The next morning, the city streets outside Harlington & Co. buzzed with life. Cars honked politely—or impatiently, depending on the driver—pedestrians hurried past with steaming cups of coffee in hand, and the faint chill of autumn clung to the air. For Lila Moreno, the morning had already been a nightmare disguised as a routine.
She had spent the last twenty minutes trying to pick the "perfect" outfit, pacing back and forth in front of her mirror. Should she wear something professional but approachable? Or something slightly casual to show she wasn't completely frozen inside? Her cat-eye glasses, normally perched neatly on her nose, were slightly crooked from frantic adjustments.
"I can't believe this," she muttered to herself, tugging at a sleeve that refused to sit properly. "He actually… asked me. Out. Coffee. Like… a normal person."
Her stomach fluttered nervously. And yet, buried beneath the panic, there was a thrill—a secret, guilty thrill that made her cheeks warm and her fingers fidget uncontrollably. She had liked him for months. Raven Hale. The angelic, clumsy, utterly frustrating man from another department. The man who everyone adored. The man who… now, inexplicably, wanted to spend time with her.
"Focus, Lila," she whispered. "It's just coffee. Just… coffee."
---
Meanwhile, Raven Hale was experiencing his own brand of nervous excitement. Not the kind that made people stammer or sweat, but the subtle, mischievous thrill of curiosity—the kind that came from knowing he was about to meet someone intriguing.
He adjusted his tie for the third time, which, honestly, might have been a personal record. He glanced at his reflection in the elevator doors. His hair was perfect, his suit immaculate, and his smile… well, charming, of course. But he couldn't stop thinking about Lila.
The "demoness," as the office had dubbed her, had agreed. Agreed.
He hadn't expected that. He had expected resistance, rejection, maybe a laugh at his "angelic stupidity." But she had said yes. And now, as he waited in the small café near the office building, he felt something he rarely did: anticipation.
---
Lila arrived ten minutes early, naturally. She chose a corner table by the window, hoping the natural light would hide her blushing. Her coffee order was complicated—too hot, not too sweet, half-caf, with a dash of cinnamon—but she had rehearsed it in her mind the night before, just in case.
She spotted Raven the moment he walked in, casually scanning the room. Of course he looked perfect: hair styled, tie just right, that annoyingly angelic expression. Her heart skipped a beat. Act normal, she reminded herself. You're just… having coffee. Nothing romantic. Just caffeine.
Raven spotted her instantly. Angelic, clumsy, dramatic—he waved, almost tripping on his own shoelace as he approached.
"Good morning," he said, sliding into the chair across from her with a grin. "I hope you didn't have to wait too long."
"No, not at all," Lila replied, trying to steady her voice. "I… um… ordered already." She gestured to the cup in front of her.
"Good thinking," Raven said. "I'd hate for someone as terrifying as you to starve before I got a chance to… observe you in action."
Lila froze, her eyes widening. Observe me? She wondered if he was mocking her or actually… genuinely curious. Before she could respond, he leaned slightly forward, eyes twinkling with mischief.
"Don't worry. I'm harmless… unless you cross me."
Lila couldn't help it—she snorted, covering her mouth with one hand. "Harmless… sure," she said dryly.
Raven laughed, a sound that was soft, warm, and unexpectedly infectious. "I like your sense of humor," he said. "Most people either freeze or pretend they don't exist when I approach."
Lila blinked, caught off guard. Wait… he noticed me? She had assumed she was invisible to him. Invisible to everyone… except the office rumor mill.
---
Their conversation began cautiously, full of teasing, half-jokes, and awkward pauses. But slowly, laughter began to pepper their words, bridging the gap between nerves and curiosity.
"So," Raven said, pretending to glance around conspiratorially, "do you always scare people for fun, or is it just a hobby?"
Lila rolled her eyes, though a small smile threatened the corners of her mouth. "Depends. Are you scared yet?"
"Not even a little," he replied. "In fact, I think I might be enjoying it."
What did he mean by that? Lila's mind raced. She had expected intimidation, not… interest. And yet, here he was, leaning back, casual, charming, and utterly infuriating.
---
Around them, life continued. The café was filled with office workers grabbing breakfast, couples laughing over pancakes, and baristas calling out orders. But for Lila and Raven, the world had narrowed to the table between them, the steam rising from their cups, and the quiet dance of words and glances.
"Do you always plan your 'first encounters' like this?" Lila asked cautiously, suspicion lacing her tone.
Raven grinned, tapping his fingers on the table. "Maybe. But sometimes spontaneity works best. Today? Definitely spontaneous." He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "I wanted to see if the rumors were true. About the… demoness."
Lila choked on her coffee, coughing slightly. "Demoness?" she asked, her cheeks heating. "I… I'm not—"
"Relax," Raven said with a teasing smile. "It's just what the office says. I wanted to see the real you. And I have to admit… I'm intrigued."
Her heart fluttered again. He's… intrigued? Me? She bit her lip, fighting a grin. Her plan was supposed to be strategic, unemotional, safe. But… she was failing spectacularly.
---
The rest of the coffee date was a whirlwind of small talk, teasing, and laughter. They discussed mundane things: work projects, office rumors, favorite coffee blends. But beneath the humor, there was a subtle connection forming.
Raven noticed the way Lila's hands fidgeted when she was nervous.
Lila noticed the glimmer in Raven's eyes that suggested he was not as angelic as he appeared.
Both realized there was more beneath the surface than anyone in the office could guess.
And by the time they stood to leave, a silent agreement had been reached: this was only the beginning.
Outside the café, the sunlight reflected off the city buildings, warm and blinding. Raven offered his arm.
"Shall we return to the battlefield?" he asked, nodding toward the office building.
Lila hesitated, then slid her arm through his. "The battlefield?" she asked, skeptical.
"Office politics," he said with a mock-serious frown. "And gossip. And coffee dates."
She couldn't help it—she laughed. A soft, genuine laugh that no one at Harlington & Co. had ever heard before.
And in that moment, under the morning sun and city lights, the rumors of "heaven" and "hell" departments began to feel… strangely accurate.
---End of Chapter 2---