TANGLED WITH MR BLACKWOOD

Friday | 7:34 AM – Inside the Van

"Just so you know," Maya said, leaning toward Lexi as the van pulled away from the curb, "you're not bailing on me tonight."

Lexi blinked. "Bailing on what?"

"The Luxe Lounge Mixer. Invite-only. High-end networking. Champagne. Men in overpriced cologne. I already got us listed."

Lexi groaned. "Maya—"

"You need to unwind. I need to flirt. One night. No excuses."

Lexi narrowed her eyes. "I came here to execute a venue inspection. Not a scandal."

Maya smirked. "Then why did you pack your red heels?"

Lexi turned toward the window, jaw tight.

She hadn't worn them in months — hadn't even meant to pack them. But she had. And ever since Scarlet Vale's visit, nothing felt quite right.

The way Scarlet had leaned over her desk, looked her up and down, and whispered, "Don't mistake his attention for something it's not."

It hadn't been direct, but it had burned.

Lexi hadn't been running from Mr. Blackwood.

She'd been running from the tightness in her chest whenever she caught herself feeling things she had no business feeling. And watching another woman — one who clearly knew him — mark her territory had only made it worse.

2:02 PM – Fairmont Regency Hotel

Lexi stepped into the marbled lobby with her clipboard gripped tight and her heels steady.

Her team followed like clockwork:

Maya, chaos strategist with a quick tongue and sharper instincts.

Jared, logistics lead, focused and always two steps ahead.

Nexi, visual execution queen, already eyeing color palettes.

Tosin, operations wizard, muttering timelines and checking vendor slots on his phone.

They looked good. Professional. Ready to dominate.

Lexi? She was in her element.

Until she wasn't.

3:11 PM – Ballroom Walkthrough

The Fairmont's main event ballroom shimmered in muted gold and velvet trim. Nexi was already arguing elegantly with a lighting tech about exposure angles. Jared ran calculations on cable lengths. Tosin waved in florists, listing load-in hours like clockwork.

Lexi paced the central aisle, issuing placements for installations and mock-ups.

"Florals start here," she told the lead decorator. "Seven feet tall. Floating frames only. Nothing bulky."

It all felt controlled — until the concierge approached.

"Miss Thompson?" the woman asked, hesitating. "There's been… a small shift with your room booking."

Lexi turned, shoulders already stiff. "What kind of shift?"

"A bridal party arrived early. Your assigned suite was mistakenly handed to their lead guest."

Lexi frowned. "Okay. So where am I staying?"

"We've moved your reservation to the Presidential Suite. Complimentary. It's the only option left tonight."

Lexi blinked. "Presidential?"

The woman nodded quickly. "Yes. Though… there's a detail. Another guest from your corporate group was rerouted there as well. It's technically shared under the Blackwood event account."

Lexi's eyes narrowed. "What—"

But she didn't get to finish.

Because the energy in the room shifted.

Heads turned.

And when Lexi followed their gaze—

He was there.

Mr. Blackwood.

But not in his CEO form.

No suit. No tie. Just a slate-gray round-neck shirt — soft, worn, unfairly flattering. Paired with dark pants, no accessories, no guards. Effortless. Understated.

And still every bit the man who made people fall silent.

Hotel staff straightened. Maya blinked like she was seeing a ghost. Even Tosin stopped typing.

He walked toward them with a quiet confidence that needed no announcement.

"Afternoon," he said, tone low but steady.

Lexi straightened, instinctively. "Sir. We weren't expecting—"

"I took the day off," he said casually, glancing around. "Thought I'd see the progress myself."

Maya leaned to Jared and whispered, "He's in homewear. That shirt looks like a hug and a threat."

Jared whispered back, "He looks like a Netflix husband. The dangerous kind."

The concierge stiffened. "Everything is alright, Mr. Blackwood. There was a minor room overlap, but it's being handled."

Ethan's eyes flicked to Lexi. Just briefly.

He didn't say anything else.

But he didn't have to.

8:47 PM – Luxe Lounge Mixer

Rooftop skyline. Crystal flutes. Jazz floating through the air like money.

Lexi wore the red heels.

She told herself it was just for confidence. Not for the off-chance she'd see him again.

Maya was in peak socialite mode, dragging Nexi into clusters of "brand synergy" and flirting like it was her birthright. Jared wandered toward the food table with quiet purpose. Tosin had his calendar open mid-dance floor.

Lexi sipped her drink by the glass railing, eyes distant.

Until she heard Maya's voice ring out:

> "I just asked if his cologne was YSL!"

A woman's voice snapped back. "He's engaged, you shameless flirt!"

And then—

Champagne flew.

Lexi turned just in time to see Maya ducking a cocktail napkin and someone scream about shrimp.

She rushed forward and yanked Maya out of the whirlwind before a dessert tray became a weapon.

"I asked one question!" Maya shouted. "Why do rich women hate honest curiosity?"

10:03 PM – Hotel Lobby Lounge

Back at the hotel, the team was still breathless with laughter.

Jared leaned against a marble pillar. "You made a woman throw seafood in a satin dress."

Nexi wiped tears. "You can't take her anywhere."

"I asked about cologne!" Maya yelled.

Tosin shook his head. "And now you're an urban legend."

They approached the front desk to receive their room keys.

Jared grabbed one. "Room 1614. Tosin?"

Tosin nodded. "Let's go before Maya gets us blacklisted."

Nexi smiled sweetly. "I'm bunking with chaos herself. Someone has to supervise her."

Lexi blinked. "Wait, what about—"

The concierge cut in gently. "Miss Thompson. About your suite…"

Lexi froze. "Please don't say anything weird."

The woman gave a tight smile. "You've been placed in the Presidential Suite. And… well… so has Mr. Blackwood."

The world tilted.

No way.

Before Lexi could find a way to process it, a familiar voice slid in.

"Is there a problem?"

She turned.

He was back.

Same shirt. Same look. Same unreadable calm.

"You alright?" he asked.

She nodded too quickly. "Apparently… we're roommates."

His brow lifted. Just slightly. "You take the bed."

Lexi paused. "Where are you sleeping?"

"I'll figure it out."

They stood there a beat too long.

Maya whispered, "One room. One night. One emotional breakdown pending."

Lexi walked toward the elevator — heels silent, heart loud.

And the

doors closed on every word she hadn't said.