Chapter 4: Chapter 4

- Hello Mr. Knight. – she said softly, entering the room carefully, before closing the door behind her – Devon told me you were in trouble...

To her surprise, instead of sitting behind his massive desk or in some far corner of the large, upscale office, obviously trying to put as much space between himself and her as possible, Logan was standing at the side of the desk, His back to her, the absurdly tall, broad and imposing figure taking over the room as he looked out at the landscape outside the large glass wall that allowed him to see the entire bustling city outside. As he approached slowly, she expected him to move away, to avoid getting so close to her, but instead he remained as still as a rock, not looking at her or answering her, his shoulders visibly tense under his suit. , but still extremely close to where she would have to stand to fix whatever was wrong with the computer.

- My computer. – he suddenly growled harshly, almost making her jump in fright, still with her eyes fixed on the landscape on the other side of the window – I can't find my files.

- Oh... - she breathed softly, giving a friendly smile, even though she knew he wouldn't see it; and, to be honest, he certainly didn't care either - I'm sure it's a simple thing to fix. she stated, moving to her leather chair so she could sit down and find out what was wrong with the computer.

And, as usual, she waited for him to pull away. However, to her complete surprise, he actually remained where he was, now looking more tense than ever, but also completely silent. As she sat up, she thought she heard him take a sharp gulp of air, but as she skimmed through the files in front of her, the thought left her mind. Within seconds, she realized that Logan couldn't find his documents because they were in the trash instead of their original folders. Restoring them with just a few clicks, Missy remembered something that made her curious, and when quickly typing a name into the search bar, she was surprised to find nothing.

- Mr. Knight… – she began, fearfully, while still trying to find what she was looking for-I'm sorry, but…

- Logan.

- There is? – she questioned automatically, raising her neck to face him, since he was more than 30cm taller than her, perplexed not only by what he had said, but mainly because, for the first time since she had known him, his deep voice and deep didn't sound harsh or angry...

She might be going crazy, but she could also have sworn he sounded almost…sweet?

Yes, no doubt she was going crazy.

But as she looked at him, she realized that, in fact, for perhaps the first time in two years, his green eyes, usually cold and troubled, were warm when Logan spoke again, though his expression remained serious, almost drawn.

- Call me Logan. he asked again, still using that beautiful, smooth tone that was so out of character for him that Missy had to wonder again if he was delusional or something.

- Uh... Well... Logan... - she stammered, trying to organize her thoughts in front of the surprise of hearing him say that; did he want her to call him by name? Was he sick or something? Maybe he was the one delusional and not her... Wait, what were they even talking about? - Has anyone touched your computer since yesterday? – She asked, still trying to recover from her daze - Because I had installed a great antivirus on it and now it's gone...

- I don't know. – he replied simply, still not growling.

'Hmmm…' She swallowed hard, deciding it was best to remain professional and even friendly. If he had stopped being nasty, even if just for that short moment, then it was better that she just enjoy a few moments without being hated, right? - Okay then, I can install again. – She gave a nervous smile and saw his jaw clench, while a vein in her neck jumped, but he still remained impassive-Are you in a hurry? It will only take a minute.

- Stay as long as you like. – he spoke quickly and turned his eyes again to the outside of the glass, apparently ignoring her again.

However, as she looked for the program again to download it, Missy couldn't help but notice, through her peripheral vision, that he was watching her. At first, she thought that maybe it could just be an impression, but when she looked away and found those intensely green irises focused completely on her, she realized that it wasn't.

There really was something different about Logan that late afternoon...

She just hoped it was a good change.

In a few minutes, the download of the program started and, unsure of what her should do as waited, Missy dropped her eyes to her feet, disconcertingly staring with great interest at the many prints of “Adventure Time” characters on their pink all-stars. Those were her favorite sneakers... And she wished she could wear them to dinner that night, but she knew that, as much as she loved them, they would certainly arouse comments that perhaps she didn't have enough self-esteem to listen to at the moment. Especially if her mother decided to attend...

She wanted to shiver just thinking about what Victoria would say.

- Just a minute and it'll be installed. – Missy decided to speak again and, still feeling the intensity of his gaze on her, decided to keep her attention on the computer screen.

Several more minutes of deep silence passed and she confirmed that, whether or not Logan was improving his attitude around her, Logan didn't like talking to her one bit, that was a fact. Finally, the download completed and she began the necessary steps to install the program, thinking that the best thing for both of them would be for her to leave soon. After all, even though she'd never done anything to offend him, it was clear that her presence wasn't one of that poor man's favorite things. Surely he must be praying that she would get out of there as soon as possible.

- Excuse me. – he said suddenly, catching her so off guard that her fingers froze on the keyboard, such was the shock; With her mouth wide open, she turned her attention to him, but Logan was only staring at the computer screen, although the space between his eyebrows was deeply furrowed. - I know I call you here a lot. It must be extremely tiring.

Oh, so that was what he was apologizing about. Still, it was shocking.

- No, no... It's okay. – she stammered nervously, going back to work to start installing the program – I'm here for this, after all. - Shrugging, she threw a shy smile in his direction, which made his eyes stray to her face for a microsecond, before returning his attention to the screen again, as his expression became impossibly more livid and he swallowed hard. Taking that as a sign to hurry up, Missy finally started installing the program, which unfortunately led to yet another awkward moment of pure silence.

However, surprisingly, Logan took a few steps closer to her, staying beside her as the progress bar of the antivirus progressed.

That certainly was the official day of unexpected things.

Biting her lip, Missy wondered if she should try to strike up a conversation again since, for once, her brother-in-law's brother seemed... Nice? No, that wasn't the right word... Maybe... A little more approachable? Yes, perhaps that would be a better definition. I mean, it would be wonderful if they finally got along, wouldn't it? Megan still held a grudge for the way Logan had treated her and it was obvious that even Devon had changed his relationship with his brother. And all this, indirectly, because of her. If there was really any chance that the situation could finally be eased once and for all, then Missy was totally willing to try to be Logan's friend. If he was willing too, of course. Megan and Devon were married and madly in love, after all. Whether Logan wanted it or not, he and she would live in the same environments for the rest of their lives. So why not try some small approximation at the same time? There could always be the possibility that he was just shy, like her.

Shy and angry, of course.

Well, her father used to tell her that the first step was always the hardest, but also the most important. If you're not willing to give it, darling, then you can't be sad about other people who aren't willing either, Jonathan used to say. Taking a deep breath, Missy turned her head and ran her eyes over the tall, imposing figure, wondering how best to strike up a friendly conversation without ending up infuriating him as usual, until she came across the bandage wrapped around most of her body. of your right hand.

- How's your hand? - She questioned softly, smiling gently when his gaze returned to her face, looking almost dumbfounded - Megan told me you cut her yesterday. she explained quickly, not wanting to seem intrusive.

For a few long seconds, Logan didn't speak a single word and Missy feared she'd blown her opportunity to try to start getting along with him, but just as she was about to ask him to ignore that question, Logan fearfully answered it, but luckily without seeming upset.

- I had a... Glass accident yesterday. But is all right now. He turned his attention to the bandage around his own hand for a moment, before looking up at her again and, incredibly, the green eyes looked warm again. Thank you…for worrying.

- Uh… – she blinked, momentarily disconcerted – No need to thank me. And... I'm glad you're okay. – she smiled nervously, turning around again to check the installation of the program, which until that moment had already passed a little 50%.

-So… – stunned, she heard him continue the conversation, looking almost awkward, as if she didn't know what to talk about either – How's your project going?

- Oh... - The astonishment in realizing that, apparently, he also wanted to talk to her made her digress for a moment, but soon Missy found herself smiling, happy and relieved with that proof that Logan really seemed to be wanting to change his attitude. – It's all very well. I'm almost done. With luck, in less than a month of work, it will be completely ready.

- Are you going to start overtime later that night, to finish faster? - His question, spoken in a natural way, confused her for a moment. Did he know that she had already worked overtime on other days? Missy had always thought he wasn't even aware of her existence…well, except when they were forced to be in the same room together.

- Oh, no… – she explained, with a small smile, knowing that he certainly didn't know anything about Lauren's event – My mother-in-law is having a very important party tonight. I will be there. And I invited Megan and Devon and some of my friends too.

- Oh... - his calm expression suddenly fell, becoming somber, although he seemed to be trying to hide it, as he said, with a cold voice - I thought this party would never happen again.

Wait... did he know about the party?

- Why? she asked in surprise.

- Nothing. – Logan growled, shaking his head gently, as if he wanted to get some idea out of his head, before turning his attention to her again and shrugging, his voice acquiring a casual tone again – I forgot your sister mentioned today's date when you talked about it. I just thought this party had already happened a long time ago.

Megan had spoken to Logan about the party? Weird...

- So... – her confused thoughts were interrupted when he continued to speak, almost fearfully – It's at seven, isn't it? I was thinking of catching a ride with Devon and Megan since I don't know exactly where Mrs. Newton...

- You go? The question, spoken with nothing but sheer bewilderment, escaped her lips before she could stop herself.

Logan was going to Lauren's party? But why? It wasn't an event that directly involved the Knights. Of course, she had invited the whole Devon family, because she loved them too and, considering them part of her own family, would love for them to be there, – something Lauren was also completely in favor of, as they were the type rich and influential person she loved to hang out with - but Logan Knight? He could barely breathe the same air as her. Why would he want to attend an event that was only important to his mother-in-law and her boyfriend?

- You do not want me to go?

Seeing him ask that so sadly, almost hurt, Missy's stunned thoughts suddenly turned to regret. Hurrying up a smile, she vehemently denied it, eager to wipe that disconsolate expression off his face, even though it was incomprehensible to her why he would react the way he did.

- Of course not! I would love for you to come! – she stated, widening her smile in the process, happy with the prospect that maybe the time had come when she and Devon's brother could finally live in peace.

However, as soon as she said that, to her complete astonishment, his hitherto serious expression broke into a crooked, almost affectionate smile, and for a minute Missy found herself absurdly dazzled, almost disoriented. Of course, she had noticed how handsome Logan Knight was since she first saw him. But it would be strange if she hadn't noticed. After all, he was easily one of the most handsome men in the world. Megan had even mentioned that he had officially won that title, given by some very famous magazine, and more than once, even. Missy herself remembered seeing his face several times over the years, before he retired, when Logan was still one of the most in-demand models in the world, in numerous commercials and billboards around the country, as a poster boy for famous and luxury brands. She knew that it was with his exceptional good looks that he had made his fame and fortune as a model from an early age, before founding the agency at just 20 years old, making his brothers his partners a few years later. After all, that was a story she had heard Devon tell many times, so proud of his brother.

However, what no one had told her, and which she obviously had never had the opportunity to see with his own eyes until then, was how much Logan Knight was even more impossibly beautiful when he smiled. And not just beautiful, like a flower bud or a cute puppy, but…attractive. Extremely attractive. So absolutely breathtaking that, almost with horror, she realized that looking at him was making her feel…weird.

Damn it, she had to stop this. In fact, she thought she'd managed to let go of that kind of disconcerting feeling at the height of those first few days two years ago when she'd first met him. She'd found boys cute before, but she'd never felt… shivering like she had when she saw Logan's face for the first time. Fortunately, she had managed to suppress those strange and unheard-of reactions, until they had simply disappeared completely and she saw him only as her brother-in-law's grumpy brother who inexplicably loathed her.

Or at least she thought they were gone.

Heavens, she had never imagined such beauty could exist. Or that such beauty could have such strange effects on her.

Wait, what was she thinking? Those reactions had to go away again. She had a boyfriend. How would she feel if she knew Liam was looking at someone the way she was looking at Logan? And feeling... Those indecipherable sensations? Yes, surely she had to get her focus back together enough to look back at him without that weird haze of wonder.

As if she'd taken pity on her, the program finally completed its installation in full, allowing her to get out of there and get her head in the right place.

- Well, I think it's all settled now. – She informed him, trying to disguise her nervousness as she smiled, avoiding looking at him directly, knowing that an intense blush was coloring her cheeks – Next time something like this happens, don't worry. The files will most likely just be in the trash. A single click and they will be restored. – she explained, while getting up – And, of course, any other problem, you can call me. – Moving a few steps away from him, she waved and smiled shyly.

Serious and silent, Logan continued to stare at her intently for several minutes, his expression completely impassive, which only served to make her even more nervous and disconcerted, until he finally spoke again, letting out a deep sigh as he returned to his seat. feel in your chair.

- Thanks for the help, Missy.

- It was nothing. – she swallowed – So, um… See you tonight?

When he looked at her again, he didn't look happy or even angry, just oddly... Sad, maybe? Or maybe it was just the despondency caused by tiredness after a long day at work. Anyway, he just gave a small smile that didn't reach her eyes, like the previous smile had, and confirmed it.

- Of course. Until then.

With one last uncertain smile, Missy made her way out of his office, internally wondering what Megan would say when she learned that Logan finally seemed to have learned to live civilly with her... Well, anyway, that was good news. . Now, all she had to do was learn not to overreact to those incredible, disconcerting smiles...

Okay, maybe the first step would be to simply not think about them, in case she didn't want to feel so inexplicably...

Hot.