The conference room had been transformed into a battlefield—metaphorically, of course. Harlington & Co.'s annual team-building day had arrived, and everyone was required to participate in a series of "fun and challenging activities."
Lila Moreno glanced around nervously.
Obstacles were set up.
Teams were announced.
Raven Hale, naturally, was on her team.
Her stomach dropped. Of course it's him again. Why do I keep getting paired with him?
Raven, on the other hand, grinned like a child given free rein. "Looks like destiny really wants us together," he said, leaning casually against a table.
Lila crossed her arms. "Or the office manager has a sick sense of humor."
---
The First Challenge: Human Knot
The first activity was simple in theory: everyone held hands to form a "human knot" and had to untangle themselves without letting go.
Raven immediately grabbed Lila's hand, smirking.
"Looks like we're tied together," he teased.
Lila rolled her eyes, but her fingers lingered in his just a fraction too long.
The resulting chaos:
Co-workers tripped, twisted, and groaned.
Raven accidentally stepped on someone's foot, muttering a dramatic apology.
Lila nearly lost her balance, and Raven caught her just in time.
Their hands lingered a moment longer than necessary, and both felt an electric spark.
Great… now I'm flustered in front of the whole office, Lila thought.
And I like it… far too much, Raven mused quietly.
---
The Second Challenge: Blindfold Obstacle Course
Next came the blindfold obstacle course. One partner was blindfolded while the other gave verbal instructions.
Raven volunteered to go first.
Lila, unusually flustered, had to guide him through the maze of cones, chairs, and office chairs.
Her instructions were precise but sharp: "Left! No, other left! Duck! Step back!"
Raven, ever the dramatist, stumbled, wobbled, and at one point, nearly collided with the water cooler.
Lila's hands reached out instinctively to steady him.
Their faces were inches apart.
Someone behind them gasped audibly.
"Careful, you might fall… again," she muttered, trying to maintain a professional tone.
He grinned. "I'm safe as long as you're guiding me."
Her heart skipped. Did he just… compliment me?
---
Comedic Rivalry and Jealousy
As the day continued, playful rivalries and teasing moments escalated:
1. Wheelbarrow Race:
Raven insisted on being pushed by Lila.
She protested, but the team cheered.
The resulting chaos: Lila tripped, Raven nearly fell, and both ended up in a tangled heap on the floor.
2. Trivia Challenge:
Lila's intellect shone, answering questions quickly.
Raven teased, pretending to be frustrated.
"Wow, demoness, you're actually smart," he said.
Lila rolled her eyes, muttering, "I told you… I'm more than scary looks."
---
The Quiet Moment
By late afternoon, the team-building exercises wound down.
Raven and Lila sat together on a bench, tired and laughing over the day's disasters.
"You know," Raven said softly, "I didn't think I'd have this much fun… especially with you."
Lila looked at him, surprised by the sincerity behind his usual teasing.
"I… I had fun too," she admitted quietly.
For a moment, the office disappeared. No coworkers, no gossip, no chaos—just the two of them, sharing a quiet, meaningful connection.
---End of Chapter 10---