Seduction In Ink

Chapter 28

Writer's Block: Bond Deepens

Isabela felt the earth move as she spotted James, bringing back memories. As she and Tyler hurriedly left the café, Isabela's mind swirled with questions. The unexpected encounter with her high school sweetheart had unearthed feelings she thought were long buried.

"Tyler..." Her voice was laced with worry, barely above a whisper.

Tyler glanced at her, his expression serious, but he didn't respond. Isabela's heart raced at the weight of the silence. When they reached the parking lot, he opened the door to his sleek black car. The tension in the air was palpable as she slid into the seat.

As they drove toward Tyler's office, Isabela couldn't shake the sense that something was off. She stole furtive glances at him, but he kept his eyes trained on the road ahead, his jaw set in a determined line.

Their hands brushed together as Tyler led her boldly into the office building, and the atmosphere grew heavy with the knowledge that a serious conversation awaited them. The elevator doors closed with a soft chime, enveloping them in a cloud of silence.

Finally, they reached Tyler's office on the top floor. He led her inside the lounge, where she lay on the comfortable leather sofa, her pulse racing.

Tyler took a seat opposite her, his breath coming in measured sips. He was her focus, the seriousness of the situation increasing her stare.

"What is wrong?" Isabela asked, surprised at the clarity of her voice.

He met her eyes, the emotion in his voice palpable. "It was the first time I did that, and I felt... Are you mad at me for making you come with me?"

Isabela searched his face for answers, momentarily lost in his sincerity. "What? Oh, no, not at all. You didn't push me, but you did pull me." A cheeky chuckle escaped her lips, breaking the tension.

Breathing deeply, she inspected the clean room's impeccable order. "Could I use this space to write?" she asked, her fingers fidgeting. "I'm sorry if I'm interrupting."

"No!" Tyler replied quickly. "You're not bothering me. Having you here is better."

A smile spread across Isabela's face. "All right then. Let's get to work."

Tyler nodded, his demeanor shifting to focus. "Okay, let's do it." He stood up, drawing her attention as he moved. "Would you like something to drink? A snack while you work?"

Isabela shook her head, her smile fading slightly. "Everything's okay."

"All right." He stepped away, heading toward his desk.

Isabela settled into the leather couch, her fingers poised above her laptop keys, but no words emerged. Instead, she stared at the screen, lost in thought. The once-strong desire to write had dissipated, leaving a blank look in her eyes.

Tyler struggled to concentrate, glancing over at Isabela. Her presence filled the room, distracting him from the reports and bank statements cluttering his desk. He was buried in the investigation of the missing money—an issue that haunted him day and night.

But Isabela's energy pulled him in, her face scrunched in concentration, her lips moving silently as she wrestled with her thoughts. Tyler's heart sank as he noticed her stillness; she seemed caught in a battle with her mind.

Clearing his throat, he broke the silence. "Is everything okay?"

Startled, Isabela blinked, focusing on him. "Oh, yeah. Everything is fine," she replied, though her voice trembled.

Tyler observed her closely, the worry creasing his brow. "You look... dazed."

Isabela sighed, running a hand through her hair. "I guess I'm just... stuck," She admitted, returning to her laptop.

Tyler leaned in, intrigued. "Stuck? With your writing?"

With a hint of annoyance, she nodded. "Yes. The words just won't come. I can't seem to figure out this concept."

He felt a pang of empathy for her. He knew the frustration of writer's block too well. "Maybe you just need a break," he suggested softly. "Sometimes stepping away helps clear your mind."

Grateful for his understanding, she nodded slowly. "You might be right," She clicked her laptop shut softly. "I think I'll go for a walk to clear my head. Would you like to join me?"

Tyler couldn't help but smile at her graceful rise from the desk. She infused the office with fresh energy.

"Would you like some company?" he asked, the words spilling out before he could stop them.

Isabela paused, locking her gaze with his. There was a glimmer of interest in her eyes. Smiling softly, she finally replied, "I'd like that."

***

"Wait, is that Tyler?" Allysa whispered urgently to her secretary, grabbing her arm and stopping her in her tracks.

The secretary replied, "Yes, Mr. Sterling, it is."

Allysa's jaw tightened as she watched Tyler and Isabela standing before the elevator. "It's disrespectful for her to visit Tyler at work. That lady—what a time waster," she muttered, irritation boiling beneath the surface.

She dashed toward the elevator just as the doors closed behind them. "Damn it!" Allysa cursed, her anger echoing in the empty hallway.

"What are you doing?" her worried secretary called after her as she rushed to catch the next elevator.

Allysa's frustration escalated. She fished her phone from her pocket, dialing a number with shaky hands. When the line connected, the other person answered immediately.

"Hel—" She abruptly hung up, her temper flaring. "Aren't you doing anything?" she snapped into the phone.

"Cheez, cuz, please calm down!" came the voice on the other line.

"Relax? How can I calm down? She was with Tyler!" Allysa seethed. "That girl was in this building."

"Remember how I said I'd keep an eye on things? Don't worry about it—relax," her cousin replied.

"Be sure, James, because I'll kill you myself if you don't do what I asked within a week," Allysa spoke urgently and sharply.

"James—what do you ask James to do?" a voice from behind her.

Startled, Allysa turned to find Zek staring intently at her, an icy chill creeping down her spine.

***

Tyler and Isabela stepped out of the office, a welcome relief from the weight of their responsibilities. As they strolled through the bustling downtown streets, excitement coursed through Tyler. Isabela's mere presence calmed his racing heart.

As they walked, Tyler revealed the shadows lurking in his mind, sharing his burden of the company's financial troubles. The missing money haunted him, stealing his peace.

"It must be hard," Isabela said gently, her voice soothing.

Tyler smiled, grateful for her understanding. "That's right. But now that you're here, it feels a little easier."

His heart raced as he caught Isabela's smile. "I'm glad I could help," she said softly, and he felt a flicker of hope ignited within him. What if they could tackle this problem together?

Yet, despite the calm they shared during their stroll, an unsettling feeling gnawed at Tyler. He glanced over his shoulder, but the thrumming city life offered no clues. An inexplicable chill ran down his spine as if someone—or something—was watching.

The roar of a motorcycle thundered behind them, shattering their moment. Tyler instinctively grabbed Isabela, pulling her closer as they switched places. The sudden force sent him off balance, and his heart raced at the abrupt shift.