Lauren woke up to the sound of rustling.

She plopped her hands down on the bed, her sleepy eyes moving towards the source of the noise. She saw Alex, rummaging through his massive wardrobe.

Her gaze trailed down his body, his broad shoulders flexed beneath his loose shirt. The two top buttons were opened and Lauren gulped.

Despite being in a wheelchair, he looked way more healthier than the average man. His hands moved swiftly and efficiently. And that alone sparked some kind of feelings in her. Their argument from the previous night had long been forgotten.

His eyes snapped to hers and she turned away, blushing slightly from being caught ogling him.

"Where are you going?" Her voice was raspy, sleep clinging to her words.

Alex glanced at her for a moment before returning his attention to his tie. ‘’Work.’’

Lauren's eyes widened. She bolted upright, the sheets slipping off her body as she swung off the bed. ‘’Work?’’ She repeated, stunned. ‘’What about me?’’

‘’You?’’ He arched a brow, staring at her weirdly. ‘’ You’re staying here. I only need you for the gala. Nothing else.’’

Lauren scowled. She stomped towards him, stopping inches from his chair. Their proximity made his brows twitch.

His eyes flickered over to her face, confusion written on them. ‘’What—what are you doing?’’ He asked, his voice trembling in the process.

She leaned closer to him, feeling his hot breath fan her cheeks. She could see his trying so hard to mask his expression.

Lauren’s lips curled into a malicious smile, but she concealed it immediately. Without another word, she snatched his tie from his hands and hurried towards the bathroom, slamming the door behind her.

Alex blinked, staring down at his empty hand.

“Lauren!” he barked. “Are you insane? Open the door!”

Inside the bathroom, Lauren kept giggling, muffling her laughter with her hands while sliding her clothes off her body. Her reflection in the mirror showed the mischievous smirk that graced her lips.

Meanwhile, Alex kept threatening, demanding and cursing but she didn’t budge.

When she finally stepped out fifteen minutes later, steam curling around her like dew, Alex fell silent.

A towel was wrapped around her.

One hand held the tie. The other smoothed her wet hair back from her face.

Alex’s jaw tightened. His eyes, however, betrayed him. They dipped… once… then again, lingering on her legs.

"How could you.’’ he muttered, adjusting his collar stiffly.

Lauren smirked as she casually made her way to the closet and began looking through the new clothes Alex had got her the previous day. She made sure to sway her hips while doing so, purposely to piss him off.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Alex shift uncomfortably. His hands tightened around the armrest of his wheel chair.

Good.

Moments later, Lauren was now fully dressed in a white button up and black pencil skirt that accentuated her figure. She looked work-worthy.

She walked over to Alex, draping the tie over his neck and expertly began knotting it. When she was done, she took a step back admiring her handiwork before giving a satisfied smile.

Alex stared at her, eyes narrowed. “What are you dressed for?”

“To go to work with you,” she said simply, nonchalantly.

He opened his mouth to argue, then decided against it. He had learned that arguing with her was such a waste of time. She eventually gets what she wants.

“Fine,” he muttered. “But don’t be loud. And keep your distance.”

“I’ll try.’’ she said, patting his shoulder before wheeling him toward the door.

The ride to work was relatively quiet, except for Lauren humming beside him as though she’d already won a small battle.

At the office, everything was stiff and professional—until Lauren stepped inside.

She followed Alex like a lost puppy. A very fashionable, talkative, overly curious puppy.

At his desk, she took one look at the cup of black coffee and frowned. “This is terrible for you,” she muttered, reaching for it.

“Don’t touch that,” Alex warned.

She ignored him and dumped it in the trash.

“Lauren!”

“Relax. I’ll order tea or something.”

“You’ll do no such thing. This isn’t your playground.”

Lauren gave him a sugary sweet smile. “It is today.”

Alex gritted his teeth. “I said to keep a distance. Not monitor my caffeine intake.”

A knock on the door interrupted Alex's impending lecture on her. A tall woman with slender legs and a red lipstick entered, her hips purposely swaying as she came closer to his desk.

“Good morning, Mr. Magnus.’’ she purred. Her blouse was unbuttoned two steps too far. She leaned over the desk unnecessarily as she placed a file in front of him.

Lauren’s jaw clenched.

The secretary didn’t spare Lauren a glance. She kept batting her lashes at Alex. “Is there anything else I can get you?”

Alex stared at her blankly. “No.”

“Not even a little—coffee?” she asked, arching her back a bit more.

Lauren stepped forward. “He’s switching to tea. Thanks.”

The woman blinked at her, annoyed. Then she straightened up quickly, cursing under her breath before exiting.

Lauren glared daggers at her retreating figure.

Alex turned slowly toward her. “What the hell was that?”

“I’m protecting my investment,” Lauren said sweetly, smoothening the files on his desk “You’re welcome.”

“You’re impossible.”

“Yet here I am.”

It didn’t stop there.

Lauren shadowed his meetings, took notes, and occasionally interrupted him to say things like, “That tone was rude. You should smile more,” or “Alex, don’t slouch.”

By lunch time, he was already looking like he’d aged five years.

“I’ve had enough,” he snapped when she tried to remove the muffin from his plate. “Leave the damn muffin.”

“It has gluten,” she shot back.

“Lauren,” he growled. “This isn’t a romance novel. We’re not lovers. You don’t get to hover over me like some obsessed girlfriend.”

Her smile faltered for just a moment.

“This is business,” he continued, his voice low, eyes locked onto hers. “You’re here for one reason. The moment that gala is over, we go our separate ways. Don’t get comfortable.”

His words were harsh but Lauren nodded, biting her lip to stop whatever she was about to say. “Fine.”

She turned and walked away, her steps a little more purposeful now, her posture stiffer.

Alex closed his eyes and exhaled heavily.

The noise around him had lessened but a part of him missed her clinging unto him.