days since she started giving him a cold shoulder.

The blue in his angel’s eyes were icy, almost lifeless every morning she came in to drop off his coffee, like right now, and their fingers brushed as he took it from her, sending sparks flying through them. Ryke would have sold his soul to see those orbs light up again whenever she looked at him.

“It’s good,” Ryke remarked after taking a sip of the hot drink, rushing to get the words out before Lilac could speed out like always.

He didn’t expect a response, this was always the case since she started subtly ignoring him. So Ryke was very shocked when Lilac let out a soft “Hm”.

‘Hm’? That was progress, he supposed. Anyway, Ryke couldn’t stop his eyes from dropping, trailing down her form to her thighs in that skirt. Fuck. That sexy fucking skirt… It sent flashbacks of that night at the club flying through his head, something precious he was never going to get because of their new professional, work relationship.

Or maybe he even had a chance, the opportunity for something secret to kindle between them. But he’d fucked it up. Still, how was it his fault for doing his job as a superior?

Ryke decided he wasn’t going to let this keep going on. “Okay, don’t you think it’s a little immature? This attitude you’re giving me.”

“I’m not sure what you’re talking about.”

Lilac was right. As long as she did her job as she should, she didn’t have to relate closely or amicably with him. But she knew what exactly Ryke was referring to, and Ryke was going to push because of that.

“You’re really mad at me because I scolded you.”

“That’s a very wild claim, sir.” Lilac replied stubbornly and Ryke sighed. He stared at her until she could avoid his gaze no longer, then spoke,

“Do you know what I hate most in the world?” Lilac didn’t respond, but Ryke was having none of that. “Answer me, Miss. Evans.”

“No, sir.”

“Liars. I hate liars, even more than I hate people who cheat. I asked you if you had rested well because you looked visibly tired, and you lied to me that you had, that you’d stayed up all night.”

“So it wasn’t even about my ‘incompetence’, huh?” Lilac’s eyes flared up, full of emotion like it used to before she shut down on Ryke and yes, it was filled with anger directed at him, but it was something. He reveled in it.

She continued, “And why do you even care about my wellbeing?”

Lilac was right. Why did he care so much about her wellbeing? Why did he find himself behaving differently towards her than everyone else? It wasn’t far from the truth to say that he was still heavily attracted to her, that he still felt undeniably romantic emotions towards her.

But Lilac didn’t feel the same in any way, judging by how quickly she promised to keep things professional. She swore that nothing would happen between them again, and so Ryke should have no reason to care about her. Yet just because she wasn’t interested didn’t mean his feelings were going to disappear just like that.

Even then, Ryke respected her. He was neither a creep nor a man who couldn’t take no for an answer. She wanted ‘professional’, he’d give her ‘professional’.

“Miss. Evans, it’s not that I care about your wellbeing, but when you don’t rest well, during the day when you’re supposed to be most efficient, you’re dragged down by tiredness as it was that day during the meeting.”

Lilac’s pretty lips downturned, like something he said didn’t sit right with her. But she didn’t say anything. So he continued, “I believe you understand where my anger came from that day, but I’ll be more respectful when correcting you next time. Is that okay?”

Lilac sighed, “Yes, Mr. Kolynsky. And I’m sorry for the attitude.”

Ryke grinned, “So you admit you were giving me an attitude.”

Lilac frowned cutely, blushing and rolling her eyes. They were back to normal. Thank heavens, Ryke thought.

As Lilac was leaving the office, hand already on the door handle, Ryke spoke again, “Oh, and by the way, if you don’t know how to use Microsoft Excel, just say so. Or if you think you won’t be able to meet a deadline, tell me next time, and ask for an extension. Honestly will get you everywhere.”

Lilac nodded meekly and shut the door behind her. As she did, there it was once again, the feeling of eyes on her body. Every time she left Ryke’s office, she could feel the heat of it, but she never dared to turn back to check if he was looking.

And it puzzled her so much.

That was nothing important though. Ryke’s words played over and over again in her head. ‘It’s not that I care about your wellbeing’.

Lilac sighed. She wished she didn’t have these feelings for him because if it were anyone else, she truly would not give a fuck. But hearing Ryke say that to her, it really felt like a knife in her heart.

***

The rest of the day, work went on smoothly as usual. The tension between employer and employee had dissipated, except that one lingering, heated tension that would draw tight with certain interactions.

When Lilac was handing off a file, the moments when Ryke’s eyes would flit uncontrollably to Lilac’s neck, waist, other parts of her body. The tone he took when speaking with her, almost as if he was… flirting. But, Lilac was probably just reading too much into these small actions.

She would only gain a world of hurt from indulging her wishful thinking.

The work day had drawn to a close but Lilac stayed a little later to finish up something. Ryke had already gone much earlier, leaving her to close up the place. But she was surprised when just as she finished and was shutting down the computer, the door opened and there Ryke was again.

It seemed he didn’t expect Lilac to still be there because he looked surprised.

“You’re still around?” He asked with a frown. “I hope you’re aware that overtime isn’t compensated for.”

“Yep. But don’t worry, I wasn’t intending on staying very late. I just finished as you can see.” Lilac was indeed already packing my things into her tote bag.

“Alright. I left a file I need behind so I’m just going to pick it up.”

By the time Ryke was ready to leave again, so was Lilac. Because of this, walking through the hallway together to the elevator was inevitable.

As the two rode down, a sound growled in the quiet space. It was Lilac’s stomach! Lilac’s face bled into a violent red and she blushed in embarrassment. She tried to maintain her facial expression, acting as though she hadn’t heard the sound. But Ryke chuckled, multiplying her humiliation even further.

“Miss. Evans, are you hungry?”

Lilac’s first instinct was to lie. But Ryke hated lies, and doing so when it would be obvious would be the best way to piss him off again. So Lilac just nodded stiffly, “Yes, Mr. Kolynsky. But that’s why I’m hurrying home to make dinner.”

“You’re leaving later than usual today, meaning you’ll have to be hungry for longer if you do that. Why don’t you come with me? We can grab some food and I’ll drop you off at home.”

“Oh. I… Uh…” How could she say she was too poor to get whatever type of expensive food Ryke was probably thinking of getting, or eat out in general. “I can’t really afford…” Lilac trailed off, hoping Ryke would get the gist of it without her having to complete the sentence.

“That’s okay. I’ll handle it.”

Lilac looked up, watching the side of Ryke’s face gently. Before she could say anything, the door to the elevator opened and both of them stepped off. As they walked through the almost empty officescape, Lilac murmured, “I don’t mean to impose, sir. I’ll be fine, my food at home’s already been prepared, I just need to—”

Ryke didn’t break stride, casting her a sidelong glance with a smirk. “Impose? Don’t flatter yourself, Evans. I’m doing this because I can’t have my assistant collapsing from fatigue on the job because instead of resting once she got home, she spent hours cooking. If you’re useless tomorrow because you’re lightheaded, that’s on me.”

Lilac, not wanting a repeat of the week-long issue they resolved only just today, snapped her mouth shut and nodded. “Alright.”

Ryke led the way to his car which was parked just outside and helped Lilac in the passenger’s side before getting in the driver’s seat. As Lilac was entering, she could’ve sworn she heard a sharp click, like the sound of a camera going off. But when she looked around, she couldn’t see anyone.

Shrugging it off, she got in and soon they were on their way.

“Where to?” Ryke asked, giving her free rein of where they could get dinner. Lilac panicked. Should she suggest somewhere expensive? No, that might give Ryke the wrong idea that she was trying to freeload, but she also didn’t want to suggest anything below his caliber.

Wait!

“GoldenSpoon Cafe.” Lilac suggested, recalling that he’d mentioned having patronized my former place of work.

“I expected that. Alright, let’s go.”

And that was how Ryke and Lilac found themselves looking forward to spending an evening together. In Lilac's mind, she remembered her friend’s suggestion to try to seduce Ryke. Maybe this was a good opportunity. Even as ridiculous as it sounded.

Still, she wasn’t going to let this evening go without trying something.