"Wait, what?" I blinked, my mind struggling to process Daryl's words. He stared at me, his expression a mix of amusement and bewilderment.
"I said, we're buying you a new car," he repeated, his voice calm but laced with a hint of something else, something I couldn't quite place.
 
My heart stuttered. "The company's footing the bill?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.
 
Daryl nodded his head, a slow, deliberate motion that seemed to stretch the silence between us. “Yes!"
 
My breath caught in my throat. “Yes?” I echoed, the word hanging in the air, heavy with disbelief and a growing sense of unease.
 
I knew I was repeating myself, but the reality of the situation was still sinking in, a lead weight settling in my stomach.
"Can you help me choose?" I asked, my voice a little hesitant. Daryl's laughter, a warm, rumbling sound, filled the space between us.
"Of course," he said, his eyes twinkling. "I'd love to help you find the perfect car."
 
His sincerity was disarming. For the first time, a genuine smile touched my lips.
The shop's cool air washed over us as we stepped inside. A friendly face materialized from behind the counter, a sales associate with a practiced smile. Daryl, took charge, engaging in a lively conversation with the staff.
 
I lingered behind, watching him. He seemed so confident, so at ease in this world of gleaming metal and leather interiors.
 
"What are you doing back there?" he asked, turning to me with a raised eyebrow.
"Can you choose for me?" I blurted, a little embarrassed.
 
He studied me for a moment, his expression serious. "Are you sure?"
 
I nodded eagerly, my heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and apprehension. This was a big decision, and I was putting my trust in him completely.
I trailed behind Daryl, mirroring his every step. He paused, his gaze fixed on a sleek, silver sedan, and I instinctively halted beside him.
 
"Why?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.
He turned, his eyes meeting mine. "What do you prefer—"
"It's up to you!" I blurted, cutting him off. A forced smile stretched across my face, a mask hiding the turmoil within.
My mind buzzed with a whirlwind of thoughts as I watched Daryl engage in a lively conversation with the sales staff. He was so animated, so confident, his energy radiating outwards. I retreated to a nearby chair, seeking a moment of quiet reflection. My phone vibrated in my pocket, pulling me back to reality. It was my Mom.
‘Good morning, my love! I hope your day is filled with sunshine and smiles.’
My Mom's message brought a wave of warmth to my chest. I quickly reassured her, letting her know I was fine, before diving back into the comforting familiarity of our family photos. My fingers grazed across the screen, scrolling through a cascade of memories, until I paused on a picture of me and Laxus.
"Wow, I didn't know I still had this," I murmured, my finger hovering over the delete button. A wave of nostalgia washed over me, tugging at my heartstrings. Should I keep it, a faded echo of a past memory? Or should I let it go, a relic of a time I was trying to forget? 
Just as I was about to make a decision, Daryl's voice cut through my thoughts.
"I came here with you so you could choose what you want," Daryl said, his voice gentle. A warmth spread through me as I met his gaze, a silent acknowledgment of his kindness.
"I'm sure you know a lot about cars," I said, my voice a little hesitant. "Please, help me pick the perfect one.”
"I'm done choosing," Daryl declared, his voice filled with a quiet satisfaction. I rose to my feet, my heart thrumming with a mix of excitement and relief.
"Really?" I questioned, my eyes wide with disbelief.
 
He nodded, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Let's go!" And with that, we stepped out of the store.
My gaze was drawn to a sleek black SUV, its lines sharp and elegant. It emerged from the store, gliding to a stop right before me.
 
"Do you like it?" Daryl asked, a hint of amusement in his voice.
 
I nodded, my heart skipping a beat. This was it. The perfect car.
 
"Thank you, sir!" I exclaimed, a genuine smile lighting up my face. "This is incredible.”
The keys were placed in my hand. Daryl explained that he'd already taken care of the paperwork, his efficiency both impressive and reassuring. We returned to the company, the sleek black SUV purring like a contented cat beneath me.
 
The thrill of driving my new car fueled my motivation. I dove into my work with renewed energy, the hours melting away as I focused on each task. Before I knew it, the familiar rumble of my stomach signaled lunchtime, a stark reminder that time had flown by.
"Wow, you're really on fire today," Daryl remarked, his voice a pleasant surprise as he materialized beside my desk.
 
I jumped slightly, startled by his sudden appearance. "Oh! Do you need anything, sir?" I asked, my gaze darting up to meet his. He remained silent, his expression unreadable, leaving me hanging in a moment of curious anticipation.
"It's already lunchtime!" Daryl announced, his voice a gentle reminder.
 
I glanced at the clock beside my monitor, realizing with a start that the hours had flown by. 
"You want me to buy you lunch?" I offered, my voice laced with concern. His brow furrowed in confusion, and a wave of self-doubt washed over me. Had I said something wrong?
"Nah, nevermind," he mumbled, shaking his head before turning and walking away. His quick dismissal left me with a lingering sense of uncertainty.
His unexpected reaction left me baffled, a knot of confusion tightening in my stomach. I rose from my chair, grabbing my bag and heading for the elevator. Lunchtime had arrived, and I craved the fresh air and a change of scenery.
 
The elevator was crammed with colleagues, their voices a cacophony of lunchtime chatter. I pulled out my phone, seeking refuge in the familiar glow of my messages. As I scrolled, a prickling sensation on the back of my neck made me raise my head. Someone was watching me, their gaze lingering on my face.
"You're Tyra, right?" A woman with long, cascading brown hair addressed me, her voice a friendly murmur amidst the elevator's din.
"Ahm... yes!" I replied, my voice a little hesitant. "How did you know my name?”
"You're his new secretary, right?" she continued, her gaze confirming her suspicions. I knew she was referring to Daryl, the man who had become a source of both intrigue and confusion in my life.
"Yes, you're right," I confirmed, my voice a bit breathless. She reached into her bag and pulled out a crisp white envelope, handing it to me with a gentle smile.  
"Please give this to him," she instructed, her voice soft and melodic.
A silent debate raged within me. Should I accept the envelope? The elevator doors slid open, breaking my internal struggle. I took the envelope, a silent promise to deliver its contents. 
As we stepped out of the elevator, the woman offered a grateful smile. "Thank you," she said, her voice warm and sincere.
 
I tucked the envelope into my bag, my mind already buzzing with the details of my lunch plans. The sleek black SUV awaited me in the parking lot, its gleaming exterior beckoning me towards a much-needed break. I decided to meet Joana and Tyler for lunch, hoping to catch them during a lull in my busy schedules.
The Waze guided me towards the restaurant Joana and Tyler had recommended, its name a tantalizing promise of delicious food and good company. The minutes ticked by as I navigated the familiar streets, the sleek black SUV responding with a purr of satisfaction. Finally, I arrived, pulling into the parking lot and bringing the vehicle to a smooth stop.
 
My gaze swept across the rows of parked cars, settling on a familiar sight – a sleek sedan, its dark paint gleaming in the afternoon sun. It was parked just a few spaces away.
"Hey!" Joana's wave caught my eye as I approached their table. Tyler's gaze followed my arrival, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"Guess what!" he exclaimed, his voice brimming with excitement.
"What?" I asked, my curiosity piqued. He grinned, his smile contagious.
"I got a job!" he announced, his words a testament to his hard work and determination.
"Good for you! Let's celebrate later," I said, my heart swelling with joy for my friend. They readily agreed, their enthusiasm mirroring my own.
"You can invite your boss later," Tyler added, his voice laced with playful teasing.
 
I shot him a glare, my frustration simmering. "He's my boss, Tyler! We're not that close." I tried to clarify the situation, but his skeptical expression suggested he wasn't entirely convinced.
The aroma of our freshly-prepared dishes filled the air, a symphony of flavors that ignited our appetites. We dug in, savoring each bite, the conversation flowing effortlessly between us. I was halfway through a glass of water when my phone buzzed, a familiar tune signaling an incoming call. It was Daryl.
 
I answered, a wave of anticipation washing over me. I held my breath, waiting for him to speak first.
"Ahm, sir?" I ventured, my voice a hesitant whisper into the phone. Silence greeted me, a curious tension filling the space between us.
"Are you having your lunch alone?" he finally asked, his voice a low rumble that sent a shiver down my spine. I glanced at Joana and Tyler, their heads bent over their plates, oblivious to the conversation unfolding beside them.
"I'm with my brother and his girlfriend," I replied, my voice a bit louder, hoping to mask the tremor in my voice. The couple looked up, their expressions a mix of curiosity and amusement.
"Who's that?" Tyler mouthed, his eyebrows raised in silent inquiry. I ignored him, my focus solely on the call.
 
I stood up, excusing myself to use the restroom. The conversation continued, but Daryl's voice was quieter now, a stark contrast to the boisterous laughter that filled the restaurant.
I waited for a response, but he was silent. "Are you still there?" I asked, feeling a pang of unease.  
"Yeah, enjoy your lunch," he mumbled before ending the call. I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.
I returned to our table to find Tyler had already taken care of the bill. As we exited the restaurant, I felt their eyes on me, wondering why I wasn't following.
"Come on, Tyra! I'll give you a ride," Tyler offered, but I shook my head. "Nah, I'm good. I can drive myself," I said with a smirk.  
"What? You bought your own car?" Tyler's surprise was evident.  
Joana echoed his question, "For real?" I simply nodded, a smile playing on my lips.  
"Where's your car then?" Tyler persisted, his curiosity piqued.
I led the way, their presence a silent acknowledgement of my lead. I stopped before my car, a subtle gesture of command, and met their expectant eyes.
"Is that yours?" Tyler asked, his gaze lingering on my car.  
"Yep! And you're not getting behind the wheel," I joked, earning a playful scowl from him.  
"Congratulations on your new car!" Joana cried, pulling me into a warm hug.  
"Thank you!" I exclaimed, my smile radiating with excitement.  
"We have to celebrate this properly," Joana declared, and I couldn't agree more.
I waved goodbye, knowing I had a mountain of work waiting for me. But as I drove, Daryl popped into my head. "He deserves a little something," I thought, pulling over for some pastries and tea.  
"Okay, I'm officially the best secretary ever," I declared, chuckling as I settled into my SUV with Daryl's treat in my hand.
I returned to the office, my steps purposeful. Reaching my desk, I quickly retrieved the envelope and made my way to Daryl's office. A polite knock, and his "Come in" signaled my entrance.  
"Did you have lunch, sir?" I inquired, my voice calm and professional as I met his gaze.
I placed the pastries and tea on his desk, along with the envelope.  
"What's that?" he inquired, his gaze fixed on the envelope.  
"A woman asked me to give it to you," I replied.  
Without hesitation, he tore the envelope open and tossed the contents into the trash. My shock was palpable, but I held back any questions. It wasn't my place.
"I'm so sorry, sir," I said, my voice laced with regret.  
"It's alright," he replied, "just be careful about accepting letters in the future." I nodded quickly, my cheeks flushed.  
"I'll be going now, sir," I said, turning to leave.
I was about to leave when the door swung open, revealing a vision in red. Her bodycon dress clung to her curves, and her hair cascaded down her back, swaying with each confident step. Her eyes met mine, and a dazzling smile lit up her face.
"You must be Tyra, his new secretary," she said, her voice as smooth as honey. "I'm Helena, Daryl's girlfriend." She extended her hand, her touch as warm as her smile.
"So he has a girlfriend, huh!" I thought, a wave of surprise washing over me.