The Accidental Detective: Finding Her Boss

Chapter 18

Leaning against the chilled elevator wall, Loriatte's delicate fingers fiddled with the hem of her sleek black pencil dress, complemented by the elegance of her tall black platform heels. Around her shoulders hung Zenith's black blazer, gifted to her due to the sudden weather change.

With his hands tucked into his black dress pants and his black tie slightly loosened around the collar of his crisp white long-sleeved shirt, Zenith gazed intently at Loriatte, showcasing his freshly trimmed blonde hair that was shorter than usual and neatly styled at the sides.

The Harrison brothers were beautiful people.

"Nice haircut," she complimented with a head nod, breaking the silence that enveloped them since they stepped into the building.

His eyes slightly wrinkled at the sides when he smiled, "thank you, I was wondering how long it would take for you to notice."

She let out a guilty laugh, "sorry, you do look good though."

The elevator dinged, and the doors slid open, he let her slip out first before stepping out after her.

"Stop flirting with me before my brother kills us both," he joked as they walked up to the large black door.

Loriatte was about to unlock the door with the spare key given by Zayden when it suddenly swung open. With a sense of déjà vu, she was reminded of the first time she entered the penthouse, unaware that her life was about to change forever.

This time instead of Zenith, it was Zayden who held the door open, he barely acknowledged his older brother as his eyes zoned in on Loriatte.

As he tried to speak, Loriatte cut him off, breezing past his shoulder without even bothering to look at him, and entered the house.

"Well, it looks like you two need to be alone, so I'll get going," Zenith turned on his heels about to head back into the elevator which was still open when Zayden stopped him.

"Thank you," Zenith turned to look at his brother who held a sincere look in his eyes, "for bringing her home...and being there for her."

Zenith nodded, "just...don't fuck this up, I really like her Zay," and with that, he disappeared behind the elevator as it slid shut.

Zayden stood with the door open for a while, thinking over his brother's words in his head.

Don't fuck this up.

With a determined heart, he shut the door behind him, nodding to his conscience as he made sure to lock it. As he walked down the short hallway towards the living room, he half-expected to find Loriatte locked up in her bedroom. However, he nearly jumped out of his skin when he saw her seated at the dining table, which they had temporarily converted into their workspace.

"I thought you'd be in your room," he voiced out his thoughts as he approached her.

She briefly craned her neck to get a look at him, she sat with her back facing him as she read from an open file with both her elbows placed on the table and her chin rested on her open palms.

"Why would I when there's work to be done?" She turned back, slightly lifting her head up as she flipped a page.

Don't fuck this up.

"Lora, I-I'm sorry for not being there for you today, I..." couldn't stand seeing you so broken, he wanted to say, but the words died in his mouth as silence overtook them.

As his words lingered in the air, Loriatte felt her back muscles tighten and slowly swiveled on her stool to meet his gaze, her expression impossible to discern.

"I know we're not the best of friends and can barely tolerate each other at times, but you're the closest thing to a friend I have left here, I guess you don't have to show up for me but...it-it would've just been nice to have you there," her voice was soft, and her glare was fixated on her lap, fighting the tears that brimmed her eyes.

Zayden felt a lump in his throat at her confession, he stepped closer with a beating heart, "I'm sorry, I didn't know-"

"I understand. You don't have to pretend to care about me or my feelings just because something terrible has happened. I don't expect anything from you," she said as she stood up and shook her head. She tried to walk past him, but he gently took her wrist and brought her to stand in front of him.

"Don't say that," you mean more to me than you could ever imagine, "of course I care, I'm not cold-hearted. I'm sorry I didn't join you at the funeral, I just didn't know if you'd want your mortal enemy there," he tried to bring in some light heartiness to the conversation.

A small smile made its way on her lips, "you're not bad, I wouldn't have minded," she gently punched his shoulder.

He drew her close, holding her tightly as she rested her head on his chest, her arms encircling his body. It wasn't long until he could feel her tears soaking through his shirt as she wept silently.

"I didn't know Kris for long, but she seemed like an incredible woman. I'm so sorry she had to get caught in the middle of all this," he said with his cheek resting on her head of straightened hair.

"It's so unfair," she cried louder, squeezing him tighter as her heart clenched at the reminder that Kris was really gone forever.

Zayden felt his own heart sink at her pain, "I know, I know," he swallowed, willing to do anything to never see her hurting ever again, "please don't cry."

She choked on her sobs and began coughing. He slightly stepped back and cupped her face with both his hands, watching her tear-stained face as she slowly calmed down.

"Lora, I'll always be there for you," he whispered as he planted a gentle kiss on her forehead, brushing away her tears with a reassuring smile. He couldn't help but notice the intensity of her widened dark brown eyes as if she had just come to a realization. "You can count on me, always."

She nodded with a smile of her own, then rested her head back on his chest, sighing in content, "Loriatte."

"What?" He asked confused as he softly stroked her silk hair which fell to the middle of her back.

"That's my name, Loriatte."

What could only be explained as possibly the biggest grin Zayden has ever had spread across his lips, his cheeks warmed up and turned a pink tint at the action.

Loriatte.

"Loriatte," he repeated out loud.

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I know we all hate short fillers, but I had to overcome this writers block someway somehow😩

Also I know it's a bit late but I got caught up with The Little Mermaid premier and almost forgot about my Friday updates promise, but here you go❤️

Halle Bailey is absolutely perfect and beautiful as Ariel, I was fighting the urge to kick and scream in the cinema, if you haven't watched it yet please grab your tickets and go, it's honestly an amazing experience🥹❤️✨