The office holiday party had arrived, and the usually orderly halls of Harlington & Co. were now decorated with glittering fairy lights, tinsel, and a suspiciously tall inflatable snowman in the lobby. Music hummed softly from hidden speakers, and a faint smell of catered food drifted through the air.
Lila Moreno walked in cautiously, clutching her clutch bag like a life preserver. Her heels clicked against the polished floor, announcing her presence. Her colleagues barely recognized her without her standard professional armor: hair loosely curled, makeup soft yet elegant, and a deep green dress that hugged her figure modestly. She felt exposed and nervous—social situations were always difficult—but she was determined not to let it show.
Then she saw him.
Raven Hale.
He looked effortlessly stunning, as always, in a tailored suit that somehow made him look both approachable and commanding. His hair was slightly tousled, his smile charming, and his eyes glimmered with mischief.
"You look… dangerous," he said as he approached her, voice low and teasing.
"Excuse me?" Lila arched an eyebrow, though her lips twitched.
"Like a mix of terrifying and irresistible. Just like the rumors said," he said smoothly, bowing slightly.
Lila's heart thumped. Terrifying and irresistible? Her cheeks warmed as she muttered, "I think you're imagining things."
Raven only smirked. "Maybe. Or maybe I just see the real you."
---
The party itself was a minefield of awkward encounters, office gossip, and minor disasters.
1. The Awkward Icebreaker Game:
A coworker suggested a "fun" icebreaker: everyone had to write a fact about themselves and guess who it belonged to.
Raven, of course, wrote something outrageous: "I once rescued a puppy from a moving car."
Lila, trying not to laugh, wrote something innocuous: "I'm secretly terrified of public speaking."
When the game revealed their answers, Raven's dramatic reenactment of the puppy rescue made everyone laugh, and Lila felt herself relaxing for the first time.
2. The Dance Floor Disaster:
A few brave coworkers hit the makeshift dance floor.
Raven grabbed Lila's hand, teasing, "Come on, I promise I won't step on your feet."
Lila hesitated, but the warmth in his hand and the twinkle in his eyes made her laugh.
The result? A hilarious, clumsy dance that ended with both of them falling onto a couch, laughing so hard the surrounding coworkers cheered.
---
Amid the chaos, there were quiet moments too—moments where Raven and Lila could see each other without interruption.
In the balcony, away from the party, Raven leaned against the railing. "You know," he said, eyes fixed on the city skyline, "you're not as scary as everyone thinks."
Lila's shoulders relaxed slightly. "And you're not as angelic as everyone believes," she countered, a small smile playing on her lips.
He laughed softly. "Touché. But I do like seeing your smile."
Her heart fluttered. He notices… he actually notices. She looked away, trying to hide the blush, but the corner of her mouth betrayed her.
---
Of course, not everything went smoothly. A few minor disasters added comedic tension:
Someone accidentally knocked over the punch bowl, splashing the floor with red liquid.
Raven, in a heroic yet clumsy attempt to save it, slipped and nearly fell into the dessert table.
Lila grabbed his arm, steadying him, and their faces were inches apart for just long enough for everyone watching to gasp.
Their coworkers' whispers escalated:
"Did you see that?! They're… so close!"
"I think they're going to kiss!"
"Finally! The angel and demoness saga is real!"
Raven grinned down at Lila. "Everyone's watching, you know."
She sighed, half annoyed, half amused. "They're ridiculous."
---
The climax of the night came during the karaoke segment.
Raven, of course, volunteered first, dramatically singing a pop ballad with over-the-top gestures.
Lila, terrified of being put on the spot, tried to hide in the back.
But Raven grabbed her hand mid-performance and dragged her to the stage.
"Sing with me," he whispered.
Lila froze, mortified. But then, noticing the encouraging smirk and the playful sparkle in his eyes, she whispered back, "Fine. But if I mess up, I'm blaming you."
The result? An awkward, slightly off-key duet that had the entire office in stitches. Laughter, clapping, and teasing comments followed, but amidst it all, Lila felt a surprising sense of joy.
This… this isn't so bad.
---
By the end of the party, as coworkers began to leave and the decorations shimmered under dimming lights, Raven and Lila found themselves lingering.
He leaned closer, whispering softly, "You know, you're not terrifying at all. I think the office got it wrong."
Her heart skipped. "And you're… still infuriatingly charming," she replied, smirking.
He smiled, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Perfect. Then we balance each other out."
And as the elevator doors closed, leaving the office behind, both of them felt it: the spark of something more, something slow-burning, playful, and utterly irresistible.
---End of Chapter 6---