Chapter 29 His Gift

Sierra swallowed hard as she looked up and saw Damian sitting on Axton’s desk, frowning.

A few seconds later, she glanced down, checking her appearance, relieved she had straightened up her outfit beforehand. She needed to think fast and say something to break their awkwardness.

“Oh, hi,” she said with a quick smile, then turned her gaze to Axton, who was seated in his chair. “Thank you for letting me use your bathroom. I’m sorry for interrupting your time, Mr. Scott.”

“Of course, Sierra. You’re welcome to use it,” Axton replied smoothly, playing along with her lie, much to Sierra’s relief.

“Thank you,” she nodded. “Would you like me to get you some coffee or something else to drink? There are some new beverages in the kitchen. Maybe you’d like something, Mr. Damian?” She alternated her gaze between Axton and Damian. Truthfully, she glanced at Axton for less than a second, keeping her eyes mostly on Damian to avoid making direct eye contact with the former.

“No need, Sierra,” Axton answered. “It’s almost time to leave. You’ll be going home with me again, right? Callie called and asked me to take you home.”

Sierra almost cursed aloud at Axton’s words. This man was playing along with her charade only to trap her in his own game.

“Of course. Callie and I have plans to do some treatments together,” Sierra replied with a nod. “If that’s all, I’ll head back to my desk. If you need anything, feel free to call me, Mr. Scott.”

“Can I call you if I need anything, too?” It wasn’t Axton but Damian who asked.

Sierra chuckled briefly. “You’d have to leave your seat and come to my desk, Mr. Damian. Too bad you’re not my boss.” She bit back a grin, trying not to laugh.

“Damn, that’s harsh. If only you were my secretary.”

“Keep dreaming, Damian.”

Well, it wasn’t Sierra who said that, though she’d certainly thought about it. It was Axton who spoke, and his words caught her off guard.

“She’ll never be your secretary,” Axton added. “You may leave now, Sierra.” He glanced briefly at her before quickly looking away, much like how Sierra avoided looking at him. It seemed Axton was trying to do the same.

“Sierra,” Damian called just as she was about to close Axton’s office door, making her pause mid-step.

“Is there something I can help you with?”

“No,” Damian shook his head. “I just wanted to let you know I left something on your desk. I hope you’ll like it,” he said with a brief smile.

Next to Damian, Axton’s face hardened. Sierra noticed his fists clenching on the desk, and the sharp look in his eyes clearly conveyed his disapproval of the situation.

Sierra frowned. What was wrong with him?

“That’s very kind of you. Thank you,” Sierra replied with a smile.

“Make sure you like it, Sierra. If not, perhaps you can start telling me what you do like, and I’ll make a note of it.”

Seriously?! What was this man trying to do?

“Sierra,”

Sierra lifted her head. This time, it was Axton who called her.

Oh damn. After all the wild things this man had said to Andrea and Mr. Smith, what was he about to say now? Should Sierra run over and shove something in his mouth to shut him up?

“If you don’t mind, could you get coffee for Damian and me? I think I’ve changed my mind—I’d like some coffee.”

Sierra widened her eyes and almost opened her mouth to curse him out loud.

Hell, didn’t this man realize she was on the verge of a heart attack from everything he was doing?

“Sierra,” Axton repeated, snapping her out of her frozen state.

“Of course—”

“Her legs are sore, Axton. Why are you asking her?” Damian interrupted. “If you want coffee, get it yourself. Or if you’re so desperate to have it but won’t get it on your own, how about I get it for you?”

Sierra frowned. “That’s completely unnecessary, Mr. Damian. I can call the office boy and ask for help. Or perhaps I can ask the office security.”

“Oh, really?” Damian raised an eyebrow. “In that case, go ahead and ask them, Sierra. Don’t get it yourself.”

Sierra nodded and quickly closed the door behind her, letting her body lean against it for a few moments. She pressed her chest firmly, trying to steady her racing heartbeat.

Damn. Axton was doing all this on purpose to make her panic because he knew how much she disliked his antics.

***

Sierra wanted nothing more than to finish her work and go home immediately. To hell with Axton or the fact that it wasn’t even the end of the workday yet.

“Miss Kayleigh, this is the report that needs Mr. Scott’s review. However, before handing it over to him, I’d like you to check it first to minimize any errors,” someone said as they approached with a towering stack of documents. The woman was Bella, one of the finance division’s key members.

Sierra closed her eyes briefly and removed her glasses, which she always wore when working on her computer. Her plans unraveled in seconds.

“Does it need to be submitted today? I believe Mr. Scott is busy with a guest,” Sierra asked.

“Actually, yes. I need his approval as soon as possible. But at the latest, I’d like it done by tomorrow afternoon,” Bella replied.

Sierra nodded. “I’ll take it home and review it there. If there’s anything off, I’ll let you know tonight. However, Mr. Scott won’t be able to approve it this evening. You’re aware the workday is nearly over, aren’t you?”

“For a boss like him, perhaps. But work hours aren’t exactly set in stone for you and me, are they?”

"Come on, Bella." Sierra shook her head. "I really want to discuss your complaints about work hours."

"Alright, but not now." Bella nodded. "Just make sure Mr. Scott approves it soon. I need to inform the entire division to finalize next month’s budget for the hotel construction."

"Of course, I’ll handle it."

Bella stared at her for a moment as if there was something else she wanted to say. However, she remained silent, prompting Sierra to lift her head. "Is there a problem?"

"Nothing. I just wanted to ask if you’re leaving now. Your desk is all tidied up."

Sierra glanced at her computer screen, ready to shut it down. That had been her plan, but what could she do when a new task arrived just as she was about to leave?

"No, I still have work to do."

"Alright, good luck, Miss Kayleigh." With that, Bella walked away, disappearing behind the elevator doors.

Sierra immediately grabbed the documents on her desk and began reviewing each budget report. Technically, all she needed to do was hand the report to Axton and let him evaluate whether it was accurate. But with her long experience as his secretary, she knew better than to submit an unchecked report—it would only cause more trouble for her later.

She wasn’t sure how long she’d spent reviewing the report when the door to Axton’s office opened, and Damian stepped out.

"You haven’t opened the gift I gave you?" he asked, frowning as he approached her. He pulled up a chair and sat down without waiting for her invitation.

Sierra looked up from the report and glanced at the paper bag, still sitting untouched since she left Axton’s office almost an hour ago.

"I’ve been busy," she said, lifting the document in her hands for him to see.

"When are you ever not busy? Even in the middle of the night, you’re still working."

She nodded. "It seems you know me very well."

"I could say I know you better than anyone." Damian's smug expression made Sierra roll her eyes, chuckling softly. "Or maybe you could start formally introducing yourself to me, Sierra?"

As she laughed with Damian, the door to Axton’s office suddenly opened, and he stood there, his face rigid.

"Why are you still here, Damian?"

Damian raised an eyebrow. "It sounds like you’re trying to kick me out."

"If you’re disturbing my employee’s work, then yes, I am."

"Oh, come on!" Damian shook his head. "It’s already after office hours, isn’t it? There’s no harm in chatting a little with Sierra."

Sierra quickly gathered her documents and packed her bag. Sensing the brewing tension, she decided it was best to leave with Axton before things escalated.

"Thank you for this," Sierra said, holding up the paper bag Damian had given her. "I’ll let you know how it tastes once I try it at home. I’ll share it with Callie, and if we like it, you’ll have to bring me one every time you visit." She tried to joke.

"If you want, I can bring the entire store to your house," Damian teased, raising an eyebrow playfully.

Sierra couldn’t help but roll her eyes, realizing she was stuck dealing with Damian’s constant flirtation these days.

"Let’s go, Sierra. I’m waiting in the car," Axton said as he walked off, leaving her behind.

Sierra frowned briefly, grabbed her bag and the paper bag, then turned to Damian. "Let’s head down. I have to go home with Axton because Callie is waiting for me at her place."

Damian took her bag and the paper bag from her hands. "Let me carry these for you," he said calmly.

***

"What did he give you?"

Sierra turned her head toward Axton, then glanced down at the paper bag on her lap—the gift Damian had given her. "Cake."

"Are you going to eat it?" Axton glanced at her briefly before refocusing on the road.

What kind of question was that?

"Should I sell it instead?"

"It would be better if you threw it away."

Axton pulled the car into the driveway and turned to face Sierra. He unbuckled his seatbelt and leaned toward her, making her instinctively hold her breath in surprise.

"What the hell are you doing?" Sierra’s eyes widened as she realized how close his face was to hers. If either of them moved even slightly, their lips would touch.

"If I asked you to throw it away, would you, Sierra?"