~LAYLA~
I walked into the office with a migraine already pulsing behind my eyes. The security detail was doubled today since Tye wasn't taking chances after Marco's visit, and the lobby felt more like a fortress than a place of business.
When I stepped off the elevator, the first person I saw wasn't a temp or a security guard, but Helena.
She was sitting at her desk outside my office, staring blankly at a spreadsheet. And honestly, she was looking awful. Her skin was pale, and there were dark, heavy bags under her eyes that the concealer couldn't hide. She looked like a ghost haunting her own life.
I walked over, keeping my voice low. "Helena? What are you doing here? Axel gave you the week off."
She jumped, her hand knocking over a stapler. "Sir… sorry, ma'am. Hi." She scrambled to pick it up. "I... I couldn't stay at the apartment."
"You need rest, sweetie. You look exhausted."
