The car slowed before stopping in front of one of the tallest residential towers in the city, its glass exterior reflecting the Miami lights like liquid gold. The entrance alone spoke of exclusivity.
Alaric stepped out first.
Then, without thinking much of it, he turned and held out his hand toward Elena.
She looked at it.
For exactly one second.
Then ignored it completely and stepped out on her own.
Alaric's hand lingered in the air before he withdrew it, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
"You come here often, Mr. Hale?" Elena asked, glancing up at the building as they walked in.
"Mm," he replied casually. "The nightlife here is… worth it."
She gave a small nod. "Wouldn't want to know."
That earned a quiet huff of amusement within him.
The elevator ride was silent.
But not empty… somehow the silence between them isn't awkward anymore.
By the time they stepped into the penthouse, Elena didn't hesitate.
She walked in like she had already decided she didn't need permission to exist there.
Her heels came off almost instantly, abandoned near the entrance without a second thought, and she moved toward the couch, sinking into it with visible relief.
Alaric paused near the doorway for a moment, watching her.
This was new.
The same woman who measured every word, every movement, every expression… was now curled comfortably into his couch like she belonged there.
"You're settling in quite easily," he remarked, walking further inside.
Elena leaned her head back slightly, exhaling. "These shoes were designed by someone who hates women."
He let out a quiet chuckle despite himself.
"I'm ordering food," he said, pulling out his phone. "Anything specific?"
Elena didn't even think.
"Korean style fried chicken with pizza…" A small pause. "And beer. Lots of it."
Alaric looked at her again, this time more openly.
"You've been surprisingly relaxed since we got here," he said. "Are you sure you want to drink like that… while staying alone with a stranger?"
Elena turned her head slightly, her gaze landing on him.
"You're not a stranger, Mr. Hale." She took a moment to sit upright. "And I know you hate me," she added calmly. "So I don't really need to be careful around you acting like a lady."
That made him still.
Not because of what she said but how easily she said it.
"Right," he muttered, looking back at his phone. "Then don't be." A faint smirk followed. "Just don't blame me if you end up poisoned tomorrow."
Elena frowned for a second… then, unexpectedly… laughed.
Not the polite kind of laugh.
Not the controlled one either.
She was genuinely amused.
Alaric looked up again, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. That… he hadn't seen before.
"I'm going to take a shower," she said, pushing herself up from the couch, still carrying that faint amusement. "Make sure you save me five cans of beer."
"Five?" he repeated, raising a brow. "Ambitious."
She started walking away, waving him off lazily. "Don't be stingy."
Alaric shook his head slightly, a quiet smirk still lingering. "Left side. Master bedroom."
"Okay… okay," she replied without turning back.
He watched her disappear down the hallway.
And for a brief moment… The penthouse felt different.
It became livelier than before.
But why is she being unpredictable… She's behaving much more differently than she was in New York.
Was it because of what he said in grandfather's office?
Is she just pretending to be open with him or being her real self?
Alaric leaned back against the counter, exhaling slowly, his phone still in his hand but forgotten.
Because for the first time… Being alone with Elena Vaughn didn't feel exhausting.
It felt… dangerous in a way he hadn't expected.
________________________
Elena stood in front of the open suitcase, staring.
For a long moment… she didn't move. Then she picked up one piece.
Then another.
And another.
It was all lace and silk.
Some dresses had barely any fabric. Some dresses were even worse. All were screaming for her to seduce the man she's with.
Her expression didn't change but her grip tightened slightly.
"Of course…" she murmured under her breath.
Even the robes… were sheer.
For a brief second, she considered just closing the suitcase and going to sleep.
Then… a knock on the door shifted her mind.
"Elena?" Alaric's voice came from the other side. "Food's here."
Her eyes flicked toward the door. Then back to the suitcase.
She exhaled.
"Perfect timing," she muttered.
With no better option, she grabbed the robe from the bathroom, tying it securely around herself, double checking the knot before walking toward the door.
When she opened it… Alaric looked up and raised his eyebrow in question.
Not dramatically.
Not obviously.
Just enough to understand her situation.
His gaze flicked over her… damp hair, bare face, robe tied a little too carefully… and something unreadable crossed his expression before it disappeared.
"You were taking your time," he said, stepping back to let her walk out. "The food will get cold so that's why I came to let you know."
"I was dealing with… poor packing choices," she replied, walking past him.
That caught his attention.
"Let me guess," he said, following her toward the dining area. "Not your style?"
Elena stopped for a second, then turned to look at him. "You'd be surprised," she said calmly. "Apparently, this is my style."
Alaric frowned slightly, then he understood his eyes did accidentally glanced toward the suitcase still opened in the room.
Realization hit.
"…Oh. So they want you to…" A smirk slowly formed on his face. "That explains the robe."
Elena didn't react, simply walking toward the table where the food was already laid out. "Unless you'd prefer I follow instructions more accurately," she added casually.
Alaric almost choked on his own breath.
"Sit," he said quickly, pulling out a chair. "And eat."
Elena sat, completely unbothered, reaching for the food immediately.
For a few minutes, there was only the sound of plates and cutlery.
Then… "You really went for everything greasy and unhealthy," Alaric said, eyeing the spread. "Fried chicken, pizza, beer…"
"I like having unhealthy options too," Elena replied, taking a bite.
He watched her for a second. "You eat like you've been starved."
Elena paused while taking a bite. Then looked at him. "I skip meals sometimes," she said simply. "Today didn't feel like a day to do that."
Something in her tone made him look at her a second longer than usual but she didn't dwell on it. Instead, she reached for a can of beer, popping it open and taking a sip.
Alaric leaned back slightly, watching her again. "You're surprisingly more comfortable than yesterday… I'm curious what changed," he said.
Elena raised a brow. "Would you prefer I sit stiffly and pretend I don't exist?"
"…Fair point because that would be very exhausting for both of us." A small silence followed between them. Then he couldn't help but said it. "You laughed earlier," he said suddenly.
Elena blinked. "What?"
"Earlier you laughed sitting on the couch," he clarified. "At my very bad poisoning joke."
She stared at him for a second. Then… shrugged lightly. "It was funny."
"It wasn't. I didn't mean what I said."
"It was to me."
Alaric shook his head, a quiet huff escaping him and before he could stop himself… he smiled.
Elena noticed but didn't say anything. Instead, she leaned back slightly, lifting her drink again.
"You're not as unbearable as I expected Mr Hale," she said.
Alaric raised a brow. "Careful. That almost sounded like a compliment."
"Don't get used to it."
"Too late."
For a moment… They just looked at each other.
There was no tension. No performance. Just… ease between them.
And that… felt far more dangerous than anything else so far.