Elena walked down the corridor, her expression relaxed, lips curved in a faint smile—as if she hadn't just flipped the entire situation on its head.
Behind her, Lyra followed in a daze.
She kept replaying the scene in her mind.
The tone.
The smile.
The way Rachel had been cornered without a single accusation.
How does someone even do that? Lyra wondered.
She finally stopped walking.
Then spun around dramatically.
"Elena," she blurted out, almost shouting, "do you have any idea what you just did?"
Elena raised an eyebrow, amused. "Walked away?"
Lyra grabbed her own head. "No! You destroyed her! Politely! With manners!" She stared at Elena in disbelief. "That green-tea bitch tried to frame you, and you smiled your way out like a queen!"
Elena chuckled softly. "Language, Lyra."
Lyra waved her hand. "No, no. This deserves strong vocabulary." She leaned closer, whispering intensely. "You beat her at her own game."
She straightened suddenly, eyes shining.
"From today onward, I'm officially your number one fan."
She even held up one finger for emphasis.
Elena laughed, low and calm.
"You're overreacting," she said casually. "I was just being… considerate."
Lyra gaped. "That was considerate?"
Elena tilted her head, sarcasm lacing her gentle tone. "Of course. I was worried about her feelings."
Lyra stared at her.
Then burst out laughing. "You're evil."
Elena smiled sweetly. "I prefer experienced."
Lyra shook her head, still grinning. "I swear, one smile from you and people don't even realize they've lost."
Elena started walking again, unbothered.
"Get used to it," she said lightly over her shoulder. "Scenes like this happen all the time."
Lyra hurried after her. "All the time?! Then I'm going to need emotional preparation. And maybe popcorn."
Elena glanced back, eyes glinting with quiet amusement.
"Good," she said. "Consider it part of your job description."
Lyra sighed dramatically.
"I knew this job was going to be stressful."
But even as she complained, her smile didn't fade.
Because one thing was clear—
Working for Elena was never going to be boring.
.....
Elena wrapped up her shoot earlier than expected.
As the crew began packing up, Lyra checked the schedule on her phone twice, then looked up with a bright smile.
"Ma'am," she said, sounding almost excited, "your shoot ended early today."
Elena glanced at her. "It did."
Lyra hesitated for a second, then gathered courage.
"Emma ma'am told me you're not from the capital," she said quickly. "So I was thinking… since we have time, why don't we go out and look around a bit?"
Elena raised an eyebrow, mildly intrigued.
"The capital?" she asked.
Lyra nodded eagerly. "Yes. I'm kind of local here."
She laughed softly, a hint of nostalgia in her voice.
"My mom and dad is a corporate workers. They are always busy—meetings, deadlines, calls. They never really had time." Lyra shrugged lightly. "So I grew up wandering around the city by myself."
Elena listened quietly.
"I know all the good places," Lyra added, her smile widening. "The quiet cafés, the streets that look boring in the daytime but beautiful at night."
She looked at Elena hopefully.
"If you want," Lyra said, a little shy but sincere, "I can show you around."
For a moment, Elena said nothing.
Then her lips curved into a small, thoughtful smile.
"…Alright," she said calmly. "Let's see what the capital looks like through your eyes."
Lyra's face lit up instantly.
....
Lyra didn't take Elena to any flashy tourist spot.
Instead, she brought her to Lodhi Garden, just as the sun was beginning to dip.
The noise of the city softened the moment they stepped inside. Tall trees lined the paths, old stone structures standing quietly between stretches of green. The air felt lighter here—slower.
"This place…" Elena murmured, looking around.
Lyra smiled, clearly proud. "Most people go to crowded cafés or malls. But this?" She spread her arms slightly. "This is where the capital breathes."
They walked along the pathway, the golden light slipping through the leaves.
They settled into their seats, the evening air pleasant and calm.
Lyra looked around proudly. "See? I told you this place is good."
Elena glanced at the menu. "Not bad. You have decent taste—for someone who talks too much."
Lyra gasped. "Hey! That talking comes from experience. My parents were always busy, so the city basically raised me." She grinned. "That's why I know all the best spots."
Elena smirked. "So this is professional wandering."
"Exactly," Lyra said seriously. "I'm a certified capital explorer."
Elena laughed softly. "I should put that on your resume."
Lyra leaned forward. "You should. Assistant: handles schedules, chaos, and sightseeing."
Elena raised her cup. "Useful skills."
Lyra smiled brightly. "If Emma ma'am knew we were chilling like this, she'd definitely scold me."
Elena's eyes glinted with amusement. "Relax. I'll say you were working very hard."
Lyra laughed. "See? This is why people become your fan so fast."
Elena took a sip, calm as ever. "Get used to it."
Lyra shook her head, still smiling.
"Working with you is going to be fun… and slightly dangerous."
Elena smiled back—
Lyra noticed them first.
Four men, moving with lazy confidence, their attention fixed in one direction.
On them.
Her shoulders tensed.
"Elena," Lyra said quietly, leaning closer, eyes still forward,
"we should leave. Now. Trouble's coming."
Elena followed Lyra's gaze.
She saw the way they walked.
The way they spread out slightly, already claiming space that wasn't theirs.
Men who expected the world to step aside.
Elena didn't flinch.
Instead, she exhaled slowly—almost amused.
"Don't worry," she said, her voice calm, unhurried.
"They're coming here by their own choice."
She paused, then added softly,
"But they won't be leaving."
Lyra turned to look at her.
No tension.
No fear.
Not even irritation.
Just certainty.
Something settled inside Lyra's chest.
If Elena was this sure, then she wasn't guessing.
She knew.
Lyra didn't argue.
Didn't insist.
She simply nodded and stepped closer, standing at Elena's side like it was the most natural place in the world.
If she can handle them, Lyra thought,
then I won't distract her.
Her gaze drifted back to the street, pretending to enjoy the view again—lights, passing cars, the illusion of normalcy.
But her hand slipped into her pocket.
Her phone was already unlocked.
Police emergency number queued—one tap away.
Not in panic.
In preparation.
Lyra trusted Elena.
But she trusted instincts too.
And if even for a second it looked like Elena couldn't handle it—
She'd make the call.
The footsteps behind them grew closer.
Elena didn't move.
She didn't need to.
easy, confident, and amused.
Elina and Lyra were standing near the quiet side of the street, mid-conversation, when four men stepped directly into their space.
Too close.
Up close, the details became obvious.
They weren't drunk college boys.
Their clothes were casual but expensive in the wrong way—flashy chains, branded jackets, confidence worn like a costume.
The kind of men who made money fast and washed nothing clean.
One of them stood half a step ahead of the others.
Broader shoulders. Sharper eyes.
The rest laughed a little too loudly, a little too eagerly—like puppies desperate for approval.
Elena noticed immediately.
So you're the leader.
"Hey, girls… what's up?" the man in front said, smiling like he thought it was charming.
"Enjoying yourselves alone? We could keep you company."
Lyra tilted her head, eyes flicking over them slowly.
"Wow," she said dryly.
"They travel in packs. Must be scary being alone."
The men chuckled.
Elena looked at the leader calmly, like she was deciding whether he was worth remembering.
"I'll say this once," she said.
"Leave. Now."
The leader laughed, glancing back at his friends.
"You hear that?" he said.
"She's brave."
Lyra smiled faintly.
"That's one word for it."
The man's gaze lingered on Elena, lingering far too long.
"And I like brave girls," he added.
"Relax. We're not leaving unless you make us."
Elena sighed—soft, almost bored.
"Of course," she said.
"Men like you never listen the first time."
She looked him straight in the eye.
"Third warning."
The leader scoffed.
"Or what? You'll scream?"
Lyra shrugged.
"Honestly? I was hoping you'd keep talking. It's fascinating how confident stupidity can be."
Elina moved.
The shift was instant.
A sharp step forward.
A precise strike.
One man hit the ground before his brain caught up with his body.
The laughter died.
The leader lunged for Elena—bad move.
She twisted, caught his wrist, and used his own weight against him, slamming him down hard. The sound of air leaving his lungs was almost satisfying.
Lyra stepped in smoothly, blocking the others.
"Uh-uh," she said lightly.
"Emergency exits are closed."
One of them tried to swing—Lyra ducked.
"Wow," she muttered.
"That was embarrassing for you."
Seconds later, all four were on the ground—groaning, stunned, staring up at the night sky like it had betrayed them.
Silence followed.
Elena crouched in front of the leader, her expression calm, almost polite.
She tilted her head.
"Still enjoying the company?" she asked.
He swallowed hard.
"You know," Elena continued,
"I warned you. But men like you always think warnings are flirting."
Lyra folded her arms and looked down at them.
"Next time," she said casually,
"try listening. It's cheaper than medical bills."
Elena straightened.
"So," she said coolly,
"who wants to explain why they thought this was a good idea?"
No one laughed this time.